//------------------------------//
// Getting Settled In 
// Story: Martellus and I 
// by Sentinel343 
//------------------------------//

I was right. It was one of the longest walks I had ever participated in.
I concur with that statement.
There was never anytime to answer any of Twilight's questions, not that I wanted to personally, but a pause in between sentences would have been appreciated.
As we approach the town, I look down at Twilight who is still babbling at me incomprehensible question back to back. I sigh and turn back around, watching the town for any signs of movement. As we start to enter the city proper, I see the dozens of ponies of the city population waiting. I stop.
'Martellus? What is this? And should I start running?'
The Cogitator and Auspex's get to work.
Scanning... Scanning postures... No aggressive stances detected. Scanning for Weapons... no weapons detected. Scanning for Primitive Weapons... none detected. Threat level: minimal. It says.
'I concur with this conclusion. They do not seem hostile, but even if they did attack, our battle plate and strength could overcome all their attacks. Recommended Course of Action: Be wary.'
'You got it.'
At this point Twilight, too deeply engrossed in her own lecture to notice my actions nor the mob of ponies ahead of us, and walks headlong into my legs. With a loud 'CLANG!', she finally notices the blockade of ponies. She grimaces, rubbing her face, and looks up at me. I look down at her and shrug. She rolls her eyes and I feel a prodding at our mind. Martellus and I both bristle and brace to repel a mental attack. When the prodding doesn't get more aggressive, I can feel Martellus' confusion.
'What's wrong?'
'Normally, this is the part where reality itself is torn asunder as Daemons leap from the Warp and massacre every living thing in the system. I am wondering as to why that has not happened yet.'
I 'blink'.
'That's a little dark man.'
'In the 41st millennium, there is only war. It is kill or be killed. And when Chaos is involved, the stakes are upped to your family as well. This is why the Adeptus Astartes and Adeptus Mechanicus teach their disciples to let go of their past ties and devote themselves to protecting the Imperium.'
'Again, dark.'
"What are you guys talking about?"
Both Martellus and I jump, me 'physically'.
'AH! JESUS CHRIST!'
Martellus responds by spawning a Bolter and aiming it at the new occupant of the space. I look at it and see Twilight. I 'Blink.' I cough as if nothing happened.
'Eh hem erm, how did you get into our head again?' I ask her.
Martellus at this point has disarmed and is looking on with interest.
'I engaged Telepathic communication. Didn't you feel me trying to engage the telepathy?'
Martellus and I look at each other.
'Yes? No? Maybe?' I tentatively answer.
Twilight's projection gives me a skeptical look.
'Damn it! Mom always told me I was a horrible lair! Martellus! Help!'
Martellus steps up to my side.
'We were both unaware you were trying to communicate with us. We felt a prodding at our minds and instinctively shielded ourselves from what was trying to enter our minds. We were unaware it was you.'
I jump in front of him to direct her attention back to me.
'Exactly!'
Twilight looks from Martellus to me.
'Your just taking credit for what he said, aren't you?' She asks.
I sigh.
'Yes...'
She rolls her eyes.
'Do you two have any idea what's going on here?' She asks and gestures out to the pony blockade.
We all peek out back into reality and still see the blockade of ponies, firmly in its place. Auspex begin to pick up restless whispers.
'We need to make a move, the population is getting restless. Those who would want to do us harm will no doubt use this time to persuade the crowd to take action against us.'
I nod.
'Aye, they are scared. Auspex can tell us that much. Twilight? Any suggestions?'
She shrugs.
'Wing it?'
Martellus and I look at each other.
'I highly disapprove of this action, but Twilight has deemed it the best course of action. So be it.'
I nod then look at her.
'I'm down!'
She nods and we all exit our collective Mindscape. Twilight's Body and ours begins to stir and the crowd draws silent. All eyes fall upon me and Martellus.
'Here goes nothing huh?'
'Indeed.'
I begin to walk forward and the crowd parts before me and around me, giving me 2 pony lengths of space. The Mane 6 and Doctor Whooves quickly follow, using the bubble I am causing in the crowd as a means to get through. The crowd lasts all the way to Twilight's Library/Home. I look at it and still see the hole where I made my escape. I look down at Twilight and tap her gently so as to get her attention and not harm her with my newfound superhuman strength.
"Still haven't fixed that huh?" I sarcastically ask, gesturing to the me shaped hole.
Twilight glares at me.
"Well you didn't exactly wait patiently for us to fix the wall then chase you, now did you?" She sarcastically answered.
Properly stifled, I look back at the door and squeeze my way through the me shaped hole. The others, Doctor Whooves included, quickly follow inside. As we enter, the crowd begins to form again in a large ring around the library, again in total silence. The others gather around a table and begin to discuss. I am fully capable of hearing them, but I elect to ignore them. Martellus on the other hand hijacks our hearing and Auspex and listens in. I walk around the Library, pulling random books off the shelf and discovering I am incapable of reading now, which is incredibly distressing due to the fact I was an avid reader back home, in fact, I had an entire room of my house which was about the size of the average living room turned into a library of all of my favorite books.
'Martellus? Can you read this?'
I 'feel' him looking at it.
'By the Emperor... have I lost the ability to read?'
'No, it would appear they are using a language other than English or Gothic. We will have to get reading lessons from Twilight.'
'If we do that, we run the risk of, as you would say, being bored to death. Confirm Decision?
'I don't know, lets talk about this later.'
'Affirmative.'
I go back to wandering through the library. Soon, the crowd outside begins to disperse, to the relief of the occupants inside and myself. The others sigh in relief.
'Wow, they were that tense about a crowd?'
'It would appear so. It would appear that crowds like that aren't a regular occurrence.'
'I agree.'
We turn our attention back to the world around us as the others are gathered at a table talking. I honestly couldn't care less what they have to say, it more than likely being about me, so I elect to ignore them. But Martellus on the other hand keeps a close eye on them through the Auspex. I begin to browse the books, occasionally asking Martellus if he can read a Language on a title. I pull out one book with a golden unicorn with a blue eye on it. I open it, flipping through the pages, scanning it with the Cogitators to see if they understand them. They cant so I elect to store the data and the alien symbols of the book in my Cogitator Banks.
'Subject: Twilight Sparkle and Subject: Pinkie Pie, are approaching us.' Martellus says suddenly.
'Oh?'
I turn and Twilight hesitates while Pinkie just keeps hopping towards me with an impossibly big grin. Martellus makes our hand drift towards our Bolter on our hip.
'Stop that! If they were going to hurt us, they would have done it long ago!' I say exasperatedly.
'An open mind is like a fortress, with its gates unbarred and unguarded. Fear not the creatures of the Jungle, but those from the Darkness of your mind.'
I 'Blink.'
'What?'
'She may not seem like a threat, but I have seen noble and powerful Space Marines and the greatest of war machines, felled by even the small Gretchin.'
'Yeah, but those Gretchin intended to do harm. She doesn't.'
"What are you doing?" Pinkie suddenly asks.
I direct my attention back to the real world after I 'jump' from my surprise.
"Reading. Or at least attempting to. I cant seem to read your language, despite my Cogitators knowing several dozen different languages."
Twilight seems intrigued.
"You cant read Equestrian?" She asks.
"It would appear not." I say, watching her worriedly, knowing this may turn into a lecture.
'What's wrong with a Lecture? Knowledge is power, so guard it well.' Martellus suddenly inputs.
'Yeah, but we can moderate what WE can learn. SHE goes from 0 to 120 in 2 seconds with learning.'
Martellus' form nods. Twilight appears to be saying something.
"- Equestrian is a language that dates back to-" 
She is cut off by Applejack shoving a hoof in her mouth.
"Mah apologies. Twilight gets a lil' bit carried away when she gits goin'." Applejack says apologetically, with Twilight glaring angrily at her.
"Its fine. Its fine. Everything is fine!"
"Now, Ah say we git introduced. Ma name is-"
"Applejack. Behind you is Twilight Sparkle and Pinkie Pie, and waiting by the table is Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Time Turner." I say, pointing them out as I go along naming them.
They all seem stunned, but Doctor Whooves nods and smiles.
"How did ya-"
"I know ponies." I interrupt.
Applejack turns around with a suspicious stare and Twilight and Pinkie follow her back to the remains of the table I crushed on arrival.
'They appear to be worried. I am concerned about the outcome of this scenario.' Martellus says.
'It will be fine. Odds are they're next Course of Action will be to give me a tour of Ponyville. Remind me to act surprised about the layout of Ponyville.'
'Very well.'
We watch them a bit longer before Twilight and Doctor Whooves walk over. Twilight begins to speak while Doctor Whooves smiles at me, the satchel from earlier that day still on his back.
"We have talked it over and we believe that a tour of Ponyville is in order." She says, watching me curiously to see my reaction.
In reality I nod, while in my head I do a victory dance. Martellus 'rolls' his eye.
"I'm down."
Twilight smiles while Doctor Whooves nods and keeps smiling.
"Then follow us. We will show you around." Twilight says with a turn.
I follow. Soon we find ourselves walking around outside, Twilight pointing at buildings and giving their history. I am completely tuning her out, just following after and giving the occasional response when she asks for one.
'This town is incredibly boring. ANY Town in the Imperium would have at least 1 siege if it wasn't destroyed outright.' Martellus suddenly says.
'In the Grim Darkness of the far future, there is only Awesome.' I quote.
'I disagree, the Imperium's plight is far from awesome.'
'Its a joke, Martellus. Ever heard of one?' I 'say' with a concerned tone.
'Joke?'
My 'heart' skips a beat.
'You and I need to have a serious talk when this is over man.'
I turn my attention back to the real world to find Twilight talking to me about the fountain in the town square, barely managing to catch the tail end of that discussion.
"And this is City Hall. This is where you can go to solve all of your legal needs." She says, pointing it our.
I look up at it.
'Won't be needing that.'
'Affirmative.'
I nod at it.
"Okay."
And with that, we move on. Soon we arrive at the bridge.
'Ah the bridge. The one I can't cross because I will collapse it.'
'Affirmative.'
I veer off the path and begin to slog through the water. Twilight and Doctor Whooves both stop and watch me.
"What are you doing?" Twilight asks a perplexed look on her face.
"Can't cross the bridge. Too heavy, remember?" I look up at her, standing waist deep in the water.
The perplexed look stays there for a second before a look of dawning realization hits and she face-hoofs.
"Of course! How could I forget! I am so sorry!" She cries.
I wave placatingly at her.
"Its fine. If I was afraid of a little water I wouldn't have agreed to go on this tour."
'Its the things inside the depths we should be scared of.' Martellus suddenly says.
'Stop it!'
Doctor Whooves watches passively with a smile on his face. After Twilight is done face-hoofing, she groans and looks down at me.
"Shall we continue?" She asks with an apologetic smile on her face.
I nod.
"We shall!"
And thus the Tour continues. Soon we return to Twilight's home.
"And that is Ponyville. What did you think?"
I look around and hold up 1 finger.
"One sec."
I shift my attention to Martellus.
'What do you think?'
'Poor Tactical positioning. Completely lacking in fortifications whatsoever. Poor firing lanes. And the only place that can be defended from for any extent of time is the Town hall. An Imperial Guard platoon could take this town with little to no difficulty. If this town were to be attacked, the buildings would all be flattened in half an hour and most of the population, if not all would be slaughtered in the remaining hour. I, however, can fix this. I believe I can settle with this town. But first I need a base of operations to mine, build, and work.'
'Sounds good.'
I nod.
"I can work with this. But I warn you Twilight. This town is going to change very much, very quickly once I am fully settled. Are you sure you want me to stay here?" I ask her, genuinely curious about her response.
She eyes me cautiously.
"Like how?" She asks.
I let Martellus take over. When he speaks, the voice changes noticeably to his voice from the Dawn of War 2 games.
"I am willing to turn this town into a Fortress unlike any ever seen. It will be so powerful, I doubt any army on this planet could take it. It will be a challenge, but the very survival of the Imperium is a challenge I partook in every day. This will be hardly a challenge compared to that. Do you wish this to be true?" He says, looking at her and folding our arms behind our back.
Twilight pales before she seems to mull it over. Even Doctor Whooves smiles cracks.
"Yes? But-" Twilight begins to say.
"Excellent! Building begins immediately. Show me to a spot where I can build a base."
Twilight blinks.
"Wha-"
"Never mind. I shall find it myself." Martellus begins to start walking.
Twilight blinks again before taking off to follow us. Even Doctor Whooves seems frightened by the implications of this.
'You sure this is a good idea? They seem... frightened.'
'They approved of the construction of this base. If anything, they should be enthusiastic.' He said with finality.
'Okay... but it sounded kind of uncertain to me.'
'They approved.' He responds simply.
'Fine.'
Soon we found ourselves on the path to Sweet Apple Acres after walking nearly the entire town again to find a suitable space for the base, despite Twilight's protests. Soon Martellus stops about Halfway down the path, Twilight runs headlong into our legs with a loud 'CLANG!' and an 'ow.' I glance down at her to see her rubbing her head.
'She is fine. Now, this location would be ideal. Allows for minimum arrival time to both Sweet Apple Acres and Ponyville in a time of crisis.' Martellus says.
He kneels us down and stabs his hand into the ground. He pulls up a handful of it and scans it with his robotic eye.
'Satisfactory soil levels. This will do well for the base I have planned.' He says, adding a nod.
He lets the soil fall through his fingers and stands. He looks at Twilight who is currently getting fussed over by Doctor Whooves.
"Do you have any tools? Preferably a digger or Drill?" He asks.
Twilight shakes her head, still nursing her new head wound.
Martellus growls.
"The Imperium was built on the hard work of the Mechanicus. It appears a Mechanicus must soil his hands once more to bring another world into His Holy Light." Martellus says before digging.
Twilight and Doctor Whooves watch with fascination as he digs. Soon the hole is 1 foot wide, then its 5 feet wide, then 5 Meters wide! When the hole reaches 15 meters wide, he begins to dig down. It has been an hour and a half and Doctor Whooves and Twilight, despite trying to voice their concerns to Martellus and failing, resign themselves to letting this happen and leave. The whole day goes by and Martellus is still going strong. At this point, he has made a hole in the ground big enough for a Razorback or a Predator Tank to park in. Then he stops and looks at the walls.
'Too small. We need these wider if we wish to have Land Raiders.' He says.
'WOAH! Land Raiders?! Dude, that is a big jump in firepower here!' I say, concerned.
Martellus elects to ignore me and get to work widening the tunnel. Soon enough the tunnel is big enough for one within a half hour.
'Damn, you work fast.'
Martellus shakes his head.
'Not fast enough. At the rate I am working this base will be completed and operational in a year. Much too slow.'
'Any ideas on how to speed this up?'
'Hmmmm...'
As we both continued to think, something triggered the proximity alarm built into Martellus' helmet-board radar.
'What is this?' Martellus says.
We glance up and see 2 forms of ponies at the entrance to the tunnel. Upon closer examination, one is wearing a cowboy hat, the other I can't tell.
'Looks like Applejack to me. But who's that with her?'
'Unknown.'
Applejack steps up.
"Hey! Ya down there!?"
Martellus and I both grimace at the sheer volume of the noise that the shout produced inside the tunnel.
"Yeah! Deafened, but still here!"
Applejack's ears fold down in embarrassment.
"Sorry 'bout that!"
We grimace again.
"How about this, you guys come down here, so we can actually talk without getting deafened?"
There is some mumbling before they begin to make their way down the tunnel. I rip a nearby root out of the wall and use my Servo-tool to ignite it. The forms reveal themselves to be Applejack and Big Macintosh.
'Hm. Was wondering when we would see him.'
'Beginning research.'
Martellus dives into my memories, scanning the files on him as they step up to me. They both look around, surprised at the work I had completed.
"One heck of a tunnel you got here." Applejack says awkwardly.
"Aye. This is gonna be my home. Why are you here? With your Brother no less?" I ask.
Big Mac blinks once in what I assume is surprise. Applejack looks very visibly surprised.
"How do ya-"
"I have my ways." I interrupt.
Applejack blinks, then shakes her head.
"We came ta see if ya wanted any help. Twilight said ya been working on some form of tunnel, so ah thought we should swing by and see if ya needed any help."
I nod and smile.
'See Martellus? They aren't bad Xenos.' I say smugly.
He grumbles a bit.
I look back down at them.
"I would be glad to allow you to help me. Besides, I needed some tools anyways."
Applejack tilts her head.
"Did ya just call us tools?" She asks.
I blink. Then burst out laughing.
"NO! Why would I call you that! You are my assistants! I just need some tools to dig out this tunnel!"
She nods in realization.
"Alright, Big Mac and Ah will be back in a little bit with some tools. Be right back!" She says and exits the tunnel.
After they leave, I exit too and sit down at the base of a tree, leaning against it. It creaks in protest and actually slightly uproots, but holds.
I sigh contently.
'Isnt it nice to take a break?'
Martellus grunts.
Then we settle in to wait. Its been about half an hour now and there is still no sign of Applejack and Big Mac.
'...Think we should eat something while we wait?'
'...Indeed.'
Our hands shoot to our head, then pause.
'Um... how do I get this thing off?'
'Disengaging Helmet.'
There is an audible 'hiss' as the helmet disengages. I take off the helmet and notice I can't see out of my right eye anymore.
'Did you disengage our eye too?'
'Affirmative. Its the only way to remove the helmet.'
For a moment this processes in my brain.
'Not sure if that is cool or disgusting.'
Martellus doesn't respond.
I reach for the bag of food I brought with me and remove a Bacon Cheeseburger.
'Martellus, do you have Bacon Cheeseburgers in the Imperium?'
'Negative, they were proven too unhealthy and led most people who partook in them down the path to Chaos.'
'Then prepare for a whole new world of flavor!'
As we took a bite of the Cheeseburger, I sensed Martellus' mind recoil in pleasured surprise and shock.
'I... was completely unaware something of this extraordinary flavor existed!' Martellus thought to me in childlike joy.
'Aye!' I think back in equal excitement.
'Tell me, what was this blessed food called?' He asks as he begins to devour the rest of the Burger messily, as unto a child with their own first burger.
I 'smile'.
'Bacon Cheeseburger.'
Martellus raises the half finished sandwich to the skies.
"PRAISE BE TO THE MAN WHO INVENTED THE BACON CHEESEBURGER! OMNISSIAH BLESS HIM!" He bellows and continues his frenzied feast.
I merely watch and enjoy the spectacle as an Adeptus Mechanicus tries a Cheeseburger for the first time. I notice Applejack and Big Mac returning with the tools.
'Speaking of Big Macs, the Apples are back.' I think, pointing them out to him.
Martellus looks, quickly scarfs the rest of the burger down and reseals our helmet. He pauses and grabs the bag of food.
'Note to self: Secure the items known as: "Bacon Cheeseburgers" somewhere safe after construction of base is complete.' Martellus thinks to the Cogitators, storing the note for later.
The Apples stop in front of me, toting a Wooden cart behind them and drop the cart. As it impacts the ground, the tools noisily clatter against one another.




Somewhere in the nearby Everfree...

A Timber wolf is sniffing its latest kill with its pack, a mighty Manticore that had wandered into the Pack's territory. Naturally the Timberwolves had to kill it before it attacked any of them or killed any of their food. But a new noise reaches their ears, the sound of clattering metal and wood. They all perk-up and look towards the sound. They believe they hear voices.
They all look at one another, growl, and begin to stalk towards the alien sounds.



I regard the tools as Martellus picks them up and examines them.
'These are decent quality... for Ponies.'
'Affirmative. We are unable to use these tools lest they break.' Martellus 'responds.'
'...You want to tell them or shall I?'
'I am not as well versed in the ways of the Ponies as you. Perhaps you should.'
'...Bugger.'
I turn and look down at them before Martellus can retort at my comment.
"I'm really sorry, but these tools aren't gonna cut it..." I say.
Applejacks face, covered with a look of pride, drops to a look of outrage.
"What do ya mean "They aint gonna cut it"?! Ma Brother and ah went back ta the Farm ta git these for ya and you say they aint good enough!" She retorts.
'Subject: Applejack, seems upset. I don't understand why.' Martellus asks in intrigue.
'I imagine these tools are of sentimental value to her. I bet I just kicked dirt on her pride.' I 'say' in a remorseful tone.
'Explain: Kicked dirt on her pride.' He 'asks'.
'Later.'
"I didn't mean that! I meant that they aren't good enough for me to use!" I say.
Before she can retort or interrupt, I walk over to a log almost the size of my body, pick it up and snap it in my hands. Applejack is left gaping at the show of strength while her brother is left with a mildly surprised look on his normally stoic face. Suddenly, my helmet starts beeping.
'Warning: Unknown beings approaching.  They do not appear to be ponies. They are moving to surround us.' Martellus 'says'.
'Got it. How many?' I 'ask'.
'Auspex says at least 17.'
'Then it can only be a pack of Timberwolves. Too many to be anything else.'
I address the Apples.
"We have company. NOT the friendly kind." I say as I begin to shepherd them towards the tunnel.
"What do ya mean 'NOT FRIENDLY'!? Ponies are the nicest folk you'll ever meet!" She exclaims, fighting me at every push.
"You're assuming they are Ponies." I say as I draw my Chainsword.
The 2 Ponies blanch at the massive blade as I rev it up. Theatrically, the Timberwolves choose that exact moment to leap out of the surrounding trees. Applejack yelps at their appearance before blushing in embarrassment, while Big Macintosh's face becomes more stoic than ever.
'Martellus? What are our chances of winning?'
'From what I know of these beasts from the MLP file, 99%.'
'What are our chances of winning WITHOUT the Ponies dying?'
'...56%'
'Shit, anyway we can bring that up?' I 'ask' as the Timberwolves slowly advance.
'If we arm the ponies and put them in the tunnel... 94%.'
'All right!'
"Applejack! Big Macintosh! Arm yourselves and get to the tunnel! I got this!" I say as I drop into a combat-ready stance.
Applejack looks at me incredulously.
"Did ya just ask me to run an hide? Buck no! I aint scared o' no Timberwolf!" She proclaims.
Big Macintosh grunts in agreement.
'43%'
I groan in frustration as the Timberwolves start howling at us, likely taunting me.
"I can't fight these things and protect you at the same time!" I exclaim.
"Ya don't have to! We can take care of ourselves!" She exclaims back.
Big Macintosh grunts in agreements as he grabs a pick-axe and tosses one to her. She catches it. I groan again. We all fail to notice the Timberwolf slowly sneaking up behind her.
"Please get in the tunnel!" I beg her.
"No!" She shouts.
And the Timberwolf takes it chance leaping into the air straight at Applejack. And in the blink of an eye, Martellus is moving, his Auspex already calculating where the Timberwolf will land and where it will be at any given time during its jump. Martellus grabs it by the throat milliseconds before it can close its jaws around Applejacks throat and smashes it into the ground with all the strength common among the Adeptus Astartes. As it impacts the ground, its face still snarling since its brain physically didn't process how fast the tables had turned on it, it explodes into thousands of splinters. All motion stops and Applejack and Big Macintosh openly gape at the show of strength and speed that trumps anything short of a Daemon or a Primarch. Even the Timberwolves stop, openly shocked by what had transpired.
'Damn son! Shit just got real!'
I barely have time to 'say' that before Martellus charges the most densely clustered spot of Timberwolves. They in turn howl and counter-charge. Applejack and Big Macintosh stay put.
'Likelihood of success according to set parameters has reached 64%.'
A Timberwolf leaps to bite our throat but Martellus neatly bisects it with an inhumanly fast strike from his Chainsword. Another darts below the strike to bite at our under arm and finds unyielding Ceramite/Adamantium awaiting its jaws. It yelps in pain and Martellus crushes its skull with a vicious elbow to the face. Another one goes to bite at our stomach but receives a Chainsword through the eye socket. 2 leap past us at the still, unmoving, and vulnerable target present in the Ponies, but 2 blasts from a Bolter to the head solve that issue. The remaining 6 back up and growl at us, tails tucked between their legs. We are covered in some form of sticky green goo.
'Must be the Timberwolves' Blood. Huh! Who knew they HAD blood!' I 'say'.
Suddenly as one, the remaining pack howls and charges. Martellus snaps off 3 shots, all headshots, before he clubs a Timberwolf across the head, smashing its skull and scattering more green goo all over the ground and the Bolter. The 2nd to last one receives a Chainsword to the chest, the Chainsword bursting from its back covered in green goo and spraying it everywhere. The last Timberwolf uses us as a springboard as we are pre-occupied getting the last Timberwolf's carcass off us, and goes for the ponies, both of whom are too petrified to stop it.
"NO!" I boom.
My Servo-arm flashes out, just barely a second before the Timberwolf can get a bite out of Big Mac's face and yanks it back. I grab it by the head and crush its head in my hand. Applejack and Big Mac are both dead still. I drop the carcasses and walk over to examine them, both remain stock still.
'They appear to have gone catatonic.' Martellus says.
'...shit.'
'I can cure this, if you wish it.'
'Of course!'
He stands and walks over to the broken log and rips a branch off of it. Then, using his blow torch, sets it smoking nd waves it beneath their noses. Startled by the smell of smoke, they spring into action.
"FIRE!" Applejack shouts and takes off with a panicked look on her face.
Big Mac has a similarly terrified look on his face and he takes off as well. They charge straight into each other and comically flatten one another. As they thrash on the ground, their minds processing everything that has occurred, I watch them.
'...uh... What now?'
'We wait till they have recuperated.' Martellus simply 'says.'
They throw each other off of themselves and shoot to a standing position, eyes blank. Slowly, both of their eyes track to me. I hold a calming hand out to them and step back a few steps.
"Are you two okay? You aren't hurt?" I ask in as worried a tone as I can manage.
It takes them both a second to process the question.
"Fine..." Applejack says at last.
I huff out a sigh of relief.
"Hey... uh.." Applejack begins.
I kneel down as she walks closer, Big Mac right behind her.
"Thanks for... uh... protectin' us back there." She finishes.
I smile under the helmet and nod.
"Anytime, anywhere." I say simply.
She glances up at me with sheepish awe and looks at the dead Timberwolves.
"Ya sure those things are dead an' gone?" She asks.
I walk over and pick one up by what remains of its neck and shake it.
"Yep, pretty sure." I say with a nod.
She seems a little disgusted by what happened. I sigh.
"Look, I know what happened is a little GRAPHIC, for what usually happens around here with all the sunshine and rainbows and peace, but I had to make a choice. It was them or you 2, and I elected to have my friends live to see tomorrow than see them ripped apart by some twigs with teeth." I say.
'Well said...' Martellus 'says'.
Applejack takes a moment to process what I said.
"Well... I suppose ah was being a lil' bit harsh on ya for saving mah brother and I..." She finally says.
I mentally sigh in relief.
"Ma brother and ah will help ya finish this here tunnel o' yours, on one condition." She says with a hard-look at me.
I perk up, interested.
"Name it." I say, falling to one knee to look her in the eye (or rather as close as I can be.)
"I want ya to NEVER EVER use that there kind o' violence again on a intelligent thing unless absolutely necessary." She says.
'Martellus? Your thoughts?'
'I would disagree to these terms, in the event a catastrophe is about to take place, I would not be able to avert it as readily. This also means that if a threat that could resurface appears, we could not wipe it out before it can return.'
'So you think we should disagree?'
'Negative. Once the base is up and running, I can build non-lethal weapons. Building the base takes priority.'
"We agree to your terms." I say and shake Applejack's hoof, which nearly flattens here due to the immense power behind the simple shake.
I am quick to pick her up and dust her off.
"Sorry, you okay?" I ask.
"Yeah, jus' fine. Now then, lets get to work." She says with a determined look on her face, which is mirrored by her brother.
I nod and lead the way down into the tunnel.



It takes another 3 days to complete the chamber which Martellus had begun, even with the help of the Apples. But the chamber is complete and Martellus is ecstatic, or as ecstatic as a Techmarine can be, planning the space out for later builds, like Cogitators, Auspex's, a Vehicle garage, a Forge, you name it. He is even planning to build a Servitor factory!
Applejack swipes off all of the sweat on her head.
"Tha' about do it?" She asks.
"Yep! Thank you both so much for your help. Now if you'll excuse me, I am off to the Market to buy some materials to make this place a bit more roomy." I say.
I turn and am about to walk out when Applejack suddenly says:
"Ya got any bits?"
I stop dead in my tracks.
'Shit! I forgot they're form of money is bits!' I 'say' to Martellus.
'This may prove problematic. Perhaps Applejack knows of another way we can pay them?'  He 'says', impassive as ever.
I slowly turn around.
"YEAH, um... I don't have any." I say, embarrassed.
Applejack seems incredulous.
"Ya mean Twilight never told ya about it? Oh, that Twilight, always so caught up she forgets everything! Hard t' think a Mare as smart as her forgets these things so often. Come on!" She says and walks towards the entrance tunnel.
I look back at Big Mac who is standing next to a hole that Martellus had intended to be the beginnings of a forge.
"Coming?"
He simply shakes his head. I nod and follow Applejack.
She is waiting for me at the entrance to the tunnel. At that point, she begins leading me towards Ponyville, blabbering on and on about Twilight's quirks. Fortunately, Martellus had the foresight to silence our Audio Auspex's so we cant hear her.
We soon arrive at Twilight's Tree Library and Applejack goes to knock. As she does this I re-activate our Audio Auspex's.
"Twilight! Its me Applejack! Ah'm comin in!" She shouts through the door and throw it open wide.
I take a knee so I can observe everything happening inside.
'She appears to have fixed her doorway.' Martellus notes.
I glance at it and see the remnants of drying Dry-wall. I magnify the image.
'Looks like she did it about 2 days ago?'
'Indeed.'
"Hey! Big fella! Come on in!" Applejack suddenly shouts.
I glance at the 2 ponies waiting inside, Spike is hiding at the top of the stairs leading to Twilight's and Spike's rooms.
"I cant fit through the door." I simply say.
Applejack seems confused while Twilight mirrors her confusion. Twilight gets it first.
"Dang! I forgot you where so big! We'll just come outside to you!" She says and begins to walk out.
Applejack face-hooves and follows her out. Twilight looks up at my helmet.
"Applejack says you need some Bits?" She inquires.
"Yeah, We want to make some flooring for the base. But I don't have any money to go buy some Ferrocrete." I say.
They both look at me funny.
"What's Ferrocrete?" Twilight asks, a twinkle in her eye at the prospect of learning something new.
'Oh shit... What can of worms did I just open?' 
'A can of worms? Subject: Twilight Sparkle is not a worm nor a can, meaning referring to her as a can of worms is illogical.' Martellus 'says'.
'Shut up and answer the ladies question..' I 'say'.
"Ferrocrete is a synthetic compound used as a common building material across the human-settled galaxy. It is composed of a mix of metallic alloys, ceramic polymers and stone of various kinds." Martellus answers Twilight.
She enters a state of deep thought.
"I don't believe we have that... but we DO have Concrete! Sadly not here in Ponyville, but there are Contractors in Canterlot who are willing to do that for you!" She chirps happily.
"I apologize, I don't want to hire a Contractor, I merely need the resources with which to produce and place Ferrocrete, or this, Concrete, of which you speak." Martellus says.
"Well, if you want to make Concrete, I know a Pony who can help you." Twilight says.
"Oh? Pray tell, who could that be?" I ask.




5 minutes later...




"Your kidding, right?" I ask Twilight.
We currently stand in front of Pinkie Pie's home, Sugarcube Corner. She shrugs.
"If anypony in Ponyville knows how to make cement, its her. Trust me, she has done weirder things before. Much weirder..." Twilight says distantly, hoof to her chin.
Applejack nods her affirmation, shivering at something.
"Best be gittin' in there. I'd bet mah hat she is expecting you."
'I'd bet my ass she is expecting me and is well prepared.' I 'say'.
Martellus is busy pouring over all the info I have on Pinkie Pie.
I step up to the door and knock. The door slowly creaks open. I look inside and see nothing but inky blackness where the light of day doesn't reach. Thoroughly creeped out, I look behind me and see the both Twilight AND Applejack are gone, along with the rest of the visible population of Ponyville. Martellus draws our Bolter and Chainsword.
'The Emperor Protects.' I 'say'.
'We shall feel no fear for we are one to be feared.' Martellus responds.
We turn back to the door. Martellus activates our night vision and steps in. As we step in, we don't see anything moving. He activates Heat Vision and suddenly the room is filled with heat signatures.
'What the hell!?' I 'exclaim.'
I barely have time to finish my sentence before there is a massive flash of light and we are blinded.