//------------------------------// // Chapter 5: Allies // Story: Birds of a Feather // by All American //------------------------------// Author's note: Sorry this took so long. Enjoy ~The Sanguinor --- -Ryan's overwatch position- The sun climbed slowly over the horizon as I peered through the binoculars. The field remained empty for hours. the boredom was unfucking bearable. You try sitting in a tree for hours on end. I set my binoculars on the branch and reached into my pack, retrieving a small granola bar. I pulled back the wrapper and took a loud bite. The sense of honey and Peanuts was a great change from emergency rations. A steak would have been awesome. I sat in the branch and leaned against the tree and slung the rifle onto my elbow as I continued to snack on the granola. I studied the field for a few minutes, taking in all the variables of the land. In boot camp, they told us that everything from the wind to gravity affected the bullet as it traveled and the further it traveled, the more the variables affected the trajectory. I grabbed my binoculars and searched for any sign of movement. Three familiar figures and two unfamiliar, walked into the field. I grabbed the radio that was attached to my vest and watched as they approached the crash site. As they rounded into the impact crater, another figure, pulled in a chariot. In the chariot stood a white eh... something. The creature had a horn like a unicorn and the wings of a pegasus. I studied the other two ponies that had followed the others and could see a pink pony and another white one with a horn and a purple mane. I watched as the group of ponies wandered around the crash site looking for me. I could see the pegasus/unicorn was getting testy. Did they seriously think I was going to sit in the middle of the field? I watched as the white pegasus/unicorn neared Ivan's grave. I pressed the button on the side of my radio and took a deep breath. "Good day ladies and gents," I said "lets get this show on the road. You see the device that is making the noise? Pick it up. Press the button to speak and let go to listen." The group of ponies seemed shocked at first, due to my voice coming from a small device. I watched as the white VIP (I assume due to the fancy arrival) levitated, that's right, levitated the device in front of her. I pressed the button again "Yes, you can't see me but I assure that I can see you all just fine at the end of my rifle. Shall we get down to it? Why isn't there a rescue team?" A polished and well refined voice came over the radio "My name is Princess Celestia and you are?" I smiled and pushed the button "Oh, where are my manners? My name is Major Ryan Laney of the United States marines. You can call me Ryan or Redhawk, doesn't matter to me." I watched as the ponies gathered round the "Princess" and listened intently. The voice came over the radio again "Why did you run? We mean you no harm." "A multitude of reasons, lets list them shall we? First my helicopter was struck by lighting, my comrade is dead, of which your standing on his grave, I had my dreams invaded I believe, and was awoken to a comfortable foot- I mean hoove to the chests. Oh, and lets not forget being chased by a flying fucking pony that talks! Where I come from, they don't do either! Good fucking times!" I said. As I let go of the button, I could sense the anger in my tone. I watched as the ponies argued among themselves. After a minute or two, the "Princess" calmed them down and returned to the radio. "My student says that she saw you used some flying machine to kill your own kind and was laughing about it. Is that true?" I was halted in my own thoughts. What would I tell her? 'Yes I killed the enemy and felt good about it.' didn't seem like a good idea. Looks like I have to wing it. "I am part of the military of my country. I was at war and war will do strange thing to anyone. Nothing but good times." I said as I immediately regretted my choice of words. "War?" The Princess asked as if puzzled by the word. "You kidding me right?" I watched as Twilgiht snatched the radio and said "Show the Princess respect, please." I pressed the button and laughed a bit "Respect is earned, not given. Moving along; I just want to get back home. This is pointless. I'm leaving." "Please don't go!" I heard the radio speak up. "You'll hear from me soon. This is Redhawk, over and out." I said as I turned off the radio. I watched as the ponies frantically talked back and forth. They seemed to be worried about something. I packed away the binocular and dropped from the tree. As my feet connected with solid ground. I turned and looked in the direction of the ponies and watched for a moment as they argued. I could see the "Princess" trying to calm them. I turned back to the forest and made my way back to my campsite. -Ryan's campsite- My walk to the helicopter was uneventful. I thought they would at least send out search parties. I lifted the camo canvas from the helicopter and slipped under. I pulled the latch on the door and slid it to the side. I pulled my self into the passenger cabin and removed my gillie suit. I stepped back out of the helicopter and pulled the camo off the helicopter. I could see that the sun was on its way down. I climbed into the cockpit and turned on the radio. The radio spit static at me. I grabbed my helmet from the co-pilot seat and slipped it on. I buckled myself in and hit the ignition. I watched the gauges spring to life, max out, and drop back to normal levels. I hit increased the RPM of the rotors and heard the engine kick to life. The power had been charging for almost 24 hours at this point and even with the camo covering it up, the gauge read 100%. I pulled on the joystick and felt the wheels lift off the ground. I continued to rise until I cleared the tree canopy. The radio kicked to life "Redhawk," said a familiar voice "please calm down and meet us at the Ponyville library." It was Twilight. Had they been calling out to me over the radio all day? I grabbed the receiver and said "This is Redhawk, I need a heading." I heard a cheer over the radio followed by Twilight. "I am assuming you are over the forest, correct?" I spoke again, not even second guessing my actions "Correct. The sun will be down soon. I need a guide." "I will send one your way." she said before the radio dark again. Something in my mind screamed at me for the stupidity of giving myself up but i didn't care. I just didn't want to spend another night alone in the god forsaken forest.