Sentinel

I think my tenure in Europe had spoiled me, now that I thought on it a little.

Guard duty at this hospital had a severe lack of Sabertooths. And Hawks. Man, those things could liven up any soldier's day. Tanks and VTOLs – what's not to like?

Okay, getting sidetracked...

So, guard duty. It was not the most eventful job, but it was good enough. I worked night shifts, which meant I could permit myself to sleep longer in the mornings! A win-win if there ever was one. I would go to the hospital at about seven in the evening, clock in, carry out my shift, then go back home at about three in the morning and sleep, rinse and repeat. Considering that winter was slowly encroaching on Equestria, I could look towards spending more money on ensuring my domicile didn't turn colder than Norilsk. And, with my job, I could afford such pleasantries.

Money makes the world go round. Or headshots do. Don't remember which one.

Either way, sidetracking thoughts aside, my life was very good. I could afford to buy some more things for my house, and so on. I was a good guard, and my pay was good. Most of the time, it was little more than wayward ponies who'd had too much to drink, although sometimes they would be troublesome and had to be handled in a more direct manner. And even a couple of burglars that tried to sneak in.

Not on my watch. More often than not, I'd snag the perps, and have the Royal Guard collect them. Only a handful ever got away . Hopefully, that'd teach them to stay on the straight and narrow.

When required, I'd help handling injured ponies from whatever disasters befell ponies - chariot crashes, workplace accidents, fires and the like. But enough about that.

Silver and Tech had both settled comfortably in their posts at the hospital – Silver as a junior surgeon, and Tech was happy with keeping the electronics in the hospital running as a technician. Most of the time we'd encounter each other before my shift started – I'd drop by the cafeteria for a quick meal and have a chat with the two, before clocking in. The three of us soon became good friends. During our chats, we would speak about all kinds of things – Silver turned out to be quite a religious pony, for one.

“My mother, Eternal Dawn, raised me to be kind and helpful to other beings, pony or not. Kindness is its own reward, and it is commendable to follow the Princesses' guidings.” The charcoal-furred pony spoke to me and Tech as we munched on our snacks, the cafeteria relatively empty at this hour. My shift started in ten minutes, and as always, I'd spend the time with my friends, talking – we'd swap all kinds of stories during our free time – about friends, family, the like.

“So, she's a preacher of some sort, Ah presume?”

“Well, not really. She runs an orphanage in Stalliongrad – she has a lot of influence in that city, and she uses her riches to help those of Equestria who are not as fortunate – charities, affordable apothecaries, that sort of stuff. But she likes to preach, I admit. The lecture she gave me when I finally revealed that I was in a relationship with Iron...” Silver gave a brief chuckle. Tech, noting my confused expression, decided to explain it to me.

“Same-gender couples aren't unheard of in Equestria, but aren't exactly popular, either. Most of the time, it isn't too bad, but some ponies have disowned their children over it.” He grumbled for a moment. “Love and tolerance, my ass-”*thwack*

“Language, please.” Silver chided him, then turned to face me. “Lacking in eloquence he may be, but it's true – I was so nervous  when I told my mother of Iron. Got quite an earful from her for keeping it a secret for so long, but once I explained it in length, she understood why I did it.” I nodded at that, letting her continue. “She found Iron's personality to be abrasive, just like I did when I first met her. But that grey brute means well.” She let out a small sigh and cocked an eyebrow at me. “Your turn, Alice.”

“Ah don't really have much to tell, ya two. Ah only had two boyfriends back on Earth. Neither relationship lasted very long, a couple a'months at most. When Ah finished high school, Ah enlisted in th'Army.”

Why'd you do that?” I shrugged slowly at the unicorn's perplexed expression.

“'s kinda a family thing – my pa served, an' my granddad did, too. An' Ah chose to get engineering training after basical. When Ah went back t'the farm, Ah was able to help fix whatever machinery there was. But, going back to your original question, no. Ah don't have a special someone in my life. Ah did luck out on havin' a lot of good friends, you lugs included.” That got a chuckle out from both Silver and Tech. I raised my coffee cup. Silver's glass of orange juice levitated in air. Tech raised his energy drink and we made a toast.

“Here's to us!” Three voices spoke at the same time, and the cup, glass and can met with a clink.

Silver had gone home, Tech was doing some last checks on the equipment around the hospital before leaving, and I was in my guard's uniform, patrolling the hospital grounds, humming to myself as I did so. The sun was setting, and the moon was peeking over the horizon on the opposite side, and all manners of stars also winked into existence, dotting the darkening sky. It looked nice, but then again, it always did. Luna had a real knack for it. It was her talent, after all. Although I still remember the case of vapours I had when Twilight had explained how the sun and moon worked on this world. It's quite interesting stuff, most definitely something one will find difficult to wrap one's head around.

That train of thought taken care of, I returned my attention to the task at hand. About an hour later, though, my attention was interrupted again. This time, however, it was far more important. An all too-familiar sensation of burning was settling in my guts.

I needed to take an inhibitor injection again. But, to do that, I needed to leave my post. And I had to be quick about it, so as not to make anyone suspicious. Suppresing a grunt of discomfort, I wiped a bead of sweat from my forehead and swiftly strode towards the hospital.

Once inside, I quickly sought out the wardrobe – my backpack was there, along with my doses of inhibitor serum. Grabbing it, I quickly located a vacant janitor's closet. I prepped the injector, placing it against a vein in my elbow. Carefully, as with all other times, I slid the needle in, so as not to tear the blood vessel. I slowly squeezed the trigger and felt the familiar chill rush through my body as the borderline-rampant Chimera virus was brought to a halt, and my temperature started to return to normal. I let out a sigh, letting my eyes fall shut in relief.

*click-creeeak*

“Alice? Why're you hiding here?”

My eyes sprang open and I saw Redheart standing a ways off in the doorway, staring surprisedly at me.

Well, shit.

I let the injector drop from my grasp as I leapt at the white mare before she could so much as move a muscle. All she managed to do was let out an 'eep' as I dragged her inside the locker and locked the door.

“Y-you're taking drugs?!” Redheart stammered out, eyeing me fearfully – I was standing in front of the locked door, denying her a chance to escape.

“It's not drugs. It's medication.”

“Medication? For what?! Why'd you never mention anything about it? And why did you sneak off like that?”

Those were questions I hoped I'd never have to answer. For a moment, Redheart must've thought I was going to kill her – her ears folded back and she shrunk back from me.

“Look, ma'am, Ah ain't gonna hurt ya. But ya can't talk 'bout this t'anyone. Look, Ah'll explain this after my shift's done, 'kay?”

“Don't you end, like, three hours later than me? I finish up at midnight.” Redheart responded. “Besides, how can I be sure you won't run off?”

“That wouldn't help me in any way, now would it?” I hummed for a moment before facepalming and giving a chuckle. “Oh, silly me. Ah forgot tomorrow's Saturday. I don't have work that day. If ya want to, y'can drop by and I'll fill ya in on my, erm... condition. Sound good?”

“Um...”

“A Ranger's promise, ma'am. Ah'll be there.” That seemed to satisfy her and she nodded.

“Very well.”

“Jus' remember – don't breathe a word of it t'anyone else, okay? Ah'd rather keep this as secret as possible. Ah'll explain it t'morrow.” Warily, Redheart nodded and I let another sigh escape my lips. “Thanks. Maybe some good'll come of this... It ain't exactly a very pretty secret, lemme tell ya right now. Either way, Ah gotta get back to my post.” She nodded once more and I packed my things back up, then left the locker at a brisk pace, eager to return to my job...

The key clicked as I locked the door and turned around – the lighting inside was barely noticeable, but since I was half-Chimera, it barely bothered me, my senses ever-sharp. Without fault, I found the light switch, and the lightbulb in the corridor flickered into life. The clock on the wall showed the time – thirty-four past three in the morning.

*yawn*

Welp. Bedtime it is, then. Brush my teeth, put my clothes away, etcetera, etcetera, and then flop down in the bed with a tired sigh and let oblivion take me. And then feel like a total idiot because I forgot to turn the bathroom light off. Turn said light off and crawl back under the blanket and fall asleep. Dream about cheesecake.

Redheart sighed, somewhat nervous, knocking on the door of the house of one Alice Bradley – it was a crisp, chilly morning of late October and she shuffled about for a moment, a cloud of steam escaping her muzzle as she let out a huff. A couple of moments passed before she heard activity on the other side of the door and it creaked open, revealing Alice, who was eyeing Redheart levelly.

“Good mornin'.”

Redheart seemed suddenly hesitant to enter and I took a step aside.

“C'mon in. Ah ain't gonna hurt ya, ma'am. Ah promise.” She nodded slowly, and trotted inside. I closed the door behind her, and rubbed my palms for a moment. “Right, then. Take a seat in the livin' room. Ah'll be right there.”

The skittish mare nodded again and trotted inside the warm room – the fireplace was crackling brightly, filling the room with light and warmth. She uncoiled the scarf from her neck, putting it aside as she patiently waited for Alice to return. She looked around, humming to herself as she eyed her surroundings. Winter was definitely just around the corner, judging by the frost enchroaching upon the windows. She heard Alice hum to herself from the kitchen – moments later, the human arrived, carrying two plates in her hands. She set one down in front of Redheart, who eyed it.

“'s scrambled eggs, nothin' t'worry about. Ah treat m'guests all th'same.” Alice sat down, and began to eat her own share of food. Not one to be impolite, Redheart did the same and the two ate in silence.

I put the empty plate down and hummed, eyeing Redheart – the pink-maned mare was eyeing me back levelly.

“Well, then. Let's get to th'brass tacks, hmm?” Redheart nodded at that. “Jus' promise me ya ain't gonna tell this t'anyone else – Ah don't want anythin' Ah say now leave this house, 'kay?”

*nod*

Deeply hoping I would not come to regret this later on, I laid it out for Redheart, holding nothing back – Project Abraham, the Chimera, the war against the monstrous aggressors... I told her everything that I knew. As time passed, her face grew more and more horrified and disgusted beyond measure. I don't blame her, really.

“How did your leaders justify carrying out those injections?” She muttered out in shock, staring at me.

“We needed monsters of our own to fight th'Chimera. Those bastards are stronger than humans – more tenacious and unrelenting, too. If we were to so much as stand a chance against 'em, we had to make sacrifices. Pray that your Princesses never have to do the same.”

“So, about that inhibitor serum...”

“Ah'm going to ask th'Princesses when Gala comes. I want to keep the number of people aware of this as low as possible, as ya can well understand.” She hummed to herself thoughtfully, then looked at me.

“Very well. I will do as you ask. I just hope you know what you are doing, Alice. I do have another question for you – why do you keep calling me 'ma'am'?”

“Ah'm jus' mindin my manners.”

“But I do not refer to you by your surname. 'Ma'am' makes me feel old and stuffy. I'm not going to take offense if you call me by my name.”

“Fair enough, then... Redheart.” She chuckled briefly and nodded. “Well, Ah got my invitation to th'Gala 'bout an hour ago in my post...” I held up a small, ivory-colored envelope. “An' it says Ah can take one guest with me. Ah haven't chosen one at th'moment.” Redheart's gaze was glued to the envelope. “Now, if ya promise you'd keep my secret a, well, secret, Ah'd-”

“My lips are sealed forever.” She blurted out immediately. “Oh, this is not fair... I've never been to the Grand Galloping Gala before and here you are, bribing me with an invitation for it! Very well. I shall keep your secret hidden.”

“Ah guess you're going t'want to get a dress fer yerself.” I snickered at her and she grumbled.

“Yes, I suppose I should.” She sighed and sat up.

“Th'Gala's on in three days. Once you've got th'dress, drop by here, 'kay?”

“Wouldn't it be better if we went to the Ponyville Train Station and met there? It'd save us some time if we did so.”

“Oh, don't ya worry yer head 'bout that. Jus' make sure t'be here on time, 'kay?”

“I will, don't worry. I'm not a little foal.” She groused and I chuckled.

“Sweet. Ah'll be seein' ya, then. It's a date.” Redheart raised a hoof to protest, and then sighed, catching on that I was just egging her on. “Relax, Redheart, Ah'm only messing 'bout – nothin' to get upset over.”

“I'll never understand human humor, it seems...”

“Seems likely. Now, then. Anythin' else on yer mind?”

“Nothing that I can think of, really.”

“'kay, then. Meet me here on Tuesday. An' remember, not a word o' this t'anyone else, got it?”

“You have my word on it.”

“I better, or you can say farewell to th'Gala!” That got her more annoyed, much to my amusement.

“You have no idea how big of a deal the Grand Galloping Gala is, do you?”

“'xactly! An' that's why it's so fun to egg ya on.” I smirked – the  white pony was so adorable it felt like I had diabetes coming on – she stood there, pouting unamusedly at me and I doubled over in a fit of giggles and she tsk'ed sourly.

“You are incorrigible.”

“Ah know!” I grinned.

She cringed.