The Last Horseman

The trio had made their way down the side of the mountain to valley where the object had touched down; before sliding to a stop and leaving a furrow in the earth a few hundred feet long. They cautiously made their way through the burning debris towards what now appeared to be some kind of wreckage.

“So what do you guys think it is? It sure isn’t looking like any skymetal now.”

“I have no idea Diamond. But just looking at it gives me the creeps.” Zeveck said ruffling his wings in anxiety. “But I think we should turn around and head back to camp and send a message to the border guard so they can deal with it.”

“Oh come on Zeveck where is your sense of adventure and Diamond you’re not going to back out now either are you?”

“I don’t know Quartz. I…I’m kind of getting the same feeling as Zeveck and I think it might be wise if we head back.”

Quartz huffed and started moving forward. “You both can act liked scared foals but I’m going to get a closer look.”

____________________________________

Hunter let out a short moan before entering a coughing fit and splattering more blood against the inside of his helmet. He had just released his seat harness before realizing he was hanging upside down. Leaving his banged up body to protest in agony when it hit the ground. When the coughing had subsided and he managed to pull in a raged breath, he sat up and pushed himself towards the wall to brace himself. Wincing as his left leg was dragged over uneven debris.

“Broken ribs and a shattered leg, could be worse I guess.” Grimacing as he talked to himself.

Flipping open the cover on a small Personal Date Assistant that was attached to his wrist, resulted in sparks as the holo graphic display shorted out. Swearing at it he pressed down on a small button that flashed blue before turning yellow, showing the air was breathable but toxic.

“Let’s just hope it’s the smoke.” Undoing the seal that locked his helmet to the rest of his armor resulted in a hiss as the pressurized air in the helmet escaped. Tossing it to the ground he let out a wet cough as he took in a breath of cold air laced with the smell of burnt metal and plastics. Wiping the blood out of his eyes he looked around what was left of the life boat, but all he saw was the carnage of things being ripped from their mountings and tossed about or being sucked out of the several rends that pocketed the ship. It came to him in a shock when he realized he couldn’t spot Ghost.

“Ghost? Ghost!?” Hunter started to claw his way through the debris trying to locate his buddy. Once he had muscled some of the bench seats out-of-the-way he found arm that was still attached to a body, albeit it was at the wrong angle. Throwing off more of the larger pieces he dragged his comrade out of the pile and towards a large hole in the starboard side of the craft to get him into cleaner air.

Ghost sputtered as his helmet was removed and an armored glove passed across his face wiping blood away, he looked up at bloody and bruised face with a jagged scar that ran from his right side temple down to the chin, still standing in contrast to the blood.

“You look better this way *Cough* hides the ugly.”

Hunter tried to laugh but only a sharp wet cough came up. “Ya. But the ladies always preferred my looks over yours.” He entered another coughing fit that left him wheezing and wiping more blood from his mouth.

“Can you walk at all?”

Ghost tried to sit up but quickly gave up, pain contorting his face. “Gah! Every thing feels like its on fire and I cant feel my legs.”

“looks like I’m going to have to drag you then.” Hunter draged himself back towards the pilot seat in hopes that the trauma kit was still secured. Finding it and his battle rifle still secured he undid both, tossing his rifle towards the hole and sliding his way back over with the kit in his lap.

“No way in hell you’re going to be able to drag me anywhere with your leg fucked up like that.”

“We’ve got no choice. We need to get out of here and find some place to hold up before the Republic catches us.”

“And then what Hunter! The rest of team is probably dead and we have little supplies and practically no ammo *cough* what the hell are we going to do? Find some fucking hole to hide in and hope this all blows over?”

“I don’t know. But we can’t just sit here arguing about it. We have enough supplies to ration out for a few weeks and we can try to scavenge for more. There’s snow outside and from what I saw from the bridges windows there were green patches on this planet so there has to be something edible some were.”

Popping open the trauma kit he worked out a small gun like device and placed it against a patch of exposed flesh on his leg. He pulled the trigger, letting the medigun shoot a small pellet of painkillers, antibiotics and other chemicals meant to speed up healing into his leg.

His leg quickly went numb as it took effect and he let out a sigh. “Ahh fuck, that’s what I’m talking about.”

He moved over to Ghost to give him a dose but he sat up slightly and used his good arm to stop him.

“Don’t even bother *cough* I’m too banged up to be worth saving.”

“Bullshit.” Hunter said with a growl in his voice.

“Face it Hunter I can’t even use my fucking legs, my right arm needs surgery and we don’t have the *Cough* fucking damned tools to fix any of it. Just leave me behind, you’ll be able to cover more ground without me slowing you down.”

“Don’t you fucking talk like that. That’s an order.”

“Then I’m done following your orders sir.” Reaching up ghost grabbing a small chain from under his armor that held his dog tags and a small data chip; ripping them off he handed them to Hunter.

“Take her and just let me go dammit.” Ghost slumped back down with a defeated look on his face.

“You stubborn fucking bastard.” Hunter shook his head and took the objects from Ghost's hand and shoved them into a pocket on his assault webbing before reaching an arm around Ghosts  chest and started to lift him up.

“What the hell do you think your doing Hunter?”

“I had to leave the others behind, I’m not not fucking loosing you to.” Hunter gritted his teeth as he put weight onto his bad leg and started to drag Ghost out.

“Hunter, Razor orderd us both to take the ship and go.”

Hunter collapsed as his bad leg gave way; bitting down on his tounge to stiffle a cry of pain that made it through the pain killers.”

“For fucks sake Hunter give it up. all your going to do us get us both killed.”

“Then we will both die togther!”

Ghost worked his way from Hunters grasp and proped him self against the ragged edge of the hole. “Hunter just stop! We both know I wont live more than a few hours without surgery. Just leave me here, I will cover your escape as best I can.”

“Ghost please dont do this to me. I…” Hunter stoped talking when he heard movement outside.

“Hunter wha…” Hunter clapped a gloved hand over ghosts mouth. “Shhh. Something has already found us.”

Drawing his .45 Hunter slowly crept out side to meet what ever was creeping around.

____________________________

Quartz slowly made his way closer to the wreck. Trying not to step on the numerous pieces of metal and other unknown material that blew around in the wind while also trying to stay out of the fire light. Once he got close enough he was positive that something had crafted it, he just had no idea what.Upon getting within a dozen feet of a large hole in the side he could hear noises coming from within. Then he saw it, Some kind of large creature slowly working its way out of the hole favoring one of its legs over the other. Quartz heart raced as he stepped back and winced as his hoof struck a piece of metal that was buried under the windblown snow.

He froze as the creature spun around to face the sound he made, It’s eyes staring back at him with unbridled furry, and shouting something. Quartz stood frozen regretting his past choices as what seemed like lighting burst forth from a device held infront of it. Resulting in lancing pain tearing through his neck. He laid in the now reddening snow trying to stem the flow of blood with his hoofs that now gushed from his neck, the last thing he saw was Diamond’s face frozen in terror.

Hunters hand shook as he kept pulling the trigger on his sidearm to no avail, he had fired the last three rounds he had into the creature that was sneaking up on them. He had no idea what it was but he wasn’t going to risk finding out if it was friendly or not when so much was at stake.

“What do you mean unknown contact!?” Ghost yelled at hunter as he holstered his sidearm and reached down for his rifle.

“I have no idea and I'm not going to…” Hunter was cut off as something roared behind him and pulled him out of the ship, throwing him into the snow.

“Hunter!”

___________________

Glacial sat in front of the fire waiting for the other to come back, he felt like they should have been back by now. Standing up and stretching, he contemplated about going out and looking for them, but decided he would give them another hour instead of facing his daughters scorn about him being reckless. He had started to pick up a piece of wood to throw in the fire when he heard noise from behind him. Spinning around and bringing one of his old wing blades to bear, he was met with spear leveled at his throat, he furled up his wing as more spears appeared out of the shadows while a red Pegasus in front of him stepped from the shadows; bearing the armor of the Equestrian border guards and still keeping its spear leveled at him.

“State your name and your business in these parts. And where the rest of your party is.”

He swallowed before answering. “I am Professor Glacial Winds. Three others and I are on archaeological expedition on behalf of Trottingham University. As to their whereabouts, they went to investigate an object that fell from the sky.”

“Glacial Winds eh? Perhaps the same Glacial Winds that lead the Ninth Pegasus Wing During the Ironwing Raids twenty years ago?”

“What is it to you?” Glacial said narrowing his eyes.

The Pegasus raised his spear with the others following suit “I mean no disrespect, I’m just curious. I am Lieutenant Spark Kicker.”

Glacial was taken aback by the familiar name. “Spark Kicker huh. That would make you Captain Tempest Kickers son am I right?”

“Yes it would. My father has talked highly about you, says your one of the best officers he’s ever had the pleasure of leading.”

Glacial sat down with a smile on his face remembering his old commanding officer.

“Heh, so how’s old thunderhead doing nowdays.

“Old, senile and enjoying retirement in Cloudsdale.”

Glacial rubbed a hoof under his chin “He retired? Never imagined  the day he would set down his duty’s and grow complacent”

“Yep. It was a shocker to the rest of the family and I. But enough of the pleasantries you said the rest of your party went to look at something that fell from the sky?

Standing up and pointing down the valley were a small glow emanated “Right down there is a small bit that crashed. The larger piece kept on going until it pass over the horizon.”

A soon as he finished talking three cracks echoed up the valley, followed by an unmistakable roar resulting in Glacial ears to perk up at the sounds and leave a dire expression of shock on his face.”

“Diamond!”

Spark turned from the sound to the old stallion next to him. “One of your party members?”

Glacial was starting to panic “My daughter! And that roar is from Zeveck the..the gryphon in our group.

Spark nodded and turned to the others and waved a hoof at his troops. “You six I want you down there now!” Six pegasi saluted and took off at incredible speed towards the crash site. While Spark pointed at the next group. “You two. hitch up the chariot and get sergeant Flint down there!” The two pegasi and one of the only two unicorns in the group saluted before moving off.

Spark walked up to glacial and placed a hoof on his back to help settle him and hold him back if needed.

_______________________

Hunter tossed the massive beast off of him and tried to crawl back towards the wreck where his rifle lay, but it soon wrapped its claws around his bad leg and pulled him back; causing him to howl in pain.Working free and rolling over he brought his good leg back and gave the beast a mighty kick into its chest; sending it flying.

Zeveck landed with a massive thud; the wind knocked out of him. He was surprised how much strength the creature had, it was just about the same size as him and looked badly injured but it still seemed to outmatch him. With a roar he leapt back at it, he would tear its throat out no matter the cost.

Hunter rolled to the left as the creature leapt at him and was caught by surprise as it spun around faster than what seemed possible and found its talons glancing off his armored chest piece, leaving small scratches in it. Pushing off the ground with his good leg he tackled it as its beak snapped at his face. Rolling through the snow Hunter managed to pin the creatures forelegs against its neck stopping it from attacking his face, but it still managed to get its hind legs under him and push him off.

Zeveck rolled back to his feet and pounced the creature but was met with an armored fist smashing into his head. Dazed and landing on his side he felt a sharp pain in his right wing as he rolled to get back on his feet, shaking his head trying to clear his vision he spotted the creature pick somthing up and start limping towards him, he gave another roar and swung his talons at his foe but missed. Before he could strike again he felt a sharp pain shoot up his back and his legs collapsing under him as he lost all sensation to his lower half.

Hunter yanked the bloody metal shard out of the creatures back and started limping his way back to the wreakage for his rifle. He only got a few paces before getting hit in the back by some force that threw him forward. Rolling over he spotted the culprit.

A green horse like creature that had a horn sprouting from its head, that started to glow again. Rolling to dodge the next blast of energy Hunter renewed his efforts towards the wreck, quickly reaching it he fumbled for the rifle. Feeling the sling, he wrapped his fingers around it and pulled. Spinning around and getting onto a knee, he shouldered the rifle and took aim at the creature now running for its life. Holding his breath he pulled the trigger. The heavy .338 round knocking his poor balance off as the round tore into the things right hind leg; throwing it over the snow bank and out of sight. Hunter sat down outside the ship catching his breath, he pulled the charging bolt back and peeked into the chamber, he had one round left.

“I think we got a breather for few seconds Ghost… Ghost?”

Hunter looked over were he had left his friend, who was now pale and slumped over. “Ghost!” Hunter clamberd his way over to ghost and reached for his neck looking for a pulse, but found none, “Dont do this to me Zach, not after all we’ve been through.” Ripping his chest piece off and laying him down Hunter attepmted to resuscitate his comrade. “Dammit! You cant leave me now… I need you.”

_________________________________

Stone dropped his hand from the final salute he gave, he had just finished burying the last of the dead. Nineteen of the bravest men and women he ever knew now lay in shallow graves in the sun-baked earth. He jumped slightly as a hand fell onto his shoulder. “Don’t beat yourself up sir. There was no knowing the core could ever throw off that much radiation.”

Stone turned to the Lieutenant commander. “They died under my command Price. If we haddent  jump for the opportunity to pursue the Endeavor...”

“Then we would be probally be standing in front of the admiral explaing why we didnt give chase.

Turning away from his XO he looked off into the distance, watching the heat shimmer off the flat ground. “I think I would rather face admiral Mikhailov then loose half of my men.” Sighing he looked towards his men who still stood stiff above the graves of the fallen.

“At ease men, we have a lot of work to do and little time to get it done.  Fields take your marines and grab the Pumas. Take Chief Bowman with you to make up for a gunner.” The three marines and the coms officer saluted before making their way back to the ship.

“ Falmer get our guns back online, I want some kind of fire power before night fall.”

The Gunnery officer saluted and also made his way back to the ship.

Stone finally turned to the last few crew members. “Bartels dig out the all of star charts and start looking at the sky when night falls. I want to know where the fuck we landed. Hammer go and check up on miles and see if he’s gotten Sangha patched up yet, you guys are going to have the most work getting this ship flying again.”

Saluting they both left to join the rest.

Turning back to his XO stone pulled a pipe out of his pocket and lit it. “Now we wait.”

“The calm before the storm sir?”

Stone gave a weak smile. “Aye. Seems like it.”

_______________

Flint shaded his eyes as the sun started to rise over the mountains. It wouldn’t be too long before the gyphons started to flock here and find out what transpired. Looking down from the chariot he  spotted a red trail through the snow and something green at the end of it.

“Take us down I see something.”

Once he was a few feet from the ground he leapt out and made his way to the what he now saw as a body, he hurried over and found a unicorn barely alive with a massive wound where her cutie mark would lay on her right flank. He picked up her head while channeling what little healing magic he knew into the massive rend.

“Stay with me, your safe now. Are you Diamond? Glacial’s daughter?”

She rolled her eyes mumbling the name Zeveck over and over.

“We need to get her back to the garrison now! Darter can you fly me and her back by yourself while Clouds gets word back to the lieutenant?”

“It’s going to be a tough pull but I can manage.”

“Good. Clouds help me get on her on here.”

The yellow Pegasus unhooked himself from the harness to help the unicorn get the young mare on the chariot before saluting his sergeant and taking off back towards the camp, while Darter strained to get his overburdened load into the sky and back to the garrison in Grazefield.

Hunter had no idea how long he had been asleep from passing out from exhaustion after tying to revive ghost, when he heard strange muffled sounds coming from all around him. Opening his eyes he found himself face to face with another horse creature, this one sporting armor and holding a spear. The creature back peddled in fright before quickly recomposing itself and jabbing a spear at him and appeared to speak in some garbled tongue. Hunter had no idea what kind of fucked up hallucinations he was having but that spear seemed real enough, he grabbed the shaft and yanked on it. Throwing the beast forward towards him. when it landed in front of him Hunter head-butted it, but to his surprise its skulls seemed thicker than his and he recoiled from the shock. As he shook his head one of them decided to thrust it’s spear at him. It broke when it failed to pierce the ballistic layer under his armor.

Hunter grabbed the broken end and worked his way back on his feet before smacking the now surprised creature alongside the head with it, knocking it out when another spear was thrust at him he yanked it from its grasp and knocked its feet out from under it before spinning it around and thrusting at another attacker, the spear embedding into its armor. One of the last three standing managed to get his spear through one of the tears in his armor on his bad leg. He let out a howl as the blade cut into his flesh, he brought his hand down on the spear shattering it before dropping to a knee. The creature he had head butted was already back on its feet and kicking its hind legs out at him. Hunter saw blackness as its rear hoofs connected with his face.