//------------------------------//
// Better and Better 
// Story: Tanks for the Memories 
// by BillyMays 
//------------------------------//

"Sir, we’re not getting anything on coms."

Alex nodded and turned to look at the Kangaroo which was sitting behind them.

"Should we check it out, sir?"

Fluttershy obviously didn't like that idea. Her eyes widened and her pupils dilated into pinpricks.

"Y-you want to go deeper into the Everfree?"

"All units, we're checking out that shot. Prepare to move out." Alex said into his headset. A series of “Roger”s and “Yes, sir”s were sent back.

"Don't worry, ma'am. We’ll get you to your hospital. We’ll just check this out first." Alex pat the turret as he spoke. "Corporal, you know which way to go, correct?"

"Yes, sir. But I may need some directions from the local." Sam replied.

"Alright all units follow my lead. Do not engage hostiles unless provoked. Report any movement." Alex ordered.

"Step on it, Corporal!"

Engines revved and hatches closed with loud clunks as the convoy slowly lurched around. The Retribution II took the lead with Old Tom bringing up the rear. Alex turned to face the grave of SSgt. van Decc for one final time and gave a salute to the fallen Marine.

The Retribution II reached the edge of the clearing a halted for a second. In the momentary pause Alex gave Fluttershy a word of advice.

"Hold onto something, ma'am. This is going to be a bumpy ride."

Fluttershy frantically looked for something to cling on to as the Retribution II lurched forward again and knocked over a tree. She was appalled as the tank knocked down the tree.

"Do you have to hurt the poor trees?" She asked.

Alex didn't hear her over the sound of the tree cracking and slamming into the ground.

"What was that, ma'am?" Alex said leaning closer to her.

"Do you have to hurt the poor trees?" She repeated.

"Sorry, ma'am. We need to carve a path through. Unless you already know of a quicker way?"

"I do know of a path-"

Fluttershy was cut off as the Retribution slammed into another tree making it crack and fall to the ground.

"Just a second ma'am." Alex said as he ducked back into the turret.

"Have we got a spare headset in here, Sergeant?"

"I think so, sir." Roger said.

The pair of tankers rummaged around the turret looking for the spare headset. The pup barked and startled the searching crewmen. They looked at it and found it sitting on the spare headset. Roger reached down to the pup and scratched its head. He lifted the pup off the helmet and placed it next to him.

"Here we go, sir." Roger said as he held up the helmet.

"Thank you, Sergeant." Alex said with a relieved smile.

The tank jerked again as another tree was knocked over.

"Let's hope Fluttershy knows of a quicker route." Alex said as he popped out again; holding the helmet.

"Ma’am?"

Fluttershy was shaking as the convoy continued its rumbling advance.

"Could you put this on?" Alex adjusted the frequency on the headset. The pony looked over at the helmet in Alex's hands.

"What's that for?" She asked nervously.

"It'll help us communicate better, ma'am." Alex said as he moved the helmet above Fluttershy's head. 

She closed her eyes as Alex lowered the helmet onto her pink haired head. He found that it fitted surprisingly well on her.

’Must be all that hair of hers.’

"Can you hear me, ma'am?" Alex asked.

She flung her eyes open in surprise and tried to adjust the helmet.

"Here let me, ma'am." Alex adjusted the strap and the position of the boom.

"This is a headset ma'am. This will allow us to talk through the sound a jet engine."

"What's a jet engine?" She asked through the headset.

"Wait a second. Who's this?" Another voice said through the headset.

"It's just Fluttershy, Corporal. No need to worry."

Alex looked over to Fluttershy.

"While you're still in this channel, ma'am, could you give the Corporal some directions to the path you were telling me about before?"

Fluttershy quickly mumbled the directions to the Corporal.

"Thank you, ma'am." Sam said as he charged course.

"You're welcome." Fluttershy said sweetly.

Alex leaned over to adjust the frequency of Fluttershy's new headset once again.

"...there we go. Now only I can hear you, ma'am."

"Who was that?" She asked staring intently at the microphone attached to her headset.

"That was just Corporal Evern. He drives the tank." Alex answered.

“Oh ok. I um... don’t know who you are yet.” Fluttershy nervously said.

“Captain Noah, ma’am.” Alex said with a slight nod.

“You don’t have to call me “ma’am” all the time. You can call me Fluttershy... if you want.” Fluttershy said with a nervous smile.

"Very well Fluttershy." Alex said returning the smile.

The Retribution II slammed into another tree and Fluttershy lost her footing. Giving a squeal of surprise she fell forwards and began to slip of the turret. Alex quickly leaned forward and grabbed her back hoof.

"Gotcha!" He exclaimed.

He pulled her back up and onto the top of the turret again. Fluttershy sat petrified for a moment.

"Are you ok Fluttershy?" Alex asked.

She suddenly jumped into Alex's chest and began to sob. He was confused for a moment but hesitantly hugged the crying pony. He looked down into his chest and his heart melted a little.

"It's ok." He said softly.

’This is like looking after a child.’

A pang of sadness and guilt slowly flowed through him; bringing an unwanted tear to his eye. The sad feelings subsided as he looked away from the sobbing pony. The tear continued it’s trip freely down Alex's face as he listened the pony cry. He took a deep breath and the feelings disappeared; suppressed by years of experience.

Alex wiped the tear off his cheek as Fluttershy stopped crying and looked up at him.

’That’s better.’

"Are you ok ma’am?" Alex asked softly.

"I’m fine. Thank you for catching me." She said.

"Anytime, Ma’am."

Fluttershy lowered her head but remained in Alex's grip.

"Um..." Fluttershy said.

"Oh, sorry." Alex let go of Fluttershy. She sat down in front of him and tried to fold her legs beneath her but she winced. The loaders hatch suddenly opened and David poked his head out.

“Just getting some air, sir.”

“Is the First aid kit still in there, Private?” Alex asked.

“I’ll have a look, sir.” David said as he disappeared back into the loaders compartment.

Alex nodded and his headset crackled.

"Sir, this is Old Tom. I've spotted large amount of movement to the rear of us, over."

"Copy that Old Tom. Do not engage, just keep watching. If whatever it is gets closer, alert me. How copy?"

"Understood. Old Tom out."

Alex looked at Fluttershy. "It looks like we have a friend following us."

David popped out again holding the med-kit in one hand.

“Here we go, sir. What do you need?”

“Painkillers, if we have any.”
“Uh, no painkillers in here, sir.”

“Alright then put it back.”

David dropped the First aid kit into the loaders compartment.

Alex’s headset crackled again.

“Sir, if you look ahead you’ll notice we’re almost on the path now.” Sam said.

“Thank you, Corporal.”

“Brace yourselves!” Alex warned.

Alex tightly gripped the .50 in front of him as the Retribution II pulled a tight left. David groaned and clutched on the rim of the loaders hatch and Fluttershy also gripped the .50 cal.  Alex frowned and radioed the rest of the convoy.

“All units, eyes open. This is a tight space so use of main cannons is out of the question. Use of mounted weapons is authorized.”

Alex racked the bolt of his .50 cal and flicked the safety off. The dirt path was just wide enough to support the width of an Abrams tank. Thick moss covered trees lined the path and the further the convoy went along it the darker it became. Weary crewmen swung their mounted weapons from left to right. An eerie Silence filled the forest as the convoy continued its slow advance through the forest.

“Corporal, switch on the lights.” Alex ordered.

The lights came to life and the dark path was filled with brilliant white light. Alex kept his gaze straight ahead but quickly glanced over at David and Fluttershy. David seemed to be mouthing a song and was tapping the turret. Fluttershy on the other hand sat peacefully next to Alex with her all but one of her legs still tucked under her. Alex looked back at the path, seeing it abruptly end into another clearing. The Retribution IIs headlights swept the clearing and rested on a somewhat familiar hulk. The Retribution II came to a stop and the Kangaroo parked alongside them, Old Tom parked on the other side of the Retribution II. Alex looked at Fluttershy.

“Stay here.” He said.

He pulled himself out from the cupola and moved to the bustle rack. He pulled out his and his crews M4s. Holding the rifles he passed one down into the turret and another into the loaders compartment. Alex hopped down onto the ground with a soft thump with Roger right behind him. David had his M4 slung on his back and instead was manning the M240. The drivers hatch swung open and Sam climbed out. Alex tossed him an M4 which Sam caught with ease. Alex looked around to see other crewmen coming up from behind him.

“Fan out, look for any signs of activity. If you have a mounted light I suggest you use it. If you find something drop a chemlight next to it. Move out.” He ordered.

The crewmen split up; lights dancing around the clearing. Alex and his men approached the familiar shape and Roger let out a low whistle and he pointed his mounted light at the object.

“Well, well. What’s this doing here?”  Roger said.

“What tank is that?” Sam asked.

“It’s a German tank, A Leopard 2A5 or 6 I believe.” Alex said.

“And how the fuck did it get here?” Sam asked.

“Damned if I knew.” Roger said.

The Leopard 2 sported a dark green camouflage with brown and black splotches along it. Alex pointed his mounted torch at the turret and noticed the word “Box” painted over the German cross in… pink?

“Come and have a look at this, Sergeant.” Alex said his voice full of confusion.

“Hmm, well that’s... interesting, sir.” David said.

“The more important question is who fired its gun?” Sam asked.

“Where’s the crew?” Roger asked.

Alex quickly climbed atop of the turret, pulled opened the cupola hatch and aimed his M4 inside. His light swept the inside of the turret.

“Clear!” He yelled.

“Well someone must have been here to fire it.” Sam stated.

“How do we know it was this tank that fired?” Roger asked.

Alex hopped back down and landed on something cylindrical. Swinging his arms around; he grabbed onto the hull of the Leopard 2 and regained his balance. He looked down to see the casing of a shell.

’Convenient.’

“This, Sergeant.” Alex said he kicked the shell towards him.

Roger looked down at the shell and then back at the tank. The turret was pointed directly ahead.

“So we have Germans running around the place now?” Roger asked.

“I highly doubt it.” Sam said slowly pacing around the Leopard 2.

“Well this day just keeps getting better and better.” Alex said.

Alex's headset crackled.

“Corporal Gadeas here, sir. I’ve found what appears to be a small pile of weapons and supplies, probably from the tank you’ve found, just on the edge of the clearing near our tanks.”

“Roger that, Corporal. Guard those supplies, I’ll be sending men to have a look shortly, out.” Alex looked at his crew.

“We’ve found a pile of supplies that no doubt came from the Leopard. Sergeant, I want you to go and check out those supplies. They’re over near our tanks.”

“Aye, sir.” Roger said and walked off.

“You’re with me, Corporal.” Alex said to Sam.

They walked around inspecting the Leopard 2 and they found that it looked almost factory fresh. Aside from the tracks and track guards which were filthy; Mud was caked on almost every inch of them, but there were no tracks indicating it was driven there. A sound behind Alex caught his attention, he turned and pointed his M4 behind him with the light painting the area. A glint caught his eye. He motioned Sam to follow him and they cautiously approached the glint with their M4s raised. As Alex got closer he could see that it was just a toolbox with an oily spanner lying next to it.

“Well it looks like someone’s been trying to fix that Leopard.” Alex said.

“Really, sir?”

A gush of wind blew and the comforting sound of tree leaves rustling filled the dark clearing. Alex let out a tired sigh and lowered his M4. The sound of footsteps distracted him.

“Corporal, could you stop moving around?”

“Uh… I’m not moving, sir.”

“Is there anyone in the area?”

“No, sir.”

Alex raised his M4 to his shoulder once again and tried to pinpoint the direction of the footsteps, the wind rustling the tree leaves made it very difficult to do so.

“Dammit wind...” Alex muttered under his breath.

A bush behind him rustled.

“There!” Alex yelled as he wildly spun around.

Two ponies walked out of the bush quietly talking amongst themselves. Their calm looks turned to ones of horror as they looked at Alex and Sam pointing their M4s at them.

“Hands where I can see them!” Alex barked.

“You mean hooves, sir.” Sam said as he hefted his M4.

Alex turned to look at the Corporal with a “shut the fuck up” face. Sam smirked and motioned with his head towards the two ponies. One pony was a matt grey with a short spiky silver and red striped mane with a horn sticking out and had lime green eyes. The other was dark green with a long lighter green mane; its eyes were covered by a pair of black aviator sunglasses.

“Hey! What are you doing with box?” The grey one said.

“You mean the Leopard?” Alex asked quickly glancing at the Leopard.

“Leopard? So that’s what it is... wait a second how would you know?” The green pony said.

“Because the Germans build and use these tanks.” Alex said.

“What are Germans?”

“Quiet.” Alex barked. “Corporal, get Fluttershy over here.”

“What should I tell her, sir?”

“Tell them we found some pony guests. Oh and Corporal?”

“Yes, sir?” Sam said and he turned around.

“You might have to carry her.”

Sam grumbled something under his breath and continued walking.

“You know Fluttershy?” The grey pony seemed shocked.

“We didn’t meet under the best of circumstances, what with everyone trying to kill her and all.” Alex said with a sly grin.

The green pony’s jaw hit the ground and its sunglasses fell off; revealing a pair of bright orange eyes.

“Now who are you two?” Alex asked pointing his M4 from one pony to the other.

“Ironluck.” The grey pony said.

“Pathfinder.” The green pony said as it picked its sunglasses back up.

’I’m going to guess they’re female. Mares is it?’

“What are you doing out here?” Alex asked.

The two ponies looked at each other and shared worried glances.

“We’re just checking up on Box.” Ironluck said.

“What do you mean? How long have you had the Leopard?” Alex asked bringing a hand to the bridge of his nose.

The sounds of footsteps announced the arrival of Sam and Fluttershy.

“Heya Fluttershy!” Pathfinder said waving a leg in the air.

Sam and Alex stared at the limb waving back and forth.

“That isn’t possible.” Alex and Sam said in usion.

“Oh, hi Pathfinder! What are you talking about, Captain?” Fluttershy asked.

“You can’t move your leg like that.”

“What do you mean?” Fluttershy asked, she obviously didn’t understand what was wrong.

“You would have to-” Alex shook his head. “-you know what, don’t worry about it. Just tell me one thing; do you know these two?”

Alex gestured with his M4 towards Ironluck and Pathfinder. Fluttershy nodded.

“Ok good. So they’re friendly?”

Fluttershy nodded again. Alex let out a long sigh and lowered his M4.

“Now that we have that figured out.” Alex cleared his throat and looked at Ironluck. “Which one of you fired the gun and why?”

Alex received quizzical looks from all the ponies and decided to dumb it down a bit.

“Long hollow stick that goes boom...”

Ironluck’s green eyes lit up and she bounced on the spot.

“Oh! That was me!” She said happily. “I didn’t mean to but it was pretty cool.”

“Yeah until you kill another person with it.” Alex deadpanned. “That isn’t a toy, ma’am. It’s a weapon of war.”

She stopped bouncing at that and Sam’s face hardened. Alex crouched down next to Ironluck.

“I suggest you DON’T touch that gun again, ma’am. Are we clear?”

Ironluck shrunk back a little.

“Are. We. Clear?”

“Crystal.” Ironluck whimpered.

“Hey! Who made you in charge?” Pathfinder yelled angrily.

Alex stood up straight and turned to the green pony. He pointed at his shoulder. “These Captain pins and too many years of service made me.” Alex replied. “Why? Do you have a problem with it?”

“That’s enough.” Fluttershy said; finally joining in on the heated conversation.

“Yeah, Captain. What’s got you all worked up?” Sam asked.

“This damned forest that’s what! Full of too many goddamn unknowns.” Alex said pacing back and forth. “Oh and the fact there are TALKING PONIES!” Exasperated; Alex threw his arms in the air.

“Hey, at least it ain’t talking hippos.” Sam said with a tired smile.

’Now there’s a thought.’

Alex stopped pacing and let out another long sigh. “I guess you’re right Corporal. I don’t know how you’re so calm about this. Anyhow I want out of this forest. Now.”

“Could we tag along?” Ironluck gingerly asked. “I’ve been meaning to get Box out of the Everfree.”

“Wait, you can drive it?” Alex asked with a touch of surprise.

“Pathfinder can! She’s a natural!” Ironluck said patting Pathfinder on the back. Pathfinder blushed and quickly trotted to the Leopard.

Alex thought about it for a while.

“Very well, you can tag along ma’am. But don’t do anything stupid, we’ll be keeping an eye on you. Load your gear we’ll be heading out in 5.” Alex said walking back towards the Leopard.

“Could you lend a hoof? There’s a lot of gear.” Ironluck said trotting next to him.

Alex shrugged. “I don’t see why not.”

Ironluck smiled and made a squee noise. Alex just rolled his eyes.

“Does the Leopard have fuel?” Alex asked.

“Box needs fuel? Like coal?” Ironluck asked.

“Not coal, probably diesel.”

“Diesel?”

“It’s a liquid fuel that powers a tanks engine.”

Ironluck stared at Alex with a dumbstruck face.

“You need it to drive.”

“Oh, ok.” Ironluck said.

“You didn’t get a word I said, didn’t you?”

“Not a word.”

“Thought so...” Alex said as he shook his head and laughed. “This is going to be one strange and long day.”