Cyber Peacock looked about from where he jacked out to see three of his so called teammates waiting for him. First he saw was the ever logical and greatly annoying Boomer Kuwanger, the Space-Time Hunter. This Stage beetle like Reploid was his main concern if he wanted to survive the oncoming battle.
"You fucked up didn't you." Kuwanger," What did their security got a hand on you?"
"Lay off you stupid beetle," Countered Cyber Peacock," Looked like I'm not the only one with the ability to Jack In, One of the hunters Shadowman has that ability too!"
"This is bad," said Skiver, the Spiral Pegasion. This Pegasus Reploid is one of the many flying Reploid under Vile's command but not the greatest filer but the most hardy and physically strongest among the other flying Reploids," I would recommend a retreat, even if we do get punished by Master Vile later. At least he wouldn't lose us as an asset."
"That's what you always say Skiver," answered Commander Yammark, another flyer this time based on a dragonfly. This flyer has the ability to create numerous smaller dragonflies and send them out like a battalion of fighter planes if necessary. Highly distrustful, the only Reploid he seems to trust is Skiver and often on mission where they are together fly's by as Skiver's wing-man," But this time I've got to agree. I don't trust Double at all."
"This time I consider your distrust founded," said Cyber Peacock as he properly unplugged himself. In the distance he could see a plum of smoke rising already." And I see he's getting himself to work. Let's get out of here before something unsightly happens."
"You two go," asked Skiver," Yammark and I will assist Double."
"Acknowledge, see you at the base," said Kuwanger as he held Cyber Peacock and readied for Space-Matter Teleportation. Once the two warped back to base, Yammark tapped the taller Reploid on the shoulder.
"You pick now for all time?! We don't owe anyone anything. How bout this Skiver, you and me, as far as we can fly!"
"Yammark, my friend. You don't have to follow me."
"And who would look out for your sorry ass Skiver!" shouted Yammark angrily," No way am I leaving my wing-leader to crash and burn."
"Your a good friend you know that Yammark?"
"Stop blowing wind up my stabilize you stupid idiot."
Skiver nodded as he took off towards the fire, leaving Yammark to wait behind and watch. As Skiver grew further away, Yammark whispered before taking off after him," The things I do for you, my silly prince."
*****
Double stood at what used to be the throne of Princess Celestia with a smile on his face. Flanked by two Hawk Armors and two Kangaroo Armor, all piloted by Hoganmers, he laughed maniacally.
'Now THIS is how to have fun! Now to wait for the guest of honor!"
*****
Shadowman was the first to reach the throne room but before he could do anything he had to dodge a string of energy bullets. Looking up from his cover, he saw the strange tall Reploid and his fighting force. His HUB brought up the data immediately marking the tall Reploid as the Maverick known as Double and the Ride Armors the Hoganmers were piloting.
"Ah looked like guest number one has arrived. Please don't be shy and eat plasma!" At Double command the two Hawk Armors piled on the attack slowly destroying Shadowman's cover.
"Anytime now!" said Shadowman though his comm-link.
*****
"Sorry Shadow," replied MedaBee," We're pinned down here!"
Behind him sat Princess Luna as she kept the magical barrier up which protected the ballroom. The large Beast which was raining blows shurged off Crashman's latest attempt to get it's attention. Classified as Maoh The Giant. It withstood most of their attacks be it explosive or otherwise and continued to hammer Luna's barrier. As it shot out his mace like fist into the barrier, it resounded in a large gong before it pulled its fist back for another strike. As blood slowly inched it way out of Luna's nose, she could only groan at the mental strain and pain from the force of impact.
"We got to make this fast," said Crashman," Think MedaBee, what should we do next?"
"Right. We attacked all over but the head, the shoulders and the thrusters. You go low and I go High?"
"Righto Bee," said Crashman as he allowed MedaBee to jumped on his shoulder and started climbing up the giant mech.
Crashman ran underneath the massive thrusters to see not one but multiple thrusters are what keeping this monstrosity afloat. Gambling on the first shot, he armed his Crashbombs and shot directly into one of the thrusters only to have it detonate before it made contact. He then switched to the Spark Missiles and shot around the thrusters in hope of staggering it. It worked but only slightly as the giant mech continued it's assault, only being unbalanced for a shot while. Crashman then set to work to attach as many Spark Missiles as he could before triggering them simultaneously. Each time he did it, he upped the ante by launching more Spark Missiles. Each time not causing much effect....
*****
MedaBee was making progress but so was the giant mech. He figured out he couldn't reach the shoulder before it broke though Luna's barrier. That is before something decided to tap his back. Looking around he saw a Pegasuses-like Reploid which his HUB designated him as Skiver. Before MedaBee could aim his weapon at him, the Maverick picked MedaBee up and flew upwards keeping him somewhat level with the mech.
"Hey what's your deal here?"
"Shut up and shoot sir. Unlike some of my former allies, I don;t like hurting civilians."
"You and I will need to chat after this, until then get me closer! Transport Meda-Part! Spark-Drill!"
Swapping his revolver arm with the new weapon, Skiver flew in closer to the mech releasing MedaBee. MedaBee drew his drill arm and stuck it right into one of the eye sockets causing the mech to real back in pain. Skiver then used his body and speed to strike and push the giant further back ,while MedaBee coninued to drill though it's left eye.
"Crashman! Get your butt in gear and prepare me the largest bomb you can fire!"
*****
Shadowman continued to dodge from cover to cover as he slowly whither down the Ride Armors. The Kangaroo Armors being the most troublesome of the bunch while Double sat on the remains of Celestia's throne looking bored.
"Come on," yawned Double," This the best you got? Shish and I wonder why Master Vile is so worried about you lot. But then again what is one Reploid going to do against so many armors?"
"Wait for backup of course," said an unknown voice.
One of the Hawk Armors was then surrounded by what looked like mechanical dragonflies and exploded leaving scrap in its place.
"Commander Yammark?! What are you doing here?! You're suppose to return to..."
"Yak Yak Yak, that all you do Double, Now DIE!" Yammark sent a number of his dragonflies at Double causing him to jump out of the way or else become scrap. Some of his dragonflies also was harassing the Ride Armors as well, leaving Shadowman enough time to get his elec-sword ready.
"You know for a guy who is constantly afraid of being betrayed, you sure know how to backstab your own teammates!" shouted Double as he threw a large energy disk at Yammark.
Yammark sent one of his dragonfly at the disk and deflected the attack but said nothing, as Shadowman plunged his Elec-Sword though the last remaining Ride Armor. Seeing himself outnumbered Double went though a broken window and made a run for it. Yammark was about to go after him when Shadowman blocked him off with his Elec-Sword.
"Why did you stop me?! We need to kill that son of a-"
"We got bigger fish to fry, and besides I don't trust you enough to let you leave my sight just yet."
"But Double could be going right back to Vile! If he reports back that Skiver and I-"
"We'll deal with it when we come to it. Besides I'm pretty sure Vile would know by now anyway."
"...Fine, whatever." And with that Yammark few out the broken window and towards the battle with Shadowman following behind.
*****
With one last huge explosion, Maoh the Giant was destroyed. Many of those who were behind Luna's barrier were cheering as MedaBee was brought back to the ground by Skiver. Luna herself was rather pleased but was to tired to cheer along with the rest of her subjects. In fact, the only thing that was keeping her up was her sister Celestia. The officers on duty were also praised as they had put out the fires around the palace as well. Some have even taken down (Thanks to their combined efforts) a few Hoganmers and their Rider Armors in tack as well. Princess Celestia has ordered some of the Solar and Lunar Guards to start learning how to operate these Ride Armors.
The giant remains lay at the bottom of the mountain being gutted for parts and tech. Not much to say about the head as it was blown up thanks to the combined efforts of Yammark and Crashman.
However that was two hours ago, right now Skiver and Yammark are sitting in the same jail cell as they were waiting for the Princess's judgement.
"Are they done yet?" asked Yammark to the guard outside their cell.
"For the twentieth time, no."
"Leave that poor guard alone Yammark," ordered Skiver.
"Whatever you say ace."
The guard stood at attention as MedaBee and Princess Celestia walked towards the jail cell, with a whispered order the guard left the room leaving the two with the Mavericks.
"Firstly before anything else, I would like to thank you for your help against the Maverick known as Double and the giant. However as it stands you both are Mavericks who serve Vile, the current threat to Equestria."
"While in the past true," interrupted Skiver," Vile has not successfully reprogrammed all of us to be his slaves. I do not know how many more of his forces have actually combated his reprogramming but for at least Yammark and myself, we are free of his control."
"Indeed, which is why I would like to ask you and your friend there what are your intentions now?"
"I would like to serve Equestria," answered Skiver," I feel... that for now until Vile is at least subdued, it is my duty."
"Where he goes, I go. I'm his Wing-man after all."
"Since that is the case," said MedaBee," We'll need to do one last system check. So step this way dudes."
As the two walked out of the cell, Celestia blocked Yammark from exiting the jailhouse," Would you mind if I talk to you for a second Yammark? MedaBee, you and Skiver can go ahead first. We won't take to long."
"Whatever you say princess, your the boss," MedaBee walked out with Skiver and Celestia waited for a few seconds before speaking.
"So... Commander Yammark, why do you follow Skiver all over?"
"I'm his wing-man, I cover his ass and he covers mine."
"That's not what I asked little missy."
"I think you need to check your eyes Princess, I ain't no missy."
"Oh do I? As far as I can tell, or at least as Shadowman says, I have perfect 20-20 vision. But why not prove me wrong and remove your helmet for me if you think I am wrong?"
Yammark stared at the Celestia for a long while and letting the silence dominate the background. Slowly she unhooked her helmet and let her long black hair fall out," Ok Princess you found me out, now what do you want?"
"I would like to know as if why doesn't Skiver know? Particularity if you have feeling for him?"
"...I already have very bad trust issues. Before coming here, I died... twice. Once was by sabotage and the second... well I was Maverick by then. That being said after meeting Skiver and how he treats me... well I'm not just a fellow weapon to him, I'm his comrade and friend. The others just want to use me, heck I'm sure Vile if he knew I was female would just reconvert me for his pet project. So he is the only one I'm willing to trust you know? But after a while and give or take a few lonely patrols I started falling for him too."
Celestia listen and just nodded," At least your being honest with me. But that doesn't explain why your willing to follow him."
"Oh that's easy Princess, someone got to look after him after all. Plus it gives me an exuse to stare at his ass all day."
"Oh I know the notion deary, that is why my sky chariots are open air, some of the guards are rather toned after all."
Both of them shared a giggle before Yammark re-equipped her helmet. She then looked pleadingly at Celestia," You... won't tell anyone will you?"
"Well if you insist but I would like to tell my niece about this. She might be able to help... get across your feeling to Skiver."
"but-"
"And she is the Princess of Love as well so she might have a lot of wise advice on the matter. More than me in fact, I have yet to find a good pony to spend the rest of their life with and yet my niece who is thousands of years younger than me finds a husband already."
"Ok ok already, I guess she can know. But no one else ok?"
"Well its to late now, Shadowman was the first to figure you out."
'What?! That short flightless ninja figured it out? How? Whe-"
"But I already told him to keep it to himself, It seems rather irreverent to him it seems, so shall we get moving I'm sure MedaBee is getting impatient already."
"...fine," said Yammark in defeat and hoping the ninja bastard doesn't let Skiver know just yet. No she isn't ready yet.
*****
"WHAT?!"
"It's true sir, Skiver and Yammark has turned traitor," said Double without a hint of fear," I had to retreat when Yammark turned the tables on me."
"....Right, DRAGOON! I want you and Cyber Peacock to conduct a sweep among the ranks. I want to know if any others have even the slightest notion of betraying me and I WANT THEIR HEAD ON A PLATE! Furthermore we are moving!"
"But where do we go? asked the Nightmare," I would assume that this was the backup base."
"Yeah that is true but I've been informed that a new ally of ours just offered their living space to move in."
"You mean we have to-"
"Yes we do. Double I want you to go though the ranks with Magma Dragoon and Cyber Peacock. I want at least two Mavericks waiting for them here if they come a calling. WELL WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? GET TO WORK!"
"Sir Yes Sir."
*****
Magma Dragoon looked at the current roster of Mavericks under Vile's command. He made a little smile when he recalled the recent bid of freedom Skiver and Yammark made. They deserved their freedom and he was rather glad that he found a way to deactivate the so called loyalty enrichment device (a fancy way to say a bomb) installed in him and as well as the two Mavericks. Now if only Yammark would stop pretending to be male but that's now the Hunters problem. For now he had to make sure he plants enough evidence on where they are going. Luckily his friend Web Spider has agreed to hide a few of his spiders to act as monitors and guides to said evidence.
And maybe. Sometime soon. He could be free.