Ken had taken up a position on a hill. The cruiser landed hard so the fact there was so little resistance was not surprising. He scanned the field for anything that could be of use. A few deployable covenant shields were still up and the running. Standing from his post he jogged to a the closest shield and examined it. Its energy hummed as he knelt to look at the projector device. He didn't know how it worked but he saw two symbols and he guessed by pressing one. The shield deactivated and he surmised that the other button was to turn it on. He picked it up and began to scavenge other covenant tech.
“Sir, Condor is in sight.” Cumulus said over the comms. Ken jogged over to the bodies of the fallen as the Condor cleared the trees and banked to land on the ground.
“Kisara, status.” He ordered.
“Wounded are being cared for, unfortunately five more perished on the flight back. What is the total numbers. Fifteen casualties, twelve wounded, six still in critical, ten still able to fight, four of which stayed behind.” She reported.
“Out of thirty-one only ten remain. If we don't do something about that cruiser” he said as he looked up at it as it floated menacingly in orbit.
“These ponies will be wiped out.” Ken guaranteed. As the hatch lowered Luna stepped out with new ponies who began to gather the dead. A few threw up at the sight of the carnage but the four who had stayed quickly began to help.
“I want to take some of their weapons.” Luna said more of a demand then a question.
“I don't think they will use them anymore.” Ken said as he held out the shield projector.
“What is this?” She asked as her magic enveloped it beginning to inspect it.
“A portable plasma shield, it looks similar to your magic shields you use.” He guessed. Luna then ordered three ponies to gather as much tech as they could before departing. Ken took it upon himself to help load some of the fallen. He approached one body and noticed it was the pegasus who had been the first to fall. Two pegasi simply stood over him not knowing how to carry the severed halves. Ken went into the Condor and located a tarp. He laid it out and proceeded to lift the pony halves and place them on it before folding the tarp and lifting it up walking to the Condor where he placed the body next to the others. The other ponies loaded up and Luna stepped onto the ramp along with several weapons and Covenant tech. Taking his spot in the pilot's seat he closed the ramp and lifted off before the Covenant cruiser sent a party to investigate the crash site. Half an hour into the flight back he heard the hooves clack on the deck and he looked over his shoulder to see Luna, he looked forward.
“How do we deal with the cruiser?” She asked simply.
“When I come up with an idea I'll let you know.” He said as he banked the condor. Luna looked out of the window seemingly lost in thought as was he.
“We can only see what they do. Already panic and fear are gripping everypony in Equestria. Spartan, as much as I do not like relying on somepony else I have to ask you...will you help us fight these invaders?” Luna asked looking at him. Ken nodded silently.
“The Covenant are a threat to all. If we don't take out that cruiser it will be another Reach.” he said darkly. Luna nodded and left him to his job piloting the Condor.
The rest of the time was quiet as they finally made it back to Canterlot. As the Condor swung above the grounds several ponies with grim looking faces stood their ground as the exhaust blew in their faces. As he landed and opened the door the grim faced ponies began to gather the dead and place them into coffins. They all had uniform, but the patch on their shoulder was a single drop of blood with three symbols representing all three races around it.
“They are our medical corps.” Luna said answering his unspoken question. A gruff looking normal pony approached him and gave a bow to Princess Luna.
“Is this all of them?” He asked.
“It is Lt Redhoof.” She confirmed as he sighed and looked at Ken.
“Im thankful for your flying Condor as they called it. If it weren't for it we could have lost several others.” He stated as several ponies began to unload the Covenant gear.
“What do you plan on doing?” Kisara asked Luna who looked at him surprised and remembered she was in fact somehow inside his suit.
“We plan on seeing how they work and maybe use them to better enhance our own technology.” She said as the last of the Covenant tech was removed. Ken looked at the floor of the Condor that was littered with blood, bandages, and he could only guess the smell was displeasing. Redhoof looked at the mess and then back at Ken.
“We will clean it out. We have magic that can sterilize your Condor.” He said and Ken nodded in understanding.
“I have not yet debriefed my sister. Will you accompany me?” She asked and Ken nodded as his answer. He walked alongside Luna as they entered through the doors. The castle was abuzz with activity, several ponies were quickly moving around and he could tell by the panicked looks on their faces that they had never really known conflict on this kind of scale. Ken entered the throne room and it was packed with concerned nobles and members of government. All raising their voices to get the attention of Princess Celestia to listen to their concerns.
“Please! Everypony.” Celestia said but was drowned out by the noise.
“CALM YOURSELVES!” Luna’s voice boomed in the room causing everypony to stop and look at the princess and the gigantic spartan by her side. It showed that Luna was the more militaristic of the two sisters.
“You are all scared, But understand this… we will deal with this and all your concerns but you must go through the proper channels. I must talk with my sister…” she said looking at the guards who were surrounding the room. The ponies began to file out of the room and Ken sidestepped them and simply put his hands behind his back waiting till the last official left the throne room. The doors closed and Celestia quickly embraced Luna tightly and then stepped back.
“What happened? I didn't get any proper reports and you left so suddenly I have only heard bits and pieces of what happened.” she said, Luna looked at Celestia and removed her helmet then looked at the spartan. Ken removed his hands from his back and walked forward to them and took a knee so he was not so towering then Kisara appeared standing.
“Celestia, losses were fifteen dead, twelve wounded. At current, the covenant are holding in the atmosphere but that's bound to change soon. The ponies that assisted in the conflict were under-powered and ill equipped but still managed to do significant damage despite the weapons you possess. Magic seems to be most effective.” Kisara summarized Celestia looked at Ken.
“I’m sure if you weren't there we would have had more losses.” She said as her head bowed slightly. Ken gave a simple nod before he looked at Luna.
“Where are you researching the Covenant technology?” He asked as the doors opened and admitted Twilight, Rarity and Applejack.
“I have ponies working on it in the East wing.” Luna said. Twilight and her friends were cleaned up from before but their looks still spoke of being haunted by what they had witnessed and accomplished.
“Princess, I would like to help with the tests you will do in regards to the technology you acquired.” Twilight asked as she looked up at Celestia.
“We would be happy to have your help Twilight.” Celestia said as Kisara raised her hand getting attention.
“I can also be of some help, anything you have questions about just look for Ken and ask it.” She offered and Luna nodded in appreciation.
“I'm sure your are tired we have prepared a room for you Spartan. I'll have one of my staff escort you. Rarity looked at Ken then Twilight before saying.
“I'm going to head back to Ponyville, I...I need to recompose myself.” She said before turning to leave. Applejack looked at Ken.
“Mind if’n I ask you somthin?” She asked her voice almost sounding hollow. Ken nodded and stood up so he could be at his full height.
“Do you do what we did and see what we saw often?” She asked. Ken thought a moment as they all looked at him and with a small sigh he reached up and grasped his helmet and with a small hiss he removed his helmet. His eyes looked into Applejacks.
“My main job was covert operations, assassinations, and sabotage. I have seen and done things that are classified but if you are wondering if I can answer does it ever get easier to watch friends and companions die...never. It will never be something you can forget or get use too.” Ken said with weight behind his words as the ponies looked at him with surprise and deep retrospection. Ken then replaced his helmet and looked at Celestia who seemed to recover herself first.
“Your room is in the western wing tower.” She said as Luna quickly recovered as well.
“I'll take you.” She offered but Celestia placed a hoof on her shoulder.
“I must speak with you. Good day Spartan.” She said dismissing Ken who straighten and moved to leave. Applejack and Rarity followed him out of the throne room and a unicorn pony was standing outside the door and bowed her head to Ken and lifted a hoof gesturing for him for follow. Ken followed the pony and then turned down a corridor, leaving Rarity and Applejack to continue to go back towards the exit.
Ken and the maid pony began to ascend a spiral staircase soon arriving at the room. He stepped in and looked around. The bed was large and the room was quaint as well as the ceiling was vaulted so he had lost of room to stand. He turned to see her bowing her head and closed the door. Ken was alone and the night approached quickly again which still baffled him. He walked out onto the terrace and looked west as he saw the Covenant cruiser had lowered and it's glass cannon was warming up and in a brilliant light that cut through the darkness of the evening the Covenant glasses the crash site of the crashed cruiser.
“Well...now what?” Kisara asked.
“When I see a solution...I'll let you know.” He said with resolution.