> Fall(out) of Equestria > by Winter Eclipse > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Prologue > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I have never been accused of being the sharpest tool in the shed, but sometimes, even I know I'm stupid. Like for instance the situation I currently find myself in. To my left is a contingent of Brotherhood of Steel. To my right is a group of Gunners and directly in front of me is some Institute remnants and all three have one goal...my head on a silver platter. "How the hell do I get myself into these situations" I muttered out loud. It has been three years since I took out the leadership and a majority of the three groups and I guess they have joined together to get revenge on me. The old enemy of my enemy is my friend deal I guess. Oh well, my armour is going to take a pounding on this one. "Whelp, who goes first" I asked pulling out my combat shotgun with the explosive effect. Two hours, five hundred shells, twenty stimpacks and four fusion cores later, I finally trudged back to my main base of operations which was a old Red Rocket truck stop. Of course, my armour was shredded all to hell and to add salt to the wound, Dogmeat was sitting with a look on his muzzle that said 'I'm glad I stayed at home.' This is the one time that the mutt was smarter than me. "Go bother Des. She probably could use the help tracking some synths." With a bark he took off. I wasn't pulling as many Railroad missions as I used to, but it was discovered that Dogmeat could track the gen three synths that was still loyal to the Institute. Climbing out of my armour, I stored my gear and crashed, hard onto my bed. I need a vacation I thought to myselfbefore sleep took me, but right before I slipped away, I noticed a blue glow surrounding me. I've had lucid dreams before, maybe once or twice, but what I was experiencing at that moment...was strange. I wasn't dreaming, it was more memories than anything. My memories of the combat I've seen over my lifetime and the strangest thing was, something was watching. It looked like a blue pony I would say. I mean, it was horse shaped, but it wasn't as big as one and I've never seen a horse with wings and a horn. Plus, it's mane and tail looked like the night sky and was moving on their own. It took a moment for my brain to kick in, but I realized what it was. "A alicorn?" I must have said it aloud because it's left ear turned my way before said alicorn turned it's head my way and smiled. "Greetings, my name is Princess Luna. I have come to your world to ask you for your help to save mine." I stood there in dumbfounded silence as I tried to process what I just heard. For one, the alicorn could speak and two, it was female by its voice. "Okay, either I was more exhausted from that fight than I thought or someone slipped me some chems." Smiling lightly, the alicorn spoke again. "I shall assure you that I am very real." Turning back to my memories, she watched for a few minutes before speaking again. "You seem to have a talent for winning battles against impossible odds" she stated as the Battle of Anchorage ayed out in front of her. "Lucky I guess" I answered as I walked up and stood next to her. "Why do you need my help? What makes me so special?" Smiling again, she looked at me with a knowing expression on her muzzle. "You fight for others and have never asked for anything in return. When you was searching for your son, you was not doing it for your selfish reasons. You did it to protect him from the world you found yourselves in. When you fought for your country, you did it to protect others as all true warriors do. Not for personal gain, but out of a true want to keep the horrors of war from those that could not protect themselves." I couldn't believe that this mystical creature had me pegged so well by just watching so little of my past. After all of that, she defiantly had my attention. "Alright, you have my attention. What is it that I could possibly help you with your Highness?" "Please" she started while blushing. "Just call me Luna." She shuffled her hooves a few times before sighing and began to speak again. "My kingdom was a peaceful land ruled by myself and my older sister. I, as you know am Princess Luna, Princess of the Night and Goddess of the Moon. My sister Celestia was Princess of the Day and Goddess of the Sun or she was until she was killed trying to protect our subjects from harm." She had trailed off on the last part and i could plainly see the pain she was in. Not knowing what else to do, I wrapped my arms around her neck to try and comfort her. After five minutes or so she rubbed her eyes with a foreleg and whispered a "thank you" before she continued. "Anyway, my kingdom was invaded by a race native to the far west called the Caribou. Their sole purpose is to subjugate the female population and turn them into sex slaves. As of now, they control three-quarters of Equestria and the rest will fall before too long." That made no sense to me. I could understand if a invasion was done for resources or political reasons, but slaves? "Why? That's not a real reason to invade a country?" "It was for Dannin and his ilk. Equestrias population is eighty-five percent female and since the reverse is true for caribou, they wanted the mares of Equestria for sex slaves and breeding." I won't lie, I started to see red right then. That was all kinds if wrong in my view and I wasn't going to let it continue. "Where are you right now?" She blushed again and hoofed the ground before answering. "I am currently on the roof of your home." "Did you do something to bring us to wherever we are?" She nodded in answer still looking at the ground. I was bound and determined to help her and her home. No one should go through that kind of hell. "Good. Wake me up, I need to prepare for war." She looked up sharply with a hopeful expression crossing her features. "Does this mean..." "That I'll help you?" She nodded in answer. "Then yes I will and those fuckers will know what hell on Earth will be." > Tactical briefing > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- X0-1 Power Armor Mk. VI Arms: Optimized Bracers Legs: Overdriven Servos Torso: Motion-assist Servos Helmet: Targeting HUD and Bright Headlamp Material mod: Prism Shielding all parts 135 Fusion Cores Armor Rating: 1980 Energy Resistance: 1740 Radiation Resistance: 1050 Primary Weapons Overseers Guardian: All Mods available Explosive Combat Shotgun: All Mods available Super Sledge: Stun Pack 20,000 Rounds for each firearm Apparel Main: Grognak Costume Arms: Weighted Polymer Combat Armor Legs: Custom Fitted Polymer Combat Armor Head: Military Cap and Wraparound Goggles Armor Total: 185 Energy Resistance: 143 Radiation Resistance: 15 Stimpacks: 500 Strength: 13 Perception: 5 Endurance: 7 Charisma: 6 Intelligence: 6 Agility: 5 Luck: 4 Perks Toughness: Max Big Leagues: Max Commando: 2 Armorer: Max Life Giver: Max Lone Wanderer: Max Gun Nut: Max Bloody Mess: Max Blacksmith: Max Locksmith: 3 Hacker: 3 Aquaboy: 1 Strong Back: Max Local Leader: 1 Science!: Max Steady Aim: 1 Rooted: 2 Astoundingly Awesome: 8 Covert Operations: 7 Junktown Vendor: 2 Live & Love: 2 Massachusetts Surgery: 2 Tesla Science: 6 Tumblers Today: 3 Unstoppable: 3 Wasteland Survival: 2 > Chapter 3 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Waking up I walked outside into the predawn light and looked towards the roof. "You can come down Luna. There's no need to stay up there." A moment later I watched the Princess step to the edge and spread her wings. Beautiful, I thought to myself as she landed gracefully in front of me. Folding her wings up, she smiled and bowed her head. "Thank you for agreeing to help me and my little ponies. We would be lost without some type of outside aid." "It's not a problem Princess. I cannot sit around with a clear conscience knowing that innocents are being killed or enslaved. Even though that happens here, it's not the problem it used to be with groups like the Minutemen around." "Still, it is a rare quality that you possess. The want to help others at your own expense and for that as I said before anything you ask for as a reward, if it is in my power to grant shall be yours." I nodded then stood there gazing at her. I said beautiful in my mind a moment ago, but I don't honestly think that does her justice. Despite being equine and thus not human, I didn't see her as just a animal. If she was human I would dare say she would be one of, if not the most beautiful woman I had ever seen, but still she was beautiful in her own right. Nodding I turned and looked out upon the desolate landscape that surrounded us. "Would I be able to return once I'm done if I survive?" I watched a quick flash of sadness cross her features before she answered. "Yes. I would never ask this of somepony without the ability to return them to their home. But I do not..." "That's good to know" I interrupted her. "Because that's what I want. Live or die, i never want to see this place again. I have nothing to hold me here." She looked shocked and....happy? "As a you wish." Pausing for a moment she asked about my dog. "He'll be alright. Desdimona and the others will care for him. Now, how long do I have to prepare?" "Three days is all I can give you to gather what you need" I got for a answer. "I won't need that long. I have everything right here. I just need a day to repair my armor." Looking back to her, I motioned to follow me. "I don't really have a lot to entertain a guest, but your welcome to it." Luna stayed at my side while I repaired the X0-1 and asked my about what I would carry with me. After a few hours and some banter about what to expect I decided to take a short break. When I was getting something to drink I thought about something. "Luna? Is there a way you could show me what the situation is on a map?" She thought for a moment before nodding and began to dig around in her saddlebags. A minute or two later she found what she was digging for and layed a rolled up piece of paper on the table next to us. Unrolling it showed that it was a map of Equestria I presumed. "The only parts of Equestria that the Caribou haven't conquered yet is here" she said showing me on the map which is colored blue to show what they still have while the rest was in red. I whistled looking at it. "I assume this is the battle lines" I asked drawing a line from a city names Van Hoover just east of another called Canterlot and south just east again of a small city called Dodge City. "That is correct. They control everything from the Crystal Empire. It was the first to fall." Damn I thought. They had their backs to the wall almost. "If Canterlot falls, all is lost" she said in a saddened tone. "Troop numbers?" "Caribou forces number around one hundred and twenty-five thousand plus about thirty thousand ponies that they corrupted with the help of their foul magic." I cocked a eyebrow at that. "How did they do that?" "Dannin, the Caribou King, somehow corrupted and twisted the Crystal Heart to do his bidding. It brings out the lust in a pony and makes them subservient to the Caribou. For mares, it makes them want to breed all the time. For stallions, it brings out the worst in them. The want to rape and breed any female they can find." The more I heard about these Caribou the more I wanted to introduce them to my hammer. "What is your troop strength?" "Barely thirty thousand. Before the invasion, the Equestrian Army only numbered sixty-five thousand. So, half of my army is under Caribou control." Motherfucker, this is almost a no win situation was what came to mind. "Your battle lines are stretched so thin that they are almost nonexistent." "They are" she said folding her ears flat to her head. "Any break out along the line would be catastrophic." "Why hasn't that happened yet.?" "Because of Cloudsdale. The pegasi took it upon themselves to try and buy the rest of Equestria as much time as they could before they fell. Nearly all of the pegasi and half of the thestrals left in the army are using it as a moble base to strike from." "Got to admire them for that" I said in admiration while Luna nodded. "How long can they do that." "The last communication we received from them was about two weeks and that was ten days ago." I grunted in acknowledgment still looking at the map thinking. I had a idea or two, but they would need time and I needed away to buy more of it. I needed to know the Caribou battle tactics. "What is the Caribou order of battle? When and how do they determine where to strike?" "Wherever there is a large consitration of ponies, they arrive and attack with the intent of subduing them until the Crystal Heart can be brought to corrupt those captured." "How many would entice them to attack?" "Any number over five thousand? Why do you ask?" "Because you need more time to study something I'm bringing with me to help and I need to thin the herd some so to speak" I said smiling. > Chapter 4 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I had finished repairs on my armor and was gathering what supplies I was taking with me when a question popped into my head. "Luna, I just thought of something. You said that they can corrupt ponies with the Crystal Heart correct?" "Yes" she answered slightly confused. "Is there any way to...save them from that? To purify them if you will." "Sadly there is not a way we have found to remove the corruption" she said, sadness showing in her eyes. "Once corrupted, there is no hope for them." "So they can't be saved then?" When she nodded her head in agreement, I shook mine. "What are my ROE?" That got me a confused look from her. "My rules of engagement. They are rules specifying what I can and cannot do in battle against the enemy and other situations. I need to know so that I can plan a offensive. I could apply the ones I know, but if you have something specific that you would like to add, please do." "The only one I would add is that any pony not corrupted that you find is to be protected and brought to safety." "As you wish Princess" I said bowing to her. "Please. That is not necessary. You are helping us by your own free will and I would never ask that of you." "Of course, Luna." Turning from her I walked outside to my waiting armor and activated it allowing me to climb inside then closed it. After the boot up process was done, I turned back to her and watched awe cross her features. I guess that'll happen when someone sees a half a ton of functional power armor for the first time. Turning to the side, I made my way to the trailer that I had built and packed for the trip. It held everything I thought I might need from ammo to repair parts for my weapons and armor. It also held something that should never be allowed in their world, but I felt was necessary. One Mk. Eighty-two nuclear gravity bomb. Yield: Thirty megatons. May the gods have mercy on me for bringing it. Grabbing the tongue of the trailer, I looked to Luna and nodded. "I'm ready. Let's go save your ponies." Canterlot Castle 9:42 A.M. Throne Room Standing next to the Throne of Equestria was two of the Guards best. One was Sergeant Gilded Shield and the other was Lieutenant Shadow Leaf. Both were from Equestria's elite Storm Battalion. The best of the best. One was a unicorn who was considered to have the strongest shield spells in Equestria since Shining Armour was no longer available and the other was considered to be one of the best Thestral warriors ever produced. Most would have thought that the elite unit would be on the front lines, but their orders was to defend something or it should be said someponies far more important. The Princesses of Equestria and the Elements of Harmony. Sergeant Shield was almost to the point of losing his mind. It was one thing to guard one of the princesses, but to have to listen to a bunch of whiny nobles too? It was almost too bucking much. 'I'd rather be on the front lines right now' the combat veteran thought. Just about the time he was considering taking his spear and running it through the current whiner, Princess Twilight perked up and ordered the throne room to be cleared. With practiced efficiency the guards cleared all of the complaining nobles out and locked the doors. Just about the time he was going to ask what was going on a portal started forming in the center of the room. Looking towards the princess, he didn't see any concern so it was something she expected. As soon as the portal was formed Princess Luna came galloping through with a giant cart carried behind her in a levitation spell. The second she moved to the side a giant metal thing was thrown through, impacting the wall and leaving a giant hole to show it's passage. "FORM RANKS! PREPARE TO REPEL AN INTRUDER!" Hearing Princess Luna shout the order. At first he believed that it was the thing that left the hole, but a creatures roar behind him clued him in on what they was to stop. What he witnessed would haunt him for the rest of his days. It had to be twenty hooves tall and looked like a deformed dragon. With another roar it started to attack the guards in front of it and in one swipe of its claws killed at least five. "How do we kill this thing" he heard Lieutenant Shadow Leaf ask the Princess. "I don't know, but it's called a Deathclaw and it's one of the most dangerous creatures from that world." "Well who does kn...." Before the Lieutenant could finish his question, Gilded heard the rubble move and the metal thing stood up. It's focus was on the creature and watched as it pulled the largest hammer he had ever seen out of nowhere. What it did next was also surprising. "LUNA! GET YOUR GUARDS BACK. I'VE GOT THIS BASTARD!" Wanderer's PvP When I finally got my armor to boot back up and standing, I was sickened at the sight before me. The deathclaw had tossed me like a damn football and followed us through the portal. I could see at least five dead ponies lying at its feet. That pissed me off. Pulling out my super sledge, I activated the external speakers and did what I do best. Give orders. "LUNA! GET YOUR GUARDS BACK. I'VE GOT THIS BASTARD!" When they moved I charged. Swinging when I was in range, I heard the loud crack of it's right knee shatter. Roaring out it tried to turn, but I had got behind it and swung at its left knee and got another loud crack as it shattered too. Now immobilized, I cranked up the stun mod on my hammer to maximum. Using both hands I put as much as I could into a swing at its spine right in the middle of it's back. A sharp report sounded off as its spine exploded and the deathclaw fell dead. Dropping my hammer, I grabbed the tail and heaved the deathclaw back through the portal with some parting words. "You've tried to kill me for three fucking years now and you FUCKED UP ON YOUR LAST SHOT! May I never see the Commonwealth again." I took one last look before turning to Luna and nodded. She closed her eyes and I watched as she closed the portal. When it closed and winked out, I hit the eject button to open my armor and climbed down. Taking a step or two away I fell to a knee. Adrenaline is a good thing in a fight, but a total bitch afterwards. "Winter? Are you okay?" Looking into Luna's blue eyes, I could see her concern for me radiating from them. "I'm okay, Luna. It's just the aftermath of that trip and the short fight." Standing up, I looked around before turning back and asking her where we were. "We are currently in the throne room of Canterlot Castle. Welcome to Equestria" she said smirking. > Chapter 5 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I just smiled at her before I stood up and looked around. "Thank you Luna and sorry about your guards. I didn't think a deathclaw would be there. I had never seen one that close to the area" I commented wondering why one was that close. "They will be buried with all honors and mourned. They give their lives willingly to protect my little ponies, the least I can do is provide for the families left behind." Nodding, I stood up to my full height and stretched before reentering the armor. "Where do you want me to settle in at" I asked. My voice echoing slightly from the external speakers. "Would you like a room in the castle or in the barracks?" "In the castle would be fine. I just need someplace secure thats close by to store my gear." "I can arrange something Winter." About an hour later I had settled in and was checking over the vault Luna had arranged for me to use. I was satisfied that no one could get to the nuke and deemed it safe until I needed it. Luckily my room was only three minutes from said vault, so I was close enough if I needed anything. After securing my armor and other gear in my room, I decided to explore a bit before dinner. The castle was a marvel of design and beauty. I don't think anything from before the war could compare to it and I told Luna so when I met back up with her. "I don't think I've ever seen any building as amazing as your home Luna. Even before the war, I can't think of anything that could compare from Earth." "Thank you Winter, but Celestia is the one who designed the castle." She grew quiet afterwards and it bothered me for some reason. "I would think she would be proud of her sister for holding everything together. As long as you keep her alive right here" I said pointing to my heart "she will live on." She graced me with a smile before moving on. As we walked along, I started planning what I would do to save this world. ------------------------------------------------------------- Dinner had been a upbeat affair I would say. Both of the other princesses asked me a lot of questions, especially from Twilight Sparkle. Finally after an hour of endless questions Luna asked that I be allowed to retire for the evening since I needed to rest. Giving her a grateful smile I returned to my room to begin laying the foundation of my plan to save Equestria's future. The first thing I believe I needed to do was see if they had the manufacturing know how to build ammunition for my weapons. Even though I had ammo out the ying-yang, I wanted to have a steady supply, plus I was interested to see if they could develop something that lasted longer that power cells. I had wandered onto the balcony enjoying the night when I addressed the presence that was behind me. "This is the first time I've seen the night sky in over two hundred years and its absolutely beautiful" I said grinning before I turned to look at Luna. She was stunned that I knew she was there. "H...how?" "I'm a soldier and to survive in the Commonwealth requires sharp senses. Plus, you smell of lavender and vanilla." I watched a blush creep up her neck and the only thing I could think was that it made her adorable. "So, why the drop in?" "I noticed you standing here and was curious. You act like you haven't seen the night sky in a long time." I looked back to the heavens before I answered her. "I haven't. The Commonwealth never had clear skies and it's been over two hundred years since I've seen the stars." I watched as she got goggle eyed from my explanation. "H....how is that possible?! I thought humans couldn't live that long?" "They can't, but I was in cryo sleep from the day the bombs fell that wiped out my world until a little over three years ago. I was frozen for ruffly two hundred and fifteen years. I'm biologically in my thirties, but chronologically I'm almost two hundred and fifty." She was quiet for a moment before looking back at me. "How have you dealt with all that's happened to you. Most beings would have gone insane or.....killed themselves by now?" I sighed and looked at the sky again before answering. "It hasn't been easy. One minute I'm enjoying my life as it was then the next I'm fighting for it in a world I no longer knew. When I first woke up, my need to find my son drove me and because of that I didn't have time to really think about my situation. Then after finding him and seeing what his plans was for the world, I in good conscious couldn't let that happen. After all of the fighting I've done for the last three years, your proposal was like a god send. Otherwise, I believe I would have lost myself sooner or later and for that I thank you." I turned and bowed to Luna to show my gratitude. "You do not need to bow to me Winter and I will never expect you to. Your willingness to come and help my kingdom means more to me than you could ever know." > Chapter 6 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I woke up feeling like a new man. Its amazing what a hot shower and a nice bed can do for your rest, but I also could truly relax too. Living in the wasteland puts you on edge 24/7, so a person could never really sleep. Getting up and throwing some clothes on, I walked out of my room to find two guards standing on either side of my door. "Uh? Morning?" I asked with some confusion. Did I do something to warrant door guards? "Good morning, Sir" both parroted. Ok, a mare and a stallion. "Is there a reason the two of you are standing outside my door?" "We have been assigned as liaisons to you. Princess Luna felt it was prudent until you can navigate the castle by yourself." "Understandable." I looked down at my Pipboy and flipped to the map. Tapping it once changed it to the local map and I could see that it was recording what it needed as it built a layout of the area. "Ok, so where to first?" "She wished for you to join her for breakfast after you had woken up." "Best not keep her waiting then, after you" I motioned for them to move ahead and followed. Walking along, I made mental notes on what needed to be changed or augmented with the castle to make it a last bastion in a worse case scenario. When my guides announced that we had arrived at my destination, I bid them good morning and entered. Walking into the room, I was surprised to see six more ponies besides the three I already knew. "Good morning Winter. How did you sleep" Luna asked me with a smile. "Like the dead. I haven't slept like that in over two hundred years." I paused a moment reflecting on what I had said. "Huh, it was also the first time in that long that I've slept in a proper bed too." Hearing a gasp from the Twilight Sparkle, I just knew a question was coming. "Are you immortal?" Yep, there it was. "No, I'm not Princess. Right before my world was destroyed in nuclear armageddon, I was cryogenically frozen for over two hundred years. I was 'thawed out' so to speak a little over three years ago" I answered. She had a confused look on her muzzle. "Why would you willingly go through that?" "I didn't. The government had a secret project running in the vaults that no one knew of. Most was used as test bed for various different experiments such as how some would react to different drugs or if you used subliminal messages in music. Not all was involved in the project, but a vast majority was." The looks I got ranged from surprised to horror. "How could they do that?" "Its the government. They can do pretty much whatever they want" I answered looking at a white unicorn with a purple mane and tail. "But, that's beside the point. If possible, I would like to talk to a couple of your commanders so I can get as clear a picture as possible so I can come up with a way to end this war." I stated looking at the ruling princess. "I will set a meeting up as soon as I can Winter. If I need to, i will call them back to Canterlot to speak to you." "Please dont do that Luna." I said shaking my head. "If the enemy sees a commander called back from the front, it could become a opportunistic advantage for them to take and attack. If they are on a short leave or have been rotated back from the front lines will work." Nodding her ascent, we went back to breakfast before I believe it was Princess Cadence asked me something. "How will you end this war Winter?" "I dont know yet Princess, but I believe it will end with the complete annihilation of the Caribou. With what I understand of the situation though" I stopped for a moment and thought of the nuke I had with me. "I see no alternative or middle ground. They probably will not stop with just Equestria and I see no reason to allow them to live." Looks of shock ran the length of the table and i could not blame them. They are a peaceful race and for someone to think of such a thing? "I've lost one home, I'll not lose another" I declared with conviction. > Chapter 7 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- As promised, I was speaking to a pair of Luna's most knowledgeable commanders. A unicorn mare by the name of Blizzard Shield and a earth pony stallion that goes by Rock Crawler. "So the lines have been static for a month now" I asked raising a eyebrow. Blizzard nodded her head. "Yes. We don't know why yet, but for two months they kept the pressure up and then stopped in the middle of their offensive for some reason." I rubbed my chin with a hand while looking at the map until a question came to mind. "How long does it take them to corrupt a pony with the heart or whatever it is?" "It varies" Rock answered. "We've seen thirty minutes to two hours." He looked at the map for a moment. "They're consolidating. They conquered so much territory so fast that they needed time to corrupt everypony." "That's what I was thinking. They have to do it one by one or can they do a mass corruption?" "Pony by pony" Blizzard answered. Looking at the map I started thinking about the first offensive I would take. "Are they scattered out or did they move everyone to a single location?" "A single location, Neighagra Falls." Blizzard answered pointing it out on the map. "Its the most centralized point of the land they've conquered so far." Nodding, I looked at the surrounding area before another question popped in my mind. "What about the little ones" I asked, then I paled when I thought about it. Before I could continue down that road, Rock answered. "They don't do that" he said quickly. "Luckily the Caribou have some morals, they load them up in wagons and bring them to the lines." "That doesn't really make any sense. They'll have to deal with the foals again if they conquer the rest of Equestria" said Blizzard. "It makes perfect sense" I said. "It puts a drain on what I'm assuming is already limited resources, correct?" Both nodded at my question. Continuing to look at the map a plan was starting to form, but I needed intel on their forces placement. "I've got an idea, but I need two pieces of intel. First, is two fold, at the Neighagra location. One, where they are keeping the captives and how many troops they have there and two where they are being held. The second is total forces they have from here to here" I said drawing a line from Canterlot to a point due north. "The Van Hoover area to this line. How many and what types. I need that to fill out my plan." Blizzard looked up from her notes and spoke. "Getting the troop numbers shouldn't be too hard, but the intel on Neighagra Falls will take a little time. We dont have anypony in the area right now and we need to be careful getting hooves on the ground there." "How long" I asked. "Three days on the troop numbers" Rock answered looking at Blizzard" and about a week I would say on the Neighagra location." Nodding myself, I looked at the map again. "If you have to take a little longer on the Neighagra intel thats fine. I'd rather have your personnel make it back here than get captured. So, in say a week the three of us meet back here unless I'm informed otherwise, right" I asked looking at the other two. When I got nods of confirmation, I turned and walked out. My handlers, so to speak, was waiting outside in the hall when I walked out. Looking down in thought for a moment, I turned my head to address one of them. "I need to grab a few things from my vault, then I need to talk to Luna." Nodding, both led me to the vault where I powered up my armor after making sure the jet pack was attached and grabbed a extra power core. I got some amusement when I walked back out in the armor from the looks on their muzzles. "I guess neither of you was on duty when I made my grad entrance was you?" When I got two confirming nods I had to chuckle. "Well, now you know how that giant hole was made in the wall." Both stood there for a moment before the mare spoke up. "That was you?" "Yep. Even though all together this suit weighs half a ton, there are a few things that can still toss it around and I just so happened to get rammed by a deathclaw hard enough to knock me through the wall. Anyway, let's go see the Princess. I've got some ideas on how to improve y'alls military and I need to see if they can be used." > Chapter 8 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Watching Luna circle the frame, I had to chuckle. The look of wonder expressed in her eyes was adorable. "This is the base of your armor?" "Yes. Without the frame, the armor would be useless. I had thought of letting you study my weapons to build your own variants, but after some thought on it, I came to realize letting you build your own version of power armor would be better in the long run for one reason." "And that is" she asked raising a eyebrow. "A weapon can be captured and turned on the one who built it. If the operator of a set of power armor is incapacitated or killed, it can be set to self destruct so that it can't be used against the builder." "What would be left of the operator and the armor" Luna asked. "Not much" I said sighing. "And I would take out anything in a 50 foot radius. Its basically a mini nuke fail safe so that it can't be used against you or reverse engineered by the enemy. It'll also blow if the power core is compromised. I personally watched one of my friends charge enemy lines after his core was damaged. He knew he wouldn't make it out of the armor in time so he wanted to take as many of them out with him as he could." Luna looked at me when I said that. "Was his sacrifice in vain?" "No" I whispered thinking of Ron who was one of my oldest friends. "His actions was the reason we won the battle. His sacrifice also led to advancements in making the next series of armor more durable and lessened the fail rate of the power cores, which is the next item I need studied" I said to her pulling a pc out. "What are we to do with it" she asked studying the core. "First off is to see if your people can replicate it and secondly to see if it can be improved upon. More specifically to see if the charge can last longer and the casings more durable. They don't have the fail rate of the first generation, but they still can't take the abuse that the military originally wanted." Nodding, she continued her study of the core before looking back at me. "I shall ask Twilight to look into the core issue since she has built something similar in the past, as far as the armor" she paused walking back to it. "This will prove to be a little more difficult." I watched her as she moved and I won't lie, Luna has one nice ass. No sooner than I thought that the gears in my head ground to a halt. 'Did I just think that' I said to myself. Yes I did and the storm of thoughts running in my mind was frightening and confusing at the same time, but one came to the forefront. She may not be human, but she is still one of the most beautiful beings I've ever seen and she is probably smarter than me. Would it matter if she was a different species? In the end it wouldn't because I had chosen to stay here and sooner or later I would want a companion of some kind. I must have been deep in my thoughts for I felt a hoof on my thigh and Luna's voice cut through my racing thoughts. "Winter? Winter are you okay?" When I came back to the world, I had a set of blue eyes looking at me with concern. A thought came to me in an instant. What would I give to have those eyes looking into mine with something approaching love. I smiled before I answered. "Sorry, Princess. I was caught up in my thoughts for a minute." "What had you so deep in thought my friend? Is it something you can share with me?" Her own smile was radiant and I had another thought. She's a Princess. Why would she even consider a broken down soldier like me when she probably had a suitor or two. "Just thinking of my future after I win this war for you." She looked at me curiously for a moment. "Do you not mean if this war is won?" "Nope" I stated before I gave her the most serious look of conviction I could. "When. I will end this war in your favor. I promise you that Dannin die so that no one else will have to live through what he has done already." Seeing that I meant what I said, Luna smiled and bowed her head slightly before stepping closer to whisper in my ear. "Then I shall make sure that my chosen knight has a bright and happy future afterwards." > Chapter 9 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It's amazing what ponies can do with magic. Not quite a week after I gave Luna the power core and armor frame, they had presented me with a core to test, so I figured I'd give the ponies a demonstration of what my power armor could do and asked Luna if she could set up a obstacle course for me to run after I told her my plan. Agreeing, she started on a course she believed would test me to my limits. The first run was going to use one of my pc's for a baseline. Looking over the course Luna had designed, I could see that she understood what the armor was for, strength and protection of the operator. She did have elements included that would test the agility of the armor for which I was happy about. As I checked over the suit, I watched a stand fill with military and civilian personnel that I guess Luna had invited to witness what I was capable of with my armor. "Putting me on display Princess?" "No" she started to say with me grinning in amusement as a blush started forming on her muzzle. "I felt that my ponies should see the reason we are developing our own version of your armor." "Makes sense, they need to see what they will be capable of once your own versions begin to arrive. I'll have to come up with a training regiment for your troops that get armor as well." I paused a moment. "Now that I think of it, have you determined who gets a set of power armor?" "Yes" she began before pointing out a particular group. "I believe the Storm Battalion will be the ones to receive the new armor. They are the best of my guards and would be the most suitable for the role because of their training." "Okay." Something came mind then. "Not to sound racist or anything, but earth ponies probably would be your best bet. The armor would be too heavy for your fliers and I don't know how the armor would react to magic." "We have thought of that Winter" Luna said to me smiling. "The pegasi and thestral versions will be made as light as possible and enchanted to lessen weight while the unicorn armor will have crystals and enchantments that will prevent a unicorn's magic from interfering with it's operation." "Let me guess, Twilight" I asked with a smirk as I finished my check over on my armor. In my short time in knowing her, I've come to realize that she is a very inquisitive and intelligent mare. When I looked back at Luna I couldn't help but notice she was sporting a smirk of her own. "Of course it was Twilight. Who else could it be." "I've met some very inquisitive people in my time, but that mare takes the cake. I believe that the intelligence she has could rival or exceed some of the most brilliant scientists that humanity eve had." "That may be, but she has her faults." "The most brilliant of us all have quirks, Luna. Understanding and accepting them is our job, otherwise, we lose someone who could have changed the tide of history." She smiled at me before nodding her head. "Your right of course." Looking back to the stands for the spectators she sighed. "Are you ready Winter, it's almost time." ---------------------------------------- "Well Rock, what do you think" I asked the pony as he climbed out of the armor. "It'll work, but I don't think it's as advanced as yours." "It's not. Your versions will be based on the T-60 design. Twilight felt that it would be simpler to produce and just as durable. Mine is what you could call a command or unit leader since it has the most advanced communication and sensors available." "And ours will still provide the same level of protection and performance" he said finishing. "Yep. What have they come up with as far as weaponry for yours?" "As far as projectile weapons, they are close approximations of your rifle and shotgun, plus something called a minigun?" I was starting to like what I heard. "Good. Mounted or hand held?" "Mounted" he said pointing to two places on the back of the armor, on either side of where it opened. "The smaller weapons will be on a hardened gimbal in a pair depending on what the operator or mission calls for. Say a rifle and shotgun for ranged til you get in close or two shotguns for up close." "What about ammo capacity? That's always been the biggest problem for troops. You can only carry so much." "A hundred rounds for the rifle and fifty for the shotgun. It depends on the mission and what that particular pony is geared for. We've got it figured out, boss." I gave him a questioning look. When he noticed, he started chuckling. "The Princess didn't tell you did she?" "Tell me what exactly?" "You are now in command of all Equestrian military forces. The only pony you answer to is Princess Luna herself." "What? I'm just a foot soldier, a grunt. I've never commanded anything larger than a fire team." Rock looked at me before he smirked. "She knows that Winter, but you've brought us something that we haven't had in awhile, a belief that we can have a future of peace instead of being used as slaves or worse." Seeing the determination on his face was a eye opener. I just hoped that I could deliver what they was wanting. > Chapter 10 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I watched emotionless as a sword bounced off my armor before punching and beheading the caribou that swung said sword. The rest of his friends looked on in fear and horror as his headless body fell. "Fight and die or surrender, those are your two choices." "It's just one thing standing against us, kill it" I heard one of them yell. "Your funeral" I said before unloading my shotgun on the group. I felt no sympathy as body parts and gore flew through the air from the explosive effect of the rounds. When the bolt slammed open after ejecting the last fired round, I glanced around looking for live targets, but found none out of the ten that had confronted me. I reloaded as I turned left to head for the gates of the small outpost that Luna's scouts had found on the outskirts of a little village called Oakvale that was five miles inside of the Caribou lines, so it was perfect for a strike to take some pressure off of Canterlot, test some of my upgraded equipment and test the pony version of power armor. "Knock, knock" I called out before taking my hammer and slamming it into the gates only to watch as the wood imploded, throwing shards of it into whoever was unlucky enough to be behind them which was about four or so going by the groans I heard. Moving forward, I heard the distinctive whine of two mini guns spooling up behind me before firing to my sides and cutting down any that fell in their sights. "These guys aren't playing" I thought to myself as I watched twenty of the current pony power armor designs rushed by me to engage the defenders. As I moved towards the center of the post, I could hear the radio chatter from some members of my unit calling out targets and others working at subduing the noncoms, it took ten minutes to effectively capture the post. "How many prisoners do we have Rock?" "Fifteen caribou and ten ponies boss." "KIA?" "Twenty five caribou. No casualties on our side." "And what of the nomcoms?" "Twenty five mares and 15 caribou females, all corrupted." "Damn, I was hoping we would find a few that wasn't so we could get some good intel." "Well, I might have some good news on that at least" he said with a smile. "It just so happens that the commander is a pony and one that I know well, matter of fact, he's my old CO and even though he was corrupted, he kept one little trait that always followed him. He was a obsessive note taker and kept his reports, so we have all of their movement and standing orders for the month." I just grinned before shaking my head. "Dont you just love idiots like that" I asked before heading to the commanders quarters. I was trying to work out what to do with the noncoms, but I couldn't come up with nothing. We couldn't reverse the corruption inflicted on them and there was no way they could return to a normal life, so I did the only thing I could do, I opened a private channel to Luna. "Luna?" "I hear you Winter." "I have a problem and I don't know what to do." "Are you ok? Has something happened?" I could hear the concern in her voice and I figured I better reassure her. "No, no. Everything is fine. No casualties on our side and the armor performed flawlessly. No, my problem is we have fourty corrupted females, twenty-five ponies and fifteen caribou that I have no idea what to do with." "That is a issue." I could hear her speaking to someone about getting more transports to us. "I'm sending more transports to you for the mares and females. Do you have any prisoners?" "Fifteen caribou and ten ponies." "Anypony of rank?" "Rock said the commander we have is his old CO and because of his habit, we have some good intel." "Major Shield Star if I remember correctly" Luna said after a moment. "I felt Captain Rock was languishing under him and asked if he wanted a transfer and he jumped at the chance." I paused for a moment. "If I can ask, how long ago did this happen?" "About five years now" she answered cheerfully. "What rank is he now?" "Colonel." That brought me to a halt. 'I have a full bird colonel serving as my second? I'm almost afraid to ask what rank she gave me.' "Luna? Why do I have a Colonel serving as my second?" "Well" I could hear humor in her voice. "It wouldn't look right for a lesser rank to serve as a second for a General since you only answer to me." I only had one thought. Why the fuck did she make me a general? 'Because I know only you can end this war as you promised and....I can hear your thoughts even from this distance.' I groaned before I had one thought go through my head. 'Oh, fuck me.' I heard giggling in my head. 'Maybe if your lucky.'..........FUCK!! > Chapter 11 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "So, when was you going to inform me that you could hear my thoughts" I asked Luna. "I..... might would have mentioned it sooner or later" she said while blushing. I was currently sitting in her private study while debriefing after our little raid. "That means you've heard every little comment I've made about you haven't ya"? "Yes." She was starting to turn purple from her blush deepening. "And from what I can tell, you don't have a problem with it." She nodded while turning a little to hide her face. "You are one of the most beautiful and alluring beings I have ever seen when you did that." I didn't say it outloud, but I could tell she heard me when she looked up. "When you say something like that, I can tell you are genuine in your praise." "I guess you don't get alot of actual attention as a mare then?" "No" she said before she sighed. "Its always about the crown and the power that would come with it. There was one stallion long ago that showed the same true interest as you do, but he died in battle before I could ever find out where the relationship would have went." I could tell that the memory was bothering her so I didn't push on it, but I had made my mind up on something. Getting up, I moved around the table between us until I was in front of her then kneeled down, the entire time Luna watched me with curiosity. Without pause, I reached out and placed my right hand on her cheek. A look of surprise crossed her features before she closed her eyes, smiled and leaned into the contact. "So, when you said that you would make sure that my future would be happy, you basically was returning the interest I've been unknowingly showing for you?" "Yes." I leaned in closer. "I promise you that I will return to you after every battle that I'm involved in." "Dont make me a promise that you can't keep" she said quietly as I watched tears begin to form in the corner of her eyes. "I don't break my promises and besides" I smiled at her for a moment. "I have someone to fight for." ‐-------------------------------------------- After our talk, we had kept our distance as we normally did from before, but since I now knew she could hear my thoughts, I would have a little fun here and there teasing Luna. After about a week of seeing her blush all of a sudden in court or at a meeting, I decided to see how far I could push it. During the weekly warcouncil, I started to think of what I would do to and with her after we really started our relationship. I kept my attention on the pony that was speaking, but I was positioned to where I could see Luna out of the corner of my eye and I'll say it was worth it. She was staring at me with a expression that would kill me if it could. From the end of her muzzle all the way down her neck was purple from her blushing. "What are you DOING?" I couldn't help but smirk. I was about to add to it when Twilight spoke up. "Luna? Are you okay?" Poor Luna jumped like a grenade had gone off next to her. She looked around for a moment before looking at Twilight. "Oh, um. Yes, Twilight, I'm fine." 'I am going to get you for this.' 'Shouldn't be listening to my thoughts then, Luna. I never know what might start rattling around in there.' I let her squirm for another minute or two before I relented. 'Okay, I'll stop. I'm sorry, I believe I've taken my little game too far.' 'Perhaps, but it can go both ways.' From her tone and the smirk that was on her muzzle, I knew I was in trouble. 'Fuck me! Wait, maybe I shouldn't have said that.' 'That certainly is the plan sometime in the future' she added. 'I'm going to have to watch my language are you now.' The giggling i could hear in my head was answer enough. 'Now, now, my knight. In the end, it makes the true reward all the sweeter.' > Chapter 12 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the three months since our relationship started, Luna has been more open in her day to day life and I found out about it one day. I was sitting in my office going over battle plans for our first major offensive, when I heard a loud squeal of glee. I briefly wondered what it was before my vision was suddenly filled with pink. "Cadence? How can I help you" I asked the pink alicorn currently laying on my desk. I had a second to think before my head was grabbed by a pair of hooves. I was about to ask again when she told me to hush. After a minute or two she finally let me go. "You do have feelings for Aunty." "Well, yes. I would have thought it was obvious by now. What seems to be the problem?" "I'm just being protective of my family. I don't want to lose anypony else" she said sadly. "And I wanted to know if your feelings for her was true." "Why wouldn't they be? I'm not interested in power or influence and she has given me a chance at a better life than the wasteland. Hell, I'll damn near do anything Luna wants me to." "All she wants is for you to win the war and love her" she retorted back at me smiling. "Well then, your interrupting me and keeping me from doing just that, so" I said slapping her on the ass. "Get your pink ass off my desk and let me get back to work." She narrowed her eyes looking at me. "I could take that as a invitation to your bed." "Maybe later after I'm settled with Luna" I said laughing. Cadence just smiled and nuzzled me for a moment. "I know she'll be happy with you because she already is." "Yeah, well as I said, get your pink ass out of here so I can work. I want this to go as well as it can so I can bring all of my troops home" I said soberly. Cadence must have picked up something in my voice. "Winter, all of your battles have gone flawlessly. I don't see why this one will not?" "Thats the problem Cadence" I said quietly. "All of the previous engagements were nothing more than small skirmishes. Small outposts with small garrisons. This will be a full on battle with numbers closing in on a couple of thousand. It will be no small thing." I was worried. Hoping I was making the right decisions and she picked up on my worry. "Take a break and go to Luna. She's in her chambers, let her help you relax. She is your significant other now and part of that is getting her stallion to relax when he's stressed" she tells me before trotting out of my office. 'Maybe she's right i think to myself. I've been going over the plans Rock and I drew up for the assault on Neighagra Falls for three days. Trying to refine it and trying to account for anything and everything. Sighing, I stood up and locked the plans away before leaving my office and locking it too. I nodded to the pair of guards that saluted me when I walked out. Making my way towards Luna's chambers, my mind wandered, going over numbers, transportation, prisoner and rescued security. I had walked into her chambers without realizing it until I heard Luna call my name. "Winter? What's wrong?" When I looked up, I was witness to a beautiful scene. Luna was laying on her bed, her legs tucked neatly underneath her while reading. She must have picked up something in my expression because she immediately rolled to her left side, raised her right wing and tapped her bed in invitation. I stripped down to my boxers before I rolled onto the bed, ending up with my back to her chest before she wrapped her wing and foreleg around me. "What's wrong my love" she asked nuzzling the top of my head. "Worried about the operation. Worried that I'm not committing enough forces. Worried that this is going to blow up in our faces and losing too many good soldiers. Worried that you have put too much faith in me." I felt her shake her head before kissing the top of my head. "Trust in your plans. Trust the soldiers and officers under you. Trust the equipment we now have thanks to you. Trust yourself and more importantly, know that I trust you without hesitation. You have done everything you said you would and I know you will succeed. My faith and trust in you can not be shaken, nor broken." "Are you sure of that" I asked looking back over my shoulder. "Yes. No matter how this turns out, everypony in the kingdom knows you will prevail in the end, me most of all." With a ease that surprised me, she rolled me over and kissed me with a passion showing her unshakable trust in me. When she broke the kiss, I gazed into a pair of blue eyes showing that unbreakable love for me. "Now rest. I will not have you go into battle tired." I just nodded my assent while getting comfortable before I wrapped my arm around her and pulled her close. As I drifted off I heard her whisper. "Sleep well my love." > Chapter 13 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I was expecting the first sign at any moment, then, there it was. The bright flash that signaled a nuclear weapon detonation. My visor immediately went dark to protect my eyes, but I still saw spots from the flash. When my vision cleared a few seconds later, I could see the second sign of a nuke going off, the tell tell mushroom cloud. I knew then that the Crystal Kingdom was nothing more than radioactive dust and I had just unleashed something that was never meant to be in this world. "Winter? What is that?" The question and the fact that Luna asked it caught me off guard. Looking to my left, I could see Luna standing there with a look of awe, but I could also see a hint of fear. "Thats a nuclear bomb isn't it? Like the ones you told me about? And that was the Crystal Kingdom that was just annihilated wasn't it?" Her questions finally clued me in on what was going on. "This is a dream isn't it" I somewhat asked myself. "Yes, it is." I sighed knowing what was coming next. "Did you bring one with you" She asked nervously. I couldn't lie to the one that I was falling in love with. "Yes. I did bring one with me. I brought it as insurance, a last resort if you will. If all else failed, I was going to use it to destroy the empire to save your people." "Last resort? You mean a suicide mission don't you?" "In a sense, yes. It was to be a final attempt to stop the caribou if I failed in defeating them, but it's not a option now because I have to succeed. I have too much to lose now." She smiled before asking the question I knew that was coming. "Am I what you would lose" she asked with a coy smile while batting her eyes. I figure she was playing it up in a attempt to get a smile out of me since I've been so high strung the last few days. I decided to mess with her a little in retaliation. "Eh" I started before going for a wistful look. "There's this pegasus mare that works in the castle that I was thinking of asking out." God's, if a look could kill you I'd be dead a thousand times over. I was getting the worst stink eye in the history of mankind and I couldn't help the shit eating grin I had, but I toned it down. "Of course it's you. I don't know how and don't know why, but over the last couple of months, being around you has brought a peace to my soul that I haven't had in a long time and I want it to continue. Before, I fought to survive and get revenge for my murdered family, or so I thought, but I have a such profound need to protect you that I would set that bomb off if need be." I raised a hand and gently set it against her cheek. Watching Luna revel from my touch was both astonishing and worrying. Both of us was starting to realize the power we had over each other and what it could mean and cost us to keep it. "My sister is the only other I have ever cared for as much as I care for you. I lost her, I do not wish to lose what I have with you." "Neither do it" I said to her before looking to the heavens. I figured since this is a dream and it's mine, I would show Luna what my stars looked like before the war. Her gasp of surprise was enough to know she liked my little show. "What is this?" "What my constellations looked like before the war." As we sat there, I pointed out each one and said their names and explained what they represented. When I was done she turned to me smiling. "Thank you for showing me your stars" before kissing me with a new found passion. > Chapter 14 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY. THIS IS COLONEL ROCK CRAWLER CALLING FOR IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY EVAC. I REPEAT CALLING FOR IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY EVAC. BROKEN SWORD CONTINGENCY. I SAY AGAIN BROKEN SWORD CONTINGENCY." After a stunned moment of silence, the control room for the Neighagra operation exploded into frantic motion. Runners were dispatched to get the stand by carriage teams moving and the Wonderbolt messengers on the way to the closest military units to the area. "Broken sword? The buck does that mean" a guard asked his partner as they watched the chaos unfold. "It means at minimum fifty percent casualties and that the general is severely wounded or dead" the other guard whispered. "So the operation failed then?" "More than likely, but I don't see how it could have. Since he's arrived, its been one victory after another and we've hardly had any casualties during the battles." "Heads are gonna roll after this I bet. That's a lot of ponies and equipment that just got lost." "Those aren't going to register with the Princess right now. Her only thoughts will be on the general's condition and I wouldn't want to be the one delivering the news." One hour earlier. One of the advantages of power armor is that you have more options in your avenues of attack. At the moment, I was looking at Neighagra Falls from our vantage point and worrying about the coming operation. "We have this covered, boss" Rock said to me from my right about two hundred yards away. "The battle plan is sound and we've beat it to death covering all that could go wrong." "I know Rock, but we have a saying from my home. Plans never survive first contact." "The Colonel is right sir. It might not go to plan, but we have everything conceivable covered." Looking to my left, I could see the thestral Shadow Leaf, now a Captain and commander of a unit of one hundred and fifty fliers that have the newest model of power armor. It wasn't as all encompassing as the other models, but it provided better protection and also had hard points for weapon systems. I was quiet for a few minutes mulling over what was rolling through my mind and watching the clock before I moved. "Advance" I called out as I ran down the side of the mountain I had been standing on. Once again, I had taken the task of going through the front door and if I'm being honest, its my favorite part. I was almost to the point of contact, when I felt a momentary loss of power as the PC was auto ejected and a full one replaced it. 'I have got to thank Twilight for that particular upgrade' I thought to myself only to hear a giggle intrude into my thoughts. 'She says your welcome dear.' 'Not right now Luna. I'm about to pick a fight.' I heard her sigh. 'Please be careful. I do not wish to lose you.' The love in her voice was heaven sent for me and I wasn't going to disappoint her. 'I will. I'll contact you when its over.' I knew she was worried and that might have been why I glossed over the part I was to play in the battle...... I was the distraction. The plan was for me to go through the front gate and draw all attention on myself so that the rest of my forces could rescue the uncorupted and get them out, that was my top priority. The next part of the plan was to decimate the caribou forces. Now, I wasn't alone, I had four volunteers with me knowing this was the most dangerous part, but they wasn't going to back down. As we approached the front gate the four with me opened fire with the mini guns on their armor hard points. Two raked the wall tops to convince the sentries to keeps their heads down and the other two started working on the gates. I opened up with my shotgun when I got in range. After the gates fell, I pushed though and started taking stock of the situation. Seeing that we had achieved tactical surprise, I grinned to myself before addressing the four with me. "Time to bring the pain." Two minutes after emergency declaration. "SHADOW LEAF?" "SIR!" "Anti-Air operations now. The RRT'S should be here in three and I do not want them being engaged, AM I CLEAR?" "Crystal, Sir." "Where's the general's ARS team"? Rock called out over the radio. "Here, Sir" a pegasus called out as the Colonel watched the five strong team land. "As soon as the carriages arrive and get him loaded, get his armor and go." "Sir,yes, Sir!" Rock away to makes sure the withdrawal was still happening in a orderly fashion. "SIR! RRT inbound, thirty seconds!" "Very well. Shadow? Any pursuit?" "None that I can see, but I'm not letting my guard down until everypony is loaded and headed home." "Keep me informed Captain." "Yes, Sir." "This is going to be the longest bucking night of my life" the Colonel grumbled as he watched the first evac carriage set down. > Chapter 15 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rock Crawler was certain of one thing at that moment, he was about to die a horrible and messy death. They had just landed after a three hour flight and no sooner than the general was sent to the medical wing, Princess Luna came storming up to him. "Where is my Winter, Colonel?" "Being taken to the medical wing as we speak Princess." He watched her eyes soften slightly with worry before looking back to him. "Short explanation, now." Rock sighed before looking away then back at his princess. "It was a ambush plain and simple, a ambush lead by Shining Armor. Either we have a security leak or he figured out we would hit Neighagra next. I can't tell you right now what the buck happened, but it was damn effective. He was waiting for the general's attack and as soon as he broke through the front gate he dropped one of his shields behind him and his squad preventing a retreat." Rock began to fidgit as he started to speak. "I don't understand. In all the previous operations, they never had anything that could match the general's armor, it just makes no sense Princess?" "What are his injuries exactly?" "Mainly confined to his joints and neck area. The worst is his right leg, it was almost severed." Luna's gasp wasn't surprising to Rock. "He's stable, Princess. The medics managed to stabilize him and saved his leg, but it will be sometime before he recovers. The question is will he regain full use of his leg though, I'm not going to lie Princess, it was pretty bad." Luna was quite for a minute before speaking. "Very well, Colonel. See to your troops and equipment and get some rest. We can go over the casualties and lost equipment at a later date." "As you wish Highness" Rock replied before turning and trotting off. ---------------------------------- When I came to, the first thing I noticed was a blue wing covering me. As I looked at my surroundings, it occurred to me that I was in the medical ward then I looked down at my right leg. It was heavily bandaged and encased in some type of support. When I felt movement to my left, I turned my head and found Luna looking at me with tear trails under her eyes. "You almost lost your right leg and had extensive damage to your other joints and neck, but the injury to your leg almost was your death." Seeing a fresh river of tears starting, I pulled her close with my left arm. "In the short time we have had together, losing you would be the same as when I lost sister. Please, do not make me go through that again" she asked whimpering against me. "You know I can't guarantee that Luna, but I will do my best to return to you every time." I could feel her nod in agreement and trying to accept my words. "I understand that and I understand that we are at war, but to lose you may well be the end of me." I didn't know how to respond to such a statement and could only look into her reddened eyes and seeing the depth of love and affection that I hadn't seen in another being in years. "I can only promise you that I will do my absolute best to never make you worry like this because I can see how my current predicament affects you." I gave her the most reassuring smile I could before pulling her closer and wrapping my arms around the mare. "Besides, your worries for my health are unwarranted, go get two of my stimpaks for me" I asked and watched as confusion crossed her face. "Unwarranted, Winter your leg was barely hanging on and you almost died because of your wounds!!" I could tell she was getting emotional about my predicament and needed to calm her down. I gently placed my hands on her ckeeks and smiled at her. "Do you trust me" I asked looking into her gorgeous eyes. "Yes" she answered immediately. "Go get two of my stimpaks" I stopped and thought about it a moment. "No, make it three. You'll understand why when you come back and bring the doctors that worked on me." I watch as she stood there mentally arguing with herself before she shook her head and left to get what I asked for. It was thirty minutes before Luna returned with the stimpaks and the doctors. When they entered my room, I could hear them speaking with Luna about how long it would take for me to recover, the doctors were also speculating on what Luna had retrieved for me. "These ponies are the doctors that worked on you Winter. Drs Healing Balm, Soothing Wing and Neat Suture" she said introducing the two unicorns and pegasus. "Nice to meet you despite my current predicament" I said in greeting. The three ponies semi bowed to me in greeting. "Luna has told me I was pretty messed up when I got here, but she hasn't told me a time line for recovery yet. What am I looking at? Months or years?" "A year minimum before your wounds and surrounding tissue has healed enough, then in all likelihood a year or more before you would be at fifty percent of your normal capacity from physical therapy." "Maybe three years if I'm lucky correct?" All three looked at each other before silently reaching a consensus and looked back at me nodding. "What would you say if I told you I would be walking out of here like I normally would in the next five minutes?" The four ponies in the room with me looked like I had grown a second head. "I would say your delusional and need to be checked for a head injury too" the I'm guessing lead doctor said. I just smiled and winking at Luna jabbed one pak in my left arm and the other in my right leg. When I felt the drugs start working, I held the last stimpaks out to the doctors and motioned for one of them to take it. "Humanity has invented some truly terrible things, but also some truly remarkable things. This is one of them" I explained still holding the pak. "It's called a stimpak, short of death, a person can recover from anything. Scan me if your still doubtful." I simple looked at the mare and waited. I was expecting the startled gasp, but not the immediate "What's wrong" from Luna. "He's nearly healed! Even our best healing spell can't work this fast" the mare said in astonishment. "It will be an hour before he's fully healed from what I'm seeing, but he can leave if the General wishes." The mares amazement over what I had done was funny to me seeing as my life was saved plenty of times by stimpaks. "As I said, truly remarkable things and your holding one. I had it explained to me once. It's a complex and yet simple chemical compound made from readily available chemicals that when combined sends the natural healing properties of the body into overdrive." "What's the downside" Luna asked still showing her amazement. "Minor dehydration in nearly all cases. I do remember a few cases of adverse reactions, but those was rare and the patients had some type of obscure allergic reaction." I looked at the lead doctor and motioned towards the pak. "Take it and see if ponies can use it, if it proves to be safe, see if it can be improved." The mare looked at me then the pak before nodding and leaving with her colleagues. Before walking out she turned and spoke. "I'll have a nurse come and remove everything so you can check out General." With that said she left the room leaving me and Luna alone. "Why haven't you mentioned these paks before" Luna asked examining the used stimpak. "I didn't think about them and to be honest I had forgotten about them too. All of our previous engagements have been relatively flawless with no significant injuries, until now" I said quietly. I was starting to second guess myself when a pair of legs wrapped around my body and gently pulled me back down against a now familiar chest. "Rest while we wait for the nurse, then for the next two days you will not leave my chambers for any reason, after that we will begin piecing together what went wrong. Am I understood?" "Yes, dear." > Short update > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I finished a new chapter I had started last year and I figure a short explanation is warranted. 2023 was to put it in simple terms absolute hell for me. My marriage ended and I lost my eldest son in the middle of the year and my mother 3 days after Thanksgiving not to mention breaking my foot so I've had a rough year. I'm hopeful that 24 will kinder to me and I can get back to trying to put words down.