What We Do Is Right

42 Hours Until Tyranid Hive Ships Arrive, Element One: Magic

    “So just like that, we managed to turn him back to stone. Well, he broke out eventually obviously, or rather we let him out. It’s complicated but, he’s got a good heart nonetheless,” said Twilight, answering my question regarding Discord. I shifted from where I sat. Twilight had decided to bring me out to a field, the gentle wind caressing my hard face. Twilight’s hair fluttered in the wind ever so slightly.

    “Now I’ve got a question for you. Well, a couple actually. First of all, why did you decide to come here in the first place? And moreover, why did you not just  … kill us when you first encountered us at my castle?” said Twilight, flinching at the world kill. Dac’tyr wasn’t joking when he said war was not a big thing here. I mulled over the answer for a moment before replying.

    “Twilight, I don’t mean to frighten you, but I feel you should know something about me, and the rest of the creatures like me. I am a human, as I mentioned earlier when I first came to speak to you, but I am more than that. The others like me are Space Marines, genetically enhanced soldiers of mankind.” I said. She still had a confused look on her face, searching for something to compare me to.

    “Imagine this Twilight, picture your planet. Now picture dozens of others, just like it, and some others, more dangerous and unforgiving. Now maintain that picture, and multiply it by a billion. Now imagine that every single planet was home to a race of creatures, each one bent on the destruction of one another, all for the sake of conquest and personal gain. That is the galaxy we are unfortunate enough to live in. That is why I exist. I exist to defend the Empire of Mankind ...”

    Twilight’s cheeks lost their color that was visible even through her fur. She shook slightly, contemplating the dreadful thought. I quickly scooted over to her, and with a bit of consideration, wrapped my arm gently around her midsection, hugging her close.

    “But it’s alright Twilight, because you don’t have to worry. You don’t have to be fearful of anything. We are here to defend you. And I am here to comfort you. In this galaxy, no being can stand alone, so for now, like it or not, we stand together, ”

    Twilight was shocked by my actions, half expecting me to crush her when I embraced her. But she quickly regained her composure, and snuggled into my chestplate. Her color returned as she embraced me back wrapping her hooves around my arm.

    “I was created to defend Mankind, but that does not mean I won’t defend you with the same zeal.”

    Twilight raised her head from my chestplate, looking up at me with eyes of innocence. She was so young, so naive to the dangers of the galaxy around her, as was her species as a whole. In that moment, as her starry eyes full of wonder looked back into my own dreadful visage, I made a decision. The contrast of such an innocent being against a man tempered by war and pain almost looked comical. But we shared an understanding of each other. On a base level, we knew it was us against a hostile universe.

    That day , an important event took place, for Mankind gained an ally, and I gained a friend.

36 Hours Until Tyranid Hive Ships Arrive, Element Two: Honesty

    Applejack reared back, her hind legs rippling with finely toned muscles as she released them, sending shockwaves through the tree, a shower of apples raining down from it.

    “That, is how ya do it! Top that big fella,” Applejack giggled slightly, unafraid of my hulking form and ebon face. I admired the way she carried herself, very confident in whatever she did. Even when I had first approached her, she welcomed me in as if she knew me like family. These ponies were trusting creatures, a bit too trusting in fact. Their naivete made me smile, if ever so slightly, for I had read of ancient times on Terra, so old in fact, parts of the Librarium were in awe of the scripts’ age. Back then, humans weren’t so different from these creatures. We still warred with each other back then of course, but what we had was much closer to what these ponies have here, in terms of trust.

    I stood up from where I had lain against a particularly stout apple tree, walking slowly over to a  tree beside Applejack’s own. I looked it up and down for a moment, before setting my sights on one spot of it. I raised my right leg up high, before forcing it forward in a  display of immense power. The resulting force from the kick shattered the trunk of the tree as it crumpled in two, toppling over, uprooted.

    “Whoo wee! Why, sugarcube, I have never seen anypony kick that hard. Even Big Mac couldn’t do that! That was truly impressive, but regardless, you owe me an apple tree,” Applejack said, chuckling heartily and gesturing for me to follow her. I complied, falling in behind her as we walked back through the orchard.

    “So, Applejack, what do you think of me? As a being, how do you perceive me? I know its a very sudden question, but please, just answer it,”

    Applejack halted herself, turning to face me, a thoughtful look on her face as she peered up at me.

    “Well, that’s a very deep question now ain’t it Corvane. Ah’ll be honest, I was expecting you and the rest of your team to blow us away as soon as you saw us. But you didn’t, and that surprised me. I’ve heard tales of wars, waaaay out on the Equestrian borders, hundreds of miles from any civilian town. I’ve seen antique suits of armor before, and huge ponies wearing the armor, just to demonstrate. But Ah’ve never seen anypony like you. You walk on two legs, you wear armor at all times, and your eyes are red for pete’s sake. Ah would be telling a lie if Ah said I wasn’t afraid of you …”

    I looked down at the ground, a bit angry at myself for my warlike appearance.

    “But that don’t mean I don’t trust you. Quite the opposite in fact. Now, what I’m about to say may seem crazy, but I trust you more than anypony I’ve ever met. Even mah friends. I’ve never come into a situation like I did a few days ago, knowing that the pon-- err, Ah mean people standing before me could’ve just snuffed me out like that. But you didn’t. You could’ve, surely if you wanted to, but it takes a real big man to help those who can do nothing to help them. In mah eyes, there is no greater test of merit.”

    I hadn’t considered what she had just told me. We could’ve tried to just destroy the planet, futile as it may have been, but we could’ve. But instead, we chose to put our lives on the line on some random frontier world home to talking ponies. It was lunacy, surely, if not for the fact that by doing so we were stopping a Tyranid fleet from reforming.

But it was more than that, at least to me. It was about protecting such an innocent race of beings, who meant no harm to anyone.In a lot of ways, they reminded me of the Tau. An Upstart go get em’ kind of civilization was brewing here, and I would not stand to let the flames of a promising race to be extinguished by the vile ‘nids.

    “Thank you, Applejack. That’s all the answer I needed … “

30 Hours Until Tyranid Hive Ships Arrive, Element Three: Generosity

“Darling, I must ask, what in the name of Celestia compelled you to choose such a hideous color for your apparel?” asked Rarity, politely sipping at her tea.

    “Well, it’s not as simple as just choosing. I was born on Nocturne, the homeworld and recruiting world of the Salamanders chapter of space marines. All space marines of the same chapter wear the same colors to show their loyalty to the chapter master, and to distinguish one group from another. Think of our armor much the same as the Royal Guard of Celestia. They all wear similar armor to ensure others know they’re a group.”

    “I see … while I don’t approve of your... Chapter, was it? Your chapter’s color scheme, it certainly makes sense.” replied Rarity.

    I strode over across the boutique, skimming over the variety of clothes stored in closets and shelves. Many of the clothes seemed silly, almost juvenile in nature, but others were simply beautiful. I always will see war as a necessary evil, but even so, after witnessing so much death, so much destruction and horror, the beauty that shone here was only amplified.

    I was never big on fashion, even before I became a neophyte, and indeed, it was not really a concern for most marines, but something inside me told me this pony had a talent. A talent that might be useful.

    “Rarity?”

    “Yes, dear?”

    “I have something to ask of you. Something very, very important. You don’t have to accept, and I don’t expect you will. But I need a favor,” I said, trying to sound innocent.

    “Whatever you require, I will assist in whatever way I can Corvane. We only met a few hours ago, and at first, it was quite odd having somepony of your … stature around. But It really is true what they say, don’t judge a book by its cover,” Rarity said, eliciting a small chuckle.

    “Alright, I would appreciate if you assisted in the making of nanoweave suits for as many ponies as possible. Right now our Tech-Marines and several of the more tech savvy tactical marines are shaping leftover carapace plates into armor for the Royal Guard. They’re woefully understaffed, and have been concentrating their efforts on modifying gear for use by ponies. However, there isn’t enough carapace armor to go around. That’s where you come in. From talking with you, you’ve shown me you’re a master seamstress, and while I understand your strength lies in fashion, war looms on the horizon.”, I said glancing over to Rarity who listened attentively, sipping at her tea.

“We are not yet ready for the coming storm. Flakweave is a type of ultra tough fabric that we’ve got a few reserve stores of. Servitors and tech priests are hard at work cutting them into suitable form for ponies, but I feel you could assist them greatly with the use of your magic and expert knowledge on the pony form. You know, show them how it’s done, so to speak.”

The unicorn set her teacup down for a moment, lost in thought, and looking more than just a bit frightened at the prospect of war. When she looked back up at me, with those same gleaming eyes Twilight had, full of hope and determination, she had made her choice.

    “I’ll do it.”

    “Excellent, I’ll radio for a Thunderhawk to come pick us up. When it gets here, I’ll escort you to it. My friend Arithias will be waiting for you inside. He’s a bit imposing, but you don’t need to make friends with him, just let him show you where you can get started,” I said, mulling over my next thought before blurting it out. “And Rarity, if you ever feel uncomfortable, or scared, or out of place, just tell someone, and I’ll be up there in an instant. “

    “Thank you dear. Now then, before we go, let’s finish our tea.”

    “Wouldn’t have it any other way,” I said, raising the small cup delicately to my mouth, and drinking the whole thing in a quick gulp. I wasn’t the most keen on etiquette, but I politely set the cup down on the coffee table after I finished. I sat down on the floor, observing Rarity as she finished her tea, and we got lost in more pointless chatter.

    But there was something about these ponies. Something strange. They seemed so innocent, and they were, yet they were so brave, in the face of an enemy even the Imperium Of Man feared. It amazed me, to the lengths people, and ponies, will go to survive.

    And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

24 Hours Until Tyranid Hive Ships Arrive , Element Four : Loyalty

    “Is that the best you can do slowpoke? Hah, keep up ya big lug!” Rainbow Dash said, soaring above me. Damn that pony and her wings. She elegantly raced above me, doing twirly spins and just being a showoff in general. FInally, as I approached the finish line, I saw Dash standing there, leaning against one of the wooden posts on two legs, with her front legs crossed like arms.

    “Took ya long enough. If I had to say, you’re about as fast as ol’ Tank without his flying gear,” Rainbow giggled playfully as I slowed to a halt, digging my feet into the ground to stop my momentum.

    “Ah, that’s cheating Rainbow, you’ve got wings.”

    “And you’ve got genetic doo-dads!”

    “This armor weighs a lots you know! It’s not like I can just run like I would be able to without it on. Hmmm … alright, let’s do something a little more my level,” I said, smiling evilly. I strode over to a nearby tree with a particularly large base. I drew my combat knife, and kneeling down, I sliced through the base of the tree. The top crumpled with a huge thud, crashing down in a mess of branches and leaves. I sat down on one end of the stump, putting my arm on top of the makeshift table. I gestured Dash over with my free hand. She sighed while shaking her head playfully and giggling.

    “Here, we’ll do an arm wrestle. You versus me, and I’ll go easy on you, I’ll only use my pinky,” I encouraged.

    “No! Don’t hold back, I can totally beat the tar out of you when it comes to arm wrestles!” Rainbow replied, looking for a challenge. I sighed before rising from my spot, and walking over to a fresh tree.

    “Look at this tree, Rainbow Dash. Now imagine it’s your arm. Now look at my fist, and imagine it’s my fist. Now, watch closely, or you might miss it,” I mocked, taking a step back with my right foot, my arm pulling back. I released the punch with a forceful explosion of power, the tree splintering into a thousand pieces, the trunk collapsing in a heap of broken wood.

    I stepped back, making a gun with my hand, and blowing on it before pretending to holster it. Dash looked more than a  little surprised, her mouth hanging slightly agape.

    “You … You just ...”

    “Exploded that tree? Yes. Yes I did,”

    “I don’t wanna arm wrestle anymore … For your safety of course! We don’t want anypony to get hurt,” Dash quickly completed her sentence, adding that slight bit of arrogant confidence that made her so lovable.

    “I’ve actually got a question for you Corvane, and, this is gonna sound kinda personal, so don’t take it the wrong way, but … Well, I was wondering If you could … uhm, get me some of those genetic thingies … maybe … ?” Rainbow Dash asked, shrinking into her skin, and becoming shyer than she normally was. I let out a raucous laugh, looking at her with the memories of the implants cemented into my mind. With my laughing, her cheeks exploded into vibrant, pinkish red.

    I stopped laughing as she gave me a scolding look. I had explained to her earlier who I am, and what I was, just as I had with the previous ponies, but I hadn’t really gone that in depth with any of them. I tried to find a way to put it gently. I failed.

    “Well, Dash, I honestly don’t know if you can even get them. They were designed with males in mind, and humans more specifically. A female pony? It most certainly would fail, at least with the current processes.“

    The pony looked down into the ground, searching for something to say, her mane draping over her face. She tried to blow the mane out of her face, but gave up the effort when it kept falling back down. She kicked the dirt, sighing loudly. I came closer to her, kneeling down to bring my face closer to hers. I used my index finger, outstretched in a loose fist, to perk her head up, forcing her to look at me.

    “Rainbow, I won’t lie to you, being a Space Marine is more than just being strong. It’s about sacrificing your life for those around you. Now I know you just want the genetic ‘doo-dads’ so you can show off and be stronger and faster, and I get that. I really do. But you have to understand something. I’m dead.”

    Rainbow’s eyes pierced my soul. Even a brash, arrogant knucklehead like her was heart-wrenchingly cute.

    “I am dead, because I gave my life up a long time ago, to serve the Emperor, and to serve Mankind. And for the time being, I serve Celestia, and Luna, and Twilight, and all the other ponies of this world, including, you.” I said comfortingly. I used my free hand to lightly push my free index finger into her chest. I stepped back from her, rising to my full height. She remained in a glum state, despite my speech.

I contemplated a thought that gnawed at me at the back of my mind. I decided to go ahead with the brash thought.

    “Look, Dash, I can’t promise you anything, but … I could try and get you a little something from the armory. I was thinking, since you want to be stronger and faster, I could talk to the apothecary, and ask him to rig up some exoskeletal bionics on you. It would require surgery, but once this is all over, he would be able to remove the machinery, allowing you to return to normal. Now I know thi- “

    “Yes! Yes, yes, yes! Hook me up with those bionics Corvane! Please!” Rainbow begged, drawing out the last word, instantly perking up. I stared into her eyes for a moment. That same mixture of innocence and bravery these ponies continued to confuddle me.

    “Alright, alright, let’s go get you fitted right away. Just let me do the talking, and everything will go fine. Just, don’t talk please, the Apothecary isn’t too privy to helping xenos … “ I said, putting on my helmet, and radioing for Thunderhawk seven to come and pick us up at the coordinates I sent him.

The meadow by the Everfree forest dash and I had come to was stunningly serene. It was the first time I realized, despite having many thoughts about the concept, that this planet was fully untouched by the plagues of the universe. Here there was no corruption. No seeds of heresy. No genocidal xeno incursions - well until now that is - for this place was wholly contained, in it’s own orb of ignorance to the galaxy around it.

I pondered for a moment, standing in the meadow, Rainbow jabbering on about how awesome her enhancements would be, about what the repercussions of the first interplanetary war on Equestria would bring. I felt it would rob this planet of innocence, of its blissful state of being. I began to get choked up in that meadow, knowing the consequences that awaited this planet. I know the ravages of war, especially those perpetrated by the Tyranids.

And I knew this planet wasn’t ready for that time yet.

18 Hours Until Tyranid Hive Ships Arrive, Element Five : Laughter

    Never before have I experienced someone with so much energy. If I could bottle that ceaseless bouncing of hers, it could power an Imperial Titan for centuries to come. She was so joyful, so carefree, so … blissful.

    I wandered around the downstairs floor of Sugar Cube Corner, observing sweet treats of all size and shapes. There was everything from cakes to muffins to cupcakes to eclairs to ice cream and mousse. All thing Space Marines indulged very, very sparingly.

    I felt at home here for some reason. It didn’t resemble the death world of Nocturne, nor the Battle Barge’s which I had spent many a night aboard. It resembled what I had always pictured happiness to be. For in this small, cramped dwelling lived a pony, who despite what may come, was forever happy. And that made me jealous, and yet at the same time, sorry for her.

    I was sorry that her times of fun were nearly at end. I was sorry that it had come to this. I was sorry that there was no other way but to fight. I haven’t felt true sorrow since my days as a neophyte, and that just made it all the harder to bear the thought of this place, and what it was destined to become. Just another war-torn, ruined world.

    Yet something inside me  began to grow, as I sat there, watching Pinkie Pie bounce happily about hanging balloons, and streamers, and banners. Something I knew would forever remain with me, as long as I lived. That something was happiness.

    Pinkie Pie, for all her illusions of being a simple party planner, was wise beyond her age, for she understood the true meaning of life. She understood, perhaps without even knowing herself, as oxymoronical as it may sound, that life is worth enjoying. That’s something I hadn’t understood for a long time.

    Still, when we first met, it was if the pieces of a puzzle had come together, for I held the knowledge that life is worth fighting for, and she held the reason why it was worth fighting for. I may have never known, had I not met her. I understood I fought for the people of the Imperium, but in that moment, I finally understood why I fought. While I may not ever experience true, lasting  happiness, I can rest easy in the fact that for every battle I win, for every enemy I slay, a life is saved.

A life, with the potential of happiness, is worth more than every Space Marine. That’s, what makes fighting this endless war, worth it in the end.

“Come on silly billy! I just got the ‘Big Stompy Robots Welcoming Party’ banner up!”

“Pinkie, I’ve told you, I’m not a robot! It’s just armor. Underneath, I’m made of the same stuff you are, more or less … “

“Oh shush! I don’t care what you are, to me, you’re a big stompy robot.” Pinkie giggled. She hopped over to me bouncing up and down, but on her third bounce, she seemed to float in the air, suspended by nothing more than what I can assume is sheer force of will. She lightly pushed her hoof against my nose.

“You’ve been booped. It doesn’t matter that you’re a big stompy robot , all that matters is you’re MY big stompy robot. Come to think of it, I’ve always wanted to have a big stompy robot, ever since just now! “ Pinkie said with exuberance, before descending back to the ground.

All of a sudden, Pinkie whipped out a cannon nearly her size, and with a  quick pull, the end of the cannon expelled confetti and streamers, along with several inflated balloons. How it all fit in there, I decided not to question. As she chattered away, asking me questions in long winded and energetic sentences, I blotted out her voice for a second, as I remembered something.

The vanquisher cannon. We had only one of them onboard the strike cruiser, in a pre-fabbed, ready to deploy state. But with the tech marines manning various vehicles, the servitors defending the armory aboard the cruiser, and 60 marines in warsuits that left only a meagre 55 tactical marines. There was no doubt that at least 30 of them would be manning vehicles, with the tech marine teams spread thin. The remaining 20 marines would be divides into two squads, one accompanying the Captain, and another stationed in drop pods, ready to deep strike.

That left no one to man the Vanquisher cannon, for it was too complex for servitors to handle, and the rest of the marine force was tied up. I had once heard a tech-marine say to another, that the Vanquisher cannon was  a simple, user friendly interface. It was still far too complex for the braindead servitors to operate however.

I had considered asking a royal guard of Celestia’s to man the gun, but every single one of the extremely small guard was relegated to the defense of the castle. Even so, I found Pinkie Pie a perfect gunner for the turret for two reasons. One , she would remain protected inside the cannon’s armored hull, and two she would be able to safely assist in the defense of the planet, while keeping morale up.

It was a longshot for sure, but the cannon she used had reminded me of the Vanquisher turret stowed away, useless without an operator. So I took the chance. I grabbed Pinkie Pie by the shoulders, stopping her bouncing for a few moments as we stared at each other.

We spoke rapidly, the conversation shooting back and forth between us. I decided to lead with a joke of sorts.

“Ever man a general defense Vanquisher Turret?”

“Never even heard of it.”

“Think you’d be able to learn an advanced interface within twelve hours?”

“Probably not.”

“You in?”

“Absolutely!”

Like music to my ears.

12 Hours Until Tyranid Hive Ships Arrive, Element Six: Kindness

    “Fluttershy? Hello? Is anyone home?” , I asked, trying to knock gently enough on the door as to not break it. I circled around the house for a fifth time, trying to peer inside. I spied a window near the back of the cottage that was small and circular. I hadn’t noticed it before, but I quickly rushed over, peering inside. What I saw made my heart sink.

    I had never gotten to meet Fluttershy, but her friends had spoken of her fondly, as a soft spoken, gentle creature. They had said she was a caretaker of animals, devoted to the kindness of all beings.

    I punched through the wall, rending the walls apart, and forcing myself through into the dark room.

    “Fluttershy?”

    No response.

    I eyed a pony, laying on a couch, her back turned to me. Her wings were slightly outstretched, curling ever so slightly as if in a state of - no. It wasn’t possible. I refused to believe it.

    “Fluttershy?” I called out, more forcefully this time. I slowly approached, and I began to notice a small object that was wriggling by her side. It was a rabbit, no bigger than a finger on my gauntlets. It nudged her continuously, trying to wake her. It’s eyes were close, and I could hear its high pitched whimpering.

    As I came closer and closer to the body, allowing myself a better view, I found a note on a  table beside the couch. I refused to touch it.

    Finally, with one last step, I towered over Fluttershy, her wings locked in a  state of rigor mortis. I rolled her over onto her back, and blank, lifeless eyes stared back at me. I dropped my head to the floor, shutting my eyes. A million thoughts raced through my mind, and I made a decision.

    I approached the table, still in darkness, and grasped the small note gently. I unfurled the yellow tinted scroll, bound with a piece of pink ribbon. I read it over in a matter of seconds, for it was only a few sentences. I read it aloud to myself.

    “When there’s nothing to look for in life… What do you do? Do you just bear it? Do you sit through the thoughts of knowing the death that’s coming? No.”

I put the scroll back down onto the table, grasping the ribbon in my hand, and looking down at it intently. It was a delicate piece of silk, colored a soft pink. I tied it around the paper of one of the purity seal on the front of my left pauldron.

She will be missed, not forgotten.

I started towards the hole in the wall I had made, preparing to bear the grim news of this tragedy to Celestia, when a sunbeam streak past me. A cage had dropped from the ceiling, letting a tiny sliver of light stream in. I turned to see where it lead, and was sure it was a sign.

The beam of light shone directly onto the flank of Fluttershy, right where her cutie mark was. The three butterflies seemed to gain an otherworldly glow to them in the darkness of the room. I knew there was hope.

I dashed over to Fluttershy, securing my helmet, and holding down the vox button. I scooped Fluttershy up with my free arm, before barreling straight back through the entrance I had made.

“This is Corvane! I need the closest Thunderhawk gunship to come pick me up at my current coordinates. I repeat, I need transport, IMMEDIATELY!” I hollered into the vox, clutching a flare from my belt as I ended the transmission. I popped the cap, the red smoke and glow of it beginning to start. I tossed it in the field in front of the cottage. Running rapidly towards the location of the flare, I knelt down, placing Fluttershy gently before me.

“Its going to be fine … It’s all going to be fine, just hang in there …” I said as I tried to comfort the unmoving body.

Even as the engines of the Thunderhawk screeched overhead, preparing to land, I heard nothing but the sound of my own comforting words. I knew her chances were slim, and without the final element of harmony, so were Equestria’s.