We had lost eight of our original eighteen members by the time we had finally escaped that hellish nightmare. The failure still weighs heavily on my mind to this day.
Upon our return, the scientists were whisked away quickly. I never saw the two of them again. I was given an honorable discharge from the service, with full pay and benefits, no doubt an attempt to buy my silence. They’re still watching me from afar, making sure I never disclose any of what happened in that week. They’ve kept us separated as well.
I saw Ironside and Speedy again once more, about three months ago. We were only able to speak for a few moments before some of the guards began to close in on us. They had decided they were leaving, they didn’t say where to. It seemed they were a couple now, and I wish them the best in their lives together. I truly hope they can find somewhere that will offer them peace.
Private Twitch recovered from her injuries, but will never fly again. Whatever that thing was, it tore her up pretty good. The crew we’d left at camp didn’t see much of what we had, so they’ve been left alone for the most part. I’m sure they’re being watched as well, but they were allowed to continue to serve in some capacity. From what I heard from friends still in, Blooms quit shortly after returning. She works at a spa now. Says “At least here, I know what’s going to happen. Nothing’s hiding in the forest waiting to get me.” Quills got moved to some sort of administrative job pushing papers around. No idea if he likes it, but at least that handwriting of his is getting put to good use.
Glass was the odd one out. He was in the thick of things with us down in that hole, but he managed to stay in. They promoted him to Sergeant, and last I had heard he was training the new troops.
I wrote my report after we had returned, and requested to give it to you personally, but was met with disapproval from the brass. They quickly disavowed any knowledge of the mission we had set out upon, creating cover stories to explain the deaths. A lab explosion, a training exercise gone wrong. Pure bullshit. I still have Private Twigs’s tags to remind me that what happened was real. I’ve enclosed one of them with this letter as well.
I expect that before you finish reading this letter, I will be taken away just as the Dr. Opal and Ms. Skies have been. It doesn’t really matter though. The truth will come out soon enough. Those creatures, whatever they are, already found a way out of that ruin. Eventually the Everfree will run out of food for them, and they’ll venture out. They’re going to come for us, no matter how much the brass tries to pretend they don’t exist. It’s only a matter of time. What happens when that time comes, depends on what you do.
Respectfully,
Captain Vault, Equestrian Royal Army