//------------------------------// // Chapter 9: Left behind // Story: Xcom: Alien Unknown // by Bronycommander //------------------------------// Chapter 9: Left behind “Ugh…” Dinky came to with a chin head and body, her vision was blurry. “I am…still alive?” She groaned as her vision became clear, finding herself on what appeared to be a rooftop, Toby, Jessie, and Lukas were lying beside here, apparently unconscious, the Knights watched over them, with Fletcher looking at her with a relieved smile. “You’re awake, I feared the worst.” “W-what happened?” The filly asked as she got up. “You, me and the others got thrown out as the Skyranger was attacked. Luckily, I managed to catch myself with my magic and caught you just barely before the ground, same for our three friends.” He explained with a slightly shaken voice. Dinky’s eyes went wide as she realized the situation. Are we…L-left behind?” She stuttered in fear and James sighed as he stood up. “I am afraid to say, yes. We appear to have landed in an abandoned city. But I am pretty sure we find a way out of this.” James replied as he noticed how Toby fiddled with his radio, his voice was flat-toned as he spoke into it. “Come on...Come on...Come on-Come on-Come on-Come on! Come on! Is anyone there?!” He gripped the radio harder, his hand shaking. "Cheap, stupid, waste of bloody, sodding goddamn, motherfu-“ He yelled in rage and his friend spoke up. “Toby, let me.” Patch’s eyes went wide and he yelled defensively, “Hey, I'm working!” “That's not your radio.” James pointed out “Well, whose is it then?” The Brit asked, his expression one of despair as he held it up mockingly. “Anyones?! Helloooooo! Oh, silly me, I forgot half of us are dead or missing!!! I am trying to work here!” The sniper raised his hands apologetically. “Yeah, I appreciate that but it isn't getting us anywhere.” “Well, if you stopped standing around looking stupid, breathing down my bloody neck, it just might, okay?!” Patch yelled stressed “Toby, you need to calm down,” James suggested in a calm voice. “Calm down for what?! We're in buggering No-Man's-Land, folks! If we calm down, they get us! Now get off my case!” The Specialist now was yelling in an angry tone. “Patch!” The filly’s voice called out and the man turned to her with a furious expression. “WHAT?!” Dinky took a deep breath and her voice was quiet as she said slowly, “Please put the gun down...” The Brit now slowly looked at the gun in his right hand, he hadn't even noticed he was holding it, put it away and stared at James with a face pale with shock and guilt as he realized what he had almost done. He raised his hand and gave Jessie the radio. “Sorry...I'm just a bit...Sorry...” He said in an apologizing tone before he mumbled as he looked around, his expression half-delirious. “It'llbefineeverythingiseverythingisfineohsweetlordI'mgoingtodiehere...” “Please don’t fight, I don’t like to see friends fighting. I know this isn’t a good situation, but fighting each other won’t help us.” Dinky said with sadness in her voice. The two friends took a deep breath and Toby replied, “Righto. Sorry, we are just still shaken at what had just happened to us.” “It’s okay. Happens to anypony.” “Yes, even to us.” Midnight added. “Now, let’s find a way out of here. And beware of the Lost and Purifiers.” Dinky had been told by them what the Lost and Purifiers were. She couldn’t think of how horrible it must have been for the people that had fallen victim to those fog pods 20 years ago, as they climbed down a fire escape. The filly looked with sadness at the streets littered with abandoned cars, and victims of the fog pods that were lifeless statues, standing or lying on the ground in protective or scared poses next to the leftovers of the fog pods, a green glow was around them with green roots, covering some of the victims too. “This must have been horrible.” “Yes, it was. My home was completely wiped out, abandoned like this one.” James sounded slightly afraid, trembling and so did Toby. It was understandable given the situation they were in and what they had experienced in the past. “Any idea where we could be?” He asked the others as Toby started to read a road sign that looked like a town sign in a non-English language. “The Philippines.” He replied, surprising his friend. “You can read Filipino?” Patch shrugged. “I may have never had interest in the diplomatic background of my family, but it has its perks.” The man’s expression became one of fear. “One of my friends is from here. Her home was hit from one of those fog pods, haven’t heard from her ever since. If she’s a Lost…I don’t think I can…” He said with dread in his voice as Lukas put a hand on his shoulder. “Don't worry, Patch, I'm sure it won't come to that.” Spring took a deep breath. “Righto. Now I wish I had stayed with a rifle. Wolf, can you scout ahead?” He asked as they came to a corner. “No problem.” She flew ahead and they all waited for her report. “Sector is clear.” The mare said on the radio and the group prepared to move on. Suddenly, several bestial howls echoed through the empty streets, startling Dinky. “What was that?” They moved around the corner, seeing Wolf running towards them, screaming “NOT CLEAR! NOT CLEAR!” Dinky’s eyes went small in fear. The Pegasus was chased by fast running life forms that resembled humans but their skin was grey and rotted, their clothes torn, the eyes glowing green. Lukas, James and the Knights opened fire, going for the head, Dinky, while scared, fired non-lethal spells to stun them, seeing how Patch reloaded frantically every round, making her realize how unpractically the Bow Caster was in this situation. One Lost came to close to her, she bucked it with her hind legs, making it stumble and Patch finished it off with his pistol and they defeated the Lost quickly. “Let’s move, we can’t stay here.” He suggested and they all moved down the road, coming to an end, leading to the left or right. “Which way do we take?” He asked before a hissing sound greeted their ears. They saw an inferno on the right side, two Purifiers walking out of it. “Don't let them get too close!” The Specialist warned and Fletcher fired a shot, it went through the helmet of one hostile, the other one moved from cover to cover, evading their fire and responded with a jet of fire. Dinky screamed in fear but Fletcher managed to get up a magic shield, protecting her and the others from the flames. The ADVENT soldier ceased fire at the sound of howling, turning around to see a horde of Lost coming towards him and the others, way too much for all to handle. Midnight decided to use his Psionic powers, sending a purple beam towards the ADVENT soldier, the Purifier held his head in pain, then started to fight the horde. “It will buy us some time!” The stallion yelled and they moved into the other direction. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a dead end, being a housing development with a few courtyards. “What now?” Dinky asked, not able to think of a way out. “We move through the country yards.” Jessie suggested, “Midnight, Fletcher, check the building in the middle. “You got it.” The unicorn replied and they moved out. Fletcher went first, slowly opened the door and saw out of the corner how an ADVENT trooper was about to ambush it by trying to hit him with the butt of his rifle. Fletcher managed to grab the rifle and they both struggled until he managed to shove him back as Midnight threw the trooper to the ground, making Fletcher losing his balance, falling over. He watched as Midnight punched the trooper into the face, throwing the helmet off before the hostile managed to stab him under the armor into the stomach. “Midnight! Oh, Bick!” Fray exclaimed as Midnight clenched his wound and the trooper ran towards the unicorn. The stallion grabbed the knife and struggled again, throwing the enemy to the ground, using his magic to beat him twice with his helmet, splattering blood on the ground. He then moved towards his wounded friend who pointed towards the door. “12 o' clock!” Fletcher quickly drew his revolver and shot an incoming ADVENT trooper into the head. “Get me out of here!” Midnight groaned in pain as the green pony dragged him out, towards the country yards. On your left!” The grey stallion pointed out another Trooper and Officer, Fletcher quickly shot them into the head with his pistol, then vaulted over a fence and helped Midnight over and shot three more Troopers that came from the direction they had come from. “We're clear! Come on!” “I’m losing blood.” Midnight groaned. “Hang in there!” Fletcher replied as he dragged him towards a bridge where the others were holding of a few Lost, leaning his friend against a wall as smoke got popped to his right. “Keep your head down!” He fired his revolver to kill three more troopers. “Watch out!” Midnight yelled as another trooper came behind and the bat pony fired his pistol, taking him down. Fletcher then continued to drag him towards the bridge as suddenly a grenade flew towards him. “Bick!” He yelled and threw it away, not caring if more Lost were drawn to them. “Midnight!” Wolf exclaimed in shock as he assisted Fletcher and helped with Dinky to patch him up, as Patch ordered his GREMLIN to heal. “I…survived worse…trust me…” The grey stallion winched in pain as Lukas took a look at the bridge. “It appears it collapsed during the invasion or through disrepair, but we may be able to jump over it.” “Alright, let’s go for it.” Jessie and Toby jumped first, grabbing the edge and pulled themselves followed by Lukas, while Wolf carried Dinky and Midnight and flew them to the other side, scouting ahead. Fletcher then jumped, holding onto the edge as a part of it collapsed, losing his grip with his left hoof, looking down as it was a long way. As he looked up, his eye went wide as a Berserker grabbed him, lifting him up into the air. Fray barely managed to cast a shield spell as the Alien was about to deck him, the shield did his work but still, Fray’s vision was blurry and his ears ringed for a moment as he felt the pain. “Leave him alone! You big curd!” Wolf yelled as she came from behind, the Berserker turned around in surprise before she rammed her blade into its throat, killing it and Fray fell to the ground, using his magic again to land on the intended side and not to his death, by teleporting. “You’re okay?” She asked him. “I’m fine.” “Glad to hear it, the others are just ahead. Oh, almost forgot.” In a flash she was gone for a second and back, holding Midnight’s rifle. “He shouldn’t be without it. Wait…did you hear that?” “Hear what?” Fletcher looked around, seeing nothing. “I thought I heard something.” The mare walked up to a building, opening slowly the door and drew her knife as a Stun Lancer rushed from her right, grabbing her knife and rammed it into a wall. She took it out and they both struggled before she was punched into the chest and fell on a table. Wolf kicked the hostile, sending him out of the window and climbed out, seeing how Fletcher at the end of the road with the others, holding more Lost at bay, as she raised the knife to finish her opponent but she grabbed it with both hands to prevent her from killing him. He managed to shove it away and punched her in the face, stunning her for a moment. Upon recovering, she heard a cling sound and looked down in shock as she realized that the Stun Lancer had pulled the pin on a grenade she was wearing on her armor, pushing her back into the building. “Auntie!” Dinky exclaimed in shock as she saw the explosion and the ADVENT soldier raising a fist into the air, cheering. “No! Wolf!” Fletcher exclaimed. The ADVENT soldier suddenly twitched, then fell dead to the ground, a knife in his head and coughing, the blue Pegasus came out of the smoke, covered in dust, but fine. “That all you got, you wuss?!” She exclaimed as he grabbed the knife and walked back to the group. Patch did a scan on her, just in case and was relieved that she was really fine, then looked up ahead. “It appears the city limit is just ahead, let me take a look.” The Specialist climbed up a house façade. “Yep, it is. Go ahead, I keep watch.” Dinky let out a sigh as they walked towards, seeing bright sunlight instead of the dark green of the abandoned city, happy to finally be out of here. James put a hand on his radio. “We are out of the city, are you coming, Patch?” Instead of an answer they heard a loud rumble, looking towards the house the Brit was standing on, it was slowly collapsing and they saw him running towards the edge, cursing something, which was incomprehensible due to the crumbling of the house. As he jumped down, the bat pony and Pegasus flew towards him and grabbed him by the arms, stopping his fall and gently brought him down. “Thanks.” “Where do we go?” Dinky wanted to know. Toby thought about it, putting a hand to his chin. “My best guess would be to go to a settlement where we can contact the Avenger.” By foot it would take too long, but maybe we can find something in here?” Jessie asked and pointed to a building that looked like a small garage or barn that had fallen into disrepair, parts of the roof were missing. “It’s worth a try,” Toby replied and opened the door with his friend, all were surprised at what they found inside. It was a yellow SUV, the tires were flatted, the roof had a small dent from the roof beam that had landed on it, shattering the driver window and Patch whistled. “Look at that. Roof must've come down during the years. Uh, good thing it's a Range Rover...these things are invincible. My father worked in a shop that specialized in making and trading car parts, so I know a thing or two. “My father also knew a lot about cars, let’s try to repair it, so we can get around faster,” James suggested. Lukas nodded. “I was never that much interested in cars, but let’s do this.” “I do love a challenge,” Fletcher added, Dinky, Midnight and Wolf nodded, gathering the tools around in the barn and helped as good as they could to restore the SUV, enjoying it too. After a while, the windows and tires were repaired and the fuel tank refilled with some spare canisters that were in the barn too. “Alright, let’s see if it worked.” Toby tried to start the engine and with a loud “Vroom”, it came to life. “Wonderful.” “And not too soon!” Lukas yelled as he pointed an ADVENT ground transport moving in and they got into the SUV, James took the passenger seat. “Why am I behind the wheel? I never even finished my driving lessons!! “Honestly, the roads the way they are, playing Grand Theft Auto's good enough.” Günther countered and Toby’s expression became embarrassed. “Er...” “You never played Grand Theft Auto?!” Sheepishly, his friend asked “...Does Simpsons: Hit and Run count?” “Could you please shut up and drive?!” Midnight yelled as the troops spotted them and opened fire, Dinky shrieked and held onto the seat as Patch put the gas to the pedal and drove at full speed out into the landscape. The others leaned out of the windows and fired their weapons as ADVENT squad cars chased them, aiming for the drivers or tires to get rid of them. Fletcher scored a shot through the windshield of one squad car, it lost control and crashed against a tree. Toby steered the SUV into a tunnel, causing Wolf to yell, “What are you doing?!” “Trying to escape them!” He replied as Dinky could swear she saw a bright light shining in front of them. James’ eyes went wide as he realized what it was. “Incoming train! Go right! Go right!” Dinky screamed as the train came closer and Patch barely dodged it, and his friend yelled, “A little close there, friend!” “Sod off! We're still in one piece!” Patch yelled in response, yet his action had an advantage as the pursuers weren’t able to dodge the train in time, crashing into it, derailing the train and blocking the tunnel. Dinky started to relax as the SUV left got out of the tunnel and drove towards the normal road, taking a deep breath, leaning back into her seat, as Toby said, “I think we lost them.” “Good…now let’s find a way to contact the Avenger.” Midnight replied as Günther noticed something. “There appears to be tape in the radio player. Mind some music?” He asked and the others shook their heads, so he pressed the play button. The tape played a song about a man wanting to get a ticket for a plane, wanting to go home, as his lover had written him a letter, missing her terribly. The ponies enjoyed it, it reminded them of their situation, wanting to let their friends and families know they were safe, wanting to go home. It also suited the situation of Jessie and Toby, as they had lost their homes and loved ones, looking for a new home. They traveled down the abandoned road, not encountering any soul until the sun was setting, stopping to rest, warming themselves at a campfire. “Jessie? Why do you have a headset on your cap?” Dinky was curious and he grinned as he looked at her. “It’s simple. I have a free hand that way, not having to bother with grabbing, which is an advantage as a sniper to react quickly. Plus I can listen to music in my spare time.” He chuckled. “Remember when I told I used to be handicapped?” “Yes.” The filly replied. “You see, I was born two months too early, thus my handicap. I could barely open my left hand, only holding it like this.” He held his left hand like he was grabbing a doorknob. “But I managed to improve, doing things better with one hand than my parents could with two. With the gene clinics, this was healed, though it took a long time to adapt to that.” Dinky thought about it, how strange it must have been for him. “It must been hard for you.” She said with sympathy, giving a weak smile, which he returned. “Yes, it was.” “I am glad we are out of that city. You did pretty well with fighting the Lost.” Wolf complimented them with a hint of pride in her voice “Well, before the commander was rescued, we went into the abandoned cities to gather supplies that were still in there, so we fought them before. After the rescue, the commander decided those operations weren’t necessary anymore.” Patch explained as he took a bite of his ration. Every XCOM operation had emergency rations that lasted for a few days, just in case. “I am glad to have those rations. After the invasion, millions of livestock went missing and ADVENT decided what products people should eat, even animal husbandry got forbidden. I used to have a cat once before the invasion, sadly has not survived.” Günther lowered his head. “The crackdowns on food made the City Centers the only choice to survive. The younger generations that grow up in the City Centers have no idea of survival outside.” He added as he looked up with a weak smile, missing the old days. “If it would be possible, I’d try to give you a new start in Equestria.” Midnight mumbled with a weak smile of his own and both bronies chuckled. “Going to Equestria was a very favored fanfiction subject in the fandom. I’d love to go, though I have no idea what race cutie mark or colors I would have as pony.” James scratched his back. Wouldn’t be surprised if I end up as palette swap of you, Fletcher or of Wagensroll.” Fletcher slightly chuckled, thinking this would be very possible. “And me, probably as a ‘brother’ of Purple Patch or palette swap of him at the most. And Edward would probably a palette swap of Pipsqueak.” Toby’s expression was one of embarrassment. “Best not to break your heads about it. Get some sleep, we stay guard.” Fletcher suggested and the two humans, filly and former ADVENT soldier nodded, getting comfortable around the fire, drifting off to sleep. As Dinky opened her eyes, she found herself at the outskirts of Ponyville, seeing ponies in golden armor preparing large cannons and several canisters, making her wonder what was going on. “What’s happing?” She asked the guards who paid no attention except for a captain, who said in a flat and unemotional voice, “Leave this place. A cleansing is underway. Civilians must be relocated. The Grand Master commands it.” “C-cleansing?” The filly blinking, not understand what this word meant. “Are you lost, child?” A male cold voice said her to her, seeing a unicorn stallion in the same golden armor walking towards her, his voice concealed by a metal mask. “I am Solomon, Grand Master of the Lumen Order, her majesty's most exalted vigilantes. How may I be of aid to you, little one?” “W-what do you mean?” She asked scared, remembering what Fletcher had said about him. “The servitors of Nightmare Moon have become latched, leech-like, unto this dwelling. Already they have struck out at our domain, killing and looting all they see. We must rid them from this land, burn them away like the rot they are.” He explained in his cold voice, not showing any emotion. “B-but… my…” She tried to protest but the shock made her words stick in her throat, Solomon held up a hoof. “You need not worry, child. Your father, the noble adventurer through time and space has demonstrated his deep loyalty to our one true Princess. All have done so will be spared.” While it was a bit relieving, the young unicorn was confused and horrified how the caring princess of the sun could allow such a tyrannical pony to serve in her forces. “No! Please! I don’t want to die!” A young voice cried in fear, Dinky turned into its direction, gasping to see two guards bringing a crying Pip towards her and Solomon. “Please, spare him! He’s my friend!” She cried in despair, tears leaving her eyes. Solomon in return, dried her tears, smiling. “Dear child, the lion cub does not mix with the wolves. The heathens choose their fate while the blessed accept the fate our Princess chooses for us. Their blood once spilt is only on their own hooves. Tears must be shed for their sin but never for their suffering.” His voice sounded warm and caring. Despite this, she sniffed, not believing what she just heard, Pip was her friend, he hadn’t deserved this at all. Both took notice of guards wearing bright yellow armor, having what seemed to be gas masks made out of glass-crystal bubbles if they saw it right, turning the canisters on and fired the cannons, green-yellow gas started to cover Ponyville. “Mark my words, children: This will be a day long remembered, it will see the end of the Eternal Knights, it will soon see the end of the Lunar Republic.” The Grand Master told them. Dinky just stared in horror at the gas cloud, watching her home getting destroyed. If Solomon’s words were true, her family was safe but all her friends, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Ruby, Noi, would suffer a slow and painful death, as the grass turned black, the tree leaves yellow. “The Purification...It...Is...GLORIOUS!” Solomon exclaimed in admiration. After several minutes, the gas cleared. “Now, my chosen. Bear your torches hence. Root out the shadow in every corner and curve and purge it from Celestia's domain.” Solomon ordered his troops and they moved out. The filly couldn’t believe it, her home was destroyed, her friends about to die, how could Celestia let this happen? “Fletcher Fray! You fled like a rat from the pyres of Mondelin! Behold, I hunt you still! The sun above grants you no place to hide!” The stallion added in a triumphing tone. “Your heresy will go unpunished no longer! Celestia wills it! Now, time to give you what all traitors of the sun deserve.” He turned to Pip who trembled in fear. “Don’t hurt him! I beg you!” Dinky pleaded, stepped in front of his little friend. “I understand your caring for him but only by cleansing those traitors from our own ponies, we can guarantee peace and safety,” Solomon explained in his cold voice as he stepped closer. “Grand Master!” One of his soldiers interrupted him, pointing towards the town. “What…now?” He asked confused, as his soldiers ran back to their own positions in panic, trampling over each other, while falling into their own barbed wire. The reason terrified Dinky to the bone. What was left of the population and defenders, counterattacked with all they had left, led by the Eternal Knights, showing signs of chemical burns on their faces, their bodies wrapped up in rags, spitting out blood and pieces of their lungs. “Madness! Heathen madness! Pull back to the Badlands point! Pull back!” Solomon exclaimed in shock and panic, completely terrified himself by this sight. The Lunar forces opened fire with their rifles, killing many of Solomon’s troops with artillery. But Solomon wasn’t ready to leave. He roared up on his hind legs, his horn casting a rising whip of flame like a crown of fire, Dinky closed her eyes, not able to see what would happen now. “BURN, HERETICS!” He screamed, Dinky could feel the fire around him. She expected screams of pain, instead, she heard the sound of a piercing chill, followed by a groan of pain. Slowly opening her eyes, she saw that Fletcher had rammed his spear through Solomon’s chest. The Grand Master was held into the air, grabbing the spear in shock, writhing and spluttering, blood running down his mask. The mask was hiding any emotion but Dinky could swear Solomon had never been expected this. “Solomon... That the best you got? Then your best won't do. You among wolves now. And these are our woods.” Fray said before he pulled his spear out, and the Grand Master fell to the ground in his own blood. Fletcher then turned to Dinky, managing to give her a smile before he succumbed to his injuries, falling to the ground, along with Wolf, Midnight and many known faces of Ponyville, like Big Mac, the major, Carrot Top, and many other earth and Pegasus ponies, but strangely, no unicorns. Despite still being in shock, she didn’t hesitate to free Pip who hugged her. “Thanks but what are we gonna do now…” He asked in shock. “I don’t know.” She replied, looking at the gassed city, noticing what appeared to be a magic shield coming slowly out of the gas clouds. Behind the shields were all unicorn residents of Ponyville, casting it, the CMC, Noi, Ruby and all other foals walking out behind them with half sad, half relieved faces, knowing they had all lost something but were still alive Lyra looked at Bon-Bon’s body with sadness and grief. “I will never forget your sacrifice.” Pip and Dinky looked at each other, then joining the survivors as they evacuated. Many had died, but thanks to their sacrifice, a part of Ponyville had survived to live another day. The child woke up with a slight gasp, breathing heavily, looking around. It was night, the others sleeping peacefully. Dinky let out a sigh, relieved that it had just been a dream. Yet, she realized Earth's wars may not have been so strange to Equestria as she thought. The Lost had terrified her and she hoped her home would never have such a fate as those poor people. Taking a deep breath, she fell asleep again. She awake as she heard a voice saying, “Wakey, wakey, Dinky.” And feel a hand gently shaking her. Yawning, she saw Toby looking at her with a smile. “Good morning, Toby!” She greeted with a smile of her own and they all breakfasted. James then suggested, “We should move quickly, there is no time to lose.” Patch grinned. “Righto! There’s no stopping us!” He said and turned towards the SUV, only to trip with an annoyed groan, causing everyone to briefly chuckle before they got in. The trip was quiet, the streets empty and it started to rain, making Dinky pensive how the others were doing, probably worried about her, the knights, Lukas, Patch and James. She looked at the patch on Spring’s shoulder that had SAS written on it. “Toby, why do you have that patch on your shoulder?” She asked him. “It’s a reminder of the Past. SAS is short for Special Air Service, a Special Forces unit of the British Army back then. Founded in the Second World War, responsible for intelligence gathering, sabotage, and assassination and after the war, it became a Counter-Terrorism unit afterwards, coming to prominence with their dramatic ending of a terrorist siege at the Iranian Embassy in London in 1980, where their zip line assault through the windows was broadcast live on both main British television channels in prime time on a public holiday. I highly have respect for them, trying to keep them honored.” He explained with a sad voice and the Knights and James rolled their eyes. He's at it again. “Sounds like a good idea to me. Everyone who fought to protect earth should be remembered.” The filly replied. “Yes, they should be remembered. Most people were respectful of the surviving war veterans that were still out there back then. Some might even offer them a friendly smile. Still, there were plenty of people who couldn't do anything but blame them. As such, it won’t be easy for us to find shelter. The City Centers are out of the question, security is high, checkpoints and scanners everywhere. Plus, there is the propaganda. Resistance mugshots, surveillance footage, renderings, anything to put XCOM into the light. We can’t afford this kind of attention.” The Specialist explained and suddenly stopped the car. “What’s the holdup?” Midnight asked surprised and Toby pointed ahead. “Rural Checkpoint. We can’t use the Rover, it would blow our cover immediately." “Then we will have to walk, there is no other way around it.” Lukas concluded. “Yes. Midnight, take our weapons and gear, so we can pass through without raising suspicion.” Toby said. “Okay, what about Dinky?” The stallion asked with concern, she looked at him with a worried expression. “I know you can sneak past, but I’d say she goes with us, with her, we could fool the guards easier.” Dinky thought for a moment. “I trust you here.” With that as answer, the Knights moved out with the weapons and gear of the two XCOM members, while the filly with the two humans and one trooper moved towards the checkpoint. One of the guards made a stop sign. “You do realize curfew’s still in effect? Civilians aren’t allowed outside until absolutely necessary. Where are you going?” Toby quickly replied, “My daughter slept over at my friend’s house…”He pointed to Jessie, who nodded. “I went to pick her up. We’re on our way home now.” The Knights watched from a safe distance, yet close enough to interfere as Fletcher got worried. “He suspects something.” “Stay calm.” Midnight replied. “You all right, little girl?” The Guard asked Dinky as she was slightly scared. “She’s trembling…Something wrong?” “She…she’s cold…We really have to get her home fast.” The Brite replied and wrapped an arm around her. “Sorry, Sir, but we got to be careful. Terrorists are around and our guys are nervous. You should hurry on home.” The guard stepped aside and Toby smiled. “Thanks.” They walked through the checkpoint, relieved it worked. “Hey, wait a minute!” The same trooper yelled and they stopped, slowly turning around in fear. “He knows, Midnight! They’re gonna arrest them!” Wolf said to him. “Don’t do anything.” The grey stallion replied. Neither she nor Fletcher did protest, they trusted him. Dinky slightly trembled as the trooper looked at her, fearing they had been discovered. “You’re dropped this.” He said and reached for what looked like a photo of Toby and James, apparently mistaking it for hers. “Thank you.” The girl took the photo with a smile. “You’re welcome.” The group then moved on, meeting up with the knights once they were far enough away. “I really thought for a moment that they had us.” Günther let out a sigh of relief. “Yeah. Gyro made a scan while he was with you, Midnight. He detected a nearby train depot. We could sneak on one of the trains to get to a town and radio for help.” Toby explained. “Risky, but our only chance right now.” Midnight replied with unease in his voice. They carefully moved toward the location of the depot, coming to a small hill where they had a good view of it. A train was there, ready for departing, only guarded by a small squad of troopers. “We only have one chance at this,” Günther said and the others nodded. All guards had their back to the intruders, so it was easy to sneak towards the nearest train cart and get in without getting detected. Yet, nobody dared to say a word, out of fear the ADVENT troops might discover them as the train moved until it stopped and suddenly moved upwards, like it was lifted, hearing a loud engine, like of a jet engine. They suspected they were now in the air, also staying silent until they heard how the noise stopped and a faint rumble could be heard as the cart touched the ground, appearing to have reached its destination. Lukas carefully opened the door, finding themselves at a small ADVENT outpost. “Well, that’s convenient. I can hack the communications relay, I can send a signal to the Avenger.” Spring sounded confident. “Okay, we watch your back,” Jessie replied and the Specialist carefully made his way towards the relay in the middle of the outpost, until a building created a blind spot for them. I hope he makes it. Dinky thought with worry as a few minutes passed and he didn’t return. Patch's GREMLIN buzzed in annoyance, it's internal systems compensating for the stream of swear words that came out of Patch's mouth as he grew impatient. Come on, come on! The signal was slowly getting through but this was getting risky. Something was delaying it, like the hack had been discovered but there were no alarms. Still, the longer Dinky was here, the more dangerous it could become for her and he couldn't risk her life. Luckily, a green light appeared on his screen. Finally! Now let's- His thoughts were derailed when a plasma shot flew straight through his GREMLIN's protection, hitting the antenna straight on. "Whoa!" He dived to cover as an ADVENT patrol had come out of a blind spot where his friends couldn't see them. “Damnit! Cover him, I get us an escape out of here!” James said and the others nodded, firing at every ADVENT soldier they saw, while the filly pressed herself against a wall. Dinky stayed in cover, trying to stay calm as she heard an engine revving, and it wasn't just her. The guards at the entrance turned towards the gate in surprise as a large, white, ADVENT van headed straight for it. James rammed through the gate, the guards barely jumped out of the way as the van came to a stop right next to the ponies. They all wasted no time to get in and she spotted Patch running towards it, making a dash towards the passenger door. She shrieked as blood splattered on the side of the van. It wasn't Alien blood as she noticed that James' expression was horrified. "PATCH!"