The Badlands, Two Days Later

Dusk was pacing between the warthogs in the vast vehicle bay of one of Infinity’s Mammoth Siegeworks vehicles. It had taken some time to wrestle it onto an Albatross for the flight down to Equis, mostly due to the heavy damage Infinity had taken during their prior battle.

“Dusk, we’re waiting!” yelled Dart from the upper level.

Dusk climbed up the stairs, finding Dart, Steeljack, Meteor Shower and Tremble assembled near a computer terminal at the rear of the vehicle. “Alright, let’s hear it.”

“For starters, the Enclave base has active Triple-A” said Palmer as the radio crackled to life. “Until those guns are taken down, we can’t get any Shortswords within five clicks. By now, it should be very clear that you need to take out those guns. To make that easier, you’ll find that I had your Mammoth fully stocked for a combat assault.”

“That’s all fine and dandy.” Said Tremble “But five people don’t make an assault force.”

“Which is why I’ve sent Majestic, Red Team and what’s left of the 18th.” Quipped Palmer “Call me crazy, but I think the marines really want some payback for their buddies in the barracks.”

“Again, fine and dandy.” Snarked Tremble. “How many can we expect?”

“Thirty operators total.”

“So, thirty-five of us need to take a veritable fortress?” asked Dusk.

“No, just take out the anti-aircraft guns.” Said Cutter as he chimed in. “I’ve got the 15th Marine Regiment ready to reinforce you once they’re down.”

“That’s better than nothing.” Sighed Meteor. “Still not ideal though.”

“We’ll have to make due.” Said Steeljack “Worst case scenario, we fall back and regroup for another assault.”

“Glad we’re in agreement then.” Added Cutter “I’ll be back in touch shortly. Spirit out.”

Dusk checked his helmet before walking back down to the lower level and dropping the side ramps as two Pelicans touched down, letting out their cargo of Spartans and Marines before flying off. “Alright, listen up!” he yelled. “We need to take out some Enclave AA guns before the fire department lets us increase the occupancy limit to our little party. So, here’s the deal. Marines hang back with the Mammoth and provide fire support, Blaze Squad and the Spartans will clear the lane. Once the guns are down, we’ll need a landing zone marked out for the 15th. We clear?”

“Look, can we just get this show on the road?” asked DeMarco

Dusk sighed as he waved the group on and jumped back onto the Mammoth and went for the upper decks. “Grant, get on the wheel!” he yelled.

“Commander.” Said one of the green-clad Spartans as they approached. “What do you need us to do?”

Dusk chuckled. “Just sit back and cool your heels.” The unicorn plopped down in one of the jump seats lining the outer walls of the Mammoth. “You’ll get your chance soon enough.”

“I don’t follow.” Said the Spartan as he looked back at his companions.

“Jerome, right?” asked Dusk. The Spartan nodded silently. “Alright, I get the impression that you’re questioning your worth right now.”

“How so?”

“You’ve been a popsicle for almost thirty years, you look at yourself as years behind your peers, and come to find out you and your team aren’t nearly as unique anymore.”

“We’re soldiers, how would that matter?” questioned Jerome.

“Because you’re individuals. You might be genetically engineered badasses, but you still have emotions, opinions and insecurities.” pointed out Meteor Shower as he approached. “Am I wrong?”

The three Spartans were silent, exchanging looks before taking places on the available jump seats.

Dusk rose and walked off with Meteor Shower. “You know I still don’t like you, right?”

“I figured as much back at Dodge City.” Added the old warrior. “You always were easy to read, you know that?”

Dusk sighed, looking over at Tremble and Dart as they were pouring over maps of the Enclave compound before catching sight of the Blaze Squadron crest on his shoulder pauldron. “Since when is Tremble an official member?”

“Dart needed a good second-in-command when she first took over, and Tremble was the first one in line for the job.”

“But why?”

Meteor shrugged. “It’s either a matter of guilt, honor or misplaced chivalry. I don’t know.”

“Alright then.” Said Dusk as he approached the pair. “Where do we stand?”

“We’re about ten minutes out.” Said Tremble. “Scans from Spirit of Fire are showing reinforced concrete walls, perimeter turrets, at least five hundred ground troops, a smaller gunship-type airship, and some sort of shielded underground bunker.”

“What about the Triple-A?” asked Meteor.

Tremble moved the map to a central part of the compound. “This is the only battery. Four quad-mount one inch autocannons on mounts with a one hundred eighty degree field of fire horizontally, and a one hundred degree field of fire vertically.”

“So everything overlaps.” Said Dusk. “How do we take it out?”

“The Mini-MAC is out of the question.” Stated Dart. “We can’t aim it accurately with the structures that are in the way.”

“Then we get a beacon on it” said Dusk “use it to target the gun.”

“Then we’ll have to be quick about it.” Added Tremble. “Once we plant that beacon, we need to haul ass and get clear of that battery, otherwise we’ll be going home looking like swiss cheese.”

“We still need to know how to get through the wall.” Meteor looked around at the group. “Last I checked, we can't climb over it like Spiderman.”

“Who?” asked Dusk.

“Just a character in some old human comic.” Said the stallion. “Regardless, I doubt they’ll open the front door if we ask nicely.”

“Luck me, I brought a skeleton key.” Said Dart as she jarred her finger upwards. “

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Ten Minutes Later

“Cutter to advance team. The board is green, good hunting.”

Dart reached down to the Warthog’s radio. “Solid copy.”

Dusk tapped Dart’s shoulder, drawing her attention. “You sure you know how to drive this thing?”

The mare smiled as the ramp at the bow of the Mammoth dropped. “Hell ya.”

Dusk sighed. “Grant, fire at will.”

The Mammoth’s turret was heard spooling up above the group of Warthogs before a massive blast rang out, and the compound’s wall had a hole blown through the side.

“Steeljack, you good back there?” asked Dart.

“As good as I can be.” Replied the stallion from the turret.

“Tremble here, Meteor and I have the defense guns ready to go.”

“Red Team standing by.”

“Majestic ready to kick ass!”

“Alright ladies, let’s take names!” yelled Dart as she floored the gas and blasted out of the Mammoth’s bay and into a hail of plasma fire.

“What the fuck!” yelled Dusk as he stood in his seat, firing his rifle as Dart charged at the wall of fire. “Dart, you’re insane!”

“And I reserve that right.” Snarked the mare.

“Just put a sock in it!” yelled Steeljack as he spun up the barrels on the Warthog’s gun and started firing at the turrets on the wall.

“Red Team here, we’re proceeding to the objective.” Chimed in Jerome as their Warthog blew past.

“Majestic, keep these fuckers busy.” said Dart as she flew after the Spartans.

“Alright. We’ll hog all the fun then.”

“Good to know.” Said Dart as she jumped the Warthog over the pile of debris that was left when the mini-MAC created their entrance to the compound. “Where the fuck did those bastards go?” she asked.

“Red Team, where the hell are you?” yelled Dusk into the radio.

“Sierra one-three-oh here” chimed in a female voice “We've reached the objective and are encountering heavy resistance. We’re proceeding on foot.”

“Just hold up. We’ll be there shortly.” Said Dart as she drifted the vehicle around a corner while Steeljack gunned down a group of Enclave officers.

“Not an option.” Said Jerome “Our objective is to take out that battery-“

“And I’m telling you I need you to stay alive.” Sighed Dart as they came in sight of the gun battery. “Now hit the dirt!” she yelled as the Warthog accelerated.

Steeljack turned the gun forward, spraying bullets at the Enclave defenders while the Spartans of Red Team dove out of the way.

Dart slid the Warthog to a stop as she and Dusk jumped out and started moving up to a makeshift barricade that the Enclave had erected.

“These bastards really know how to make a stallion feel welcome.” Said Dusk as he poked up over the barricade and started firing his SAW.

“Maybe I should ask who plans their parties.” Quipped Dart as she stood alongside her coltfriend and began taking pock-shots with her DMR. “Whoever he, or she, is they really deserve some credit for excellent execution.”

“Are you two really doing this now?” asked Steeljack as he slid behind the barricade.

“Why the hell not?” asked Dusk

“Because we’re getting shot at!” yelled Steeljack as he leaned around the barricade and began spraying bullets from his SMG.

“Can you three focus?” asked Jerome as he propped up a slab of concrete. “We’ve still got a mission to complete.”

Dusk shook his head as he swapped drums on his machine gun. “Then allow me to show you how it’s done.” Dusk vaulted over the barricade, rushing at the Enclave defenders.

“Alright fillies, suppressing fire!” yelled Steeljack as he started moving forward with his weapon raised.

Dusk kept running as his shields flared as plasma splashed against them. Swinging his SAW onto his back, he pulled a pistol off his hip and tackled the first Enclave soldier he saw before pulling his knife out and striking the soldier across the throat before rolling to the side and dispatching an officer with two shots to the chest.

Two plasma bolts hit Dusk in the back, before the report of a DMR was heard. He jumped to his feet and whipped around to find Dart standing over an armored shock trooper. “I could’ve taken him.” Said Dusk.

“And?” questioned Dart.

“Will you two stow it?” asked Jerome as he brushed by and pulled a beacon out of one of the pouches on his armor before clicking it on. “Sierra oh-nine-two to base, beacon lit. We’re clearing the objective now.” He waved for the rest of the group to follow and tore off towards a bunker opposite of the gun battery before charging through the door.

Dusk wasn’t far behind when he heard the reports of an Assault Rifle. As he stormed into the bunker, he found that Jerome had already dealt with the Enclave defenders while the rest of the group filed in behind him. “Killjoy.”

“Base, we’re clear. Fire when ready.”

The rest of the group didn’t have an opportunity to find something sturdy to hide behind before a massive explosion shook the bunker, and the gun battery morphed into a pile of fire and smoke.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

UNSC Spirit of Fire

“Air defenses neutralized Captain.” Said Serena. “Shortswords are coming on station for air support now, Paris had launched its SOIEVs and the 15th’s Pelicans are moving to the landing zone.”

“Good.” Said Cutter as he punched up the holotable’s display. “Now, you mentioned something earlier about some sort of energy pulse?”

“Indeed. It looks almost like some sort of reactor came online.” Said the AI as she marked the location on the map. “Nothing big enough to suggest something of major concern, but just enough to be noticeable.”

_____________________________________________________________________________________

The Badlands

Jerome led the group out of the bunker and back towards the destroyed gun battery before he stopped at the base of the rubble pile. “Alice, Doug, did you two pick that up?”

“Picking up what?” asked Dusk.

“Geiger counter was just pinging.” Responded the female Spartan. “Don’t know what it could be.”

“Doesn’t matter at this point.” Added Steeljack. “I’d guess it was-“Steeljack stopped mid-sentence, turning around to find a large black armored being staring him down. “Uh…”

The being swung its arm like a bat, smashing into Steeljack’s side and throwing him through the wall of the bunker opposite of the debris. “Who’s next?” it asked in a scratchy voice.

“Why even ask?” said Dusk as he charged the giant and hit it square in the head with a right hook. “Not a fan of the scratchy voice General. That come with the suit, or did Osman have something to do with that?”

“Does it matter boy?” questioned the creature as a cannon mounted over his shoulder swung up.

“Probably not.” Said Dusk as he ducked under the being’s arm. “Still gonna kick your ass Westy.”

“Go ahead and try.” Growled the General as he leveled his shoulder cannon at Dusk.

Dusk sighed. “Why am I getting that déjà vu vibe?”

_______________________________________________________________________________________

“Time to earn your pay marines!” yelled Palmer as she stormed off her Pelican.

“Commander!” yelled Thorne as he pulled up in his Warthog and hopped out. “Glad you could make it.”

“Thorne, you make it sound like I’m lazy.” Retorted the Commander as she pulled her rifle off her back. “What’s our status?”

“So far, we’ve kept the Enclave within the base.” Said Thorne. “The best they’ve done is-“

SHITTTT!

Dusk came careening through the concrete walls of the Enclave base, tumbling along the ground before he stopped a few feet away from the Spartans.

Palmer knelt down next to the groaning unicorn, turning him onto his back. “You alright?”

“West Wind is here.” Groaned Dusk as he tried to get to his feet. “Looks like ONI gave him some blueprints to the old hunting… Ok, whatever they call the Mantis, he either has an original prototype, or someone gave him blueprints and he made one himself.”

“Mantis prototype?” asked Thorne. “How big are we talking?”

“Roughly quarter the size of a Mantis, but with way more firepower.” Said Dusk as he knocked off his shattered right shoulder pauldron. “What sort of firepower do we have?”

“We’ve got a flight of Shortswords on standby, a few-“

“How do I signal them Palmer?” demanded Dusk.

Palmer pulled a target designator off her hip. “Just point and hold the trigger until the display flashes.”

“Good enough.” Said Dusk as he took the designator, holstered it and ran back into the compound.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Dart dove behind a slab of concrete that West Wind had tossed in an attempt to crush her group, checking the ammo counter on her rifle. “Fuck, I’m out!” she yelled.

Steeljack scrambled behind the slab with the unicorn, bleeding profusely from the side of his head. “That’s just wonderful. Want a medal?” he pulled a magnum and two clips off his hip and tossed them to Dart.

“I’d rather get a parade.” Snarked the unicorn as she stood and unloaded one of the clips at the armored General. “Where the hell did Red Team go?”

“No clue. If you didn’t notice, I’ve been a bit-.” Steeljack ducked as something hit their shield and cracked it. Looking over the top, he saw the still form of one of their Spartan companions. “Dart, give me a hand.”

The pair struggled to drag the supersoldier behind the wall until Jerome slid forward, picked the armored being up and dropped it behind the wall. Steeljack pulled the helmet off the Spartan, freeing the brown haired woman underneath.

“Alice, can you hear me?” asked Jerome. He got a weak groan in return. “Spirit of Fire, this is Sierra oh-nine-two. We’ve been engaged by significant enemy forces, requesting air support.”

“Spirit here.” Replied Serena “Shortswords are on station and ready to go, just mark the target.”

“That might be a bit difficult.” Added Dart as she stood and fired off the rest of her clip while the other member of the Spartan trio jumped on West Wind’s back and tried in vain to get his helmet off. The other Spartan was thrown to the ground before West Wind fired his shoulder cannon into the Spartan’s chest, sending him flying back.

“Someone patch me through to the bombers.” Ordered Steeljack. “I’ve got a plan.”

“Anvil nine-one on station. Go ahead.”

“Anvil, lock onto my IFF tag and stand by.” Said Steeljack as he rolled out from behind the slab and made a run at the walking tank.

West Wind whipped around, catching sight of Steeljack. Leveling the cannon on his arm, the General began spraying lead from the minigun in an attempt to stop the stallion.

Time seemed to slow down as Steeljack began to dive out of the way before a there was a flash off to his side and shield spell formed in front of him. “Didn’t you learn what happens when you try to be a hero?” said Meteor Shower.

“What? It gets results.” Retorted the stallion as he rose to his feet and began walking forward with Meteor, the shield acting like a plow as they advanced.

The two were a few feet away from the General when Meteor dropped the shield and rushed the armored being, firing off two lightning spells in an attempt to stun their foe.

Steeljack slid around behind the General, jumping up onto his back and pulling off his tacpad and stuffing it into an opening behind his helmet before jumping off and kicking the back of the armor’s leg, only for his boot to bounce off. The strike drew West Wind’s attention, who swung around and bashed Steeljack with his free arm.

As Steeljack tumbled away, Meteor jumped onto the General’s gun-wielding arm and sent electricity coursing through hit with his magic. The General tried to grab Meteor, but he swung off his arm, pulling out a knife as he dove under him and jammed it into the back of his right knee, staggering the General for a moment before he grabbed Meteor and threw him at a nearby wall.

As Meteor slid down the wall, West Wind approach with both of his cannons aimed at the stunned stallion. “General Meteor Shower… What does it feel like to know you’ve been beaten?”

“I wouldn’t know.” Said the stallion as he rose to his feet.

“And why would that be?” asked West Wind.

“Because I’m not the one with the target on his back.” Meteor teleported away, appearing next to a wounded Steeljack. “Anvil, bring the hurt!” he yelled.

“Copy that.” In the distance, a dull roar of twin engines could be heard, before the Shortsword rocketed overhead and dropped six bombs off its wings. The General began to turn, before disappearing in a cloud of smoke and fire when the bombs slammed into him.

“Good effect on target Anvil.” Said Meteor as he hauled Steeljack to his feet and led him over to Dart, Jerome and the two wounded Spartans.

“How are they?” asked Steeljack.

“They’ll live.” Said Jerome as he rose from his crouch. “Alice has a collapsed lung, Doug has a shattered forearm, broke femur and fractures running along his ribcage.”

“And I thought Spartans were tough.” Said Steeljack.

“The bastard has one hell of a swing.” Groaned Doug.

“Tell me about it.” Said Meteor as he rolled his neck. “Lucky us, we don’t have to deal with-“

BANG!

Meteor felt something warm start running down his back and his chest. Looking down, he saw a hole in his chestplate with blood starting to run out of it.

BANG!

Another shot hit the old stallion as the Dart and Jerome scrambled to find weapons. Meteor turned around, staggering a bit as he tried to steady himself.

BANG!

Another bullet tore into Meteor’s chest. Looking out, he saw the familiar form of General West Wind, bloodied and battered, armed with a revolver.

BANG!

Meteor broke into run as West Wind’s fourth shot tore through his shoulder, ripping away a piece of armor as it passed through.

BANG!

The fifth shot took a chunk of armor of the old stallion’s leg, leaving a trail of blood as he closed the gap with the Pegasus and tackled him. “You’ll need to do better than that.”

“You’re right.” Said West Wind as he jammed his revolver into Meteor’s gut.

BANG!

West Wind drew his feet up, kicking Meteor off him. Getting to his feet, he dusted himself off and stood over the bleeding warrior. “And I think I did.”

Meteor closed his eyes as West Wind drew his revolver back and pointed it at his face, waiting for what looked like the inevitable.

CLICK

“Fuck!” yelled West Wind.

Meteor opened his eyes, watching as West Wind tried fishing a bullet out of his tattered uniform. “Looks like you fell short again West.” Meteor swung his right foot around, catching West Wind’s ankle and sending him to the ground. He leaped onto the General, pulling a second knife off a holster on his thigh before jamming into his throat. “And now I win.”

As he stood, he saw West Wind’s revolver and a handful of bullets lying on the ground. Kneeling down, he grabbed the revolver and loaded it before turning his attention back to the writhing and gurgling General.

“I’d say it’s been a pleasure.”

BANG!

Meteor stared down at the still body beneath him before dropping the revolver on its chest. “But I’m no liar.”

“You’re crazy, you know that?” Meteor turned around to find Dusk standing behind him.

“I’m also bleeding.” Groaned the stallion as he clutched his gut and hobbled up to Dusk.

Dusk grabbed the Stallion by the wrist and dragged him over to Dart and Jerome as a Pelican passed overhead. “Steeljack!” he yelled.

The wounded Stallion turned as he tried to help Alice to her feet. “Ya?”

Dusk brought Meteor over, letting go of his grandfather and picking up Alice. “Make sure he gets some medical attention.” Dusk turned and carried the dazed Spartan onto the Pelican, laying her out on the floor. “How are the marines holding out?”

“Ask them yourself.” Said Steeljack as he pointed over to a squad of marines that had taken cover near the bunker that Steeljack had been thrown into.

Dusk marched over to the group, crouching down next to their leader. “How you four holding out?”

The marines exchanged glances before their leader shrugged. “As well as you could expect. Most of their soldiers fell back underground and sealed the door behind them. We’re just trying to find a back door.”

“Explains why I haven’t been getting shot at by some asshole with a plasma rifle.” Said Dusk. He looked up at the sky as the Pelican carrying his companions flew off. “Marines, any of you have a target designator?”

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Palmer led Majestic and a sizeable group of marines into the seemingly abandon Enclave compound.

“Bit quiet, don’t you think Commander?” asked DeMarco.

The silence was broken by the sound of a bomber blasting overhead, followed by the loud report of an explosion.

“Nevermind.” Snarked DeMarco as he broke into a run.

Palmer sighed as she waved for the marines to follow and broke off after DeMarco. As they rounded the corner, she was met with a cloud of smoke and a sizeable hole in the ground.

“Hey Palmer!” yelled Dusk from the other side of the crater. “I found that backdoor you were looking for!” Pausing to wave the squad of marines that we with him, he jumped into the smoke-ridden depths of the crater.

“Marines, secure the area. Majestic, with me!” yelled Palmer as she jumped in after Dusk.

When the group hit the ground, Palmer waved the smoke out of her face and looked around the damaged corridor she had dropped down into before she saw Dusk out of the way of the hole in the ceiling with the marines.

“Glad you made it Palmer.” Said Dusk as the Commander walked up to him. “Anyway, these gentlemen will keep our entrance free of pests, and we’ll find the command center. Sound good?”

_______________________________________________________________________________________

UNSC Spirit of Fire

“Tremble to Spirit, first medevac bird is headed your way. How copy?”

“Acknowledged Commander.” Said Cutter as he continued to pour over the holo-display before another ping came from the base. “Serena, how many radiation pulses does that make?”

“Since the assault first started, I’ve recorded five. Still can’t determine an origin.” Said Serena. “Looks like Commander Palmer and Majestic have breached the base. Should we send coordinates?”

“Just patch me through.”

_______________________________________________________________________________________

The Badlands

Palmer led the group of Spartans through the dimly lit corridors of the Enclave compound, stopping only to allow time for her group to clear rooms off the sides of the corridor.

“Spirit to Majestic, stand by for new orders.”

“Cutter, we’re trying to find the Enclave’s little command center.” Said Dusk. “What’s so important that you need to take up our time in cutting the head off this snake?”

“Probably the continued pulses of radiation.” Said Cutter “Since you first engaged, Serena has recorded five identical pulses of radiation coming from under the compound. We have a rough location, now get over there. Cutter out.”

“Isn’t he happy?” asked Dusk as the new location marker popped up on his HUD. “Alright, on me.” Dusk led Majestic through the dim corridors, stopping when the lights flickered. “Anyone else getting a bad vibe?”

“Majestic, we just picked up another pulse. What’s your status?”

Dusk led the group down the hall before waving Palmer to the other side of the double doors at the end. “Looks like we might have found your radiation. Stand by.”

“So, kick the door?” asked Palmer.

“Don’t wait on my account.” Said Dusk as he pulled out a small explosive charge and fitted it to the doorknob. “Alright, in three… two… one…”

Dusk hit a button on his tacpad, detonating the charge and blowing the set of double doors inwards. Hoya ran through, shotgun shouldered while Thorne and Madsen ran in and moved to cover each side of the room.

“On the ground!” yelled Hoya.

Dusk, Palmer, Ray and DeMarco ran into the room and spread out while Dusk went to Hoya, who had an Enclave officer on his knees in front of some sort of computer terminal with a window to a large chamber below.

Dusk looked around the room while Madsen and Thorne moved to the fore and looked out into the large chamber. “Holy shit.” Said Madsen. “No wonder they were all running.”

“And why would that be?” asked Dusk as he approached the window.

“Because they’re retreating.” Added Thorne as he pointed at a massive portal at the far side of the other chamber, the last of the Enclave soldiers visible as they made for the portal.

“What the fuck?” asked Dusk as he bashed the window out with the butt of his SAW and leapt through.

“Shit, fall back!” yelled one of the soldiers as he marshalled his remaining comrades through the portal.

“Hey, I’m not done!” yelled Dusk as he fired off a burst from his SAW at the soldier.

The soldier ducked to the side, looking back at his few remaining comrades before they all ran through the portal.

“What did I say?” yelled Dusk as he ran for the portal, bouncing off the now solid object. “What the fuck!” Dusk started pounding on the object before he hit it with the butt of his weapon. “Fuck!”

Dusk was quick to teleport back to the other Spartans. “I’ll take it you didn’t grab them?” asked Hoya.

“They got away before I could.” Said Dusk as he grabbed the Spartan’s prisoner. “Where’d your friends go?”

“Find out yourself.” The Pegasus clenched his jaw and immediately began shuddering before he fell to the ground with foam pouring out his mouth.

Dusk stood over the dead Pegasus and sighed. “Damn cyanide.”

“You’re telling me.” Said Palmer before she tapped the side of her helmet. “Hold on, I’ll get him.”

“Get who?” asked Dusk.

“Go over to channel three.” Ordered Palmer.

Dusk nodded and swapped his radio frequency. “Dusk here, go ahead.”

“Dusk, it’s Dart. Listen, we’re diverting to Canterlot. Meteor passed out and he’s having trouble breathing. Supposedly the Princess can help.”

“Why tell me this? Just do it.” Said Dusk.

“Because I’m not entirely convinced anything can be done at this point.” Dart was quiet for a moment. “I think he’s dying”

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Canterlot Castle, Half Hour Later

Dusk strode off the Pelican and made a beeline into the Castle, brushing past the Guards as he walked into the infirmary.

“Can I help you?” asked one of the nurses.

Dusk took off his helmet and looked at the mare. “Meteor Shower, where is he?”

“He’s in the intensive recovery unit.” Responded the nurse. Dusk began to head down the hall when she stopped him. “I can’t let you go down there.”

Dusk chuckled as he shook free of her grip. “I’d like to see you try.” He strode down the hall to the recovery unit before he came to a door with two guards. “The General in there?” The pair nodded, and Dusk walked into the room. Celestia was at Meteor Shower’s bedside, while sprawled out in two other beds were Doug and Alice, both dozing away under the watchful eye of their leader, Dart and Steeljack.

“Glad you made it.” Said Dart as she waved Dusk over.

“How bad are we talking?” asked Dusk.

“Doctor Halsey stabilized Meteor once we landed.” Said Jerome.

“That’s not even the interesting part.” Said Steeljack. “West Wind was shooting bullets made of depleted uranium.”

“Depleted uranium?” asked Dusk. “Like, nuclear reactor waste. That type of depleted uranium?”

“Exactly.” Said Steeljack. “It’s the same stuff that the rounds for the Scorpion’s main cannon is made out of.”

“Then it’s ONI supplied.” Groaned Dusk. “Just fucking great. It’s even better that the Enclave took their supplies when they retreated through the portal.”

“Portal?” asked Dart. “They had a portal?”

“Ya. The last of em’ were going through by the time we found it.” Said Dusk.

“So you were too slow?” croaked Meteor Shower from across the room. “Can’t say that’s like you kid.”

Dusk walked over to the bed opposite the Princess before he placed his helmet down on the side table. “If it makes you feel better, then yes.”

“Did you find out where they went?”

“The officer Hoya nabbed took a cyanide pill.” Sighed Dusk. “We’ll have to go through the computers they left behind and hope something worthwhile is in there.”

“Good enough.” Meteor sighed as he seemed to loosen up. “Did I ever tell you I’m proud of you?”

Dusk sat on the side of the bed, trying to shift his immense weight in an attempt to avoid crushing it. “Can’t say you did. It was all ‘Dusk, move your ass!’ or ‘Dusk, I taught you better than that!’…”

“True, true…” said Meteor thoughtfully. “There’s some things I need to tell you.”

“Fire away.”

“Remember how when we first moved to the factory, you asked me what happened to your grandmother?”

Dusk nodded. “You said she died giving birth to mom.”

“That isn't true.” The old stallion looked over at the Princess. “She’s right there.”

Dusk laughed, gaining the attention of the others in the room. “That’s rich, you know that?”

Celestia chuckled for a moment, drawing Dusk’s attention. “He’s not lying.”

“Alright then, I’ll humor you.” Dusk cocked an eyebrow and smirked. “How’d my mother keep finding me?”

“Who do you think taught her that tracking spell?” retorted the Princess.

Dusk’s smirk broke down and he began to glare at Celestia. “How’d you know about that?”

“Because Rosemary came to me and asked if I managed to keep track of you when you were an infant.” Celestia sighed and rested her head the palms of her hands. “Early on, your magic manifested itself through constant teleportation spells to all parts of the house. It took her all of three days before she gave up and came to me.”

Dusk stood from the bed, his expression softening. “Alright, I’ve heard enough. It’s pretty obvious that this is now the most fucked up thing I've heard all day, and I've heard of fucked up shit.”

“Then allow me to throw you for another loop.” Said a new voice.

Dusk turned around, eyes wide as he stared at the two unicorns who had just walked in. One had his hair, but a deep-crimson coat, while the other was a cream colored mare with a blonde mane.

“Glad you made it Rose.” Said Meteor from the bed.

“Good to see you again too dad.” Replied the mare. “Off playing hero again?”

“You know it.” Chuckled the old warrior.

Dusk pulled the pistol off his hip, aiming at the pair. Dart and Steeljack reacted, drawing their own weapons before lowering them. “What the hell’s going on?” he asked.

The stallion approached and ripped the pistol out of Dusk’s hand, looking it over before popping out the clip. “Not too shabby.” He slid the magazine back into the pistol and handed it back. “Didn't think I’d ever see a pistol with semi-explosive bullets.”

Dart walked up next to Dusk, clearly confused. “Mind telling me what’s going on?”

The mare chuckled. “I’m Rosemary, and this is Sonar. We’re Dusk’s parents.”

Author's Note

Eventually I'll stop torturing Dusk... Eventually.
And Palmer will be getting that much needed vacation as the first published side-story. Expect to see it drop within the next few days.