//------------------------------// // Chapter 5: Contact // Story: Colonial Marine in Equestria // by Bastinator //------------------------------// The creature opens its mouth, its second maw’s hiss brining you back to that damn temple. You raise your gun and fire at the figure as it scurries about the rooftop and snakes about, dodging every bullet you unleash. “Vinyl get inside!” “What is-“ “Get inside!” She rushes past you obeying your orders. The monster stops, observing you. *click* Fuck not now. *click click* The empty mag hits the floor while you procure a second one. The creature hisses again detecting your vulnerability. Its already mid-leap as you slam another magazine home and let loose another barrage. Direct hit! You tear holes clean through its chest. Its carcass slumps before you, blood seeping onto the surrounding dirt. You never got a close up look at them before, but even still it’s not quite right. This is… different, than what you faced before. The others appeared humanoid, having longer torso and slender arms. These seem p0nified. They’re only a little shorter and stubbier, but brutal all the same. Its elongated tail consists of sectioned ridges ending in a bladelike tip. “A Xenomorph…” You give it a quick kick to the head ready for it to spring up. It lays there seemingly lifeless as you knock on the door. “Vinyl it’s me. You still kicking in there?” She creaks open the door, barely showing her face. “Is it gone?” “It won’t bother you anymore. Look, do you have a cellar, closet or any other secure location?” She nods her head. “Hole up in there until I come back for you.” “Where are you going to go?” You check your ammo and reload your pistol once more. “I’m going for my friends.” “Remember, stay inside!” You jog back home, eyes trained on the motion tracker. There’s no telling how many of those things there are out here. Not even the crickets keep you company on your haul. Just you, your tracker, and your- *ba bleep* You whirl around and backpedal, making sure not to waste time. *ba bleep* Whatever is moving towards you it’s doing well to stay hidden. Clever bastards that’s for sure. You turn back around and sprint for dear life. Your pursuer is keeping a steady fifteen meters between the two of you. It doesn’t want to lose you, but it isn’t intent on catching you either. That thought scares you more than anything, the thought that it’s waiting for you. You make your way around the corner seeing your house a good 50 meters away. *ba bleep* Another blip appears on the tracker, closing in on your ass. “Fuck fuck fuck fuck!” Reaching the house you turn the handle, but your door doesn’t budge. “Oh fuck me!” You fumble about getting your keys, dropping them onto the floor. “For fucks sake!” *ba bleep* Ten meters and closing. Picking them up you slide them into the door, unlocking the wooden barricade, but all too late as a xenomorph crashes into you breaking down the door in the process. You kick it in the face knocking it off of you. Rolling over the counter you draw your pistol. The xenomorph smacks it out of your hands with its tail andt crawls onto the counter, imbedding its hoof-claws into the wood. You pull out your combat knife and get into a stance. Bobbing its head back and forth it taunts you. You pull out a frying pan from a nearby drawer. “Eat it!” you yell flinging the pan at its face. It sidesteps your attack granting an opening. You slip by the xenomorph, barely dodging its tail as it strikes the floor board. It chases you up the stairs, toying with you. Kicking open the armory door you try and grab a weapon. Your fingers only manage to graze your shotgun before the creature slams into you, knocking you out the window. Glass crunches underneath you when you try and stand back up. It crawls out the window, imitating the last one you killed. A dollop of blood runs down your face. It hisses and takes another leap at you. You drive your knife through the bottom of its head and drive him over you. The knife sizzles as blood runs down its grip. A drop lands on your hand, sending scorching pain up your body. “Gah- Shit!” You drag your scorching hand on the ground trying to alleviate the agony. Your knife lies melted next to you. You get back on your feet, walking back to the house, clutching your hand in pain. What the hell is up with that thing, blood isn’t supposed to do that? At least its over now, you’ll wrap it up, and then you’re going to kick some Xeno as- A fist jams itself into your ribs making you double over, followed by something throwing you across the room. “Why does *cough* everything try and kill me?” A hand grips your neck and holds you against the wall. You grasp at the arm, trying to loosen its grip. You can’t see your aggressor’s face, just a hazy mist. Or a cloak. It’s back to finish the job, jutting out its blades and holding them to your neck. “Just do it.” The creature turns its head, looking at you with interest. It retracts its blades and uncloaks itself, revealing the same metallic mask as before. The hell is this thing doing? Pulling you away from the wall it takes you outside and tosses you beside the dead alien. This thing is big, at least seven feet in height and its visible muscles are toned beyond belief. Straps of armor cover its body, some sort of console on its wrist. Dreadlocks protrude from the back of its head, adding to its menacing appearance. It bends down picking up what’s left of your knife and looking at the alien. It releases a small growl before tossing aside your knife. The creature towers over you, drawing out a knife of its own. It flings the knife into the xenomorph skull, and turns back to you. Tapping a few buttons on its gauntlet, the thing cloaks, disappearing into the night. This must be some kind of trick, waiting for you to make a wrong move. You sit there, waiting for the killing blow that never comes. “The fuck just happened?” Crawling back over to the alien you pull out the knife. Why didn’t this melt when yours did? You look around before getting back to your feet. That thing might come back, and it’d be best to be ready. Sheathing the abnormal knife you run back into your house. Time to return to Active Duty marine. You clamp your old armor around you, the metal straps fitting seamlessly over you again. It’s like your putting it on for the first time all over again. You feel like your back in the Corps, ready for your first mission. This time you won’t fail. This time you will win. You enter the armory and pick up a handy pulse rifle and shotgun. You also store some extra ammo in your pouch; Twilight’s going to need it. The burning in your hand has dissipated for now allowing you to wrap it up. The tracker and pistol are still downstairs, so you pick them up on your way out. Night is anything but serene at this point. The nooks and crannies could hold any number of threats, each of which leading to your demise. Most of the residents have already gone to bed and are safe in their homes. You just hope they’re safe enough. Readying your pulse rifle you direct yourself to Twilight’s house. Nothing on the tracker so far. That’s a plus I guess. Even still, you can feel hungry eyes on you. You grip your weapon tighter and keep onwards. They’re not going to scare you again. You stand outside Twilight’s door, a hiss making its way through. Oh hell no! “Twilight, I’m coming in!” you yell kicking down the door. You see another Xenomorph is clawing at the clawing at the cellar. As you get ready to unload an explosion knocks the creature on its ass. Twilight and Spike step out of from behind the door ready for round two. Spike lets out a belch cornering the creature in a wave of green flame. The little bastard has it where it counts, that’s for sure. Twilight throws an orb at the immobile creature, its head exploding in a satisfying yellow cloud. Those two should’ve signed up for the marines. They make a great team. “You guys ok?” They nod as you walk over to what’s left of the corpse. ”Don’t touch it Anon. The blood’s acidic.” “Yeah, I learned that the hard way.” You reply showing her the bandage. “I’m going to get the rest of my friends, if you want to stay here that’s fine, but there’s strength in numbers.” Twilight agrees, “Let me grab a few things and I’ll be ready to head out.” She speeds back into the cellar to procure your guns. You draw your pistol and hand it to Spike. “You know how to handle one of these?” ”What do you think?” “Well it’s about time you learned smartass.” Twilight comes back levitating the weapons back to you. “You don’t want one?” ”I’ll stick to what I’m good at. Magic.” Fair enough. You shrug your shoulders and sling them around you. “Alright who’s first? You know this place better than me.” ”Pinkie Pie is just down the street and then Rarity’s a short walk from there.” “I said I’m going for my friends. Pinkie isn’t on the list.” Twilight scoffs at you, “She’s my friend Anon. We’re going for her whether you like it or not.” Fucking Pinkie Pie. “She’s your baggage. You fall behind, you’re on your own.” With that the group moves down the street to Sugarcube Coner. You give Spike a few tips along the way. His tiny claws are just big enough to squeeze the trigger, and the pistol is just small enough for him to carry comfortably. Twilight made sure to lecture him over gun safety on the way. She doesn’t want him going crazy with that thing. You disabled the sound from the tracker due to Spike and Twilight setting it off. You used to have chips to designate friend from foe, but not here. Now you have to continually check to see if anyone is stalking you. The lights are off when you arrive, no signs of forced entry. Spike and Twilight enter while you stand guard at the door. “You’ve got five minutes, any more and I’m out.” They give the all clear and close the door. Wasting your time on Pinkie Pie. For all you know the others need your help right now. You never forgave Pinkie for what she said, not one of your better decisions. It’s been too long to hold a stupid grudge like that. You flip your helmet to infrared, giving a quick scan. Nothing, joy to the fucking world. Turning it off you relax, listening for your tracker. The tracker that won’t make any noise. Shit. You look down, a blip approaching to your right. A shadow leaps at you from the corner of your eye, shielding yourself with your hands. Something wraps itself around your neck, choking you out. A giant fucking spider is trying to hump your face, a tube jutting out from its ‘mouth’. You try and pull it off, but it wraps itself tighter around your neck. Strength drains from you as you fall back against the door.This is a tough fucker. You grab the knife that creature dropped for you and slice at its tail, throwing it away with a satisfying pop. Its blood spews away from you, burning through whatever it touches. Throwing away the tail you give a quick two-shot into the spider, letting it have a taste of your own medicine. You grip your own neck, the door opening as you toss away the creature’s tail. Pinkie steps out first, “Hiya Anon! How you doing?” Five seconds with her and you already want to put a bullet between her eyes. ”Anon,” Twilight asks, “What is that?” She points down to your tiny attacker. “If only I knew. Everything clear in there?” ”All clear,” Spike states, “Nothing to report.” My little Marine. “Good, then let’s move out.” You all make it to Rarity’s boutique in no time. Spike and Twilight do the standard breach and clear while you and Pinkie stand guard. “Pinkie,” you say trying to be as polite as possible, “I’m sorry I’ve ignored you for the past while now.” ”It’s not your fault. At first I didn’t understand why you got so angry, but then Twilight came and talked to me. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.” “So… you’re okay with it?” ”I’m okay with you Anon. You do owe me another party though.” “That I do.” You say chuckling to yourself. You guess she isn’t so bad after all. You hand her a pulse rifle. “Here, you’ll need it.” ”No thanks, I’ve got my own.” You raise an eyebrow in question. “Your own what?” Nonchalantly, she pulls out a cannon from thin air. ”My own party cannon of course!” “Well fuck me sideways, you’re just full of surprises aren’t you.” She smiles, putting away her cannon somewhere. Fuck p0ny physics. The others come out of the house with Rarity. “Nice to see you in one piece Ms.Rarity.” ”The feeling is mutual. I come to understand you are going to rescue our friends?” “That’d be right. This whole thing is a giant mess.” ”Well,” she replies tossing her mane around, “I offer my assistance.” Her? Help? You don’t think so. “And exactly what could you do? I doubt you’d use a gun.” She points to the horn on her head, displaying it proudly. “Oh, that. Well I’ll take whatever help I can get. Where to next Twilight?” ”Sweet Apple Acres and Fluttershy’s cottage are split from the same path. Neither of them is particularly closer.” Damn. This puts you in a bit of a pickle. You need to reach them as soon as possible. You give Twilight the incinerator and a tank of fuel. “We’re going to split up; I want you all to get Fluttershy. She’s closest to the Everfree Forest so it’ll be significantly more dangerous.” ”And you’re going to Sweet Apple Acres on your own? That’s suicide.” “I’ll be fine, just remember to watch each other’s backs. Give the incinerator to Fluttershy; she won’t like killing animals, no matter the type, so hopefully she can scare them with this. Once you get her we’ll all meet back at Ponyville Square.” You give them a salute and start toward Sweet Apple Acres cross-country style. ”You heard Anon, we move out in five! Stay sharp and check your corners,” Twilight orders. She could make quite the platoon leader someday. You reactivate your tracker, the chime music to your ears. The orchard lies just on the horizon. Applejack better be there, you don’t want this haul to be for nothing. Wind brushes against you as you jog onward. Dark figures scamper between the trees as you approach. Some dart back to the forest leaving your objective behind. You swear if they hurt her… The orchard itself doesn’t grant any comfort. Who knows how many of those aliens are hiding in the dark canopies above. You keep on your guard as you work around the labyrinth of trees. Alls clear on the tracker, but it was also clear when you lost your squad. There’s no way you’re going to drop your guard. These gloomy trees will not be your resting place. The barn is finally in sight after a good while of navigating. You can’t help but lose heart as you notice a group of Xenomorphs crawling about. You make out a few shadows through the windows, along with a familiar cowboy hat. At least she’s still safe, but now you have to get to her. There’s no way you can take a frontal assault without getting torn asunder. A side approach would be nice, but they always seem to detect you from afar. Its surprising they haven’t spotted you yet. Almost like they were reading your mind, a couple Xenos turn their heads and hiss at you. “God dammit.” Fuck it, frontal assault it is. You charge in, peppering off a few shots to distract them. “Open the god damn door!” you holler. They continue to hiss and dodge your shots merely annoyed at your presence. Your about half-way there when the door opens, Applejack coming into view. ”Hurry your flank over here.” She doesn’t have to tell you twice. You slide home, Applejack locking the door behind you. They don’t seem to be that interested in you, otherwise you wouldn’t be laying here. There you lay catching your breath in Applejack’s barn. “Anon? What the heck you doing here?” That isn’t Applejacks voice, and turning over you see the other guest. “I could ask you the same question Rainbow Dash.” ”Hay, I’m just glad to see another friendly face.” You see a couple other faces in the barn with you. Big Mac is consoling Granny Smith. It must be hard for the poor lady. A whimper can be heard in the far corner, three little fillies huddling together. The Cutie Mark Crusaders, all together and scared out of their wits. You hate kids, but you also hate people crying. “Great, this is just bucking great man.” Scootaloo says as you walk towards them, “That’s it man, game over man. Game over!” The mouth on that kid is atrocious. “You all ok?” you ask sitting next to them. They shake their heads, eyes damp from their tears. “Do you know who I am?” They nod. “Do you know what I do?” They start shaking their heads this time. “I’m a Colonial Marine, you know what that means? It means I’m here to help.” You can see the desperation in their eyes, needing something, anything to look forward to. “But I need to know you all can stay strong for me. Can you do that?” They don’t respond. Motivating them is going to be harder than you expected. “How many attempts have you given to get your cutie marks? Dozens? Hundreds? Even though it seemed like you would never get it you kept trying.” You’re getting a bit of a reaction now. “I need my Cutie Mark Crusaders to give me one shot, just one. Can you help me?” Applebloom stands up and wipes away her tears, the others follow shortly afterwards. They look at each other and give a quick nod, smiles on their faces. ”Cutie Mark Crusader Colonial Marines!” “That’s what I thought.” You walk back to Rainbow Dash and Applejack, leaving the cheering crusaders behind. ”What’d you say to them fillies Anon?” “Just a little motivational support. What’s the situation?” The three of you walk into the other room, away from the others. ”Not good sugarcube. I don’t know how much longer those things gonna wait, but it can’t be long.” ”Maybe they’ll go away, they could be gone already.” “They’re not gone. They’ll wait until we’re weak enough to not put up a fight. They might be animals, but they’re smart.” ”So what should we do?” “We take the fight to them.” ”You’ve gone apples Anon, there ain’t no way we can take them on.” “Unless you have these,” you reply holding out the other two modified guns. ”We can’t use those. They’re-“ “Modified. I got Twilight working on them a week ago. Any new feelings?” Applejack grins, aiming down the shotgun’s sights. “I thought you’d be fond of that one. Something about farmers and shotguns…” Rainbow looks questioningly at her own gun, unsure about what it even is. You give her the rundown about its capabilities and help her hold it. ”So where’s the one for Big Macintosh?” “He doesn’t get one, he’s staying behind.” ”Whoa now, we need him with us. That extra hoof power will come in handy.” “And what if the creatures break into the barn while we’re all away? I won’t let them have that chance. Big Mac stays behind to protect the others.” Applejack understands and approves, Rainbow does the same. You walk out and explain the plan to Big Macintosh, who agrees with you. He wouldn’t leave his family’s side for anything, you admire that. “Everyone ready?” You have your hand locked onto the door handle. ”Ready Anon.” ”Let’s tear ‘em a new one!” You open the door, another battle ahead, the three of you rushing outside ready to take them on. Xenomorphs clutter the rooftop, a few circling by the trees. You all stand back to back as they close in on you. “Short controlled bursts, make them count.” You take aim, finger quivering on the trigger. “Wait for it. Wait for it…” Time to make these things pay. “Fire!” Gunfire rings through the air, shaking the very foundations of the land. ”I’m out!” “Got you covered AJ.” You pop a couple shells into her shotgun, Rainbow Dash covering you. “Keep it up, they’ll back down soon.” You finish loading her up and resume laying waste to anything that tries to get too close. Half a dozen corpses are scattered about, the other half keep at a distance. “Rainbow, how much you got left?” ”Forty-eight rounds it says.” “Enough for a strafing run, think you can handle it?” ”Challenge accepted.” Rainbow takes off to a suitable height for her run to commence. You stand behind Applejack and lay down another couple rounds. “How ya holding up?” ”Fine n’ dandy,” she answers popping off a xenomorph head, “You?” “You know, the usual. Ready for you Dashy!” She salutes and rockets down toward a group of xenos. Raining fire down upon them, Rainbow decimates the opposing force, riddling them with bullets. The surviving members hiss and retreat back into the orchard. ”That’s right you better run!” Dash regroups with you and AJ before heading back inside. “They won’t be gone for long. They’ll be back, and in greater numbers.” You all head on inside to check on the others. A single xenomorph lays on the floor clobbered to death, a bloody Big Macintosh standing above it. “Good job Big Mac, Dash find some bandages for him, AJ gather everyone up to the front. We’re heading to Ponyville so only grab what you need. Double time people.” Everyp0ny does as told, giving you time to grab a large cart from a stall. How anyone is able to pull this is beyond you. It takes a couple minutes before everyone is ready to go, but they finally get there. “Everyone file into the cart, Applejack and I are going to drag you all back to town. Rainbow Dash, here’s the rest of my magazines, you’ll patrol the sky and keep any following Xenomorphs off of us. You hear?” ”Roger that.” “Good, let’s move it out.” You and AJ stand side by side, fastening the harnesses to yourselves. The cart moves onward, back to Ponyville where the others await your return.