> Defender of Freedom > by Damocles > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > The Prologue > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ch.1 Prologue 8/6/2016 5:30 pm San Antonio, TX POV: Eric Segura YOU WIN Staring at the screen in shock I couldn't believe That I had won against the cartel. Usually I would have been beaten by the thirty minute mark from a giant blob of enemy units ,but it seems my tactic of spamming nukes seemed to pay off. “Huh that went better than I expected,” I said mystified as I closed Act of Aggression(The Reboot) ,and opened my internet. “What should I do should I go watch some videos or maybe go read something from fimfiction or fanfiction?” I Pondered as I looked at all my opened tabs when a thought surfaced “hmm I wonder is there stuff for Act of Aggression on Amazon … ehh no harm in checking.” I opened a new tab for amazon ,typed in Act Of Aggression and noticed three different coins among other stuff. One had the US army symbol of the eagle, One had the Chimera symbol of the world, and the final coin had the symbol of the cartel which was a angular C. Deciding that since The US army was my favorite faction of the three I would get that coin. After reading that it would only take a day to get here due to how close the seller was ,I was ecstatic about the thing and went around my house with a spring in my step and a shine in my eyes. I was that way all the way ‘till it was nearly midnight which then I nearly passed out due to tiredness that I decided to sleep. 8/7/2016 5:00 pm San Antonio, TX After waking up with a note from my parents saying that they are going to the hospital so dad can get that hole in his gut shut. I was bouncing around my house all day just waiting for the coin to come in, before I settled around the time the mail comes in Which usually around five o'clock. I decided to have one of my precious vanilla cokes(THEY ARE SO GOOD) while I wait for the mailman to come around. I looked at the clock ,and saw it read 5:30 ,I sighed as I sipped the last drops of vanilla coke which was the only thing keeping me calm right now(I totally don't have a small addiction to the things) and not panicking… Okay I'm silently panicking in my head. Just as I was on the verge of a panic attack I heard a motor and decided to check the window which so happens to be to the left of me.” Oh thank whatever deity is out there,” I muttered as I spotted the mail truck drop things at the area’s Mailboxes. When the truck left I got up from my comfy chair, Opened the front door and started the small trek towards my part of the neighborhood’s mailboxes which was luckily right around the corner. Opening up the mailbox with the key my parents left I pulled out several envelopes mostly bills but in the very back was a small package. I grabbed all of the mail and made haste back inside waving at one of my friends as he stood outside mowing the lawn, putting the bills on the fridge so that my parents could see them after dad comes back from surgery on his gut. ”I swear dad got all his bad luck from mom after all the things she does I mean who walks in front of a black cat, walks under a ladder , and breaks mirrors by accident” I scoffed as I sit in front of my computer about to open the package. A few moments later a small black box with hinges on the back sat in front of me just asking to be opened ,and who am I to deny its request. As the box was opened a surprisingly gold coin about 3in in diameter and maybe half an inch in width sat in the container with engraving in the back stating “to defend those who can't defend themselves” along with a note. “Dear whoever bought this while I may prank a lot of people by teleporting them as soon as they get their item I thought it would be a nice change to warn somebody for once so here is the warning now prepare to be knocked out ~TM.” Looking around in confusion as I did not feel anything before I remembered the stories I’ve read on fimfiction about how people got displaced to another universe by the merchant. ”T could stand for The and the M could stand for Merchant, but what the heck is he doing selling stuff through amazon I thought he was at the conventions. Well Shit I guess I won’t be seeing this place for a LONG time” I sighed as I realized my fate to go to a Unknown equestria as some character probably the US army general due to the coin. “Well I guess the only good thing about this is that I could meet fellow people that have also got the short end of the stick,But I promise this I WILL find a way back home no matter how long it takes do you hear me merchant,” I growled out not expecting an answer. “I hear you quite fine now go along I have other people to displace” a voice behind me said. I spun around in my chair only for something to hit me straight in the face sending me into unwanted unconscious. In my last seconds of fading conscious the merchant simply said “don’t worry one day you may come back but until then this timeline will freeze in place now then I would say good luck but you don't need it." As he said those words the world started to turn Grayish as if the world had lost all of its color , and than I felt as if I was being pulled apart yet squeezed into a confined space as my body simply gave up and I fell unconscious. > The Arrival > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ch.2 The Arrival Date [UNKNOWN] Time [UNKNOWN] Location [UNKNOWN] POV : Eric “Errr what happened … wait a minute why do I feel as if I am sitting in a chair,” I sluggishly thought as I opened my eyes expecting to be outdoors ,but alas I was indoors? It looked like one of those old war rooms back from world war two with the map on the wall and the table in the middle where you can move little units around except two big things. First the map was digital and was that of equestria ,and second the table in the middle looked wood except for a portion of it seemed digital with a screen that at the moment was turned off. Focusing my attention on the map a little note stood out. “Dear commander yes COMMANDER not general as you don't have the experience yet I decided to give you a final gift to make up the whole face punching thing. You may have noticed the miniature flag planted on the map-”I gazed at the map trying to spot it until I found it a little west of a place called los Pegasus, and south of some mountains”-that is where you are now . Now for the gift the map you are looking at is to show updates in conflicts and moving of the lines of battle. Notice how it the map is blank of factions, it is up to you to find out who they are ,now there IS another secret function but that one you will find out in time. Now I shall end this with one last piece of advice be careful of who you trust anyPONY can easily be a spy as they could an ally - T M. “ I may have prepared myself mentally as much as I could to come here but the reality that I wouldn't see my parents for a LONG time just sank in “ am I dreaming please let this be all just a nightmare” I muttered in panic as I pinched myself on the cheek “OW that stings … which also means this is reality wait a minute is my voice deeper.” I was so worried about the shift in reality that I forgot to check myself. As I looked down a big notice is before my skin was heavily tanned, now I was noticeably paler almost straight up pale if not for a tint of darkness, my body also looks drastically different before I was a little bit chubby but now i look skinnier and have more muscle, thankfully my beard and mustache were still there but I can’t tell if my hair color changed without a mirror. My clothes changed drastically before I was wearing casual clothes along with my jacket (yes my jacket I always wear it outside no matter the temperature). Now I was wearing a olive drab jacket with gold buttons ,and on the lapels was a single gold bar which if I remembered correctly was second lieutenant, a white undershirt with a black tie, olive drab dress pants, and a pair of shiny black dress shoes all in all i look as if i came straight out of world war two. I don’t know if the shoes add anything but i swear I feel taller than my usual six foot self, I feel as I’m maybe six foot five? Looking around I spot a dress rack with a olive drab peaked cap with the united states seal on it. Walking over and taking it off the rack ,and placing it firmly on my head I decided that I was going to boot up the screen on the table ,and see what I have to work with. After taking a seat in the chair I awakened in I looked for the power button. Thankfully the power button is right next to the screen and as I pushed “what the - ohhh that's cool” I exclaimed as the screen on the table raised up until it was at a 45 degree angle ,and showed a very familiar design that looked almost exactly like the coin I got from the merchant. “Welcome back commander,” A female voice said over the intercoms. “Who’s there,” I (while trying not to sound spooked) yelled. “I am called Artificial Intelligence for Defense or A.I.D,” the now identified AI answered. “Yhea I’m not calling you that how about … Amber?” I Asked still wondering how do I have a AI in the base as it was not a part of the game. “Designation Amber accepted commander,” Amber stated “now for the briefing commander, we have set up a headquarter which is where you are now, a barracks ,along with two field generators. We have a couple of marines and a shredder ready and waiting for your order, sadly the nearest oil deposit is north towards the forest if the scan was right, and we don’t have Intel of what is over there.” “Okay I’ll tell the marines to scout ahead to make sure it’s clear then send the shredder-” I stated before being cut off by amber. “Sir incoming transmission it’s coming from south of here on a peninsula,” Amber stated. “Well then open up the comms,” I said angrily as I don’t like being cut off. A window on the now active screen opened up and showed the unmistakable face of a marine as he appeared to be laying down in some bushes with a binocular in one hand along with a couple more marines and what appears to be some javelins. “Sir are you there,” he whispered as quietly as he could still looking at the distance. “Yhea I’m here marine what do you need,” I said while holding my confusion as why they were on the other side of what appears to be the south Luna ocean according to the map. “Sir we need a exfil out of here,” said the marine while STILL looking at the distance” we spotted two different armies fighting for what appears to be a floating city made of clouds, and hear this sir the two armies that are fighting sir they are made up of nothing but what appears to be small horses with two distinct colors. One is wearing golden armor while the other is wearing I think dark blue armor and the dark blue ones are losing sir. Sooner or later one of those armies might see us sir, we don’t have the firepower to last long if they send some units after us.” “Okay marine listen up keep your head down as long as you can we will try to get a helicopter over there as fast as we can,” I stated ,and relief came over the marines face as I said that. “You hear that men the commander will get a helicopter to us soon,” the marine whispered to his buddies as the link closed. “okay … Amber open up a link to the marines at our base please,” I called out to the AI. “Yes commander Link open,” she stated “Listen up marine there is a oil deposit north of us towards the forest I need you and your men to scout it so that our shredder can set up an outpost up their ,and make haste as the longer you take the more danger the other group of marines are in,” I said rather quickly. “Yes sir, okay men the commander wants us scout out a oil deposit to the north of us ,now double time it!” as he yelled to the rest of his men ,and the link was cut. “Lets hope they will make it in time as I fear the other groups time is running out,” I muttered to myself as I got out of my chair deciding while waiting for the marines to report in I will explore the rest of the HQ. I had walked towards the door as I called out to amber” Amber please alert me if the marine get into any trouble” “Yes commander also commander please pick up the tablet on your right once you exit,” she informed me. As I exited the now dubbed WAR ROOM I looked towards my right spotting a tablet about a foot in length and six inches in height and maybe a inch thick overall it looks pretty rugged. As I picked it up Amber came over the intercom” Commander with this tablet I can inform you of thing anywhere also you may order units around but can’t access the build menu for the shredder or structure unless you are standing next to them additionally you can scan blueprints to unlock new units and buildings,” I nodded in approval of the handy device as I noticed a sign with a fork and knife on it. Deciding to see what they have and more important to see if they had some vanilla coke, and so began my quest for vanilla coke. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Pov: marine(scout group) Our trek through the forest was uneventful so far and if the map was correct the oil deposit is right ahead in a clearing.Moving some branches out of the way we spot the oil deposit, and before we could inform the commander it was safe we heard a growl emanate from across the clearing. A huge wolf 9 feet in height came out of from behind the trees and stared at us with what appeared to be a small colorful horse adorned in golden armor in its mouth. I decided to call the commander to find out what to do.” commander we have reached the spot for the oil ,but there appears to be a giant wolf that lives here that killed what appears to be a small horse, what should we do.” “A small horse huh okay here’s your orders kill that wolf and search that small horse for anything useful like letters or a diary we have reason to believe that those small horses are sentient ,” He ordered. “Okay sir, Alright men here’s our orders we kill that wolf and search that small horse for any Intel,” I commanded my men “Um sir that's not a horse it’s a pony,” one of the marines on the right called out. “Shut it brainiac,” another marine scolded before slapping the other marine on the helmet. I just shook my helmet as I raised my m16a4 before I called out” OPEN FIRE!”5.56 NATO rounds flew out of the marines gun as I fired at the wolf thanking god that it was so big that we couldn't even miss if we tried. The bullets did do some damage before it released the pony and started charging towards us. Thankfully luck was on our side as a bullet entered it’s head and splattered grey matter, as it lost its balance it tumbled before coming to a complete stop just shy of hitting us. “Alright men Search that pony, and the area while I inform the commander of our success," I yelled to the other marines. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Pov: Eric Segura Sighing in victory as I drank my vanilla coke in peace only for Amber to speak up from the intercoms. “Commander incoming message from the scouting party should i put it on your tablet?” she questioned “Yes amber put it on my tablet please,” I said rather pissed that my quiet time was interrupted. As I looked down at the active tablet the marine that I contacted to go scout came up. “Sir we have killed the wolf with no injuries, it is safe to bring the shredder up here while we search the pony for any Intel,” he stated “Alright marine wait there ,and defend the area while the shredder moves up there,” I ordered. As the window closed I walked back to the WAR ROOM ,and sat back in my chair while opening the build interface I selected both the drill and refinery and put the location at the oil deposit north of us hoping that it is deep enough that we don't have to look for another one soon. Looking at the shredder start moving towards the relative direction of the oil made me relax knowing that we will be able to get the men off of the peninsula before they are captured or killed. “Amber what do you think we should do once we get the refinery up?” I questioned. “I recommend building a hospital and a dustoff then send the dustoff during the night to get the stranded men off the peninsula commander” she recommended “Okay Amber once the construction is finished order the construction of the hospital ,and the dustoff also notify me if the marines find anything” I ordered before getting up from my chair and walk towards the map. The map now had new things on it primarily the city called los Pegasus now had a line on the southern edge of it and it was slowly moving down, along with the line it looked as if two bars were on either side one gold and one dark blue as the stranded marine stated. In the upper corner of the map it showed three things, The US army symbol, What appears to be a crescent moon with wings and a star, And a symbol of crossed wings below a two toned sun with a line going through it. A beep notified me that the construction is finished over at the oil deposit and the shredder is moving back to construct the hospital, along with the message that the marines have found several things on the pony and are escorting the shredder home. “ Alright everything is going to plan so far let’s hope our luck holds up” I Said to no one in particular as I walked out of the WAR ROOM. > Revelations and Rescues > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ch.3 Revelations and Rescues Date:[UNKNOWN] Time:6:00 Location: F.O.B Freedom (original ain’t it) Pov:Eric “What tech do the ponies of this timeline have, do they still use spears or have they upgraded to gunpowder?” I thought as I was sitting back in the WAR ROOM. “Commander the shredder and the marines have returned do you want me to inform the marines to bring the Intel they found”Amber said breaking the silence of the HQ. “Hmm oh yes please Amber” I responded back still lost in thought” do they have airships, and if so can i get my hands on their blueprints.” I was so lost in thought that I did not notice the door to the room opening. “Commander You wanted to see us” A voice to my right said interrupting me of my thoughts “What the-oh sorry marine I was deep in thought, yes I wanted to see the Intel you got of the pony.” I commanded (what is it with people and jump scaring me is swear.) “Yes sir we found four things is what appeared to be a saddlebag at a nearby campfire , We found a open letter detailing his orders, a unopened letter, and two books one a book on forgery and the other is what appears to be a journal of some kind,” The marine listed off as he showed me the items one by one. “Very good marine hand me the stuff then go to the mess hall down the hall to the left,” I ordered. The marine nodded before handing me the items that were on the pony and leaving the WAR ROOM. “Well lets hope this clears why he was out here on his lonesome” I thought out loud. I decided since the first letter was already opened I would read it first. “Sgt. Steel you alone have been chosen for a secret mission for her highness celestia. The mission is as follows ,the mages that fought at the battle of Los Pegasus have detected a high magic surge at a area west of Los Pegasus, your mission is to find what has caused it and to report back. Be careful out there that area is unexplored, who knows what lives out there - gen. Blitz” “ Well that solves one mystery, but if they noticed us won’t they notice the other grou- Amber open a line to the stranded men on the peninsula” I asked quickly. Amber gave no sign of hearing me but the screen in front of me raised back up to a 45 degree angle. In the upper corner of the screen the face of the marine appeared still laying in the same place as he was a couple hours ago(seriously I can’t stay still that long without going mad from inactivity.) “Listen up marine we’ve gathered Intel believing the enemy had suspicions that we were here meaning you and your men might receive a welcoming party and not the nice ones with presents. Now how about you and your men get in some target practice while we get the helicopter ready oh ,and please try to bring back one alive we need some Intel on what were facing off against,” I all but pleaded to the marine. For his part all he did was nod but before the link was cut I swore he had a deranged smile. “Amber what is the status of the dustoff” I called out to the AI. “Commander the dustoff is ready all we need is the go order,” responded the ever present Ai. “Okay here’s the plan it’s 7:00 right now as soon as the clock strikes 7:30 launch the dustoff, also how much resources do we have left?” I answered back hoping it will be enough for the upgrade to defcon 2. “Roger commander also we have $8,000 in resources,” the ever insightful Ai answered. “Okay upgrade The HQ to defcon two then make a couple of marines and some stingers maybe four each yhea let's do four,” I asked as I darted around the room putting on my jacket and hat before running towards the HQ’s armory. I found this part of the building wandering around waiting for the scout team to get back, In it was a bunch of cool weapons ranging from portable miniguns to automatic shotguns that can shoot grenades to my favorite, a third generation colt single action army plated in nickel with a ivory stock with engravings that look as if they came from the wild west. I grabbed the revolver and it’s accompanying holster, and clip it to my belt while grabbing 36 .45 colt cartridges. Loading 6 bullets which left me with 30 bullets in various pockets as I picked up both a serrated combat knife ,And an old heavy 1840 US cavalry saber(don’t ask me how this stuff got here it just did.) I ran out of the HQ like if death was on my heels trying to reach the dustoff before it left. Spotting it to the left of the hospital sitting on a hill as the pilot made a final check I waved at him to get his attention. As he looked up from his checklist I told him plain and simple “I’m coming with you whether you like it or not,” he stared at me for a few seconds before sighing ,and nodding his head. I was grinning like a Cheshire cat as I climbed into the co-pilot’s seat, I removed my peaked cap and put on the headset so I can talk to the pilot over the engine. After the safety checks were completed the pilot started to take off towards the stranded men. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Pov Marine(stranded) After the call with the commander ended I whispered to my buddies “Men I just got off the phone with the commander, we might be getting a welcoming party from one of the armies we saw earlier ,and we have been authorized to give out presents in the form of lead and explosives but the commander wants us to take one back alive, okay men.” As I looked around I swore i spotted something in the distance but when I looked at it, it simply disappeared in a flash of light. “Men ready your weapons I think the enemy is closer than we thought” I whispered as I brought up my m16a4 while the javelin tried to bring up their weapons as quietly as possible(hah). On the other side of the hill to our right a multitude of flashes happened at once as well as the sound of flapping wings and clopping hooves. Out from the darkness came what appeared to be one Pegasus, two regular ponies, and three unicorns carrying muskets on their backs all of them were adorned in dark blue armor but one stood out, the unicorn in the middle had a decorated armor set that stood out. “Sir what are we supposed to be searching for out here?” one of the other unicorns question the now designated officer(guess we know who to capture now eh.) “I don’t know but the orders came from the brass to see what caused the sudden spike in magical energy” the officer answered back. I watched the soldier coming closer and closer by the second, by the time the enemies were at 50 feet i took aim at one of the regular ponies then I yelled "OPEN FIRE! "as I pulled the trigger. The regular ponies were shredded by the amount of gunfire while the Pegasus took off, and the officer did something the made a sphere around him and his buddies which were blocking our bullets. A idea came to me as I looked at the javelins “javelins open fire in the shield,” only one fired but that one rocket was enough to shatter that sphere around them as the two non officers got cut down, a bullet tore through the officer’s front right leg and he collapsed like a sack of potatoes. Hearing a buzzing sound i turned towards the ocean and spotted a growing black dot, realizing that it was the dustoff the commander promised I yelled “look men the dustoff is nearly here now someone go capture that pony officer.” ----------------------------------------------------------------- Pov:Eric The ride to the stranded soldiers was a fun one, who knew that the pilot was a fan of the music from the Vietnam era. So when we saw land we knew what to play (we were grinning like no tomorrow.)As we got closer we saw signs of a fight but no men, all of a sudden men started getting up and moving around.When we landed the marines were looking at me with no amusement on their faces at all. “Look marines just get in and let's get out of here” I said amused as they climbed aboard with a knocked out pony, a unicorn if my mythology is correct. When everyone was loaded on they closed the side doors as we made our way back to base. We were NOT expecting a pony to fly towards us with a sword in its mouth. As it landed on my side he swiped at the window to smash it and smash it he did, glass went everywhere as he made to strike again but I was faster as I pulled out my revolver and said “sorry buddy we don’t do free rides” he looked confused for a second then I fired and the Pegasus fell into the ocean like Icarus when he went too close to the sun. I holstered my gun and swiped the glass off of me as I looked at the sunset knowing tomorrow is going to be another long one. > Preparing to MARCH! > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ch4 Preparing to MARCH! Date: [Still UNKNOWN] Time: 8:25 pm Location: over the south Luna ocean Pov: Eric As the helicopter flew over the ocean I couldn’t help but think back to the pony I killed not because it will haunt me forever but the look on its face. It looked at me like if I was normal until I spoke, something is wrong here, something VERY wrong. “Commander … commander are you there?” the pilot waved his hand in front of my face breaking me out of my thoughts. “Hmm oh sorry was thinking about that Pegasus I brained earlier.” I responded still not quite fully out of my thoughts. “First kill eh sir or is something else on your mind?” he asked as I started to see land in the distance though something looks different. “The way he looked at me if you want to know, he looked at me if I was a normal thing until I spoke.” I responded back. “Hmm well if it’s any consolation prize sir we can get more info of what is happening off that officer the marines captured.”The pilot said as coast came into proper view. “Wait a minute is it me or does the land look different?” I questioned as the land does not look the way it did when we first arrived. Gone were the rolling hills of green filled with trees of all kind, now it looked as if it were the plains of Texas, wide and open, flat in all directions for miles around with only sparse vegetation. “No sir I’m seeing it as well, seems the land has changed quite a bit since we left,” The pilot said disbelief clear in his voice. The base as I had left it had been simple, a headquarters, a barracks , two field generators, and a newly constructed hospital with some marines and a couple of stingers to defend it. Now it seems the base is as big as a small town along with a fully paved road to boot. Wondering how the base went from basically a outpost to a fully fleshed out town with factories for vehicles and dwellings for the infantry ,hell it even had multiple helipads and most importantly administration centers which produce money no matter what(huh guess the pen does beat the sword then it comes to bureaucracy.)I opened the door that leads to the marines only to see them sound asleep. Tapping the closest marine which again happens to be the marine I contacted “Wake up marine were at the base. Now for your next assignment, take the officer to the hospital and squeeze him for info oh, and remember we're not on earth and they are not human so do your worse.” he seemed to smile so wide that I nearly felt sorry for the pony. Nearly. As we touched down on one of the helipads a Humvee was waiting down on the road. As the marines got off, the one I talked to grabbed the still unconscious pony (which had its leg patched up) and carried it to the hospital for interrogation. I walked towards the Humvee as I waved at the pilot one last time. Climbing into the passenger seat the Humvee took off towards the center of the base. “So commander how do you like the new base?” the driver questions. “Well it’s pretty damned good if I say so myself, did we have any problems while I was gone.” I questioned back. “Well we were invaded by the local wildlife, but that just meant free target practice for us along with some fresh meat to BBQ. Heh you should've saw it the javelins were missing their targets somehow creating a huge mess that their still clearing up right now,” He joked” Any way commander were here at the HQ please have a pleasant day.” “Yhea you too buddy,” I respond barely getting out of the Humvee before he rocketed of towards the outskirts again(wonder why he is in such a hurry).I walked into the HQ noticing a lot of differences from the defcon 3 HQ, mainly everything looks so shiny and futuristic(me gusta)compared to the old HQ. “Welcome back commander did you have a nice trip?” Amber questioned sounding a bit smug. “It was a nice trip, fun one too with all the music and karaoke me and the pilot did.” I answered back “It must have been funny, I certainly wasn't watching it happen and I definitely didn't record it for my own pleasure,”that sly Ai tricked me. “Why you little - GAH that’s it back to WAR ROOM!” I yelled feeling quite embarrassed that the AI caught me singing karaoke.(note to self be careful of what I say around electronics Amber might be listening.) Walking into to WAR ROOM everything seemed to change, the walls which were once plywood are now solid steel, the chair which was once a folding has now been upgraded to one of those chairs you see in a ceo’s office, the table which was made of wood and looked worn out has now been replaced with a metal table with the same panel where I sit. There were major additions to the room, on the far side of the room now stood a metal door with a panel to the right detailing a handprint, to the right of the door was a mini kitchen, while to the left of the door was a mini armory. Walking into the mini kitchen I noticed a fridge, Making a beeline towards is i nearly ripped the door of its hinges looking for something very specific. Spotting the can, I swiped it up popped it open and took a VERY long swig. As the vanilla sweetened coca cola made its way down my throat I felt calmer than I was a couple of seconds ago.(I DO NOT HAVE AN ADDICTION NOW STOP ASKING.) “Are you calmer now Commander?” the still smug sounding AI asked. “yes” I whispered into my cola still annoyed at the AI. “Good now I “renovated” the base while you were gone, I added a couple of minor things first of all go towards the door.”Tchh I could hear the air quotes as she said that. I walked towards the door can still in hand until I was in front of the door. “Now place your hand on the scanner to unlock the door-”I placed my right hand on the scanner making it beep several times before flashing green”-good now inside is your personal room good night commander” Amber wished before becoming quiet as she does Ai things(I don’t know what she does in her free time.) Opening the door to my room to say I was stunned was an understatement. A king sized bed laid in the back of the room with yet another mini armory to the left of it, this time two things caught my eye. A HULC exosuit sat there unmoving along with the BRG-15 15mm machine gun which sat on a crate full of ammunition with a sticky note stuck to it. ”Dear Commander as a make up gift for the eventual joke I'm going to play on you, I went through the database looking for something special, I found a partial blueprint to the chimera exosuit. While a normal human might not be able to fill in the blanks in the blueprint ,I was able to complete a portion of the blueprint in the small amount of time you were away. With more time I may be able complete the final part of the blueprint unlocking the smart suspensions. - love your AI Amber.” Huh we had a blueprint for a chimera weapon, maybe there is other things in the database we may have looked over also how did amber write this she’s an Ai, she doesn't have hands. The bed looking too comfortable at the moment I barely had the willpower to hold myself back from flopping on to the bed and falling asleep, instead I just fell on the bed and was knocked out cold the moment my head touched the pillow. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Pov:Luna(bet you didn’t expect that huh) Though the war is still going on I cannot neglect my duty of watching over the dreams of my ponies even those who are not under my banner. Walking through the dreams I have discovered many secrets both among the ponies under my banner and that of my tyrannical sister. This would've been a normal night except for a dream far away from the regular spots. When I trotted closer to find out who was dreaming shock came over my snout as I saw a HUMAN dreaming. This human’s dream is that of mechanical beasts that eat coal and belch smoke. I decided that this human was special enough to warrant me entering their dream. First thing I notice is that it was so loud I could barely hear myself think. Looking around I spotted the human draped in some sort of clothes that seem to mimic those worn by the airship pilot employed by both sides while steering something looking like a wheel. As I approached the human, the human turned around catching me by surprise as he looked male. “Hmm ohh hello there ma'am what can I do ‘fer ya,”he said in an accent similar to the ponies in appaloosa. “You can start by telling me how you can dream” I commanded the human but he looked at me strangely. “Ma’am I do not understand your request, what do you mean how can I dream everybody can dream in fact the area around here are about to be flooded by dreams from the other guys,” the human responded right back seeming more confused than anything. “Wait more humans that’s impossible it has been proven that humans aren't sapient that’s why they are treated like pets among the solar empire,” Now I'm confused multiple humans that can think, I only know of two other species that are related to humans that can think but I have yet to visit them. “Wait a minute did you say that humans are treated like PETS!” He seemed in shock as he yelled at me, why is he confused is he not human? “Yes they are treated like pets among other things in the solar empire that is ran by my sister but the new lunar republic has deemed that unfair treatment is illegal, why are you surprised are you not human” I questioned further. “Oh this changes everything, oh this changes everything, sorry princess but I have a war machine to put into overdrive,” He exclaimed in shock as the world around us seemed to change little by little before shattering like glass as i was forced out of the human’s dream. This is an interesting development but this raises more questions than it answers like how does he know I’m a princess but does not know about the other humans, hmm I will have to keep an eye out for this one. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Pov:Eric I shot out of bed like a bullet on steroids yelling “AMBER!” “Commander what do you need?” amber asked utterly confused as to why I had yelled for her in the night. “I need for you to make a link to every single person on this base to the table in the WAR ROOM”I growled out as I made my way towards the WAR ROOM. “Sir?” she questions “I just met one of the leaders of the ponies, the dark blue ones to be exact and she just told me not only are there humans here but they are treated like pets, PETS!” I yelled out the last part. “OH my sir, I'll open the link is there anything else sir?” Anger clear in her voice. “Yes , I want you to start building peacekeepers silos along with peacekeeper 2 missiles.” Malice in my voice was clear for her to hear. “Yes sir let's give them a fireworks display shall we,” she acknowledged before she went to do her tasks. Walking into the WAR ROOM I saw a microphone raised out of the table along with a camera to transmit my message to everything possible. “Men and Women of this glorious and free army. I have terrible news that will make your blood boil. I have received news that not only is there humans here but they are treated like pets! PETS! I don’t know about you men but I plan to exact revenge on the ponies that do these heinous acts on our brethren. Tomorrow men and women we march against the armies of the solar empire. Not for survival! Not for greed! We march to Defend our fellow man from these beasts that are our enemy.Tomorrow this solar empire shall meet the very thing they love so much. Tomorrow we shall steamroll over their armies. Tomorrow we shall free our fellow man!” Even in the WAR ROOM I could hear the cheers from all over the base. I stood at the War map and looked at the area in yellow designated Solar empire knowing soon we shall liberate our fellow man. > Miniature suns > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Miniature suns Pov:Eric Date: [L+1](one day after landing) Time: 9:00 AM Location: Armory Gone was the man who gave everybody a second chance. Gone was the man who was blind to the things happening around the world. Gone was the man who would have gave mercy. Now in place of that man, is a man of vengeance . A man who would risk it all to save his brethren in this world. “I wish it didn't come to this, what I'm about to do is one of the most heinous acts in human history, only twice did miniature suns bloomed on purpose over the smoldering and charred bodies of our enemies and now I must add what I'm about to do to that short list,” I lamented as I finish putting on the exo suit now having been repainted in desert camo along with my rank on the chest and helmet. Grabbing the BRG-15 and the accompanying Ammo I set off to the roof of the HQ. After the message last night no one could rest knowing that our brethren were slaves to another species. soldiers were at the newly erected shooting range practicing, the vehicle crews were taking the time to do maintenance on their vehicles, while both the engineers and the scientists of the base were working non-stop on bettering our men be it building new structures to house them or giving them a upgrade to boost their firepower. Reaching the roof I stood there with the sun on my face staring at the men running around preparing for daring raids. Some ran towards the ospreys while some ran towards the ever increasing amount of convoys, while some elected to stay behind to not only defend the base but to help the engineers set up farms and housing for our brethren. The peacekeeper missiles were ready, 2 missiles per silo and there was 9 silos, all that was needed was a destination to let these monsters know there was a new player in the ring and they punch well above their weight. “Sir, everthing has been prepared, the men are ready, the vehicles have been maintained, and the helicopters have been refueled and rearmed all were waiting for is the signal.” A delta Asked over the open radio. “Don’t worry you will be able to tell what the signal is from a mile away, also is there still room in one of the ospreys that are going to the “pit”?”I asked back.The pit was one of the worst places in the solar empire, a place full of human slaves working in the mines pulling out Ore and gemstones with no one caring how many humans have died. “Yes sir Osprey number 7 still has a couple of seats empty why?”One of the engineers said over the radio while checking a roster. “Well considering i'm in a exo suit that can repair itself while carrying a 15mm machine gun that can pierce the armor of a tank , I think i'm just gonna go for a very explosive walk, What do you think numbskull i'm going on that Osprey to the pit so I can rescue people!”I yelled at the unfortunate engineer that happened to piss me off.Walking back down to the WAR ROOM I looked at the map trying to spot a place to drop the nukes. “Amber did we get any info about Los Pegasus from the captured officer”I asked the AI still trying to think of a place worthy enough to turn into dust. “ Yes sir Los(Las?) Pegasus is one of the few places in Solar Empire territory that has no humans due to the amount of clouds and the fact that it is a favorite of the pony nobility that don't want the “dirty stinking humans” anywhere near them,” Fury in her voice was clear to me that she did not care for the place. “Hmm it seems we found a good place to start the operation. Amber as soon as I enter osprey number 7, Launch the peacemakers towards los Pegasus”I commanded as I made my way through the HQ towards the front doors.Without the exo suit it may have taken maybe 10 minutes to run to the helipads but with it? Maybe only 3 minutes tops.Running up the stairs to the top of the helipad and onto the osprey.I spotted an open seat right next to the entrance quickly sitting down before opening a link to everybody. “Men today is a special day, today we shall liberate our fellow brethren from these merciless monsters.While we may not have the numbers , we have the experience remember men that we are the united states of america. We fought against a world superpower outnumbered and outgunned. We fought in world war one and world war two preserving freedom and democracy. We fought a global superpower bent on dominating the world and survived. We fought against a shadow who had secrecy and power and won, Now we shall write a new chapter in american history of about the brave men and women who not only are they in a new world foreign to them, they are outnumbered nearly a thousand to one and we shall win.” All around the base cheering was heard but the loudest was the missiles as they screamed into sky toward an enemy that deserves no mercy. Closing the link I whispered in my meekest voice “I have become death, the Destroyer of worlds.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pov 3rd person Around los Pegasus the Solar Empire was celebrating beating back the New Lunar Republic. Ponies in the street hoisting the Solar empire flag, While the soldiers marched the new lunar prisoners to the gallows, and shooting squads. Not one pony paid attention to the specks in the sky until it was too late. The LGM-118 peacekeeper is a inter continental ballistic missile that can carry up to 10 individual 475 kilotons nukes doing the math that would be 4,750 kilotons PER missile which meant in total 85,500 kilotons are making its way towards unsuspecting ponies. As the Nukes closed in on their destinations the roaring of the engines alerted the ponies but by then it was too late ,mere seconds later the missiles let loose their payload. 180 new suns were born in mere seconds turning anypony near their blast zone a shadow on the floor or wall their last thoughts were of the immense burning while some were turned into hunks of pure carbon forever staying still in the positions they were at the time. Others did not have the mercy of quick death, countless ponies were burned to death,some cooked from the inside out due to the radiation,some crushed from falling buildings,any that would survive the nuclear onslaught would be haunted forever by the tainting touch of gamma radiation but for now the city of the famous was no more wiped forever off the maps of the world. Many see this day as inexcusable act of evil but some had other thoughts.Many would tell the legend of the humans who had the power of the suns at their fingertips and were judging the Solar empire for keeping slaves. Although a more interesting story came up, when the human slaves of the empire saw the blooming of the miniature suns something “clicked” in their minds, ponies who had obedient humans now had human uprisings everywhere but sadly some humans were too broken for it to have a lasting effect. As US convoys all across the continent reached their various destinations to their shock, waiting for them were not ponies, but humans who had been waiting for them after knocking out their masters,not one bullet was fired that day. Gone were the days the Solar empire had nothing to fear. Gone were the days the ponies had slaves to do their work.Now the Solar empire have much to fear. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pov:Eric Loading the BRG-15 I sat there thinking back to missiles launches wondering how many ponies were killed due to my anger. Shaking my head trying to get rid of those thoughts I steeled my resolve for the coming mission trying to prepare myself for the horrors i'm about to see in the pit. “5 minutes till touch down people get ready,”the pilot said over the intercom. Cocking my machine gun the next five minutes felt like hours before the back door open up and before the pilot had the chance to speak I ran out of the hatch(I forgot what the back doors are called) falling a few feet before landing in a kneeling position.Standing up I could see that I was surrounded by unicorns all pointing muskets in my direction.A pony with ornate armor started to close the distance until he was 10 feet from me looking me straight in the eyes (as best he could as I’m around 2 feet taller than him) “Surender now HUMAN and i make your death swift.”he said in a voice only a noble could make. “Phhht bwahahahah you think YOU can make ME surrender I'll tell you what release all the workers here and I'll let YOU live”the thought of this little pony trying to make me surrender just made me break out in laughs, it's not everyday a pony tells a man in a powered exo suit with a 15mm machinegun to surrender. “Why you little-- guards FIRE”the officer yelled now quite angry. This exosuit could withstand modern bullets which go way faster than these musket balls so when the guards fired it felt like someone taped the armor.Looking down into the built in watch (weird right?) I saw to my delight it was a couple of seconds to noon(you know what that means.) “Now then ponies you had your chance but you sealed your fate right when you fired”When the clock struck twelve a bell was heard throughout the area. I brought up the 15 mm gun and depressed the trigger.The resounding booming that came from the gun scared most of the guards not from how loud it was but the fact that their officer was splattered everywhere including on some of their faces. “Sorry about what is to come but remember you listened to his orders”I scolded the remaining ponies before I pulled the trigger while spinning around. The 15mm round is meant to go through APC’s, and light tanks. Now imagine the bullet ripping through the thin armor,flesh tearing,organs melting, whole bodies turned into nothing but giblets yeah that what happened to the ponies.Wiping some of the blood of me I signaled the Ospreys to release their compliment of soldiers. Soon enough we had every single soldier off the Ospreys right outside the Giant hole that is the pit.We had a good amount of soldiers with us mostly delta’s for their close quarters skills (their anti tank weapons help),some marines,some stingers for any pegasus we might encounter,one or two snipers I think?(they might be cloaked again.)Peering into the pit I stared in disgust and partial shock as I saw both human AND ponies working the mines. “Snipers if you're here I want you on overwatch, Stingers I want you on the edge, if any Pegasus wearing gold try to wing it(man that's a bad pun)you shoot him down.Deltas,marines you're with me, We're here to clear out the ponies in gold armor and nobody else,”I ordered as I start making my way towards the rim of the hole where the workers carved out a pathway down. Passing by makeshift houses bolted to the wall I spotted a well made building with the solar empire’s flag on it. Holding up my hand in a clenched position everybody stopped, Pointing towards the building they get what I was thinking as several deltas stacked up on the door before something they did both was considered funny and yet overkill.One kicked in the door while the next delta stood in front of the now knocked down door with his L.A.W yelling “say hello to my little friend!” before firing the rocket. To say no one survived the blast was an understatement, the two ponies that were in there? Lets just say there isn't enough left to send home in a soup can and let's just leave it at that. The loud noise alerted everyone to our presence as the guard ponies start running out of certain buildings, mostly unicorns but some were pegasi armed with swords.Thankfully the snipers actually were there when I was talking as some of the ponies were missing their heads, while the stingers got locks on the pegasi who were trying to fly out of the hole so they can dive bomb us. As the stingers let loose their rockets, the rest of the infantry were having a turkey shoot with the ponies as they tried to rush close enough for the muskets to work.Bored with the shooting I went inside the building the two unfortunate ponies were in, deciding that maybe I could find some sort of blueprint or something. “Let's see mail, mail ,mail, mail , mail, oooh a personal letter from celestia for a medal to one of the ponies that were here yoink, and what's this?” as I came across a diagram for some sort of ship, hmm lets see if that scanning thing works. I pulled out the tablet (harder than you think when I’m wearing an exo suit) and opened up the scanning app, when it opened I pointed the camera towards the blueprint which beeped several times before flashing green and-- oh my god. AIRSHIP UNLOCKED AIRSHIP MOORING TOWER UNLOCKED This is the best day ever, now I can finally become a airship pilot like I always wanted! I wonder how the battle is going-BOOOOOOM- I think that answers that question. Calmly walking outside (with the biggest grin on my face) I did not hear anymore shooting, turning right I have spotted why. The ponies who were fighting have finally given up after what I guess their officer was blown to bits and from the smoking tube it seems like it was the same delta as before. While the men were rounding up the prisoner who were to be taken back to the hospital to be interrogated (by my guess I say the same marine as last time, I still have nightmares of what he did. He played justin bieber music as high as he can for hours, i think i'm mentally scared thanks to that.) As I stood there looking around I spotted several humans hiding alongside some ponies. “Human and ponies your masters are dead. Come with us and we can lead you to a new home. A home that will provide for you, A home that will shelter and defend you till the end!” I shouted as loud as I could in the mines.Soon both humans and ponies were coming out of the mines they hid in while the fight were happening. The sight though made my blood boil as there was miners of all types, Children, adult, elderly they all started to come out, most looked malnourished but all were wearing nothing but rags.The ponies were not better most looked malnourished with some that looked fairly fine( I guess they were new to the mine) “Listen to me as soon as you walk up those stairs you're a free man, you are not property anymore, you are not items, you are now free. Now go people if you need help getting up the stairs just ask one of the soldiers they will be happy to provide help.” I yelled once more directing the ever growing crowd up the stairs towards the flotilla of Ospreys waiting for them. “Excuse m-m-me sir are we really free?” a voice spoke nervously behind me.Turning around I spotted the pony who spoke, he was a normal sized unicorn pony with green fur, a dark green with golden eyes with a picture of a gear on its flank.(I’m so sorry hoppa_21 for your OC to be here) “Yes you are free we’re just taking you to our base so that you can get fed and clothed before you go do your own things mister?” I ended the question hoping he would answer. “Steam gear sir engineer extraordinaire,” the now named pony replied. “Well then steam gear how about you join me on my ship to discuss engineering together,” I said intrigued by his profession. “Yes oh yes please let's get out of here I had enough of this place for a lifetime,” steam gear said while trying to walk as Fast as he could up the stairs as he could. “I can tell this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship”I whispered under my breath as I saw steam gear trip landing face first on the ground. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pov: 3rd person As the Ospreys flew over the mountains of the undiscovered west a observer was watching them with a close eye before running through tunnels of the mountains, running past others of his kind that were forging,running past more of his kind mining out the mountain in search of metals, until the observer finally reached his destination a door with asymbol on it. Opening it the observer knelt down before a throne and spoke “My king I have urgent news for you.” > The aftermath > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aftermath Pov Eric Date : [L+1] Time : 5:00 pm Location: F.O.B Freedom(until a better name has been chosen) After I said goodbye to steam gear I all but ran towards the HQ passing by both humans and ponies who were given a new chance for life here. Seeing them gave a small spark of happiness to my otherwise cold self. Running up to the HQ before trying something both cool and dangerous. Tensing the muscles in my legs I prepared myself as I came within 30 feet of the building, I jumped. Now normally you could jump maybe only a few feet into the air but with this exo suit? I went flying nearly reaching the top of the HQ before I grabbed the edge and pulled myself up. Spotting the hatch to go down I calmly walked towards it before pulling the inch thick steel hatch up, staring into the darkness that was the WAR ROOM I dropped down. “Welcome back commander all raids were a success, other than the pit, no bullets were fired” the AI informed. “What was the damage done to Los Pegasus” I questioned fearing the answer. “Nothing but rubble commander thought some survivors, Los Pegasus does not exist anymore.” That is what I feared, the two atomic bombs that were dropped on japan only destroyed the majority of the city they were dropped on but most buildings of the cities still stood. Here? The nukes destroyed the entire city nothing but rubble and craters with a couple of survivors. “Amber can you lock the doors and leave me alone I.. I need some time to myself” I barely whispered loud enough for Amber to hear, the only confirmation I had from her was the clicking of the doors. As I took off the exo suit My mind began racing which is a problem. My mind likes to over think things over and over and over again until I simply start having a mental breakdown, now was one of those moments. Barely making it to the chair before slumping down into it, I just sat there in the dark, Head against the table as I rethought over my actions trying to see if there was any way I could have done it differently. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3rd person As the days went by the world was in shock, not only has a city been completely obliterated by unknown means, but almost every single human slave was freed except those in the capitol and the far east. When information leaked that humans were actually sentient all this time, all eyes turned towards the solar empire even by those who call it home. In ponyville a distraught twilight sparkle has panicked over the fact that the humans she experimented on were in fact sentient and that her beloved teacher lied to her all this time. While Twilight panicked a certain mint green unicorn was happy that the humans she hid from the guards are in a better place. Over the course of years some humans have escaped ponyville and made the everfree forest their home, now those humans have missed their chance to have a better life but maybe there's always next time. In the southern part of equestria in the NLR’s territory Luna thought over the words she said to that strange human and if they caused the destruction of a city. She wondered briefly if she will meet him again in the land of dreams before going to her own war room, she has a nation to maintain after all. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pov: Amber Date [L+3] Time :11:59 am Poor commander after what I told him he just broke down in his little war room just sitting there at this desk staring off into space, I wish I could help I really would but i'm the only one capable of running the base after him. After the raids the humans and ponies started to settle down in the houses we built for them, one particular pony intrigued me.Steam gear the unicorn that the commander had talked to is an engineer and engineers are always needed here. As the day passed slowly, I stood watch over the base directing the engineers to new building sites, Building new troops. Soon I remembered what the commander said about him always wanting to become a airship pilot when he found the blueprints deciding that he could use something to cheer himself up I decided on checking what the mooring tower is. The mooring tower is apparently a upgrade to the HQ allowing construction of airships along with a passive scanner that allows detection of stealthed units . Seeing that it is simply a upgrade I commence it, wondering if the commander finally snapped out of it I checked the cameras in the war room. Seeing the commander still sitting there staring off into space saddened me greatly. Before I know it, I was singing a song that I never heard before. “Казачья Колыбельная Песня Спи, младенец мой прекрасный, Баюшки-баю. Тихо смотрит месяц ясный В колыбель твою. Стану сказывать я сказки, Песенку спою; Ты ж дремли, закрывши глазки, Баюшки-баю. Сам узнаешь, будет время, Бранное житье; Смело вденешь ногу в стремя И возьмешь ружье. Я седельце боевое Шелком разошью… Спи, дитя мое родное, Баюшки-баю. Богатырь ты будешь с виду И казак душой. Провожать тебя я выйду — Ты махнешь рукой… Сколько горьких слез украдкой Я в ту ночь пролью!.. Спи, мой ангел, тихо, сладко, Баюшки-баю. Стану я тоской томиться, Безутешно ждать; Стану целый день молиться, По ночам гадать; Стану думать, что скучаешь Ты в чужом краю… Спи ж, пока забот не знаешь, Баюшки-баю. Дам тебе я на дорогу Образок святой: Ты его, моляся богу, Ставь перед собой; Да, готовясь в бой опасный, Помни мать свою… Спи, младенец мой прекрасный, Баюшки-баю” Whatever it was, it seemed to calm the commander’s mind as his head was resting on the table and his heart rate seemed to drop to normal levels. Looking at the sleeping commander I couldn't help but smile as I went back to overseeing the base letting the poor commander rest. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pov: Luna As I walk among the field of dreams I can see most ponies fear what happened to Los Pegasus. The only way I can truly know what happened is through that strange human .Looking in the direction of the last time I saw the dream. To my surprise I saw that strange humans dream again, this time when I entered a soft melody was playing along with a voice singing in a language I never heard of before. Standing in the middle of the dream was the man dressed In the same clothes as last time except he was just standing still with his hands behind his back not doing anything. “I never wanted to fire those missiles you know, I was more focused on the fact that humans were kept slaves then to think about all the innocents. I let my anger control my thoughts and a city paid for it, Am I evil?” the human seem to question me without seeing me. As I trotted forward I came face to face to the human, He stood there eyes closed with tears running down his cheeks yet a small smile adorned his face. He seemed so sincere is this the same human that destroyed Los Pegasus? This was the man who lead the forces which nearly rescued every single human slave that was in equestria in one day? The so called demon of the west? Thinking back to the days I was nightmare moon and how in my stupidity I nearly killed the world off, of when I had returned and how I was forgiven. “No you’re not evil and let me tell you why, nearly 1000 years ago when I became Nightmare Moon I destroyed so many lives nearly destroyed all life on the planet, but yet when I came back naught a few years ago I was forgiven by all. You destroyed a city but rescued so many slaves and prisoners afterwards. You're not evil at all,” I explained “Thank you princess I needed that, You know we never properly introduced ourselves,” The human's eyes have finally opened showing hazel eyes full of kindness. “You're right, my name is princess Luna, leader of the new lunar republic,” I greeted. “Humph okay we're bringing ranks into this then, My name is second lieutenant Eric Michael Segura of the united states army and commanding officer of my base,” The human greeted back. Before I could say anything, cracks began forming on the dream signaling that the night is over and a new day has begun. “Don’t worry princess I'm sure one day we will meet in reality but for now do svidaniya princess until next time” he barely managed to say before the dream turned white and I was forced out. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pov:Eric Bright light filled my vision before a splitting headache kicked in. Moving my head upwards I tried to blink the sleepiness away as the WAR ROOM’s lights are on for some reason. Trying to move my body I had to quickly stop as pain flared up throughout my body, taking a few moments before trying again, this time I made it out of the chair before stopping. “Amber?” I croaked out due to not talking for some time. “Commander you're up!” Amber exclaimed more surprised than anything. “Yes Amber I’m awake and ready for the coming days ahead of us,” I said while stretching my underused muscles. “Good ... Good, the base needs its commander back,” The Ai admonished. “Hmm okay amber tell the men that the Commander is back and ready for action,” I told Amber before walking away from the WAR ROOM I have a base to manage after all. Prologue Complete Continue to chapter 1? Y/N > Take to the skies > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 1 Mission 1 : Take to the skies Objectives: 1.Finish construction of the experimental Super Airship the USS Enterprise. 2.Protect the USS Enterprise from enemy saboteurs while it loads up with supplies. 3.Launch the USS Enterprise ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pov Eric Date[L+5] Time:9:00 am Location: Headquarters Looking down at the blueprints I couldn't help but smile, This airship would be my magnum opus. I had designed it after a airship(more of a zeppelin really) from a game called turning point: fall of liberty, the airship would have a cargo bay big enough tens of vehicles ,Enough rooms for hundreds of personnel , a hanger for the ospreys and guardians with a couple of dustoffs, And the equipment to make men and machines if we need it. The Defenses of the airship are what makes this one so dangerous, Missiles, automatic flak, machine guns everywhere. This airship would be unbeatable in the skies. Sadly I’m limited to only one when it comes to super airships, the rest will have to be way smaller. Still the construction of the enterprise has to be done by engineers as it is WAY to big to be done by buildings. Even with the considerable amount of engineers dedicated to the airship it nearly has taken 3 days to build it from scratch. Stepping away from the blueprints on the desk I grabbed my revolver along with a couple of rounds. As I made my way out of the HQ the Alarm sounded signaling something considered a enemy is near. Signaling a Humvee near me, I climbed aboard quickly as we couldn't waste any time at all trying to defend the nearly completed airship. As the Humvee sped its way through the base I loaded the revolver as best I can as I tumbled around in the Humvee. As we made it to the construction site of the airship I jumped out the door as the gunner started sweeping the area looking for the enemies. In the distance small specks started to show up as they increasingly got bigger. Some marines showed up along with a couple of mortars, the engineers started to build in overdrive(note to self, the engineers build faster while in fear for their lives).As the specks got close enough to actually see, well to say I was confused was a understatement as ponies in patched up armor of both colors ran towards us with weapons in hand(hoof?). “Mortars fire phosphorus rounds at our guests would you,” I called out to the mortars, a few seconds later thumps were heard as the mortars unleashed fiery fury upon the enemy. Seconds later the mortar rounds struck their targets as fire blossomed in the distance, luckily we we’re far enough way to not hear the screams as the phosphorus does its job burning whatever it touched. To our surprise some ponies came running out of the flames with spheres around them. As the seconds passed as the ponies came closer we readied our weapons, who will win, melee or ranged, man or pony find out next on-- oh wait wrong script.(sorry I had to do that) As the ponies came within 100 feet the ones with the sphere stopped with what they were doing before firing beams at us, luckily they are pretty bad shots as the beams flew past all of us without getting even close. “Men those ponies just missed us at 100 feet how about we show them how to shoot?” I questioned disappointed more than anything. The men just nodded sadly as they too were disappointed at the ponies, hell I think I heard a Engineer scream that they were bad shots and he could do better. (note to self find that engineer and give him a gun.) To our surprise the engineer that screamed actually started firing one of the weapons on the airship killing most of the ponies in the process. (another note to self, find that engineer and give him a medal)As the survivors of the “balls of steel” engineer start charging I just looked at my men more confused than before as they were charging people with a shit ton of weapons, while also wondering if I have any medals for the ponies as thanks for proving that survival of the fittest does exist. “Well men we have ponies charging us while we have guns. Do you guys just want to deal with them before getting a early lunch?” As I said those words the same engineer started firing again wiping out everybody.(okay give that man a lot of medals and maybe a title?) “Never mind I guess we can go to lunch now should I bring that engineer with us?” I questioned before every single person here just nodded in unison. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- After a nice long lunch break with the badass engineer -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- So I learned that the badass engineer has a giant beard, loves whiskey, and lights his cigars(don't ask me where he finds them) with the welder he always carries around with him. As me and the men sat in the finished mess hall in the airship eating(we were really hungry) ANOTHER alarm sounded. Sighing I just got up before a idea came to me, seeing as most of the ship is completed save for the electronics, which also means all of the weapons are up and read to use. “Men I have a idea seeing that most of the airship is complete how about we just use the weapons on the airship instead of climbing down and fighting on the ground?” I questioned the men around me as they were picking up their weapons. They looked at me as if I was their savior(most notably the mortars)before putting down the weapons as we run towards the starboard(right) guns. The machine guns were put into ball turrets like the old bombers back in world war two allowing the guns better angles. As the men climbed into the turrets I stopped the engineer before asking him a question of upmost importance.” Hey before you get into the turret can I please get a cigar?” He just looked at me with a twinkle in his eyes before laughing while passing me a cut cigar. He patted me on the back before entering a turret , looking down at the cigar I couldn't help but smile before climbing into the turret clenching the cigar in my teeth. As the turret started up I grabbed the triggers readying myself for the turkey shoot were about to have. I looked around the area trying to spot the ponies that I suspect to be deserters, I spotted the ground moving in a weird way, Not thinking about it I pulled the triggers which activated the twelve(yes twelve like the plane scene in wolfenstein new order)M2HB browning machine guns firing 485 - 635 50. caliber rounds per minute at a travel speed of 2910 feet per seconds meaning that I'm firing 5820 to 7620 rounds PER minute, I’m pretty sure whatever I’m shooting at is in pieces. All across the ground things came up that almost look like dogs but are clothed in cloth and iron, not caring if there dog or pony I pulled the trigger. The other soldiers(and engineer but I consider him more than that) must have seen the dogs too as they were getting shredded by the amount of fire we were throwing out. I’m pretty sure I will have ringing ears for a while as I fired again on one of the dogs, noticing the quietness I'm guessing everything even remotely close to here that is not human is dead. Seeing this I pull out one of those zippo lighter that I carry in case I ever need to burn something, and lighted the cigar. Taking a puff I could taste nutmeg, cinnamon and stewed fruits? “I love it when a plan comes together” I smirked as I puffed the cigar. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 hours later -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Standing in the newly finished cockpit I looked through the glass outside as the engineers finished up on the armor plating on the balloon ensuring that nothing short of a tank shell is getting through to the balloon. Grabbing the spokes of the wheel I stood there getting a feel for the solid wood which I shall be holding for a while in the near future. Taking out the cigar from earlier that I haven't finished yet, I bit down on the cigar before getting the lighter out and lighting the end of the cigar. Taking a puff I yet again stare out the glass looking at where the plains meet the forest and wonder what is out there? I have yet to explore the rest of the world with me not leaving the base, I can’t even begin to imagine what is out there in this barely explored world. Looking down I spotted the all clear light from every department on the ship. Gripping the steering wheel I increase the pressure in the ballonets which starts our journey upwards into the sky. Turning the wheel left I began my journey back to base, I have a strange feeling like I just want to sing a certain song about a captain and his crew. “ Captain Robert took his men And flew to Prague and back again Some fell off, some dropped dead And some put bullets through their head A skeleton crew is what came back And once in port he filled his sack With bribes and cash, fame and coin Things to make a new crew join Captain Robert took his crew To Shangri-La and Timbuktu Some went crazy, some got mad Some they kicked off ship in Chad A skeleton crew is what came back Who lived through mutiny, plague and flak Strong and calloused, brave and tired All those who could stay inspired Captain Robert took his ship To Beijing and to Mozambique Stir crazy or in irons he clapped them One of them tried to kiss the captain Captain Robert looked at his crew And saw that everyone was new The crew got broke through misadventure No-one could take another gut wrencher A skeleton crew is what came back Who lived through mutiny, plague and flak Strong and calloused, brave and tired All those who could stay inspired A skeleton crew is what came back And once in port he filled his sack With bribes in cash and fame and coin Things to make a new crew join Captain Robert took his crew To Shangri-La and Timbuktu Some went crazy, some got mad Some they kicked off ship in Chad A skeleton crew is what came back And once in port he filled his sack With bribes and cash, fame and coin Things to make a new crew join Captain Robert took his crew To Shangri-La and Timbuktu Some went crazy, some got mad Some they kicked off ship in Chad” As I finished the song the ship came into range of the mooring tower. I had to steer us as close as possible in order to dock.As the airship docked all I had to do was wait for the airship to be filled with supplies and personnel while the engineers started building the vehicles that we would need. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Hour later -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- After we finished our supply run I took us away from the mooring tower as the whole base cheered us on. With this airship we could build a base anywhere on this planet along with defending it until it became self sufficient. Knowing this I set course in a random direction letting fate direct me. Mission 1 complete You have successfully defended the USS enterprise from raiders. It was imperative as this airship has the capability to set bases anywhere in the world. Continue to the next mission? Y/N > The Journey > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mission 2 The Journey Briefing: 1. Watch out for any landmasses 2.Enjoy the scenery 2 secret objectives -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pov Eric Date [L+6] Time:9:00am Location: Over the South Luna ocean bearing west. After we set off on our journey I let fate direct me, and she chose to go west into the unexplored parts of the world. So far we have already been traveling for close to twenty hours with me only getting sleep for five hours. We have yet to see anything more than small islands and archipelagos every couple of miles. Humming a tune I adjusted our course five degrees to the right. A small black spot emerged just over the horizon this one looking different to all the other we’ve seen as there's light coming from it almost as if there’s people living on it. As we got closer by the minute I can see that not only is it a quite sizable island but there is Life on it, just not the type we would get excited about. Airships of all sizes and color are docked though all sharing the same flag that would send fear through a lesser man. The airships all fly the jolly roger(with the human skull replaced with a pony one), each and everyone of them, and it seems that they have noticed us as the airships are slowly rising up. Seeing this I grabbed a microphone to the right of me and press the transmit button,” General quarters General quarters all hands man your battle stations.” The ship sprung into action as the pirates slowly make their way towards us, I couldn't help but smirk as I sang a song that reminded me of our situation, outnumbered and if so we shall defend this airship to our last breath. “ The watchman slipped too early in my cabin "Roust the crew; there's something up ahead." So I slipped into the misty morning "Bring your swords," I whispered to my men Hold your head up! Keep your head up! Hold your sword up! Fight! fight! fight! When you sleep, keep one eye open Know your friends but watch them tight! Through the mists I vaguely saw the ships A dozen strong; too strong to turn and fight I saw the coastline where she shouldn't be Some sailor changed our position in the night Hold your head up! Keep your head up! Hold your sword up! Fight! fight! fight! When you sleep, keep one eye open Know your friends but watch them tight! I hope I loaded my gun; I know I'm loaded with rum My fear is low but I ought to know that the world is full of scum I hope I loaded my gun; I know I'm loaded with rum My fear is low but I ought to know that the world is full of scum The pilot's gone, slipped silently from his post All that's left a note pinned to the wheel "Took the catboat; took some crew I took some gold; I'm sure that you can heal." Hold your head up! Keep your head up! Hold your sword up! Fight! fight! fight! When you sleep, keep one eye open Know your friends but watch them tight! Hold your head up! Keep your head up! Hold your sword up! Fight! fight! fight! When you sleep, keep one eye open Know your friends but watch them tight! I hope I loaded my gun; I know I'm loaded with rum My fear is low but I ought to know that the world is full of scum I hope I loaded my gun; I know I'm loaded with rum My fear is low but I ought to know that the world is full of scum” As the pirates came into range I grabbed the lever for speed and pushed it into full speed. The airship sped up considerably heading straight for the pirate armada. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pov 3rd person The pirates had to move away from the enterprise as it sped towards them or risk getting crushed by its metal frame.The faster pirate ships of the armada started firing their cannons into the hull of the giant airship while the enterprise returned fire with flak and machine guns. While the cannonballs either bounced or dented the steel hull the opposite happened to the pirates wood hulls as theirs splintered apart as the flak shell’s metal clouds ripped apart the pirates while the machine guns pierced the vessels weaker wooden walls. Some of the more armored ships got close enough to throw grappling hooks onto the hatches near the bottom of the airship. As the pirates climbed(or flew in the case of some griffins and pegasi)towards the hatches the marines on the other side readied their weapons hoping to give their guest a welcoming gift of lead and brass. As some pirate ships circled around the back of the airship trying to rake fire,(shooting the backside of the ship)Its back hatch opening and to the surprise of the pirates waiting for them were a line of M1A2 Abrams tanks pointing their 120mm cannons at them. Some pirates tried firing their cannons at the tanks but the cannonballs just bounced off the armor, while returning fire the 120mm HE shell is mean to go through light armor before exploding into fragments, to say that chunks were blow out was a understatement as the HE shells blew ships apart scattering the remnants among the sea below. Unluckily for the pirates one of their ships circling around the ship got a bullet through the steam engine which slowed it down to a crawl… in front of a giant airship armored in steel that is on full speed. Steel met wood in a clash of which would collapse first, the wood started creaking as it bended before collapsing to the superior material as the ship was cleaved in two, the remaining pieces fell down tumbling through the air before crashing into the water leaving whatever survivors to fend for themselves. The fight itself was one sided as the enterprise was simply too armored for the cannonballs to do any damage while anyone in the boarding parties were repelled by the marines at the hatches. As most of the pirate armada was obliterated before their eyes some pirate captains must have had their first light bulb moment in their lives as their ships turned around and tried to gun it away from the “terror of the sky” leaving the rest of the fleet to torn apart by the enterprise’s weapons. All across the ship cheers were heard as the all clear was sounded, as the engineers came out of their battle stations(aka hidey holes) to check if any damage occurred to the ship. Unfortunately one of the heavier cannonballs knocked a pipe loose, a pipe which carried flammable gasses while another cannonball knocked a light loose which exposed sparking wiring. Seconds later an explosion rippled through the ship as general quarters were called again, this time not for fight but for repair. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pov Eric With the explosion we had lost one of the propeller, thankfully no one was killed but some marines caught shrapnel when the pipe exploded. I looked at the ocean spotting an island not to far away from us where I can set us down for repair. As the engineers are trying to put out the fire I turned the ship 10 degrees north towards the island. As we got closer I decreased the pressure in the ballonets lowering us at a steady pace while slowing us down until we came to a complete stop hovering over a clearing. When the airship landed on the ground I shut off the engines so the lost prop engine could hopefully be repaired. Flicking a switch the back hatch lowered to the ground so men and machines can get off. Stepping away from the wheel I turned behind me to a table that looked like almost an exact replica of the one from the HQ but newer. Pushing the power button the US army logo came up indicating a loading screen, seeing this I walked towards the stairs near the door at the entrance. Walking up the stairs I entered my room which looked as if it came out of Victorian England than again a lot of the ship’s insides looks like Victorian England… maybe the engineers were really bored when they were building the airship. Shaking my head I walked towards the nightstand where something special lays, a small flash drive containing a update to the communication systems allowing us to communicate to HQ. Grabbing the flash drive I made my way back down the stairs but to my surprise a radio operator stood there looking for me. “Are you looking for me?” I questioned as he turned so quickly he nearly fell over. “Yes sir we found a signal coming from north of the island it appears to be a repeating Morse code stating S.O.S,” the radioman stated. “A S.O.S you say hmm tell you what, I will send some men towards the signal while you install the new update to the communications," I said while handing the radioman the flash drive. He just saluted before walking away. Looking towards the now started display on the table I checked the damage on the Enterprise, We have lost a portion of hull from the explosion, a engine which was damaged but repairable, four marines were critically wounded from the explosion while ten more have varying degrees of injuries. Closing the damage report I selected 7 marines and a javelin to get into a ACEE before selecting the ACCE and a blazer to go to the distress signal. Now to wait as the troops move out. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 30 minutes later ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pov Marine(scouting party) For thirty minutes we had to suffer the driver’s bad taste in music, it nearly drove me mad enough to strangle the driver before the ACEE broke through the foliage onto the beach. Looking through the front window I was shocked to see the familiar black and red paint of a cartel vessel, as the ACEE stopped and the side doors flipped up I stepped out of the semi cramped vehicle. Planting my boots into the sand I stared at the vessel expecting it to be a hallucination as I stared at a zumwalt class destroyer, these vessels were supposed to be discontinued because of their cost in favor of more cheaper vessels. Spotting movement aboard the vessel I raised my rifle before hearing an ear piercing scream as something came out. It looked human but its as if their body was wax and it melted, not only this but their body glows from the inside as I can see his ribcage. Pulling the trigger the rifle spat out rounds which tore through the thing but it kept standing before rushing us. The ACEE and blazer must have spotted him as the auto cannon and grenade launchers fired in sync destroying it. More screams were heard from the vessel as waves of those things came out, thankfully the javelin seems to take out a lot of them every time he fires. Hearing the familiar thud as the autogreande launcher fires leaving nothing remaining , while the auto cannon spools up before unleashing its rounds at a tremendous rate of fire cutting apart whatever it looked at. Two minutes is all it took, two minutes to put 140 men to rest as they charged at us unrelentingly trying to tear us to pieces.Looking back to the destroyer I wonder what happened to have caused this, trying to not thinking about it I started my trek towards the vessel intending to see if they have any Intel. Spotting a rope ladder hanging over the side but not quite enough to reach the ground I start sprinting until I jumped towards the ship. Feet touching the metal I propel myself up barely getting a grip on the ladder. As I climbed up the ladder the other marines somehow got a hold of score cards and all were showing ten, shaking my head I reached for the guiderails. Pulling myself over onto the deck I notice that the two guns that normally would be in front were replaced with rail guns as well as the anti air/missile laser system which the navy was supposed to put on vessels before the collapse. Getting up from the deck I spotted the hatch to go inside, dusting myself off I made my way towards it. Grabbing the wheel as I turned it to unlock the hatch, after a couple of seconds the door yielded allowing me into the ship. Turning left I saw a stairwell deciding that I should check the bridge first I climbed the stairs upwards. Reaching the bridge I walked towards a inactive computer hoping to god that the ship still has power. Pushing the ON button the computer booted up with the cartel symbol flashing briefly before showing the desktop. Looking for any Intel I brought up documents hoping to find anything and find something I did, a virtual goldmine of information opened up showing me blueprints, designs, projects plus a folder titled the Philadelphia project. Looking around I spotted a flash drive , grabbing it I inserted it into the USB drive downloading everything for the commander. When it finished I grabbed it before heading down the stairs towards the armory, when I arrived most of the weapons were rusty like if they had been in the air for years, the wall was in a worse shape with the metal corroded and buckling. In the middle of the armory laid four things a minigun along with small things that looks like clips, a glove connected to a backpack, orange crystals ,and a machine in the back that looked jury-rigged to a power outlet. Deciding that the commander needed hear about this I radioed the Enterprise. “Commander you're not going to believe what we found.” -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 minutes later -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pov Eric After listening to the marine I ordered some engineers over there to scavenge whatever they could find especially the glove, the crystals, and that machine which that I suspect is the answer to why they are here. Deciding while I wait for the engineers to salvage the ship for parts I will have a nice warm cup of tea. After having walked up the stairs I grab a box of earl grey tea bags and filled a cup with hot water before dipping a tea bag into the water. After the tea was made I took the cup into the Luxury room, Sitting down in a chair I looked out a window into a vast ocean knowing that I will be the one discovering what's out there. Sipping the tea I relaxed into the chair as I began my wait for the engineers to finish. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 hours later -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As the engineers finish transporting whatever they salvaged the marine that found everything gave me the flash drive before going to the mess hall muttering something about needing a drink.Holding the flash drive in my hand I put it into my front pocket intending to view it later. When the all clear was sounded I walked back to the wheel before once more increasing the pressure in the ballonets taking us back into the sky.Pushing the lever to full speed the Enterprise took to the skies as we left the island behind us. I adjusted us 10 degrees left as we were before the attack. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 hours later -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As I stood vigilant at the helm I spotted a thin line on the horizon grabbing a telescope near me I looked through it and spotted a forest not just any forest but one on a continent. Excited I grabbed the microphone and pushed the button to transmit. “All men this is the captain speaking I have spotted land I repeat I have spotted land.” As the Enterprise made its way towards the unmapped land I had another urge to sing and after last time I just let it out. “Torn from a World of Tyrants, beneath this western Sky, We form'd a new Dominion, the Land of Liber'tie. The World shall own we're masters here, then hasten on the Day, Huzza, huzza, huzza, huzza, for a free Ameri'cay. Lift up your Heads ye Heroes and swear with proud Disdain, The Wretch that would ensnare you, Shall lay his Snares in vain; Should Europe empty all her force, we'll meet her in array, And fight, and shout, and fight, and shout, for a free Ameri'cay God bless this maiden climate and through her vast domain May hosts of heroes cluster, who scorn to wear a chain Then guard your rights, Americans! nor stoop to lawless sway, Oppose, oppose, oppose, oppose, for North Ameri'cay Some future day shall crown us the masters of the main, Our fleets shall speak in thunder to England, France, and Spain and nations O'er the ocean spread shall tremble and obey The sons, the sons, the sons, the sons, of free Ameri'cay.” As I finished the song we were above the new continent and by whatever deities are out there it was the most beautiful land I have ever seen in my life. Beyond the glass was land as green as you’d never seen with mountains in the distance, and rivers crisscrossing all the way to the ocean. At this moment I knew that this land is mine and mine alone for now. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mission 2 complete Briefing: You have defended the Enterprise from pirate attacks although suffering damage afterwards you were able to land the Enterprise on an island nearby. On the island you have found the remains of a cartel ship along with strange technologies. You have discovered a new land with a bounty of resources which would be of use soon. Continue to next mission? Y/N > The Forgotten lands > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mission 3 The forgotten lands Briefing: 1.Explore the land 2.Watch out for any ruins 3.Drink some tea with the engineers downstairs in remembrance of the Victorian era -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pov Eric Date [L+7] Time : 8:00 am Location: Unknown lands When we set down on land yesterday I went straight to bed as I got only five hours of sleep the whole trip. After a nights rest I did my morning routine, shower, teeth, and contemplating the meaning of life before walking towards the WAR TABLE and turning it on. After the computer started up I opened the salvage report from the engineers. “Commander we were able to salvage the two rail guns along with the Anti air/Missile laser weapon systems. Sadly the weapons in the armory were too corroded and rusty to use anymore. We were able to salvage from the ship the armor and the generators both we can install as soon as we have landed. -- Creed the Badass engineer P.S I got tons of cigars if you want some.” When I finished reading the note the lights in the room got noticeably brighter “I guess the engineers finished installing the generators also Creed still has some cigars? Well time to visit the resident Badass engineer.” -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- After a quick cigar run -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sitting down in the chair next to the table I lit up the cigar in my mouth taking a puff as I looked once more at the screen trying to think of which way to send some scouts before simply sending in a increasing radial pattern. While the troops start searching the area I grabbed the flash drive I left yesterday on the table when I went to bed. As I inserted the flash drive into the the table computer? ”Tomputer?Comptable? Eh whatever.” I opened the files contained on the flash drive, there was a lot of information on here for example the genetic sequences of their soldiers? “Okay cartel what the hell…I guess that answers the question of who joins it.” Other than the whole genes of their soldiers I found blueprints on experimental ships that never made it to the battlefield, I also found the blueprints to the railguns and lasers the zumwalt had.The other things I’ll send to amber as she is smarter than me and maybe could make heads or tails of the projects. Copying the stuff from the flash drive I sent it back to HQ via the upgraded communications. Getting up from the chair I walked towards the door wanting to check the tech we found on the cartel vessel. Exiting the cockpit I walked towards the science/engineering department near the middle of the ship. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- One “Short” walk later -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reaching the door to the department I opened it expecting chaos as the engineers and scientist don't get along too well.The first thing I noticed was no screaming and that the room was slightly tinted blue.Looking at the center of the room I spotted the engineers and scientists all huddled around something glowing blue.Confused I started walking towards them intent on finding what the hell is happening.One of the engineers must have spotted me as the crowd formed a line which allowed me to see that the glove we got from the cartel was glowing blue. “Commander what are you doing here sir?” One of the engineers questioned. “Just visiting to see what we found on the cartel vessels,” I answered “um well sir as you can see the glove is kind of glowing at the moment after it kind of reduced a steel box to a crumpled mess,” One of the scientist said while pointing to a box that looked crushed and would make you doubt your tetanus shot. Walking towards the glove I wondered what activated it? “Did any of you guys touch the glove before it started glowing” I said as all eyes turned towards a scientist, when he saw everybody looking at him he ran out of the room fearing for his life. Picking up the glove and backpack I decided since its glowing already I can't possibly mess up more than the other guy. After putting on the backpack and the accompanying glove on my left hand I pointed the glove towards the box and before everyone's eyes the box started to fix itself to a point where it looked freshly made. I made a pinching motion and the box started to float upwards. “Sir how did you know to make those hand gestures?” One of the engineers questioned. “A guess” was my short answer. They all just looked at me as if I was crazy before shrugging and getting back to work on the other stuff we salvaged. Seeing as no one is asking for it back I ran out the department intending to go back to the cockpit with the stuff. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Another “Short” walk later -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- When I made it back to the cockpit I sat down once more sat down waiting for anything. “You know what I’m going to go get a cup of tea while I wait” I thought out loud craving earl grey tea for some reason. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- After getting some tea and honey -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sitting back down yet again this time with earl grey tea which I sipped eagerly I waited for anything to happen.Bored I brought out a deck of cards from one of my pockets as I was bored enough to warrant playing solitaire.Luckily I didn't have to wait too long as a alert sounded from the monitor in front of me alerting me that something was founded “ or was it if my men are under attack?” Looking at the screen I deduced it was the first one thankfully. Opening communications with the men I saw several marines in front of a partially buried pyramid that looks as if it came out of central America. “Marines why are you guy standing in front of a pyramid that looks buried?” I was more confused than anything as to why there was a freaking pyramid out here. “Um well sir we spotted a animal and since we're in a new land we decided to hunt it but it kind of fled into the bushes and when we were chasing it we found this pyramid” The marine nervously said. “Wait so you guys saw an animal out here and decided to hunt it?” I questioned “Yes sir?” the marine meeped out. “Why didn't you tell us! The men are itching for a hunt hell we could have brought out the helicopters to help!” I exclaimed much to the confusion of the marine,” Hell you know what I'm telling the men to get the elephant guns and pith helmets oh and I’m going to send some men into the pyramid.” Grabbing the microphone and pressing the transmit button “Men scouts have spotted animals here so you have permission to hunt whatever you like just bring back meat to cook and trophies to hang, elephant guns and pith helmets are necessary. Oh and will delta squad please report to the osprey number 7 for a mission.” Going upstairs I grabbed a pith helmet and a elephant gun from the emergency hunting supplies cabinet.(the engineers were really bored.) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- One trip down to the hanger -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stepping out of the elevator I came to the hanger where men were running around with pith helmets and elephant guns, one squad stood out near the osprey numbered 7. Walking towards them they must have spotted me as they saluted. “Am I that noticeable?” “Delta squad a marine scout squad have found a buried pyramid north-east of us your job is to scout it out and report back. Hey as a bonus if you guys get the job done quick you guys might be able to get actual food instead of the MREs we have,” that might have inspired them as the ran aboard the osprey hoping to get the job done quickly enough to get actual food. Spotting a dustoff moving onto the launch platforms I ran towards it hoping to get on it before it leaves. One of the marines must have spotted me as the side door opened allowing me to jump aboard. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ten minutes later -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Looking out the door as the dustoff flew over the ground I had a urge to sing something manly. “ We're men among men and manly men. Yes, manly men are we. We're men among manly men among manly, Manly men are we. We'll sail up north and cross the ice And cross the barren snowfields. You've gotta be tough, and you've gotta be a man To club the baby harp seal, To club the baby harp seal. We're men among men and manly men. Yes, manly men are we. We're men among manly men among manly, Manly men are we. We'll drive out west on a buffalo hunt In a venture bold and daring. We'll shoot one again and again and again While the others stand there staring. While the others stand there staring. We're men among men and manly men. Yes, manly men are we. We're men among manly men among manly, Manly men are we. When we shoot him down, he'll get back up, So we'll shoot him down again. But he'll get back up, so we'll shoot him down 'Cause we are manly man. And a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do When a man is a man among men, And a man among men's gotta do what a man's Gotta do as a man among men. We'll hunt the black rhinoceros down On the plain so dry and hot. We'll blow him over and take his horn And leave the rest to rot, Yes, leave the rest to rot. And a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do When a man is a man among men, And a man among men's gotta do what a man's Gotta do as a man among men. We'll take that horn and sell it to Our Taiwanese connections. They'll grind it up into medicine So men can get erections, So men can get erections. And a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do When a man is a man among men, And a man among men's gotta do what a man's Gotta do as a man among men. We're men among men and manly men. Yes, manly men are we. We're men among manly men among manly, Manly men are we. Come on men, let's kill it! What are we? Women!” As I finished the song we spotted a herd of deer below us, Luckily they are not sentient. One of the marines handed me a knife, taking the knife I know what I must do. I must become a manly man. The other marines also pulled out knives, when we were right over them about twenty feet above them we jumped knowing we were the men of the men aboard the airship. We are MANLY MEN and we shall Show NO FEAR. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Meanwhile with Delta Squad -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pov Delta Stepping out onto the grass in front of the buried pyramid we stared at it for about five seconds before rushing inside intending to get all the Intel we can as fast as possible. Running up to pictures on the wall we took pictures before speeding down the hall while taking as many photos as possible. Stepping into a chamber that held vases and gold, we took some pieces of vases for the scientists to date while six of the other deltas opened their bags as they stuffed as much gold as they can for trophies. Done with the room we rushed out and back into the osprey much to the surprise of the pilot.(Man that was quick) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Outside the Enterprise -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pov Eric The hunting was a huge success as every soldier sent out their had caught something. The area outside of the Enterprise was full of fires as the crew BBQ their catches. I was sitting next to the engineers dressed as a steampunk explorer as I enjoyed the freshly cooked meat. The engineers around me were dressed all in steampunk clothes drinking tea mixed with alcohol to give it a bit of a kick. Sipping my tea I felt another song coming so I set down the tea and stood up. “We've got a steampunk revolution We're tired of all your so-called evolution We've darted back to 1886 Don't ask us why; that's how we get our kicks Out with the new In with the old Out with the new In with the old Our underworld isn't filled with fear Just brass and copper, leather scrap, and rusty gear You can keep your hip-hop techno-pop-rock schleppin-dub I'm on my way to a coal-powered underground vintage pub We've got a steampunk revolution We're tired of all your so-called evolution We've darted back to 1886 Don't ask us why; that's how we get our kicks Out with the new In with the old Out with the new In with the old Your subculture shops at the mall We build ours with blowtorch, needle, thread, and leather awl With our antique clock parts we've taken fine art to fashion And now we're spreading worldwide to circle the globe with a furious passion We've got a steampunk revolution We're tired of all your so-called evolution We've darted back to 1886 Don't ask us why; that's how we get our kicks We've got a steampunk revolution We're tired of all your so-called evolution We've darted back to 1886 Don't ask us why; that's how we get our kicks Out with the new In with the old” As I finished the engineers started clapping while Osprey number 7 flew over us full of people who just want to have a meal. I held up my cup and said “my fellow engineers this land is full of unmined ores and deposits of coal I think this is a good place to set up not only a base but a city dedicated to the future.” the other engineers raised their cups in agreement before we took a long sip. I can see it now this land will be the foundation of the city of tomorrow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mission 3 Complete Briefing: You have scouted the land around the enterprise and found evidence of Life You have hunted the native fauna living here You have earned the title "MANLY MAN" Bravo good sir you Have drunk tea with the engineers Blueprints unlocked: Naval shipyard Ships Genes of the cartel soldiers Rail guns laser point defense system Cybernetics TMD E-99 Time/Dimesion machine Continue to next mission? Y/N > The darkness > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mission 4 The darkness Briefing: 1.Look at the evidence from earlier 2.Set up base and defenses 3.Upgrade the Enterprise -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pov: Eric Date: [L+7] Time:4:00 pm Location: Unknown Lands After the “great manly hunt” any leftover meat was either smoked into jerky or was frozen for later use. Reaching the cockpit two things were waiting for me on the table. One was a camera the deltas probably used and the other were bags? Walking towards the bags I noticed that they bulged as if they were full to the brim, opening the bags I was stunned to find gold bullions. “Why was there gold bullions in a pyramid and what is their purity?” Closing the bags so that the gold doesn't fall out I grabbed a cable to transfer photos from the camera to the computer.Connecting them I transferred the photos hoping that the photos are not too blurry. Opening up the photos what I saw both answered my questions and scared me. The photos told a story about how ponies used to live here in harmony until something looking like a shadow manipulated their minds making them turn on each other. When war started and many died the shadow possessed the bodies to wage war on the survivors. The survivors fled but left a map of where the went which led south east and if I remembered the map back at HQ that would have led them towards the forbidden jungle. With no one to kill the shadow would be dormant until anybody else steps on the land.”...SHIT!” Looking out the window I can spot dark clouds near the mountains moving towards us to fast to be natural. Wasting no time I grabbed the microphone “General quarters general quarters all hands man your battle station we have a army bearing down on us due west, All engineers you better build faster as we need those bunkers now!” Ending the transmission I ran out the door intending to get to the armory as quickly as I can. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- One very fast run to the armory later -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thankfully the armory's door was open allowing me to run in grabbing my revolver and a AA-12 shotgun.Grabbing all the ammo I can I rushed back out hoping to get to the ground as quickly as possible.I ran along the corridor towards the ladders, while we do have elevators they are slower compared to sliding down the ladders.Reaching the ladders I held on the sides as I slid down.Reaching the bottom I let go dropping a foot before landing and taking off down the corridor to the right.Reaching the storage I saw the vehicles were moving out while Infantry were running around collecting their gear or running outside.Running down the ramp I made my way to the frontlines where the engineers have built a line bunkers and trenches.As I dropped into the trench I pulled the cocking handle on the AA-12 ensuring I dont have to do that later on during the battle. Minutes passed as more men joined me in the trenches and the vehicles set up behind us. In the distance dark clouds rumbled yet there was no lightning. Taking out some binoculars I had in my jacket I looked through it and spotted something that confirmed the story the deltas found in the pyramid. A horde of reanimated zombie ponies were rushing towards us while a shadowy being was behind them. Stashing the binoculars I brought up my shotgun and waited. Two minutes have passed before the HIMARS and NLOS-C fired rockets and shells. Explosions blossomed in the distance wiping out chunks of the horde but yet they charged. The FCS’s fired their mortar rounds while the mortars were getting ready to fire phosphorus. Cracks were heard as the snipers took out the more heavily armored ponies as the mortars now fired fiery fury. As the horde grew closer they were being thinned out by the artillery but not quickly enough. Now in range the rest of the vehicle's started firing cutting swathes of the enemy down but it was not enough. The turrets started firing all their weapons into the horde which was now a fraction of its size but still huge. I steadied my grip as the horde came within firing range and pulled the trigger , I must have loaded frag rounds as where ever I pointed explosions bloomed. As the Infantry fired the horde was being cut down too quickly for that shadow as it screeched in anger before charging the line. Seeing this I climbed the trench and threw the shotgun to the ground as I raised the glove which glowed blue brightly before pointing it at the shadow. It slowed down but so did the world as the thing barreled towards me with one of its arms morphing into a blade. The shadow started to change looking like a glitch jumping around the place more and more and the time passed by. When he was in punching range I pulled back my left arm before pushing it forward yet I was not fast enough, during the small time between pulling my arm to pushing it forward the thing began swinging its arm down on my right side. Flesh met shadow as it cut through flesh, muscle and bone before nearly meeting my ribcage before the glove emitted a powerful pulse which destabilized it so much it started glowing orange from the amount of time radiation(E-99) it absorbed as it slowly broke apart as its molecules started shifting into the past present and the future individually leaving the being scattered throughout time. When the being was finally gone my vision became blurry as I fell forward unto the ground, the last thing I heard was the soldiers screaming for the medic. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date:??? Time:??? Location:??? Bright light filled my vision as I blinked wondering where I am before a burning sensation started where my right arm would be.When I opened my eyes I can see a ceiling so I'm guessing I'm not dead yet. Feeling a headache coming on I held my head with my right arm? Looking down I do indeed have a right arm except it looked as if it came out of deus ex with all the black and yellow paint although the TMD I was wearing was now integrated into the arm. As I stared at the arm in wonder my vision began filling up with words , “HUD calibrations required, Health online, aim online, ammo online, compass online warning unknown technology beginning assimilations … assimilation complete TMD online.” As each of those words were said new things began popping up in my vision. Stunned I just sat there waiting for anything to break me out. “Commander you're awake hah I knew one arm was not enough to kill you” The voice came from creed as he walked into the room. “Creed what are you doing here no wait how long has it been?” hopping it wasn't a week or something. “ Eh after you fainted on the battlefield it took us around four days to build the eyes and the arm so around four and a half days.” Creed said while stroking his beard. “Wait why the eyes though the blade went through my arm?” I questioned again. “Apparently the blade had something on it as your eyes were deteriorating at an alarming rate so we had to replace them as well, thankfully we were able to flush whatever it was out of your body before it could do any more damage.” Creed replied while still stroking his beard. Nodding I began to sit up in the bed which took a few moments as I haven't moved a while but when I did I had to pop a few of my bones. Trying to stand up I was successful for a few moments before I grabbed the railing on the bed to hold myself up. A few minutes later I was able to walk around the med bay without collapsing, thankfully my uniform was fixed so after a quick change of clothes I walked out of the med bay… before realizing I have no idea where the med may is at all. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 hours later -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- After walking around aimlessly for a couple of hours I found my way back to the cockpit looking at a note. “Dear commander once you get your lazy ass up from the med bay. We at the engineering/science department have upgraded your computer with a upgrade section allowing you the ability to upgrade the Enterprise with tech we develop or find. P.S Please don't order multiple upgrades until we get more coffee - Creed” “We had coffee?” I thought before I walked towards the computer and turning it on, after a short wait the screen displayed the Enterprise and the upgrades I could give her. So far the only thing I can give her is four rail guns on the top and bottom on the airship for long range fire support. Clicking the upgrade I opened another screen to check up on this base as I was gone for a while. The base has gone from a line of trenches and bunkers to a quite sizable base with drills in the distance mining ore. Deciding that I will wait for us to be resupplied from the base before taking off for the forbidden jungle I walked upstairs intending to get some nap time in before the long journey. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- One four hour nap later -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- After getting the all clear from both the engineers and the base I increased pressure in the ballonets bringing the Enterprise up.Turning the wheel 180 degrees we began our journey to the forbidden jungle. “ I wish this thing had autopilot maybe I can get it as an Upgrade soon.” -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nearly a day later -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I’m glad I got that sleep earlier because I would be falling asleep now if I hadn't.We were a little bit west of the forbidden jungles and we haven't spotted anything yet.Noticing something up ahead I grabbed my binoculars and peered through them.Up ahead was a small airship with a compass rose on its side, noticing something to our left I changed my gaze and spotted a new lunar fleet bearing towards us? Grabbing the microphone “ General quarters general quarters all hands man your battle station we have a fleet bearing from out left.” Peering through the binoculars again I spotted the admiral of the fleet yelling something to his subordinates before pointing at us making it clear he what he wants. Grabbing the Mike again “All rail guns target the largest ship’s bridge.” The lights in the room got dimmer as power surged to the rail guns before a thunderous volley fired at the largest airship’s bridge piercing any armor it may have destroying the ships center leaving it to fall to the ground. Mike still in hand “ If any ship gets close fire at will also will squads Alpha, Bravo, Charlie , and Delta make their way to the hanger.” Letting go the mike I pulled the speed lever into the full stop before leaving to the armory to pick up my revolver. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- One trip to the armory later -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Making my way to the hanger I saw four squads, two marine and two deltas who saluted me. “At ease men here the mission we have an unknown ship ahead of us we are to parachute in as there is not a big enough clearing for one of the helicopters and try to locate any clue to what happened to the ponies from across the sea.” I briefed the men who only response was a nod before getting on to ospreys. Climbing on board osprey number seven we had to wait as the osprey was carried to a launch deck by a crane before taking off. Grabbing a parachute one of the deltas handed me and put it on all we had to do was wait. I felt a song coming on and so the deltas as we sang about a poor airborne trooper from the second world war. “He was just a rookie trooper and he surely shook with fright. He checked off his equipment and made sure his pack was tight. He had to sit and listen to those awful engines roar. You ain't gonna jump no more. Gory, gory, what a hell of way to die. Gory, gory, what a hell of way to die. Gory, gory, what a hell of way to die. He ain't gonna jump no more. "Is everybody happy?" cried the sergeant looking up. Our hero feebly answered, "Yes", and then they stood him up. He jumped into the icy blast, his static line unhooked. And he ain't gonna jump no more. Gory, gory, what a hell of way to die. Gory, gory, what a hell of way to die. Gory, gory, what a hell of way to die. He ain't gonna jump no more. He counted long, he counted loud, he waited for the shock. He felt the wind, he felt the cold, he felt the awful drop. The silk from his reserve spilled out and wrapped around his legs. And he ain't gonna jump no more. Gory, gory, what a hell of way to die. Gory, gory, what a hell of way to die. Gory, gory, what a hell of way to die. He ain't gonna jump no more. The risers swung around his neck, connectors cracked his dome. Suspension lines were tied in knots around his skinny bones. The canopy became his shroud, he hurtled to the ground. And he ain't gonna jump no more. Gory, gory, what a hell of way to die. Gory, gory, what a hell of way to die. Gory, gory, what a hell of way to die. He ain't gonna jump no more. The days he lived and loved and laughed kept running through his mind. He thought about the girl back home, the one he left behind. He thought about the medicos and wondered what they'd find. And he ain't gonna jump no more. Gory, gory, what a hell of way to die. Gory, gory, what a hell of way to die. Gory, gory, what a hell of way to die. He ain't gonna jump no more. The ambulance was on the spot, the jeeps were running wild. The medics jumped and screamed with glee, rolled up their sleeves and smiled. For it had been a week or more since last a 'chute had failed. And he ain't gonna jump no more. Gory, gory, what a hell of way to die. Gory, gory, what a hell of way to die. Gory, gory, what a hell of way to die. He ain't gonna jump no more. He hit the ground, the sound was "Splat," his blood went spurting high. His comrades they were heard to say, "A helluva way to die." He lay there rolling 'round in the welter of his gore. And he ain't gonna jump no more. Gory, gory, what a hell of way to die. Gory, gory, what a hell of way to die. Gory, gory, what a hell of way to die. He ain't gonna jump no more. There was blood upon the risers, there were brains upon the 'chute. Intestines were a-dangling from his paratrooper suit. He was a mess, they picked him up and poured him from his boots. And he ain't gonna jump no more. Gory, gory, what a hell of way to die. Gory, gory, what a hell of way to die. Gory, gory, what a hell of way to die. He ain't gonna jump no more.” As we finished the song a red light started blinking. Standing up we readied ourselves to jump, when the light shone green we jumped into the air falling towards the ground. I counted ten seconds before pulling the chute and having a hard pull drag me upwards a bit knocking the air out of me. Looking around I could spot the others as they dived towards the other clearings in the area. Spotting the ground I bend my knees slightly (thank you medal of honor) as I landed without tumbling. Taking off the parachute I spotted the deltas from well delta squad as they took off their parachutes as well. When everyone was finished they rallied up on me as we made our way west hoping to find the other squads. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- After Regrouping with the other squads -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- With all the squads rallied up we made our way west in the direction of the small airship. As we made our way through the jungle we started seeing ruins like the ones on the other continent. When we broke through the foliage we saw a gigantic pyramid and a pony rushing inside?We followed curious who would be out here in a place called the forbidden jungle. Rushing inside we saw the shadow of the pony again before disappearing through one of the doors. This time we took our time as we don't know what traps were laid all those years ago. Making it across the room without setting off a trap we continued our way intending to find out who was that pony. Hearing a scream we sprinted towards an open door what we saw inside shocked us all. “What the fuck is going on here!” -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mission 4 the darkness complete Briefing: You have found evidence that ponies once lived here. You have killed a being of darkness sorry about the arm though. Congratulations you are now a cyborg. Enterprise Upgraded Fire support now available on the battle field Base established in the forgotten lands. Why the hell is there a new lunar fleet out there . WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON! Continue to next mission Y/N > The Golden Idol > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mission 5 The golden idol Briefing: 1.Find what happened to the ponies of the Forgotten lands. 2.Rescue whoever screamed. 3.Find collectables (optional) 4.Get out before the New Lunar fleet sends down troops. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pov: Eric Date: [L+12] Time: 2:00 PM Location: The forbidden jungle “What the Fuck is going on here!” I screamed in anger and confusion. In front of us was a dog looking thing standing over a knocked out human? Yep it was a human in adventuring gear you'd see in comics while the dog thing stood over her with rope being held with its tail? Now with the dog thing‘s attention I yelled “open fire!” the four squads fired their weapons but yet the thing was too agile and was able to slip away unharmed. “Damn it the thing got away. Okay men two of you check the girl to see what's wrong the rest of you fan out and search for clues.” I ordered as two deltas made their way to the girl. Looking around I spotted a golden idol in the middle of the room looking like a human with a sword and shield. Walking towards it I spot a small plaque below it written in what looks to be English. “ This statue is to celebrate our defenders and friends the humans. Some want to leave them to their doom after they sacrificed themselves to save us but some of us will stay behind now to protect their race from extinction. If you want to join us all you have to do is touch the idol.” Slowly grabbing the idol with my right hand I waited for anything to happen. When nothing happened I stashed the idol before looking around seeing the squad either taking pictures or stashing stuff in bags. Hearing booms far away I could guess that the New lunar fleet finally got some courage and moved closer to drop off troops. The two men who checked the girl for any injuries just gave me a thumbs up before moving away to stash more things from around the room. Moving over to the girl I could see that her hair is dark brown I think while her skin is whitish with a tint of darkness. A delta tapped me on the shoulder signaling that we need to leave A.S.A.P, grabbing the girl I put her into a fireman's carry while the soldiers finished up with what they were doing before moving towards the door we came through. As we made our way out of the temple and snuck into the trees a squad of NLR Pegasi landed at the temple before rushing in.Hearing screams a few seconds later I can guess they set off a lot of traps. Running off into the jungle towards one of the clearings with the other squads following behind as I had a idea that could make our lives easier. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pov Daring Do Waking up with a headache I can feel myself go up and down like if somepony was carrying me before setting me down I try to remember what happened. I followed a tip from the canterlot archive about a secret temple from before the unification in the forbidden jungle. Making my way across war torn equestria in a airship the government lent me towards the forbidden jungle. A rumor must started why I was going towards the jungle as a whole NLR fleet was after me, I'm pretty sure without Luna’s approval. When I made it to the jungle and landed in a clearing a giant airship appeared in the horizon and when it got closer the NLR fleet decided that the other airship was a better prize than whatever is in the temple. To my surprise the giant airship destroyed the admiral's flagship before coming to a stop. Seeing that the NLR fleet won't be chasing me for now I went looking for the temple. When I found the temple I saw things landing down not far away I knew I didn't have much time But by the time I ran up the steps I saw Humans entering the clearing . They must have spotted me as the one in the green clothes pointed to me before I rushed inside. Using my wings I flew over any traps that might have been there before galloping down the hall. If I was lucky the humans would take their time while I take whatever artifact that is usually in these temples. Reaching a room with a podium in the middle I trotted towards the podium looking at the weird idol that looks kind of like a human with a sword and shield with a plaque below it. What ever language it was I didn't recognize it probably nothing important . Grabbing the Idol I felt tremendous pain and screamed after that I remember hearing Ahuizotl’s laughter before the realm of sleep claimed me. Opening my eyes a little the first thing I can tell is no Ahuizotl instead I saw multiple humans talking about something before moving away carrying tubes. Their leader must have spotted me as he walked over his eyes shining yellow softly. “Hmm still not awake oh well. You're pretty damn lucky ma’am we were able to get to you before that dog thing got to you. After the men get done with clearing out the trees you will be getting a first class ride to the Enterprise.” The man said to me still thinking I was knocked out. A few seconds later booms were heard from across the area knocking down trees before one of the humans took out something and fired a ball of light into the air. With their leader looking away I wondered why I couldn't feel my wings or my hooves looking down slightly I was shocked to see that my body looked human, thankfully whatever changed me gave me clothes. Hearing something in the distance I closed my eyes pretending to be asleep as their leader picked me up like it was nothing holding me close to his chest as he walked up something before setting me down on something softer as whatever we’re in went upwards. “Well ma’am we’ve got the whole Osprey to ourselves as the men volunteered to wait for the other Ospreys to get back to the Enterprise” The man said still thinking that I’m knocked out. As whatever we’re in neared its destination the man picked me up yet again in preparations of the landing before a thud was heard and the man got up with me in his arms. With my head near his chest I heard his heartbeat as it calmed me down while al..so mak...ing m..e drow..sy zzzzz. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pov Eric Looking down at the girl sleeping I stepped out of the Osprey while walking towards the elevator. The men must have saw the girl as they looked on quietly as I passed them. Pushing the button for the elevator I stood there with a girl in my arms sleeping as I waited for the elevator to come down. When the elevator’s doors opened I stepped inside and pushed the button to go to the level of the bridge. While the elevator was rising the girl in my arms must have been cold as the airship’s air conditioner made the place cold when we’re in a warm place as she snuggled into my chest. When the Elevator's doors opened I started my trek to the bridge. As I walked through the numerous hatches and doors while whatever personnel that were in my way moved very quickly away from me. Reaching the door I opened it before heading upstairs into the bedroom and setting the girl down as gently as I could before tucking her in. I walked out of the bedroom not noticing the smile on my face. Walking up to the wheel I saw the all clear from everywhere before pushing the lever into full speed as we passed by whatever remaining ships of the NLR fleet as made our way back towards Home Base. Looking over the ground where the jungle met the badlands I couldn't help but sing a song. “Oh, give me a home where the buffalo roam Where the deer and the antelope play Where seldom is heard a discouraging word And the skies are not cloudy all day Home, home on the range Where the deer and the antelope play Where seldom is heard a discouraging word And the skies are not cloudy all day How often at night where the heavens are bright With the light of the glittering stars Have I stood there amazed and asked as I gazed If their glory exceeds that of ours Home, home on the range Where the deer and the antelope play Where seldom is heard a discouraging word And the skies are not cloudy all day Then give me a land where the bright diamond sand Flows leisurely down to the stream Where the graceful white swan goes gliding along Like a maid in a heavenly dream Oh I would not exchange my old home on the range Where the deer and the antelope play Where the seldom is heard a discouraging word And the skies are not cloudy all day” As I finished we were over the badlands heading towards the mild west. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 hour later -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reaching the mild west we were going to pass over appaloosa in a couple of minutes. In a few minutes I could see the very edge of the town as we sped towards it. I grabbed the binoculars and peered through them looking at appaloosa as the townsponies were running everywhere as NLR soldiers looted the place? Grabbing the mike “ General quarter General quarter all hands man their battle station.” I can not let these innocent ponies die to corruption of the soldiers. As we came sight the NLR must have spotted us as they began to run away hoping to stash their ill gotten goods. Mike still in hand “ All guardians hunt the soldiers down everybody else prepare for emergency aid to civilians.” Bringing us over appaloosa the guardians flew off to hunt the NLR soldiers. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3rd person Above the town of appaloosa a giant airship stood still as guardians launched off the decks as infantry carried supplies to the ospreys. While the NLR soldiers ran they never looked back at what was chasing them. The guardians are armed with a 30mm nose cannon along with anti tank rockets and rocket pods meaning when they fire their weapons whatever they look at is most likely dead. This was the case with the vagabond soldiers as they were picked off by the guardians withering fire tearing the soldiers to chunks and a few to pink mists while whoever got hit by the rocket pods burned from the incendiary ammunition. Ospreys took off next from the Enterprise flying down to the town to drop off medical supplies and food. When the Ospreys landed the soldiers in the back pushed off crates full of food and medical supplies. When the dustoffs arrived medics jumped out to render their services to the ponies. The ponies were surprised that humans saved them from the former garrison turned raiders before giving them enough supplies to last months before helping out further as medical personnel helped any injured pony. When everything was done the humans just jumped back aboard their helicopter before flying back up to the Enterprise with the ponies waving their goodbyes as the enterprise returned to her voyage sailing through the skies towards home. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mission 5 complete Debriefing: Found evidence about what happened to the ponies. Rescued a girl from a dog thing . You have collected a artifact (and gold). The NLR are probably stuck in traps. You have rescued the town of Appaloosa from Vagabond NLR soldiers. > Just a normal day > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mission 6 Just a normal day Briefing: 1.Land the Enterprise at base 2.Prepare for another adventure -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pov Eric Date: [L+12] Time: 5:00 pm Location: Over White tail woods It has been about an hour or two since we left Appleloosa after giving the ponies there supplies and so far it has been a calm ride with nothing happening. Right now the Enterprise is over white tail woods about to cross over into our territory and if I’m correct Amber should have built a line of defenses to protect the base/town. Spotting something ahead I grabbed my binoculars and peered through and saw a line of MG bunkers with their turrets looking for targets. Spotting the mountains in the distance I put down the binoculars and turned the wheel left about 15 degrees so that we were directly pointed at the Base. Grabbing the mike “All hands prepare for landing we’re near the base and should land in a couple of minutes I hope you had a wonderful time flying freedom air.” Spotting the base in the distance I tried to do something new with the cybernetic eyes. Focusing at the base new words came up “Increasing magnification by 10x” Suddenly the base didn’t seem so small as I was able to tell individual buildings but sadly couldn't see people still. Decreasing the magnification I slowed the Enterprise down as we were nearing the center of the base. Steering a giant airship to be parallel with a tower is harder than you think as I turned the wheel very finely so that the Enterprise does not crash into the mooring tower. When We docked with the mooring tower I stepped away from the wheel deciding to check on the girl from earlier. Walking up the stairs as quietly as I could I see that the girl is still asleep. Smiling I walk over to pick the girl up and bring her down to the base. Walking down the stairs and out the door with the girl in my arms I made as little sound as I could as to not wake up her. Walking through the various hatches and doors I could not see a single person as they probably left the ship as soon as we docked. Walking up to the elevator I pushed the button for down and waited for it to come up. The girl must’ve been cold again as she snuggled into my chest yearning for warmth. With the elevator’s doors opening I stepped inside pushing the button for first floor and waiting. A few seconds later the doors opened to reveal the cargo/vehicle maintenance room with a open hatch at the very end. Stepping of the elevator I started my trek to the open hatch walking by sleeping vehicles and funnily enough some sleeping men as well. Reaching the hatch a small metal gangplank connected the enterprise to the mooring tower where another elevator awaited us. Walking across the gangplank towards the elevator I pushed the button for down. Again waiting for the elevator as it slowly made its way back up I couldn't help but smile at the girl in my arms while yet wondering what's her story. With the elevator’s doors opening I stepped inside and pushed the button again. While the elevator was going downwards I couldn't help but hum elevator music all the way down till the door’s opened again this time showing the inside of the HQ as I stepped out of the elevator. Not even making a few steps before Amber came over the intercoms “my my commander not even a few weeks and you're carrying a girl home.” “SHH amber she’s still sleeping also we found her in a temple in the middle of the jungle about to be tied up by a dog thing,”I whispered as quietly as I could. “Okay commander when you’re finished with what you are doing come see me in the war room,” The AI whispered somehow before leaving me alone. Shaking my head I walked through the HQ, making my way up the stairs, and opened the doors to the war room. I walked through the darkened room to my bedroom before setting the girl down and tucking her in. Walking into the war room as quietly as possible which lights are on now, shutting the door behind me I waited for amber to speak up. “Commander now that we are alone I can brief you . Several hours ago snipers spotted major mobilization all across SE territory we’re talking about cannons, ships, infantry, airships everything they could muster on short notice. Most of the things are going towards the front line against the NLR but some of them are slowly moving our way. Commander if we order the snipers to neutralize the officers we can slow down the enemy forces long enough to build extra defenses and troops.”The Ai informed “Okay tell the snipers to take the shots also send somebody to warn the NLR, make sure their armed since somebody may want our technology” I ordered “Acknowledged commander command sent also we have a sniper and a couple of deltas in a city called fillydelphia the “capital” of the NLR should I send them a message to contact their leader.” Amber questioned. “Yes tell them to say that the commander sent them the NLR leader will recognize it.” I answered back as I stared at the map on the wall watching as the enemy’s units started to close in on both us and the NLR. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3rd person Snipers all across the solar empire’s land received a message from HQ stating that they have permission to target commanding officers to slow down the SE war machine. If the Solar Empire was afraid before from the liberation raids they were really afraid now. One by one officers were hunted down by the snipers, everyone from generals to lieutenants were not safe as even a single second in the open could spell death. As each bullet was fired the solar empire’s war machine slowed down buying time for the US to set up more defenses. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pov Luna It was the very beginning of the evening still hours away until I have to do my duty of watching the realm of dreams. I was in a penthouse in the tallest building in fillydelphia that I commandeered when I made this city the capital of the NLR. I was doing some usual paper work when one of my personal guards ran in through the doors looking frantic. “Your highness some humans just showed up they say they have a message for you from a person they call the commander” the frantic guard blurted out. “The commander you say why then show them up, they are bound to have something useful.” If the Commander is who I think it is we could have something serious going on. The guard just nodded before running back outside trying to look calm but failed. It took but a couple of minutes before the door opened yet again but this time instead of a guard it was a group of humans one female and the other five I couldn't tell as they were wearing masks and armor. The female that was carrying a large gun stepped forward while the others just stood there waiting for something to happen. “I assume that you are the leader of this so called new lunar republic?” She questioned in a voice so cold if you poured water it freeze before you even poured. “Yes I’m the leader of this nation you said you have a message for me from the commander?” I questioned back. “Yes the solar empire is mobilizing large amount of troops most of them heading towards the frontlines while the rest is being sent after the commander. Don't worry too much because as we speak we are taking out the officers so that we buy time for the both of us,” She answered in the same ice cold voice before leaving with the rest of the humans out through the door. “Well then off to the war room” I sighed before walking towards the all too familiar war room. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pov: Eric I was sitting in my room with two cups of tea that I freshly brewed a few minutes ago waiting for the girl to wake up, worst case scenario she doesn't wake up soon and I drink two cups of tea. Luckily I didn't have to wait too long as a groan was heard from the bed as the girl finally woke up from her slumber. The girl tried to get up but was to weak at the moment as she just fell back down. “where am I?” the girl asked confused and probably disoriented. “Save your strength ma’am you're still weak, here you're probably thirsty be careful though it's still warm,” I told her while handing over one of the cups. “Err thanks wh-who are you?” She stuttered while taking small sips of the earl grey tea. “The names Eric Michael Segura I’m the commanding officer of this base and well the other base across the sea now what's your name ma’am,” I introduced myself. “The names Daring Do adventurer extraordinaire and well Pegasus before touching that idol,” She introduced back. “Well I’m quite sorry about that Ms. Do but we were able to retrieve the Idol don't worry it’s in a safe place.” I assured . “Yeah sure hey what were you doing there anyway?” she questioned. “We were following a lead from across the ocean, over there was not only a pyramid but a shadow thing hell bent on killing everything, hell that's how I lost my arm and eyes,” I said while waving my right arm around. “Wait a minute you lost your arm and both of your eyes and yet you went on a mission?” She seemed surprised I wonder why. “Artificial limbs my dear hell my right arm is now stronger and now I don’t have to worry about eye degradation at all hell I might replace some other parts so I won't die as easily,” I joked, “I actually mean that.” “You’re crazy you know that,” She deadpanned. “Ehh you got to be a little crazy to live after all hmm have I ever told you the definition of insanity?” I had a giant grin on my face as I stood up and walked away into the war room while Daring groaned. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Next day after a several cups of coffee and a snack run -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Okay these defences should hold for a while well while we build more troops yes?”I questioned the AI as I stood over at the map looking at the lines of war and how they are inching their way towards us. “Yes commander the automated turrets will buy us time to build more troops and in the process take some of the ponies down,” the AI informed. “Hmm what about the docks can we build it in time?” I was quite curious if we could build the docks before the ponies engage us. “Hmm with how slow the SE army is marching we could probably build the port and a couple of ships before they reach us, If we divert some resources from infantry and vehicles we could build the port and some ships” You could almost hear her doing the math while she talked. Almost. “Divert the resources and build the port, I need some coffee I don’t even remember how long I’ve been up,” I said as I walked slowly towards the kitchen yearning for the liquid of the gods. Brewing the coffee I was feeling all the sleep I missed start come back to haunt me. When the cup was finished I quickly added some sugar and cream before walking back towards the map. “Let’s review what has happened recently we destroyed a NLR fleet, we rescued a Pegasus turned Human, we rescued appleloosa, we shot a lot of SE officers , we messaged the NLR, I had a conversation with said Pegasus turned human, and we are preparing for a full on battle… yep just a normal day here.” I finished the sentence with a sip of coffee as I just stared at the map. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mission 6 complete Briefing: What a normal day huh If this is normal you dont want to know what a bad day is(Usually contains the apocalyps I hear) > Blitz's charge > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mission 7 Blitz’s charge Briefing: 1.Have a nice time shooting anything that moves. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pov Eric Date:[L+13] Time:11:00 Location: HQ It has been a couple of hours since I had my cup of coffee and while I was still tired the caffeine relived some of it thankfully as I stood in the Main Armory of the HQ arming myself for the upcoming “Battle”. As usual I’m carrying my peacemaker but this time I grabbed the old 1840 cavalry saber as my increased strength means that I could cleave through a person with no issue at all. I caught a glimpse of something big in the corner of my eye, turning with my curiosity piqued when I saw what it was tears sprang from my eyes as I laid my eyes on the most beautiful gun I have ever seen. Sitting in the corner of the vast room laid a heavily modified Tri barreled minigun connected to a very large backpack. The strange part was that the bore of the barrels were almost big enough to fit a shotgun shell. Noticing a yellow sticky note on the backpack, I peeled it off and gave it a quick read. “Dear commander after you lost your arm I had an idea seeing as you are now stronger due to the arm, we the engineers decided it’s about time you got a upgrade to your arsenal. We took one of the guns from the Humvees and modified it by increasing the bore size to fire shotguns shells while also decreasing the speed due to the increased heat production. The backpack can hold a multitude of different rounds but due to your affection of explosions the current rounds are explosive just try not to point it too close to your self. If you want to switch out the rounds come to the engineering department so that I can give you some varying ammo cans. Best of luck you commander- Creed” “Creed you magnificent bastard If I was a lesser man I would kiss ya. Now then gorgeous we need to give you a name hmm how about …. Gauge seeing as you fire shotgun shells. Well then beauty you’re coming with me seeing as we have a date with destiny in a couple of hours.” I thought out loud as I hefted the backpack on first nearly toppling backwards due to the weight before balancing out and grabbing the handle to Gauge this time bracing myself I lifted her up with only little strain. Now kitted up I walked out of the armory a little slower than when I entered towards the exit. Pushing the doors leading out I was blinded for a second by the sunlight before my eyes adjusted and I made my way to the trenches just outside of the “town”. As I walked down the mostly empty road any person or pony there just stared at me probably in shock that I was carrying a giant gun towards the outskirts of the base. I don’t know why but while I may not be of this dimension neither am I of the AoA dimension but I feel as if I need to protect them at all cost as if they were my kin not letting anything even touch them, sadly if that means I must do deeds so dark that lesser men’s wills would break I would do them with no hesitation. As my boots met dirt I came upon the vast trenches connecting a multitude of bunkers all around the base. As I walked over the boards spanning the trenches soldiers moved underneath running towards their positions while vehicles burrowed into the ground ready to fire at a moments notice. While we were waiting for the ponies the port was done in record time and has already built two ships both zumwalt class destroyers with a very special ship on its way although it may take a while as it is huge. Having reached my destination I stood there at the very front of the trenches as still as a statue waiting vigilantly for the enemy to appear. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 45 minutes later -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My eyes peered at where the plains met the forest trying to find anything. My trance was broken when startled birds squaked and flew out of the forest it was then that I knew that the enemy has arrived. Marching out of the trees were hundreds if not thousands of ponies garbed in golden armor along with cannons of all sizes. One individual stood out a unicorn was clad in thicker armor than the rest almost looking as if he came out of the medieval ages if not for the whole golden armor thing. The pony shouted something before the opposing army stopped and faced towards us before he started walking alone towards us. Guessing that they want to parley for our surrender I walked alone into the land between the armies. When I reached the middle I waited for the pony to meet me hoping that they will just turn away and we didn’t need to kill them all. With the enemy general closing in more details became apparent like the fact he has an ornate long sword sheathed or that he has numerous medals hanging off his armor. When the pony finally made it, I made eye contact at the general as he did as well with me, I could tell by his eyes that he did not want to be here at all. “I assume you are the commander of these forces?” The general questioned in a tired voice only a veteran could do. “Yes I am the commander of these forces and before you say it we will not surrender now I plead with tears in my eyes don’t screw with us, we may not have the numbers but we have enough firepower to kill you all now please just return home and live out your life as a family man.” I pleaded to the general hoping we can end this fight with no blood drawn. “I wish I could son I wish I could but If we don’t capture your base celestia and her personal guards will flay us alive so I’m sorry...just give us a soldier’s death would you.” the general lamented as he stared at the ground hoping I would give him a answer. “I will do you one better I Eric michael segura commander of this base and it’s troops challenge you to a duel of honor, you may choose the weapons.” the general's face lit up like a Christmas tree as he looked at me with a small glimmer of hope in his eyes. “I general Blitz of the Solar Empire accept your challenge for a duel of honors and as for weapons I choose pistols.” The now named general blitz replied. I looked at him for a moment before setting down gauge and her backpack and drawing my peacemaker and cocked the hammer. The general stared at me before pulling out a engraved flintlock dueling pistol and went through the actions to load it when finished he nodded towards me as I turned around hearing the general do the same. I started walking counting the number of paces in my head. “1...2...3...4...5...6...7...8...9...10” When the number was reached I spun around while the general did the same both of our pistols pointing at each other before pulling the trigger which ignited the bullets as they flew out of their barrels intending on hitting whatever is it their way. One bullet met its target as it burrowed into one’s flesh ripping apart muscles, shattering bone, and splattering blood before exiting with a bigger hole then it began while the other bullet missed and flew off hitting dirt. Seconds passed before the general collapsed blood spilling from his mouth I holstered my revolver before walking towards him in a slow walk. If anybody saw my eyes they would have told you that they changed to a blue-gray color but the only ponies that saw my eyes that moment are long dead, all buried six feet under the ground. Reaching the dying general I knelt down and held his hoof while he looked calm I knew from the looks in his eyes that he is afraid of death. He looked at me and quietly said “Thank you for giving me a honorable death ta- take my sword as a trophy, I know that we will meet again maybe not here or there but somewhere on the other side, th- thank you Sir Eric. Finally before I depart from this world make sure to give this to my family in canterlot now goodbye dear friend.” He levitated a small letter in front of me and with those final words general blitz departed this mortal realm for somewhere else. Catching the letter before it fell to the ground I stashed it in one of the inner pockets of the jacket. Looking down at the now deceased general I unsheathed his long sword and raised it up into the air as a sign of victory. Turning towards the pony army I shouted at the top of my voice “ Ponies of the solar empire your general died an honorable death but before he died he gave me his final wish to give this letter to his family in canterlot. I know that you ponies will not retreat so I tell you this write your letters home and place them in the forest behind you so that when the battle is over we may return the letters home. Once you are finished we will give you all a true soldier's death on the battlefield.” and with those words I sheathed the Long sword right next to my sabre, picked up Gauge and began my slow walk towards the trenches. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20 minutes later -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I stood in the front trench waiting for the ponies to finish up their letters home. A trumpet was heard across the battlefield as the ponies began to march slowly towards our line dooming themselves to our weapons. Sighing I hefted up gauge as her barrels started spinning just waiting for the moment to unleash death. Soldiers all around me raised their weapons in preparations for the sadly yet necessary slaughter. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3rd person The ponies marched towards their doom with fire in their eyes knowing that today they will die not from an accident or a disease but on the battlefield as soldiers of the solar empire so off they marched not caring that soon they will meet death for again they shall die a soldier's death. When the human artillery fired the ponies held their ground marching through the explosions as if they were never there even though many were ripped apart by the shrapnel. When the vehicles fired they still marched through the wall of lead not caring if they met their fate to man or machine. When the ponies closed in on the trenches most of them were dead but the remaining survivors charged the humans hoping for at least one kill but it was not so. The commander stood there in the front trench with a spinning gun ready to unleash tremendous firepower upon those who get close to the trench. Seeing the enemy come close he clicked the trigger spewing death to all those in his range. With the commander firing the rest of the humans fired along cutting down every last pony on the battlefield who charged at them. If anybody paid attention towards the forest they would have saw a human as pale as snow with hair as black of the night with a very peculiar necklace in the shape of a ankh with a small smile on it’s face. As the short battle concluded they disappeared as if they were never there to begin with. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pov Eric I walked among the battlefield looking at all the dead who had not but a mere hour ago had been living breathing thinking beings but under orders of no retreat they had no choice but to charge a heavily fortified line of defenses with no chances of surviving. Here I was the commander that had a hand in their deaths yet unlike the other ponies that I killed I felt regret for killing these one as they had no choice. Closing my eyes the only noise I heard was the cackling of the fires yet to be put out and the occasional mercy shot ringing out throughout the battlefield ending a tortured soul of their pain . After the “battle” concluded men searched the forests and brought back piles of letters all from the deceased which were loaded upon the Enterprise ready to be delivered upon our journey.Opening my eyes I turned around and began my trek towards HQ eager to return to our journey in the skies. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- One “short” walk later -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pushing the doors to the War room open I was surprised to see Ms.Do out of the bed looking at the map, the sound of the door must have startled her as she spun around so fast she nearly fell over. “Gah is the battle over that quickly, you were out there for barely a couple of hours?”She blurted out likely surprised that the battle was over that quickly. “Yes the battle was over that quickly sadly mostly because they had direct orders amounting to treason if they did not capture us so there was no survivors. Now Ms. Do I have a question for you seeing as you are up and about, in a couple of hours I embark once again on a grand journey across the world looking for unexplored land looking for lost treasures and tech, I Eric michael segura formally invite you to join my crew aboard the Enterprise.” I said to the surprised adventurer. “I will join only if you promise that any artifacts you recover go to a heavily defended vault for safekeeping,” The Adventure squinted her eyes when she said that. “Deal now come walk with me we have to find you a room on the Enterprise before all the good one are taken,” I beckoned with a wave of my hand as I made my way out of the room. Walking through the HQ must of seem strange to Daring as our technology is far above their own as we walked towards the other side of the HQ to the elevator leading towards the airship. Reaching our destination I pushed the only button there and luckily the doors open showing that the elevator was already at the bottom allowing daring and me to step on board. Pushing the up button I waited as the elevator made its way up the spire to the docking ramp humming all the way. Daring was probably looking at me strangely all the way up to when the doors opened. Stepping off the elevator our boots met solid steel of the spire with the enterprise located only a couple of feet away across a small gangplank. Walking forward across the gangplank into the cargo room I could see soldiers tieing down crates of supplies while the vehicle’s crew were doing last minute maintenance. Daring just stood in awe of the size of the room before shaking her head and began walking towards the elevators. “Wait a minute how does she know what elevators look like?” I thought briefly before catching up to her right before she pushed the button and the door opened. Walking inside I pushed the top floor button seeing as there was a number of empty rooms to choose from last time I checked. As we waited for the elevator to make it’s journey up I couldn’t help but hum again only to receive a elbow to the gut shutting me up. When the doors opened Daring just smirked and walked out with me just holding my gut as I stumbled out. Leading her to a empty room which was close to the helm she just had that smirk before entering the room while I just limped towards the helm still feeling the effect of her elbow to my gut. Pushing open the doors with my shoulder I set gauge down in the corner carefully before walking towards the Wheel ready for the journey ahead of us. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 50 minutes later. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It’s nearly been a hour as I have been waiting for the crew to board the ship I nearly fell asleep before the green lights started to pop up signaling the departments were ready. Increasing the pressure in the ballonets and pushing the speed lever forward I couldn't help but hum a very familiar tune as we made our way into the unknown. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mission 7 complete Briefing: 1.You made contact with the enemy army and defeated their general in a duel. 2.You have destroyed the enemy army to the last man (pony?). 3.Were off onto another adventure I wonder what we will find this time New companion unlocked: Daring Do > It's too freaking cold! > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mission 8 IT’S TOO FREAKING COLD Briefing: 1.I have no idea what we are supposed to do … maybe we should free somebody ? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pov Eric Date:[L+14] Time: ??:?? (I can’t see the freaking sun!) Location: somewhere near the crystal empire So after we left the base we headed north to well the frozen north hoping we could find more materials for the base plus you never know what you may find up there considering there’s only one city and a whole lot of unexplored land around it. Now I would love to be happy about adventuring but when we first got here a blizzard came in forcing us to land and secure the enterprise. That was a couple hours ago and the blizzard has yet to die out. So here I sat in my chair looking out of the frosted windows waiting for the blizzard to die out and in the meanwhile I would just sit here bundled in as many blankets as I can considering the cold is the natural enemy of the Texan hell anything less than seventy four degrees is too cold for me. Thankfully the heating system in the airship was still running or else we probably be all frozen like a popsicle stick. The guys down in R&D said that they are working on something to warm the place up hopefully they get it running soon as now even the multitude of blankets are not keeping me warm. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Some time later (the sun is still covered) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “I’m really starting to regret coming north now… why did we come north I’m a Texan I hate the cold maybe something is directing us to something. Hmm maybe it’s a god or maybe I'm in the middle of a story right now hell maybe it’s just another me somewhere in the vast multiverse writing my story right now… maybe it’s both who knows well then again maybe alternate me does… I talking to myself again aren't I… shit.” I sighed coming to the realization that I was talking to myself again for the …. Twentieth time now maybe I was just going crazy not knowing if it was night or day or maybe it’s just because I have way too much time on my hands just sitting here doing nothing. Deciding that I have to do something I got up from the chair shedding the cocoon of blankets only to start shivering from the cold. Shaking my head I walked out of the bridge down to the mess hall as I can’t remember the last time I actually ate anything except when we were in the forgotten lands and that was…. I don’t remember how long ago but I assume it was a while ago. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Okay seriously what the hell is the time I can't keep doing this *sigh* After quite some time -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I stepped into the mess hall which was empty save for a few soldiers here and there eating some of the preserved meat and some engineers working on something in the vents. Shrugging I grabbed some of the meat we saved during the great hunt and sat down in one of the empty seats. Taking a bite out of the semi-hard meat I let my mind wander. “I wonder, if we have technology that can shift time can we fiddle with it to emit a beam that can erase an object from time itself or … maybe we can use it to phase in and out of time reappearing where we want to be? There so much we can do now the only problem would be a power source, normal batteries just wouldn't do it, hell the battery from the exosuits still would not be enough. Maybe we could start research into a compact power source to power my idea. Wait a minute is it me or does this room finally feel normal?” I blinked as I could feel the change in temperatures from the frigid cold to bearably cold. Looking to the spot where the engineers were I saw them clapping and high fiving each other while the vents they were working on glowed with a orange tinge in fact I’m pretty sure I could see orange tinges down the hallway I came from. Getting up from my seat I pocketed the leftover meat and made my way back to the bridge in order to write down my ideas and who knows I may come up with something that could be built with our current technologies. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I need some coffee right now -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “-And done” I smiled as I looked at my handiwork, while I’m not the best at drawing the things my mind can make sometimes frighten myself. On the table in front of me stood a multitude of blueprints some weapons, some vehicles, some buildings , and lastly some technologies that could give our boys better fire power should we run into a opponent with similar levels of technologies. Among the blueprints stood a very peculiar tank it looked like a oversized M1a2 tank maybe around three times the normal size, with double the amount of armor, the turret was the most peculiar thing about it as a normal Abrams has only a single 120mm turret but this tank had twice the number of guns alongside a bigger turret to house them. On the top of the turret laid a 20mm auto cannon and a 50 caliber gun. This tank would be my command tank so that when we go into a dangerous battlefield I wouldn't have to be out in the open where I could be shot as easily. Gathering the miniature mountain of blueprints I rolled them up and place them in a bag that I had nearby and took of to the R&D department to see if any of my ideas could be built. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ...wait what day is it? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stepping into the department the first thing I noticed was that it was nice and warm I would say around 75 degrees Fahrenheit give or take a few degrees. The second thing was that there was no yelling looking around I could not spot anybody so I set down the bag on top of the engineers main table and walked out now curious if the heating effect warmed up the cargo ramp enough to open them. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ...what year is it? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stepping off the elevators I was alerted to the engineers attempts to free the cargo ramp by the telltale sound of groaning metal refusing to budge. At the very end of the cargo bay was multiple engineers trying to force the ramp to open and so far they are winning albeit very slowly. One of the engineers clearly had enough as he got into one of the more heavier vehicles in the area and without even a warning rammed the ramp. This had the desired effect as the ramp shot downwards until it hit the snow and had the undesirable effect as the vehicle shot out of the cargo bay until a loud crash was heard. The vehicle crew of that vehicle ran towards the crash though I'm not sure who were they more worried for the engineer or their vehicle. Shaking my head I ran out of the cargo bay but not before accepting one of the glowing machines from one of the engineers. When my boot landed outside I had to cover my eyes as they were not used to the bright sun. After a second I was finally able to force my eyes open and I was confused as to where we were. The airship landed in a large clearing in the middle of a frozen forest but the thing was that the map never showed any forests up north. Hearing yells thrown being thrown around like crazy I tried to find the source of noise, spotting the vehicle that the engineer crashed It looked like it got stuck after a tree fell on top of it. In front of the now crashed vehicle was the crew yelling at the engineer like there was no tomorrow. Looking at the forest I swore I saw a human figure but when I blinked it was gone. Bringing out my underused tablet I ordered the construction of a base here so that we can figure out where the hell are we would use the Enterprise to go farther north but with the threat of another blizzard I couldn’t risk it. Putting the tablet away I watched as the engineers started bring out supplies to start the beginning of the northern base. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mission 8 complete Briefing: 1.okay now that we're out of the metal coffin where are we? > Operation Cold Adversary > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mission 9 : Operation Cold Adversary Briefing: 1.Recon the surrounding area 2.(optional) find rare or unique resources 3.(optional) build the command tank 4.(optional) check up on Daring 5.(secret objective) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pov Eric [Audio Log #1] “It’s has been fourteen days since we have arrived and so much has happened since then. The liberation raids, the Pit, the nukes, all were my choices. It feels so weird to make my own orders It’s almost as if I want to have a senior officer telling me what to do.*sigh*Why am I even recording these logs? Maybe I just want my memories to be remembered in case of a worse case scenario and I am killed. Anyway the Enterprise has been grounded for hours now due to the blizzard outside and with the temperature inside rapidly dropping, the engineers are working on a way to try to fix this mess. I don’t want to say this but I have been having strange flashbacks to a war, the same war from act of aggression. It’s almost as if there was another me there and when I shifted dimensions I … took control of his body. This is what scares me the most, am I still me or am I a different person altogether?” Date: [L+14] Time: around 5:00 pm Location: Somewhere near the crystal empire Thankfully whatever the guys from R&D came up with was working as everywhere in the Enterprise felt like paradise at 75 degrees, and as extra they made these small little machines that project either a heating or cooling field around the wearer. The best thing about the little machine is that it's powered by a gravity assisted kinetic dynamo meaning all we have to do is move and it stays powered and considering we're in a tundra I think we're going to be moving a lot. On a different topic the engineers already have finished construction of the “base”, the base being only comprised of a defcon 3 HQ a couple of bunkers and a singular barracks. That brings us to where I am right at this moment sitting in the HQ looking at the reports that the initial scouts brought back, and so far everything was normal until I looked at the very final report. North of the base was a mountain that when the scouts well scouted they found an old mineshaft but that was not the weirdest part, the weirdest part was the machines scattered everywhere, machines that ran off of electricity. Placing the reports down I grabbed my tablet and ordered a convoy to be set up just outside of the base. This convoy will be comprised of four Humvees, two ACEE’s , one blazer , and one thunderbolt. The infantry will mainly be comprised of deltas, and marines with no stingers due to two reasons. Reason one is with the snow and the cold, it could throw off the tracking of the missile and number two is the fact that we are going inside of a mine, and unless this is the largest mine I've ever seen then the stinger won’t even be able get a proper lock. Placing the tablet down I grabbed my coat along with the still unnamed heating/cooling device and made my way outside to join the convoy. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- One uneventful ride later ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- With the Convoy reaching closer to the base of the mountain I could make out what once was a small outpost but was left deserted. The outpost itself wasn't all the impressive with a just a few buildings left standing next to a wide hole in the mountain. Spotting a ragged flag hanging off of one of the remaining buildings, Increasing the magnification on my cyber-eyes(™) I could see that the flag had some type of green and red eye with a black line going down the middle but the rest was too faded for me to see properly. With a sudden jolt I felt the convoy stop just outside of the outpost so I demagnified my eyes and opened the humvee door out into the tundra. With the machines keeping us warm we didn’t need to bring heavy coats limiting our mobility so the soldiers have already started making their way to the opening of the mine shaft with me not far behind. Not but a few moments later all of the infantry were gathered outside of the mine shaft which was glowing a multitude of colors. Shrugging I went first with the troops right behind me, thankfully some of the soldiers brought flashlights and flares incase whatever is making the light stops. Walking down the shaft the lights kept on getting brighter and brighter until it was almost blinding, luckily for me my cyber-eyes can dampen light so that no matter what I could see clearly. After a few more seconds the lights diminished and what I saw took my breath away. We had entered a gigantic cavern that had crystals everywhere and not of one color either, there was crystals of all colors but the one that interested me the most were these storm grey crystals that sparked as if they had electricity coursing through them. The other thing that caught my eye was all the abandoned mining equipment strew everywhere including some sort of generators that are still producing energy using said grey crystals. Noticing a hole near the mining equipment I walked over and peered down and if I was already stunned from the cavern we’re in than I would be floored from what I saw next. Down the hole was a huge underground ravine with even more crystals of all color along with the storm gray ones. One of the soldiers tried to grab one of the storm grey crystals but all he got for his efforts was a shock so powerful it sent him flying. Sighing I started to make my way back outside so that I could get the eggheads over here to test these crystals and since we're in a magical world these crystals may do something interesting like I don't know shock a soldier into flying a large distance along with burning him …. maybe I should bring the medics as well. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- One return trip later ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- After returning to the enterprise to bring the eggheads and some medics to the mine I had to return to the Ship in order to talk to the engineers about building the command tank, So here I sat In the R&D room waiting for the engineers to show up just sitting there totally wasn't bored or anything. Moments before I fell asleep in the chair a cough stirred me from my near slumber. Looking up I spotted a lone engineer standing there with a nervous expression.Standing up from my not so comfortable seat I was about to say something but was cut off as he made a hand motion to follow him. Deciding to humor him I followed him back down to the cargo bay/ Garage to see what he wanted to show me, when we finally reached the Carage (I don't know what else to call it) I could see that almost every single vehicle operators were all crowded around a … giant … tank …huh ... so that's what he wanted to show me. Stepping into the Carage and making my way towards my new command tank one of the operators must have saw me as the crowd parted like the red sea to Moses allowing my eyes to feast upon the tank. As it stood I could see clear changes to the design I submitted to engineering earlier today as the length of the vehicle was increased by a bit, and the barrels seemed too big to be 120 mm, maybe around 150 mm and were glowing a soft blue, and the final thing I noticed was the small Bulbs on the back of the turret which by my guess are the anti-missile and aircraft lasers. Jumping and grabbing the edge of the tank I pulled myself up onto the top of the it before standing up. Opening one of the hatches I dropped down into the tank and the first thing I noticed was that it was not cramped at all, in fact there was actual leg room which is a rarity among most tanks. Looking at where I landed and what I know about tanks I could safely assume that I'm in the commander’s seat but several things were out of place. First were the screens in front of me which were off at the moment, Secondly were the series of buttons right below the screens each of them being label such as the button that says “POWER” in bright bold letters. Pressing the button I heard a humming noise from the engine compartment before it quieted down and the screens in front of me powered up showing multiple things such as what's in front of the tank at the moment, a map of the area showing where all the other soldiers were, and the status of the tank at the moment along with some other less important screens. Looking back at the screen that shows what's in front of the tank I saw that all the operators had already cleared the area probably from the noise of the engine (or whatever is powering this thing) starting up. Pushing on the map on a area just outside of the airship I was surprised when the tank lurched forward on its own driving until it reached the marked area on the map. Pushing again on the map on a area just outside the base the tank again lurched forward this time though I was ready for it and braced myself properly. Continuing with my practice of the tank I soon came upon a Hole in the ground somewhere south of the base, pushing a button labelled stop I waited for the tank to “brake”(do tanks even have brakes?) before opening the top hatch once again this time to climb out of the tank. Dropping down into the snow I walked warily towards the hole but when nothing jumped out of the hole which to me looked more like a small cave than just a hole. Looking down the slight decline I swore I could see a slight metallic sheen just barely out of my line of sight. Taking a breath I started walking slowly down the incline trying my hardest not to lose balance and fall down like jack and jill in the old nursery rhymes. Reaching the bottom safely I could now see what was down here and to my surprise yet again I found what according to my memory were several UD-4L Cheyenne dropships sitting there with heavy damage to the fuselage from what appears to be a crash. Walking around to the backside of the dropships I spotted the ramps open, seeing an opportunity I walked up one of the ramps only to find a cargo hold full of dead soldiers. Spying a rifle on the ground I grabbed it and looked it over seeing if there was any major damage and much to my enjoyment there was no major damage mostly just dents and scratches on the body of the gun. Slinging the gun over my shoulder I Made my way back up to radio the base that we need a salvage team to salvage these dropships and weapons and armor they were carrying. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- One salvage and mining team later ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Apparently whatever those dropships were carrying must've been heavy as the salvage teams needed to bring in heavy duty vehicles just to pull the dropships out. Thankfully though we were able to get the dropships out but I had to return to the enterprise as the second wave of scouts were finishing up their report. Parking the command tank in the newly designated command tank position in the enterprise, I shut down whatever is powering the tank before jumping out and began my trek back to the bridge/command room. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Why can't we have teleportation yet. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stepping into the bridge I could see a stack of folders aligned neatly on my desk I walked over and picked up the first one I saw which happened to be labeled extremely important.Opening up the folder I looked at the pictures first and saw some type of transparent dome covering a city and a close up picture showed that the city belonged to the Solar empire while another shot showed Solar Empire troops dragging what appeared to be crystal stallions of to trains. Setting the folder down I had to think for a moment what they must be doing before it hit me, they were conscripting the stallions to the guard because of the constant string of defeats they must be nearing the end to their manpower(stallion power?) and must make up for it by conscription. Walking towards the table and booted it up. Opening a new file I titled it “OPERATION COLD ADVERSARY” smiling I set about designing a plan to free the city from the clutches of the Solar Empire. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mission 9 Complete Briefing: 1.scouted the area around the base and have discovered both a abandoned mine and a city. 2. The mine is full of unique resources and the egg heads can't wait to test the new stuff out 3. The New command tank should protect you from almost anything 4. [OBJECTIVE FAILED] 5. You have discovered several crashed dropships and the loot they contain within > The Siege > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mission 10: The “Siege” Briefing: 1.Free the city 2.Eliminate or capture all Solar Empire soldiers --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pov : 3rd person Date: [L+15] Time: 9:00 am Location: Outside the Crystal Empire <> <> <> <> <> <> <> And so it went on and on as squads sounded off until five minutes have passed. <