Of Darkest Days

by SilverSilence167

Chapter One: ArchAngel

Of Darkest Days
"Sir, Section 8-B took another hit this morning."
"Bad?"
"They'll hold for now sir, if I may,"
"Go ahead"
"We can't just hold out forever."
"I know, we are deciding what our next move is. Be patient."
"Yes sir."
The command center was filled with the usual chatter. Mostly just reports coming in and rumors going around the groups.
I stood or slouched rather against the back wall, awaiting orders from Commander Stone. My regiment placement order had been lost, how I will never know. Then I was a nineteen year old 'greenie' as the veterans called new members like me.
Ever since a major industrial accident left "The Rift" open, we had been trying to establish a presence on this world. The Rift is one of mans greatest triumphs, and one of it's greatest failures. It happened a few years ago when a nuclear reactor imploded into what is now the Rift. It is a portal of sorts into different worlds. In this case, it seems a world only imagined as a cartoon. The land that now lay before all of mankind, was Equestria. Might I mention, all the intelligent natives on this world were, little horses. That's right, it was the real deal Equestria.
At first the native Equestrians were cautious toward the new presence of humans. The two princesses had commanded our cooperation if we were going to stay here. We agreed without much hesitation. We didn't have much of a choice. Any move we made had to be approved by Celestia and Luna. So far they had been strict on us going on the offensive. They had forbidden us from building roads, or anything really permanent. To make things worse, we were on our own. The Equestrians had been moved into a neutrality. The civies had been warming up to our being here though. It was an interesting thing to go into the nearest town, Ponyville. I never had the chance to make the run.
"The Princess hasn't given any word about negotiations yet." said one of the comm operators.
"Noted." Said Commander Stone.
"Sir, we found something." called out another.
"Put it up on screen." said Stone.
"Yes sir."
"A bridge?" asked Stone.
"A supply bridge sir."
"What of it?" asked Stone.
"This bridge is supplying the Purians along their western flank."
The Purians were a group of AWOL soldiers trying to establish a dominance over Equestria. What drove them was unknown. Money, greed, hate, take your pick. They had been giving us trouble ever since we came to Equestria. They were ruthless and demented. Reports were coming in on they were experimenting on their own soldiers. Trying to make them stronger, faster, and shoot better. Their Anti-Air had already claimed several of our jets, and sadly several pegasi. The Princesses had initiated a no-fly zone for anypony over the area.
"The bridge is guarded by heavy infantry, and our aircraft can't get close enough to hit it." said the operator.
"Can we send in a gunship, or a Spec. Ops group?" asked Stone.
"Negative sir." replied the operator.
Stone sat down to think.
"What about me?" I asked. "Sir?"
"What about you?" he replied. His eyes squinted in a sense of inquiry.
"One man is almost un-detectable." I said, "I go in and place a few demo charges and get out."
"I appreciate the offer, but," he began.
"But what?" I interrupted, "I can get it done, I apologize sir, but what could be the harm in letting me try?"
"I am inclined to agree with him if you ask me sir." said an operator.
"Enough." said Stone. "Now, why do you want to risk your hide for this bridge?" He asked. His eyes grew colder as he asked.
"I just want to see this war over and done with. If it is for the betterment of the cause, I am an expendable asset." I replied.
"No soldier is expendable." He barked at me. "Not a single one. You hear me? We all have a part in this fight."
"At least let me try. What's the harm?" I pleaded. Truth is, I lost two close friends and my brother during the fighting. I wanted payback. I wanted to see their killers suffer.
"Let me think for a minute." He said wearily.
"Yes sir." I readily replied.
He left the comm room and returned a few minutes later.
"Come back in the morning. I will think about it. Go get settled in." He ordered.
"Yes sir." I obeyed reluctantly.
I left the comm center and made my way toward the barracks to find an empty bed. I found one with a light infantry group. The 118th if I remember right.
Afterwards I spent the day at the firing range running course after course, I definitely needed the practice if Stone was going to let me go on this one. An armory worker interrupted me halfway through a gun run simulation test.
"Range is closed." he barked, "Get some rest."
I nodded and left the test area and laid down in my hopefully temporary bed.
The call came in the morning.
"How do you think you are going to do this?" Stone asked.
"I would crawl to that bridge if I had to sir." I replied with a sense of dedication I had never felt before.
"That is not what I asked." Stone said harshly. "What I asked is how do you plan to do this?"
"Do you have a map?" I asked.
He waved an officer to bring a map of the region.
"There seems to be an opening here." I pointed, "If I can get a transport to there I can leg it the rest of the way to the target."
"What about patrols?" Stone asked.
"I could go in during the night and use that as a cover." I replied.
He grunted and stared hard at the paper that lay across the table.
"My mission is to take that bridge down. Even if it kills me. Sir." I said never looking away from his cold tired eyes.
"Hell, if you are going to do this, you will need a gun." he reluctantly stated.
"Thank you sir, I won't fail you." I saluted.
Stone grunted and handed me a requisition form. Before he handed it to me he said "Promise me, that you are going to do your duty. Not defect to the enemy." he warned.
"I swear on my beating heart, should I defect, I will let you personally blow my brains out." I said with no more humor than he spoke.
Stone covered his eyes with the palm of his hand.
"Take this down to the armory and they will make the arrangements." Stone ordered.
I nodded and left the comm room with a salute.
It was the most nerve-racking walk to the armory I had ever known.
I was met at the door by an armorer.
"Do ya' have an order to place kid?" He asked in a gruff tone.
"I do. Straight from Commander Stone." I said.
"From Stone eh?" He asked. "Lemme see that."
He looked the form over for a minute. "Follow me." The man blankly stated.
We walked into the back and the Armorer opened a door and told me to wait outside it. He was gone for a while. When he returned, he was carrying an MX-116, the replacement for the M-4 carbine. It featured a heavier and longer barrel, larger clip size and fired a slightly larger round. This was a top of the line wall punch rifle. He handed me the weapon and told me to go to the range to test it. After around fifteen minutes he came to me again, only with the MP-14 SMG. This was a small compact sub machine gun. It was to replace the aging MP-9. I fired a few clips out of it before I was told to get my armor.
It was heavy, it was strong, and it was rugged as you get out of it. The Aegis armor plate vest was a body armor system that was standard only to Spec. Ops medium soldiers. It was bullet proof for several hits, it could take a punch, I could only imagine the strings pulled to get me this.
"Go get some rack time, you're out in the morning." said the Armorer.
I looked at the arm plate of the set. 504631-MP9. My identification number. This was my set. There was no going back. I thought for a minute, "Wait, I thought it was a night op?" I asked.
"It is, the Princess wants to see you. I don't know anymore then that." he replied. "Good luck son."
I stood there breathless. The Princess, Princess Celestia wanted to see me. This was an honor by any standards.
I ran back to the comm center. Stone was reading a report, I don't know what it was for though. He looked at me and asked, "What are you doing here?"
"Sir, why am I going to Canterlot?" I asked.
"The Princess has to know of any operations we make. That's why we haven't attacked yet. She wants to meet you personally." he said.
"I don't have a choice in the matter, do I?" I asked.
"Only if you back out." He replied.
"Never." I replied with haste.
"Then go hit the rack. You have a big day tomorrow." He said.
I walked to the barracks and laid down.
"Is it true?" the soldier in the bunk next to mine asked.
"Is what true?" I replied.
"You know, you going on a solo op?" He asked.
"I guess. Why?" I said.
"You got stones man." He said with some admiration.
I had to laugh at that.
That night was probably the longest night I could remember. Every noise felt like a shout in the cold night air. Every cough, groan, and creak was more frightening than I ever knew.
Sleep avoided me until the earliest hours of the morning. I was ready for this to be over. No matter the outcome.
A hand woke me from my slumber. Two and a half hours. More then I expected. Commander Stone walked me out to the helicopter. The pilot saluted me as I climbed into the side deck. I put the arresting harness over my chest and settled in for the first flight.
It was a four hour flight to Canterlot. Every thud of the rotors was a thunder clap in my helmet.
When we landed, I got off the deck and walked to the Palace. I was greeted by a group of city guards and escorted into the main area of the palace. Celestia and Luna stood side by side. As I entered they called off the guards and beckoned for me to enter. I walked to the center of the court room.
I bowed in the manner taught to us in training. Knelt to your left knee on the floor with you left hand curled into a fist on you right shoulder. Your head bowed.
I stood up and proceeded to head over to the two sisters.
"Are you the one?" Asked Celestia.
"I am. Why have you called me here?" I replied.
"To bestow the Royal Canterlot blessing." Said Luna.
"I am honored." I said. "What is the Royal Canterlot blessing?"
They looked upon me and nodded towards the door. I turned and saw 6 smaller ponies. Two pegasi, two Unicorns, and two "earth ponies". They looked upon me with wonder, as I them.
"Give him what he needs." said Luna.
The group surrounded me and began to look me over.
"Well, I suppose the proper course of action would be to introduce ourselves. Hmm?" Said the white unicorn.
"Agreed." Said the purple unicorn. "I am Twilight Sparkle." She pointed towards the blue Pegasus with a rainbow mane, "This is Rainbow Dash," she continued around the group pointing a hoof towards each one, "This is Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Applejack, and Fluttershy." Each pony nodded at me. The yellowish one Fluttershy, however did so with hesitation.
They took me to another room and sat me down and talked to me.
"Well, sugar cube, Ah can't say this will be easy." said Applejack. "But you will be alright, ya' hear?"
Rarity looked me over. " I have a gift for you."
"As do we all." said Twilight.
The more than bubbly Pinkie Pie handed me a paper bag. "It's a cupcake, for when you need something sweet."
Applejack gave me the best advice I had heard since this whole thing started, "No matter what, do not let yourself get down. Tomorrow will always come again."
Rarity handed me a small box. "Open it." she said.
I opened the container, and inside was a single glove. Metal, a dull white color. With an insignia engraved into the palm. A golden etched heart. I removed my glove and placed the new one on my hand.
"It will function the same as your other one. Do you like it?" she explained.
"It is fantastic." I said with admiration.
Rainbow Dash said, "My gift will come later. Believe me, it will be good."
"I appreciate that. Thank you." I said.
Twilight said, "I will place a spell on you, it should make you harder to spot. Only for a while though, so it must wait."
"I am grateful for everything." I said to the group.
"Wait," said Fluttershy in a hushed voice, "Could you take off your helmet? If it's no trouble of course."
I unlocked the brace around my neck and removed my helmet.
She looked at me for a second, and said, "I hope you make it out." She smiled at me and gently kissed me on the cheek.
I was unsure how to react. I was shocked, she seemed a little too shy for an action like that.
"Stay safe, alright?" she said.
"I will do my best. You have my word." I said.
I was led back into the court room, Celestia and Luna addressed me, "Soldier, are you ready to receive the Royal Canterlot Blessing?" asked Luna.
"I am." I said in the most respectable tone I could muster, "I would like to thank these fine ponies for all they have given me as well."
Celestia nodded, "They are the finest ponies I know. And as my prized student, I know I could trust Twilight Sparkle to give you some assistance."
"But first, I must ask," said Luna, "Why do you lay your life down for such a cause?"
I took a moment to let the question register in my head, "I fight, for those who have fallen, for those who still stand, and for those who cannot. If I should die in the field, I know I have done my part to end this miserable war."
" Your cause in noble, I am impressed," said Celestia, "But I fell there is something more to your action."
"I have my own reasons as well." I said. The memory of my brother and my friends flashed in my mind.
"I will respect your secrecy." Celestia replied.
I nodded in agreement. "How do I proceed? With the blessing? Not to be rude."
"Not at all, it is our pleasure." said Celestia happily. "Stand where you are, and clear your mind."
I relaxed the best I could. I felt a surge of energy flow throughout my body. The two Princesses horns glowed with a furious energy. I felt my feet lift from the ground and I closed my eyes and let the blessing be placed. The feeling of the unexpected magic was invigorating. And terrifying.
I dropped to the ground and looked at my hands. They had a faint glow around them.
"The blessing has been bestowed." said Princess Luna.
"What does the blessing do?" I asked.
"The night will become your ally as well as the day." they said in unison.
"Tonight, the dark will be blacker than any before, not even the stars will give your enemies light." said Luna proudly.
"The morning will bring the purest light. And may you rise with the sun." said Princess Celestia.
"Thank you, I will never be able to repay you." I said.
"You already have." said Luna kindly.
"The time has come, may you go with pride and return with honor." said Celestia.
I bowed once more, and left without another word.
Twilight met me by the heli-pad. "Are you ready?" she asked.
I nodded. "Ready."
Her horn began to glow with a soft purple aura. I felt an unfamiliar energy begin to cover me.
"There, those you wish you harm will have to look a little closer to see you." she said.
"Thank you, I will not fail." I said in return.
"This means a lot to Fluttershy, you know that right?" she asked.
"What do you mean?" I replied.
"I mean, the way those men have been using the forest. Cutting it down and burning it. It makes her cry just to go into it now." she said sadly.
"I understand." I said, "Tell her, with this day, we are one step closer to getting them out of here."
Twilight nodded in agreement.
I boarded the helicopter once more and strapped the arresting harness on once more. Maybe the last time I ever felt the belts firm grip over my chest. I looked towards the horizon. I was sick to my stomach with anticipation.
"You ready?" called the pilot over the radio.
I placed my helmet on the neck brace and locked it down once more.
"Ready." I said back.
The sound of the engines spinning up slowly overwhelmed all other sounds. We were airborne once more. I looked back at the pad and saluted Twilight Sparkle. She waved back and turned to go inside.
My heart pounded through the armor plate covering it. I could see the LZ. The pilot called over the radio, "Touchdown in 10 seconds!"
"Confirmed!" I called back.
The chopper hovered at thirty feet above the ground and I tossed a rope off the side. The harness buckle released and I slid down the rope and waved the chopped off. I saw the pilot salute before leaving me alone, behind enemy lines. A voice came over the comm traffic, "It's time for your present!" it was Rainbow Dash.
I looked overhead to see a rainbow/blue steak flash by, faster than any jet I had seen, and almost immediately a cloud of fog thick enough to make sure I couldn't be seen dropped over the area like a blanket.
I watched as the night set in, Luna had kept her promise. There was not a single light to be seen. I could still see however, "I guess the blessing wasn't nothing." I thought to myself.
The rifle in my hands was set to a three round burst fire mode. With no silencers I had to make the shots count.
"Alright, you are now call sign 'ArchAngel', you are two point three clicks outside of your target location. How copy?" command said over the comm.
"Roger, good copy." I said in return.
I raised my rifle and began my trek into the forest. The night air was cold on my armor. I was alone, close to blind, and behind enemy lines, no hope of an evac, no support, nothing.
I knew this had to be done, no matter what. All of Equestria could be depending on this one night. I was a dead man.
A light cut through the darkness. I hit the deck and crawled to the nearest tree and got ready to fight. Something wouldn't let me pull the trigger though. I knew what it was, a patrolling Purian. I was still two clicks out, I didn't need to draw attention. Not yet. Still, he was close enough, that without the magic that Twilight gave me, and the fog, he would have seen me. I silently thanked them both again.
The light left and again I was left in the dark. I waited for a few minutes before moving on. The journey was slow and tedious. Every move had to be planned perfectly, every sound was muffled. A simple twig breaking could leave me a dead man. Three hours later, I could see it. The bridge.
I sat there for a moment thinking about what would be the best course of action. I reached for my binoculars and was horrified to look through them. There on, and around, the bridge were at least 20 Purian soldiers. The fog seemed to be interfering with their optics, every few seconds I could see them wiping their senses and waving it away. The lights slung off the barrels on the weapons they carried gave a eerie cone of light.
I looked to see if anything would betray me position, snipers, scouts anything could screw me. None, at least that was good news. I was lucky though, the Purian soldiers had altered their armor, after they defected they painted the Purian colors and gave themselves new numbers and even new names. A new identity. The orange and black uniforms were easy to spot through the darkness.
I crawled on my stomach towards my objective. I got lucky once more, a boulder gave me a decent amount of cover and still gave me a good line of sight. I knew I wasn't coming back at that moment. I snuck back over to the tree line and slowly removed my dog tags and placed them neatly on a tree branch. Along with the glove, and cupcake. "I'm sorry guys." I thought to myself. "I'm not coming back."
I gripped the smooth forward stock on the rifle with my now bare hand.
I got into position behind the boulder once more and carefully lined up the shot.
A supply truck interrupted my concentration. I left it go by and once again lined the sights of my rifle with the torso of a Purian soldier.
I fired and quickly moved to the next target before they could react to the un expected assault. A heavy firefight broke out. It lasted half an hour, before the Purians broke rank and ran from the seemingly unknown enemy.
"Go!" I shouted in my head.
I ran to the bridge columns and began to lay down the charges. A rifle shot smashed off the cement next to my head and I hit the deck and looked to find the shooter. The night grew still once more. I finished placing the explosives and stood up to get away from the area. A rifle butt begged to differ. I fell to the ground and rolled over to see a masked assailant staring me in the eyes. My rifle had been knocked from my grasp, my hand instinctively shot for my side arm. The sub-machine gun rattled to my aid. Before my attacker could recover, dropped beside me.
I laid there for a moment wondering what had happened.
Another volley of bullets flew past me and I ran, faster than I thought possible to my rock. One clipped the visor on my helmet, it shattered leaving shards of poly-glass stuck in my face.
I was lucky enough to have grabbed my primary before I fled. But I had left one thing behind. The detonator. It must have fallen off its hook when I fell.
"Damn it." I whispered to myself.
I made sure to take shots I could make during this fight. In the last battle I lost too much ammo, I had to make each shot count.
The radio came alive once again. It had been disabled during the move to the area to keep any signals from tracking my position.
"Arch(Static) ome in(Static) do(Static) py?" the signal was weak.
"Come in command! This is ArchAngel, do you copy?" I called back.
Nothing. Shit.
They had signal jammers in the area. Command had to know about this. They warned me about this. I had no support until the bridge was out. Even then I would have to run back to the original LZ.
The last of this Purian wave fell back and I finally got a breather. Still, the chance of a sniper team kept me from retrieving the detonator. I decided to scan the airwaves.
....
"Good mornin' Ponyville! This is Dj-Pon-3 on K-Colt. Brining the rock to make your lives worthwhile! Today we have a special shout out to make."
"What do you mean?" Said Octavia.
Well, out on the front lines is a soldier cut off from help." Said Vinyl in a somber tone.
"Word travels fast here I guess" I thought. "They must be jamming only military frequencies."
"Oh my goodness." Replied Octavia
"That's right this ones for you ArchAngel! We love ya! And we hope we can get to you soon." Called Vinyl into the mic.
"That explains our guest today then?" Asked Octavia.
"Yep, and without further delay, here's a miss Pinkie Pie if you're listening Angel this one's for you." Said Vinyl with a slight sign of sadness. "Thank you for having me." Said Pinkie Pie.
"Is there anything you would like to say miss Pie?" Asked Octavia
"If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to sing a song." She replied.
"Sure thing sweetie." Said Vinyl.
"So just into the mic?" Asked the pink pony.
"Yes, whenever you're ready." Said Octavia
"Okie Dokie Lokie." She said, she cleared her throat "Alright, If you're listening I hope you can hear this." She paused for a few seconds, "My name is Pinkie Pie and I am here to say, I'm gonna make you smile and I will brighten up your day. It doesn't matter now, if you are sad or blue cause cheering up my friends is what Pinkie's here to do." There was a catch in her voice. "Cause I really like to make you make you smile smile smile." she stopped for a second taking a shaky breath, continued. "Your smile is so special to me." A faint sob came over the radio. "I'm so sorry, we'll get you home, just stay safe okay?" she said, almost sobbing.
"Thank you." I whispered to myself. At least this wasn't gone. I had a friendly voice to hear.
"Aww, man." said Vinyl.
"We are now taking requests for ArchAngel. Call in to make a request!" said Vinyl.
Almost immediately the phone line exploded with calls coming in.
"Alright, well here is our first song going out to ArchAngel." said Octavia.
They played song after song.
A voice came over the radio between songs.
"Umm hello? Am I on the air?" a little fillies voice asked.
"Yes honey, you are." said Octavia.
"Umm, ArchAngel? If you can hear me, I want to let you know, that we love you. Come home okay?" the voice asked.
"We?" asked Octavia.
"Uh, yeah, there's three of us." said the voice.
"Well, how old are you?" asked Vinyl.
"Um, five." said the voice again.
"What's your name?" asked Vinyl.
"I'm Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle, and Applebloom." she said.
"Well, ya' hear that ArchAngel, you HAVE to come back." challenged Vinyl.
"Well, that's all the time we have for today, and I want everypony to know that we support you ArchAngel, you better keep your hide alright! Okay man?" said Vinyl with a sad tone in her normally loud voice.
Octavia said "And a special thank you to Pinkie Pie for that wonderful song."
"Thank you for having me." said Pinkie through her tears.
"You okay sweetie?" asked Octavia.
"Yes I-I just need a minute."
"Well, we have to jump off now, but we put our hearts out to ArchAngel. We love you!" the signal cut out.
....
With that I was alone again. A bloody tear ran down my cheek. I say down and buried my head in my arms. It hurt. It hurt because of the glass, and because I knew I was alone. I had let so many people and ponies down. I told them, I would be okay, that I would come back. I told Fluttershy, that I would stay safe. At least she would be safe. The tears flowed like a river, mixed with the now hardened blood. I heard each one hit the plate on my chest. "I'm so so sorry." I said aloud. "I'm sorry."
Shouts came from the distance. "Damn it." I thought. "How many could they have here?"
I readied my firing spot again and looked out to see a squad charging my position. I fired several bursts.
Clack! "Shit,shit, shit, shit!" I yelled. The receiver on my rifle had jammed and broken.
I reached for my secondary and used it to defend myself.
The Purian forces had gotten a foothold in the seconds it took for me to get the secondary out. I made a split second decision. I hauled tail from my position to the first set of bridge columns. I felt the bullets rush by, and others slam into the ground around me. I slammed into the column and took a second to catch my breath. The detonator was just outside of reach.
I made a break for it. My finger curled around the trigger on my sub machine gun the clip ran dry in a few moments. Bad mistake. A bullet found its mark in my side. The armor had failed. "Shit!" I yelled. In my shock I only worsened the situation. I fell to the ground and accidentally kicked the detonator. I was hit in the side, and my helmet had left shards around my eyes. And now the detonator was only further away. I stumbled back behind the pillar and thought about what I had to do now. I thought of no good ideas. The best I could think of was to go for broke and charge out and mad-dash the detonator. I was dead either way, might as well go on my terms right?
I got ready to go. My side burned and my head was pounding.
I loaded my last clip into my MP-14, removed my helmet, and took a deep breath.
"Go!" I screamed in my mind.
I bolted to the detonator and picked it up.
Several bullets found me. I hit the ground screaming. Each one felt like a burning razor.
The detonator was on the ground beside my hand. It hurt to breathe. I couldn't feel my left leg, and I knew I was going to bleed out without immediate medical help.
The only thing I could think of was, "Well, shit. That wasn't a good idea." I looked up to see the remaining Purian soldiers moving to where I lay.
My eye caught the detonator. I reached for it as the soldiers reached me.
"Well well well." one said. "What do we have here?" he joked.
A single phrase came to mind. "No matter what, do not let yourself get down. Tomorrow will always come again." the same words that Applejack spoke to me.
The dawn came over the trees. A dawn like no other. I couldn't imagine a warmer moment in my life. I smiled as my vision began to fail. I knew, my brother had been fighting, every step along the way. Every shot, every step.
I looked at the man standing over me. "Never. Stop. Smiling." I said with a red stained grin.
I could see the eyes of the enemy widen as they realized what I was thinking.
"Shit! Run!" one yelled.
They turned to run as I smashed the trigger on the detonator.
...
"Sir, the results of ArchAngel are coming in." said a comm operator.
"Well, what about it?" said Commander Stone.
"Sir, the bridge has been destroyed." he said.
"Huh, well I'll be damned. He did it." Stone said.
"Sir, ArchAngel was killed in action." said the operator in a somber tone.
"Well, he came through." Stone said, "He was a brave soldier."
"That he was." agreed the operator.
"Tell Celestia, Operation One-Way was completed." Stone ordered. "At the cost of ArchAngel."
"Yes sir." replied the operator.
Stone walked into the comm center the morning after.
"Tell Celestia, we are ready to move onto Purian territory." Stone ordered.
"Sir?" the operator asked.
"Gather the men, we are going on the offensive." Stone said with pride.
The operator grinned, "Yes sir!" he said.
My name was remembered with the other hero's of this war. I had my burial in Canterlot. An empty coffin was placed in the ground. A single cello played at the service. Octavia Philharmonica was the only noise that could be heard.
Commander Stone was going to lead Operation Returning Grace personally. It's time this ended.

I thank you reader for taking the time to read my first FanFic. Comment and rate as you will. I will see about putting a sequel continuing from where this left off, if it would please the reader.