After The Fall

Gilda stood outside the cave. She crept along the cliff face until she was out of the camp. She moved crept down the mountain into the forest. She ran along the edge until she found a series of rocks.

“One, Two, Three,” she whispered, “Ah here we are, four.” She picked up the fourth rock. Underneath it was a message.

Coordinates Received.

She smiled. She grabbed her lighter and set fire to the paper before tossing it to the ground. She replaced the rock and stood up. She looked towards the direction of the weapons depot as a series of whooshes sounded overhead.

Booms could be heard as the jets disappeared from view. Gilda shoved the lighter back into her pocket and ran off towards the camp.

***

Twilight, AJ, Rarity, Rainbow, Fluttershy, and Pinkie all ran to the edge of the yacht. It stopped rocking soon after the jets had passed but not before Vinyl went over the edge followed by Dax. Only Dax went over on purpose.

Dax fell. He streamlined his body and followed Vinyl’s screams as she fell. He recognized her pale form in the darkness. Fortunately she had spread her body out as to create the most air resistance as she fell.

The air rushed passed. If not for his enhanced hearing he might not have even found Vinyl. But Vinyl couldn’t hear him so that left him at a disadvantage if he wanted to call to her. He pushed himself farther down beyond his terminal velocity.

He was only two meters away from her though the ground was getting a little too close for comfort. Dax reached out. He had to do this right for if he grabbed her the wrong way he could dislocated her harm, rip a tendon, pop her shoulder out of its socket, or worse. There was also the possibility that she would hit the ground making all other points moot. He was directly above her. He hooked his arms under hers.

Vinyl’s head turned, her red eyes stared into his. All fear disappeared when she realized who he was. She instantly gripped him as hard as she could and closed her eyes.

Ok, that would also work. He began to slow his descant. Too fast and the G forces could kill her. He began to slow until he was at a hover only a few meters above the ground. He looked up. His HUD quickly found the yacht still high above.

With Vinyl still squeezing him he began to rise.

***

“Can anyone see anything?!” Twilight asked.

“No, maybe I can fly down there an-” Rainbow was cut off.

“Wait! What’s that?!” Pinkie pointed. An object was ascending. Soon it became visible just as it shot up and landed softly on the deck.

“Oh my gosh! Dax! Vinyl! Are you alright?” Twilight asked.

“Yeah I’m fine,” Dax sighed, “Hey Vinyl? You ok?”

She finally began to loosen her grip, “THANK YOU! Thank you thank you thank you.” She let her feet touch the deck and kissed him on the cheek, causing Dax to blush and leaving a bluish stain on his face.

“So I take that as a yes?”

“Yes,” she said still holding onto him, “I’m alright thanks to you…” She suppressed a sob with a sniff, “You saved me again. I don’t know how I’m gonna repay you for the last few times.”

“Vinyl, you don’t have to. Just knowing you’re safe is enough for me.”

She wiped her nose, “You’re too good to me. Thanks.”

“So anybody know what the hay made the boat rock?” Applejack asked.

“They were some kind of plane,” Dax said, “Just before they passed by Ajax called me. She said we should be careful as we travel towards Trottingham. Something about a terrorist group hating the peace between Equestria and the Griffin Kingdom?”

Twilight sighed, “The Princess told me something similar. The Black Claw has been giving both Kingdoms trouble for a while now.”

“Well if need be I can get my ship here in minutes. But let’s not let that ruin our vacation.”

“Sure. I don’t think they’ll be much trouble anyway. The Princess and the Griffon king are both working to stop their efforts.”

“Good,” Dax said. He turned to Vinyl. He wondered if she was alright from her experience, “So I bet you don’t like flying anymore,” Dax sighed.

Vinyl let go but blushed a little, “Actually, it’s not that bad.”

Dax’s eyes along with everyone else’s shot open wider than dinner plates.

A collective, “WHAT?!” was heard.

Vinyl gave a sheepish grin, “I don’t know why but I’m not afraid anymore. Though I’m scared to death of falling but for some reason I’m fine with flight.”

Dax sighed and smiled, “I won’t even try to understand how that happened.”

“Oh I understand it perfectly!” Pinkie said, “She got over-” She was silenced by Rainbow’s hand.

“Yeah I don’t know about you guys but I’m bushed. Time to hit the sack,” she trudged down the stairs towards her room.

“Me too,” Dax said, “I’m taking a shower. I think I hit a swarm of bugs on the way down.”

He headed to his room with Vinyl following close behind.

Rarity sighed, “Oh it’s so cute.”

“What?” Twilight asked.

“Them. It’s so fairy tale. Can’t you see it?”

“No, what?”

“He’s saved her life twice now and saved her from other… undesirables… too. It’s like that play Applejack and I saw. He’s the hero and she’s the princess.”

“So?”

“So she’s going to fall for him and he’s going to fall for her.”

***

Dax’s sleep was interrupted. A rustling could be heard at his door. He opened his eyes a peak. Vinyl stood at his door, fumbling with her hands. She stared at her feet.

Dax sat up in his bed, “Hey Vinyl, something wrong?”

“Oh um…Well I… I had a nightmare and…Well…I was wondering… If I… If I could…Stay with you for the night,” she peeped looking at the floor.

Dax smiled and moved over, “Sure, make yourself at home.”

She looked up, “Thanks Dax.” She crept over and got under the covers. Dax laid back on his pillow and began to fall back asleep.

Vinyl smiled and rolled over towards Dax. In truth she lied. There was no nightmare and never would be.

***

Dax woke up. There was a warm lump next to him. He rolled over and saw Vinyl, sound asleep next to him. He nearly jumped onto the floor but remembered what happened last night. He quietly crept out of his bed and grabbed some clothes from the closet.

After changing in the bathroom he quietly left the room and headed to the kitchen. He found Applejack humming to herself as she made pancakes with (you guessed it) apples.

Dax yawned and made himself a cup of tea.

“Morning AJ,” he said.

She turned, “Well howdy there hero boy.”

Dax sipped his tea. He found took a seat on an unoccupied chair at the table.

“Don’t call me that. I just did what any other person with the ability to fly would do.”

“Yeah,” Applejack said as she flipped a pancake onto a plate, “But you’ve done it about three times. You were even shot!”

“Still no hero.”

“Ya know you’re ‘bout as stubborn as Rainbow Dash.”

“Excuse me?” Rainbow Dash said, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes, “I’m stubborn? Do you remember Applebuck season two years ago?”

“Mornin to you too RD,” AJ sighed.

“What happened two years ago?” Dax asked.

“Well,” Rainbow began smugly, “This one here thought she could harvest an entire apple field by herself. Though she went a little loco in the process.” Rainbow giggled at the last part.

“Ha ha ha ha,” Applejack said, “What about when you broke into a hospital just to-” Rainbow’s hand instantly shot out to silence the farm girl.

Dax laughed, “That’s a story I’d like to hear.”

“What’s a story you’d like to hear?” Vinyl said as she trudged into the kitchen.

“The story of when Rainbow broke into a hospital.”

“Oh that one. Just saying Rainbow, Twilight is the librarian and the books were most likely from the library to begin with,” she said with a giggle.

Rainbow frowned with an embarrassing blush across her face, “And how was I supposed to know that?”

Vinyl formed a ‘duh’ expression before saying, “Um books? Library? Friend is a librarian? Duh?”

“Humph,” she said before taking a seat herself, “Gosh I’m starved.”

“Well if you wait a few minutes breakfast’ll be done cooking,” AJ said.

Twilight, Fluttershy, Pinkie, and Rarity all walked into the kitchen. Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Vinyl, and Dax all screamed when they saw Rarity’s face covered in a beauty mask.

“Oh my sweet Celestia!” Vinyl screamed, “Dax! Where’s the window?!”

“Oh relax Vinyl,” Twilight said, “It’s just Rarity.”

“She knows its Rarity,” Rainbow gasped, “But what’s that thing devouring her face?!”

“And why’s it green?!” Applejack asked.

“Oh girls,” Pinkie giggled, “It’s just a beauty mask.”

“After all, the element of Generosity needs to look her best when we land tomorrow,” Rarity said, walking to the sink and removing the mask.

“So what’s for breakfast?” Twilight asked

“Pancakes,” Dax said.

“Ooh yum. So how’d everyone sleep?”

“I slept like a baby!” Pinkie said.

“Like a rock,” AJ said.

“I have no idea,” Rainbow Dash said.

“I woke up in the middle of the night,” Dax said, “I guess Vinyl had trouble sleeping. But I guess that’s understandable after falling off a yacht.”

Vinyl blushed, “Yeah, uh, I had a nightmare.”

“So we’ll be approaching the city by tomorrow?” Dax asked.

“Yes. I heard Trottingham is a nice forested city. I’ve never been there before but from what I’ve read it’s really nice this time of year,” Twilight said.

“Cool.”

“Breakfast’s ready!” AJ said. She grabbed a large plate of pancakes and placed it on the table followed by a bottle of syrup.

“Awesome! I’m starved!” Rainbow Dash said stabbing fork into the pile, taking a mountain of pancakes to her plate.

“Rainbow! Don’t be such a barbarian!” Rarity scolded.

“Oh relax Rarity,” RD responded between bits.

“Eh what the heck?” Vinyl said before stabbing her fork into the mountain and removing a large amount of pancakes to her plate.

They all laughed before digging in. After enjoying half an hour of pleasant conversation and good food they washed the dishes, Rarity complaining the whole time, before returning up to the deck.

The sun had begun its assent into the sky. There some clouds in the sky making for a nice sky scape. There wasn’t too much to do until they reached the city.

Dax went back to his room and grabbed a drawing pad and a pencil. He returned to the deck and began to sketch. It always was a nice way for him to pass the time. One of the few things he had left of them…

***

Two years ago.

“I really hate this,” Adrian said.

“What is it this time?” Danny responded.

“Well let’s see, we’re in the middle of a heavy cargo container that’s strapped to the bottom of a container ship waiting for the next five days until we actually make landfall.”

“We have to stay in this container,” Daisy said, “It’s the only way we can make a covert insertion into G.E.E. space without being detected. Also the container we’re in offers a lot of radiation shielding since Atlas 2’s radiation can get lethal at those orbits.”

“So let’s review. Break into station; steal logistical information and weapons data, leave. Simple as that,” Dax said.

“First two are easy. Problem is we need a way off the station as the extraction point is several AUs out,” Naomi said.

“Eh we’ll deal with that when we come to it,” Dax said, “But for now I’m gonna try to not die from boredom for the next five days. Anyone got any ideas?”

“Bring your turntables DJ Dax?” Naomi said with a grin.

“No,” Dax said.

“Well I don’t know about you guys but Adrian and I are going to enjoy some quality time together,” Daisy said with a sly grin. She grabbed his hand and ran off to another part of the box, closing the door behind her.

“Well this is just great,” Danny said, “I was planning on catching up on some Zs but those two completely ruined my desire to return to the barracks. Fuckin great, no pun intended.” Danny got up and headed to the hanger part of the container, falling asleep in a jeep.

“I honestly have no clue what to do,” Dax said.

“You need a hobby,” Naomi said.

“I kill people for a living. Not much room for hobbies.”

“Jeez you are simply determined not to enjoy life to the fullest. Here!”

A pencil bounced off his head followed by a slap to the face by a pad of paper.

“What the hell is this?”

“A hobby. If you’re so determined not to have fun, at least do something that fits your boring personality.”

“I already DJ during the parties we have during shore leave.”

“Just so you would avoid Ajax possibly drugging you.”

“Throwing me out to dry huh?” Ajax said popping into existence.

“Fine,” Dax said taking the paper and pencil, “I’ll be in the armory.”

He got up and left, slamming the door behind him.

As soon as he left Naomi’s bubbly façade fell apart. She sat down on a couch and held her head in her hands.

“He doesn’t mean to be like that,” Ajax said.

“Could’ve fooled me,” Naomi said miserably.

“Naomi, he has the hardest job out of all of you.”

“Don’t patronize him,” she said bitterly.

“Listen!” Ajax said causing Naomi to look up, “Tade! This is your job!”

A bald A.I. in monk robs appeared, “No. This problem involves your trooper, not mine.”

“But she’s your trooper.”

“Your soldier! You tell her!”

“You are fucking insufferable! Fine! Just get outta my processing blocks.”

Tade disappeared.

“Tell me what?” Naomi asked.

“Naomi, Dax is squad leader as you know.”

“So? What does that have to do with anything?”

“Everything! He has the hardest job out of all of you! Being in charge of 200 other people he knows as well as he should his own family doesn’t just leave your state of mind untouched.”

“And?”

“If you want an example of how hard it is just look in the barracks.”

“Daisy and Adrian?”

“Yes. Things like that make his job much harder. In his mind, intimate relationships complicate things. Worse than civilians in a combat zone. What if he makes the wrong decision that results in one of them dying? What will the other think? And it’s not just them. The other fifty couples in the company make his command decisions limited. At the end of the day he has to make sure that all of them make it back alive and uninjured.”

By now she had Naomi’s attention.

“Have you ever looked at the causality reports?”

“No. Why? No one’s died, the most we’ve ever had is a few shots to the stomach.”

“That’s it right there. Simulations have shown that by now in the war at least half of you should be dead. That’s the bare minimum.”

“That’s not common among us?”

“Look at the other shock trooper companies. Ours is the only one where there has not been a single casualty. The closest any other company has come is losing 25% of their original trainees. Dax has had to compensate for the fact that some missions are more high risk than others, couples getting assigned to different missions with a chance that some will have a larger chance of dying than the others. Also, all of your company’s missions have had extreme implications for the war effort.”

“Like?”

“You don’t need to know. Just say you’ve kept a lot of people in their homes instead of in refugee camps. Dax literally has to plan to win the no-win scenario. He’s under more stress than even he knows.”

Naomi looked towards the armory door. Was she wrong? Was she just being selfish? Was that the reason for what happened four years ago?

“He’s under extreme amounts of stress to the point where medical reports are sounding alarms all across the board.”

Naomi looked up, “What’s wrong?”

“If he doesn’t get his stress levels down then he’s likely not to live to see his 40th birthday.”

“He’s dying?!” Naomi gasped. Danny rolled over in the jeep. Naomi’s voice returned to a whisper, “He’s dying?”

“Slowly. To the point where it’s nearly immeasurable. Just try not to antagonize him. He’s kept you all alive; but some point soon he may break. Even he himself doesn’t know the full extent of his condition. Just make him comfortable. If he’s to survive this he’ll need all the help he can get.”

The armory door opened, Ajax disappeared.

“Here you go,” Dax said tossing the pad at Naomi, “I have a hobby now.”

Naomi looked at Dax. He seemed normal but then again he hid a lot of things from her and everyone. From what Ajax just told her, she wasn’t being fair with him. Come to think of it, none of them were being fair with him unknowingly.

“Something wrong number one?” Dax joked in his best Patrick Stewart voice he could muster, “Aren’t you gonna look at the drawing?”

She gave a forced smile and looked at the picture. It was amazing. Their entire squad from the training days in a happy pose, joking with each other, ruffling hair, play full punches, so nostalgic.

She looked up at Dax, the façade returning, “This is amazing! See? You could make this your hobby.”

“Maybe. It is relaxing. Hmm. Eh what the hell? I’m not doing anything for the next few days; I’ll be in the hanger if you need me.” He strolled off towards the hanger and sat down in front of Danny and began drawing his heavy weapons specialist snoring away.

Ajax appeared and gave a simple thumb up before fading away.

Naomi sighed. If it had been different would he have said yes? If they had met somewhere outside the battle school how would it have been different?

Maybe if they both survived this war it could be. But until then…

***

“Whatcha doin?” A voice said behind him.

Dax was instantly sucked out of his drawing and back into his head.

“Oh what?” he asked.

“What. Are. You. Doing,” Vinyl asked.

“Drawing. Keeps me occupied.”

“What did you draw?” she asked moving next to him on the railing. Dax held up the pad as Vinyl peered at it. It was simple drawing of a cloud scape with the North floating partially obscured behind some clouds.

“Cool! So you excited to make landfall?!”

“Landfall? When?”

“Now, you dummy!” Vinyl laughed pointing off in the distance.

Dax looked along with her as the clouds gave way to the form of a city hidden among the trees…

End of Part 1. Will continue after finals. Which end on the 19th