Chapters Chapter #1 (A Wake Up Call)
DATE: July/ 5/ 2034…
TIME: 2:35am…
LOCATION: Nova Prospect/ Cell Block Alpha/ Barracks and Living Quarters…
P.O.V: Daniel Joseph McAllister/ Combine Overwatch/ Testing Division. Unit #: OW04235
“Attention Overwatch Guard Renforcement Team, second stage priority is now in effect, please report to, Cell Block Delta 2, code: standby, oversee, patrol. Priority Alert, singularity in 30 minutes, Stabilization Team, report status.”
The Announcers Metallic voice echoed through out the walls of the Barracks. I sit on my bed with my eyes closed. I listen to the voices of Combine radio chatter as they passed by my cell door. I couldn’t sleep the night before, something had kept me up, it wasn’t noise, it wasn’t emotions, I just felt, different. Being part of the Combine Overwatch was certainly a trip, getting forced into a brainwashing chamber for 24 hours straight, losing your memories, your identity, your life, everything. Having it replaced, by military tactics, logistics, normes. I don’t remember anything about my life before the invasion, or after the invasion. The only thing I’ve been able to remember over the years, is my name and where I was from.
I open my eyes and stand up on my feet as the rusted springs of the bed recoil to normal. I turn to my left and look outside my door. My door had a little peep hole to view threw, since this place was an old prison, nothing moved, the room was empty. The stench of mildew and old concrete circulated through the air ducts as I breathed in the stale air. Mixed in with the stench of the salty sea gave me a huge wake up call as I grab the handle of the door. Turning it, I walked onto a metal catwalk that was suspended above the different levels of the prison cell below, I was on the top layer. The chipped yellow paint of the walls of the concrete holding area, truly showed it’s age. A glass sunroof let in the light of the moon that was shinning brightly, giving the room a small amount of light, along with a small hue of light blue. I walk over to the railing in front of me after shutting my door. Gripping the rusted railing I looked over and down to see about a mile.
Across the gap was another catwalk that was connected to mine. The light of the moon shown all the way down to the bottom layer, that was built underground. I let go of the handle and headed left toward a staircase that was at the end of this level of catwalks, that led to the one below me. I look into the cells on my left peering inside. I saw a Overwatch Soldier in each cell, either sleeping or sitting on their bed doing nothing. Truly a depressing. Being cramped inside a cell every day until you are called into action by the Central Nexus that lasts maybe an hour or so, until you’re no longer needed then you're sent back to your cell. Some people would call it insanity inducing, but because we aren't allowed to show emotion towards our higher ups, we never speak unless spoken to.
Before making it to the staircase, I stopped at a certain cell. ‘Cell number F9#34, John Reefer Lonstein, OW#04236.’ John Lonstein was one of my teammates, he was the Shotgun trooper. I was normally told to gather him by our Squad leader since we lived on the same floor. Knocking on his door I called to him,
“John, it’s me Daniel, we’ve called to Delta 2, singularity is in 30 minutes, stage two priority.” I heard some springs move as I looked inside the cell. He was standing up now, wearing his Combine Overwatch Uniform, (C.O.U) without his vest and pads, and so was I. Walking over to the door the handle jiggled. Standing back the door opened and out he stepped. His face was pale white and his hair was missing, his eyes shone blue in the light and his serial code was printed on his forehead in black ink. I looked exactly the same, except my serial code was different and my eyes were brown.
“We need to stop by the armory and pick up our gear.” He said pointing his left thumb to the staircase. I rolled my eyes at his reminder.
“I know this, my memory processor hasn’t botched itself in three weeks, I had it worked on, you have to stop reminding me, or else I’ll think somethings wrong with you too.” I said as I turn toward the stairs. As I turned his mouth turned upward in a smile as he followed me.
“Right, okay, anyway what are we heading into today.” He asked as we walked towards the stairs. Recalling the message I heard over the announcement system, I began to explain.
“The nexus is putting us on second priority, we need to patrol the research lab halls, and you know what second priority means.” I said giving a pause. i could feel him frown a bit.
“A new guy?” he asked. “I swear if it’s some stuck up science know it all, I’ll knock the smarts right out of him.” As he said that, he smashed his hands together. John never liked the science team, or science in general, like he told me years ago, ‘to many big words.’ The only science he liked was military science, and things that could benefit him and him alone. For me, the science team was my main concern, what could they create to expand our knowledge of the universe. I seemed to take a liking to it over the years of being stuck here at Nova.
Making our way down the stairs, I tried to explain to him what I had heard from different sources.
‘Well, it is a scientist and this ‘he’ is a ‘she.’ I said matter of factly. “Apparently she used to work for the resistance, but now she works for us, as a spy.” I said reaching the bottom of the staircase. Making our way forward towards the armory section. He continued to ramble on about how science would be our downfall. I mostly tried to ignore him, but I had no choice to listen.
“I mean look at you, your memory processor has screwed up the second time this year, mine hasn’t witch is good, but, if you lose your memory, you’ll be lost!” He said extending his arms into the air. I again rolled my eyes.
“John, I get what you're saying, but could you please for the love of the Universal Union, shut the hell up, were coming up on officer territory.” I said pointing to the different colored hall that we approached slowly.
‘Fine.” Breathing out a sigh of relief we continued in silence. Reaching the end of the hall we looked at the hallway that made a tee with ours. This hallway seemed a little brighter and well kept. This area of our Barracks was for the officers, which also happened to be connected to our armory, the place was neatly kept and the paint was clean and smoother. The floor had nice white tiles and the air smelt clean and fresh. Stepping out into the hall, we turned right, not knowing if we were being watched. We picked up our pace as we made our way forward.
The Overwatch and Prison Guard officers were the toughest of the tough. We were nothing compared to them. They only came out of their areas when either, A: Had business elsewhere, which isn’t good, or B: Were going on a mission with their soldiers. Either way, they weren’t meant to be fucked with. Last month, me and my squad were sent out to do a scouting mission in the areas surrounding Nova Prospekt. Apparently, our sergeant forgot to check an area for antlions and they breached the prison. It was dealt with no problem, but when the Lieutenant got ahold of him, we never saw him again.
As we walked, an officer came out of a room and nearly hit us. We froze as his white and red uniform and gear shone brightly from the lights above. Unlike us, he was wearing all of his gear, along with his cyclops helmet and AR2. John and I stopped as fast as we could, he was merely inches away from us. His black boots turned our way as his head slowly turn down towards me. I could feel my blood begin to stand still as my heart rate nearly stopped as I felt his eye look down at me.
“Corporal,” He said as his voice was edited by the helmets voice communicator, coming out metallic and rough, ending with a static bleep. Swallowing, I looked upwards towards him trailing up his snow white vest. I saw the Overwatch insignia along with multiple medals on the chest part of his vest. Meeting his eye, I nearly fainted, it glowed red as it looked at me.
“What are you doing here?” He asked followed with the same bleep. Gaining enough courage to speak to him. I opened my mouth and spoke.
‘We’re being called to, to, Cell Block 2, for a patrol.” I said back in a stern but, shaky voice. looking over at John, the Officer nodded to him then back to me and nodded again.
“Very well, carry on.” He said turning outwards and continuing on behind us. Soon after he was out of sight. I breathed out in relief, tapping John, we moved on.
Without meeting anyone else along the way, we got down to the armory in a hurry. Making my way up to the door, I pulled out a small little rectangle. This rectangle was a key card. Looking to the side of the door their was a small slot for the card to go into. Sliding it in, the door made a few little buzzing sounds then one final buzz in a higher pitch and the door opened.
"This patrol order, who is it coming from, Overwatch, or Prison Nexus?" Asked John as we continued inside the armory.
The lights rose up and lit the room with and cast light onto a whole line of key card passible lockers. I walked forward and made my way to the back of the room and found my locker number. “#04235.” Grabbing my keycard again, I lifted it up and slid it down the slot right above the handle. The door buzzed green and the locks clicked open. I turned the handle and opened the locker. The light didn’t cast this far, my helmet rested on the highest shelf, the rest of my armor layed below. I grabbed my grey and blue camo vest and slid it on. next came the deltoid and arm pads, then finally the leg pads and boots. The next bit of equipment was my belt that held my ammo. Grabbing it I slid it on under my vest, and clicked the buckle after tightening it. The pads and vest hugged tightly to my Grey BDU giving me a sense of security that I had never felt before now since the officer. Then came the helmet. Grabbing the gas mask look a like, I slid it on as the light faded away into darkness as I was consumed by blackness. Then as the back of the mask hit the connector on the back of my head, the eyes lit up and started the pre movement checking system. I could see out the eye sockets as everything now had a small blue hue to it.
“Welcome, Overwatch Unit #0235, to the Universal Union Transhuman Arm Power Armor, (U.U.T.A.P.A) your pre-duty check is now complete, normal parameters met, all systems are go, report to charging station, #04, for power charge.”
Shutting my locker I looked over at John, just closing his as well. But instead of wearing the grey and blue patterned uniform like most of the active duty Overwatch Units, he donned a redder uniform. The shotgunner suit. His eyes glowed red and his arm patch wasn’t the yellow and black four quadrant circle like mine, it was the Overwatch symbol, but their was a skull instead of the circle. Looking over at me, he began to talk through his communicator.
“My communicator is on the fritz again, hear it?” When he talked his voice wasn’t his high pitched tone like normal. Instead his voice was at least four tones lower than normal, maybe just as low as the Lieutenant we bumped into. Moving over to him, I circled my finger and signaled to turn around. Following my order, he slowly did a 180 and turned away from me. I looked at his helmet connecter on the back of his head that connected the helmet to his vest.
A little box on his lower neck housed his voice box. Opening it, I saw the problem, one of his wires were dislocated, warping his voice giving it a lower tone. I quickly reconnected it, and with a spark of electricity, it fused back into place.
“Ouch! Shit that hurt! What was wrong with it?” He asked as I closed the little door on the box.
“Just a loose wire, that's all, don’t worry it fused back in.” He turned around and looked at me. As I turned around to and moved to the back of the room to charge up, he began to jabber jaw about how the technology in his suit was corrupt. Again, I tried to ignore him.
After charging up and retrieving our weapons, I got my AR2 and he grabbed his Spas-12, we made our way down to the labs in Cell Block Delta 2.
We made our way down a corridor, this area was for Overwatch only, and it was shown by the lack of concrete walls like the rest of the prison, this area was maintained and kept looking nice. The walls were a bluish steel color and were made out of iron. The lights weren't dull anymore, but were now a light blue and they shone brightly illuminating the halls. Instead of prison cells like before, every room we went by, was either a lab, or a check point for the Overwatch Clearly John was trying to ignore the scientists that roamed the halls with us. Down the hall was a big password activated door. On either side of it was a guard wielding a SMG. Making our way up to greet them they snapped to attention and saluted us. Returning the salute I continued on after the door opened with a metallic drone.
DATE: July/ 5/ 2034…
TIME: 2:35am…
LOCATION:Wonder Bolts Headquarters/Training Facility/ Air track #02…
P.O.V: SSgt. Rainbow Dash/ Equestrian Wonder Bolt/ Unit #: AP0024…
“Everypony, listen up,” 2d Lt. Spitfire shouted out into the cool night air. I pushed out my chest as far as I could, leveling my head with cloud and locked my knees together. The rest of the airponies in my training group followed my lead and did the same as the sound of clapping hoofs echoed through the night. The afternoon was late, the moon was on it’s decent and the stars shone dimmer than normal. The Headquarters shut down for the night. The Admin buildings light were out, the visitor center was closed and the barracks were dead quiet. But, the tracks weren’t, they were the only things lit because we were the only ones up at the time. Me, my squad of 12 airponies, and our Platoon commander, Second Lieutenant Spitfire.
“Now I don’t want to hear any moping or crying when I lay this on you, understand?” Spitfire said tracing back and forth.
“Yes Ma’am!” We sounded off. Spitfire stopped pacing and turned to us.
“From this night, till the end of the year, to boost your combat fitness and readiness, we will be running, or rather, flying this course from midnight, till dawn. Under special order of the Joint Chief of Staff of the E.R.A.F. For tensions are rising between us, and the Changeling Empire. The J.C.S. wants us to be ready, not only in the day, but at night too. Just incase we are attacked, or we attack them.” Spitfire spat out in her usual tone of roughness, but this time seeing how it was technically tomorrow, she was looming with fatigue, I could see it in her snuffed blazed orange eyes.
Hearing this information, I began to recall the previous months leading up to this. In March, the Changeling Empire’s communications were intercepted. Apparently, they had ships that were somewhere not far off coast from our eastern shore. When Celestia tried to get a confession out of Chrysalis, she didn’t get very far, cause she denied everything she through at her.
Then in May, a piece of our secret military project, Project: Smoke Wall, was leaked out to the Changeling Empire. The leak was part of our phase one of the project.
The Fire Stick. Basically, a giant wooden base and stock, with a bolted on steel barrel to the top. At the back of the barrel was a trigger that when pulled by a hoof, a hammer would come down and ignite some gunpowder, (we got from fireworks) inside the barrel to launch a little metal ball down range and cause severe damage to a soldier.
But, it wasn’t just a hammer, a little rock we found was placed at the top. Flint. A Sedimentary Cryptocrystalline form of quartz, that when struck against steel, the flint edge produced sparks. The hard flint edge shaved off a particle of the steel that exposes iron which reacts with oxygen from the atmosphere, and that ignited the gunpowder sending the round out of the barrel.
Or some Eggheadish stuff like that, I didn’t really care about it till now, they never told us anything, but since it was leaked, we were taught the science behind it, and were tested.
Lets just say, I did, okay...
But, in the last month, the Changeling Empire stepped up their Naval movement in the Eastern sea, despite our threats for intervention and even war. We haven’t been able to find the source for their hostilities.
“So, whos ready to be the first Wonderbolts to take this night flight?” She asks beginning to pace again. I smiled as my exasperated body began to regain it’s vigilance as I howled into the night.
“Yes Ma’am!” As a chorus of other voice sang with me.
“All right then, take your marks on the starting position and wait for my go, you are going to be timed, if you can’t clear five miles in under two minutes you run it again, understand?” She hollered. Again we cheered out in a chorus of yes ma’ams.
“ A hundred fifty miles per hour per lap?” I calculated in my head. “Easy work, lets do this squad!” I yelled taking my place on the starting position. Thunderlane fluttered in next to me. His white and light blue mohawk shown brightly in the glow of the tracks spotlights. His grey coat seemed darker than normal and his orange eyes stood out from the rest of him.
“Yes ma’am.” He said in response to me. I always liked him as a soldier, tall, rigid, loyal to the team, and best of all, good looking. Cloudchaser picked a good one. As the rest of the ponies took their starting position I quickly started up a little conversation with him.
“So Thunderlane, how’s the civilian life treating ya?” I asked jokingly. I saw him put on a smile and laugh. Looking at me with his half drained half awake eyes he began to speak but his tone was drowsy.
“What civilian life? We’ve been here posted on base for at least four months now, correct?” He asked. running through my memory I quickly recalled the call to action and it’s date. March 21st.
“Yep, four whole months. How’s Cloudchaser and your little brother?” I asked trying to keeping it going.
“Oh they're good, just haven’t really talked to them in a while. Last time I checked in they were making their way back to Ponyville from their vacation in Manehatten.” Intrigued by his story I asked more, or was about to until Spitfire gave us the go ahead signal.
Spreading my wings as far as I could I quickly gave myself a gigantic burst of speed as, in under ten seconds I reached 150 MPH. The cool summer night air fanned my tired face waking me up as the wind brushed by every feather on my wings airing them out. After reaching the required limit I maintained the speed and waited for Thunderlane.
After about another ten seconds he appeared by my side. Looking over at him I began to speak louder over the sound of the wind passing me and him.
“So, where did they go?” I nearly screamed out. Looking over at me, he opened his mouth and his lips moved, but I couldn’t hear anything. Assuming he wasn’t speaking loud enough I motioned for him to speak up. Seeing my signal he spoke up louder.
“I said,” He yelled, “They went to Times Mare and rented a hotel so they could see other things. They said they had wonderful time in the letter they sent me!” I began to imagine the bustling city streets of the dense city. All the lights, the sounds, the overall feel of Manehatten. I smiled and sighed inside.
“Sounded like fun!” I screamed back. Thunderlanes head was facing in front of himself, but he could still hear me cause a smile raised on his face and he nodded. Suddenly his smile changed into a face that somepony would put on if they couldn't see right. He squinted his eyes and his mouth opened a bit. I kept watching to see if he was going to say something.
But when Thunderlanes head whipped around and he start yelling something and his face wore an expression of pure shock I began to worry.
Turning my gaze back to the front of me, I quickly saw what he saw. Some sort of light blue and grey swirling vortex, directly in my flight path. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Thunderlane bail as I tried to do it myself. But as I tried to move my wings in another angle, the quickly folded as the vortex pulled my closer at lighting speeds. Panicking I tried every move I was taught, but nothing mattered. Fear took hold of me as the vortex grew closer, I tried galloping in place, grabbing onto clouds, and moving in every way I knew possible. But nothing mattered as I grew closer still
Finally accepting my fate I let my struggling stop as I fell closer and closer towards the vortex. The way I see it is, I’m either going to die, or die tired, I’d like to die at peace at least.
Just as I was about to fall away into the nothingness, a pair of hoofs grabbed under my arms and began to slow me down. Turning around I saw thunderlane with his eyes closed and wings fluttering faster than mine.
“Dash, I can’t hold you for much longer, get out of here!” He yelled over the sound of the wind.
‘He came back? Why?’ I asked myself as I began to flap my wings. ‘He’s risking his life for me, for what? This could kill him? He has a family!’ The questions kept coming. But as I was about break free and fly away from the death trap, the vortex grew stronger. His eyes opened with fear as tears flowed out and his wings stopped flapping and shot down with the current of the wind.
Then everything went black.
DATE: July/ 5/ 2034…
TIME: 2:55am…
LOCATION: Nova Prospekt/Cell Block Delta 2/ Portal Research and Weapons Testing…
P.O.V: Cpl. Daniel Joseph McAllister/ Combine Overwatch/ Testing Division. Unit #: OW04235
“Attention Overwatch Guard Renforcement Team, second stage priority is now in effect, please report to, Cell Block Delta 2, code: standby, oversee, patrol. Priority Alert, singularity in 10 minutes, Stabilization Team, report status.”
The voice on the intercom came as the doors opened completely. Looking inside the room, I was greeted with dozens of little flashing lights and small beeping sounds from monitors along with a low hum from the server central hub. Soldiers walked about pressing buttons and watching screens that were suspended from the ceiling and mounted on the dashboard that spanned the whole front of the room on a elevated platform that was connected to the lower level of the room by a small staircase. The whole front of the room was glass that looked into the next room.
Moving in with John following I walked up to the top layer to meet some of the men on the stage. But before I could get their, a voice spoke out above the noise of boots on steel.
“John, Daniel,over here, quickly.” Turning to my right to face the voice came from, I saw a mask of a Overwatch Soldier facing me and John. Recognizing the voice I wandered over through the waves of personnel.
Pvt. David Johnson OW#002134 the Pulse Rifleman of our fireteam, donning his AR2 he made his way over to us with someone else. Looking at the other Soldier I also remembered who he was. Ryan Johnson OW#002135 the SMG trooper and the final part of my fireteam. Me and John were the other half, he being the Shocker with his SPAZ-12 and me being the team leader with another AR2. The four of us meat halfway and exchanged salutes.
“Squad Sergeant wants to see you, told me to find ya before singularity.” David said. David's voice was probably one of the deepest voices in the whole Squad getting the codename, “Bear.”
“He’s waiting on the portal level below us, follow me…” Ryan came next. His voice was just a low as Davids, nearly Identical. He donned the code name “Grills.” David and Ryan are brothers, they were nearly identical in facial features and in personality. The room we were in head two motion secured doors that open up on either side. Following the two soldiers as they turned around and walked out onto a suspended platform after bypassing the door, I glared over at the enormous device that loomed below us.
A Humongous machine stood tall and proud on the far side of the room, it seemed to glow a light blue, even if it just the energy crystals inside the machine powering it.
The machine had a large rectangular base that had a staircase going up the long side facing us. Mounted on the top was a huge ring that had glowing light blue lights, making a star if they were connected towards the center. Wires hung from the top and ran into the ceiling. Surrounding the device was a circle that shown light yellow and black, marking a safe zone. Making our way to the end of the catwalk we descended via ladder. Making our way down, I kept my eye open for the Sergeant. Luckily I found him standing near the entrance of the portal. Exiting the ladder at the bottom, I made my way over to him. He turned around hearing our foot steps and crossed his arms behind him.
“Good evening gentlemen, how are we this morning?” The sergeant asked as we stopped moving closer and surrounded him from one side. The sergeant just like the rest of us looked the same his eyes were yellow and his uniform was a black and blue like mine.
The sergeant stepped aside a bit revealing a woman to us, she was wearing brown pants and a white sweater and her hair was tied back so her face was clearly showing.
"Boys I'd like you to meet Dr. Mossman she is the head researcher and developer for our second teleporter prototype." In response to her introduction we salute it showing her respect, it's not every day you get to meet the person behind building a teleporter.
"Thank you Sergeant, but I can't take all of your applauds, your researchers and developers are just as good as I am, maybe even better, I just helped them along." Dr. Mossman began to walk forward, we parted so that she could pass.
"AnyWho I'm going to head up to the control station, for in 10 minutes or less, we will inaugurate the teleporter with the double transmission and open a link between Nova Prospect and city 17 for the first time." Mossman left us and walked up the ladder to the control room above us. Turning back to the sergeant he began to explain our purpose for being here. We were stand guard and watch the portal first hand and see if they could spot and structural failures. Simple enough. The Sarge and us exchanged salutes and he left to pursue the Mossman.
“Attention Overwatch Guard Renforcement Team, second stage priority is now in effect, please report to, Cell Block Delta 2, code: standby, oversee, patrol. Priority Alert, singularity in 5 minutes, Stabilization Team, status reported, moving ahead with portal inauguration.”
“Lieutenant.” I said quietly over the radio. The rest of the team turned around with me and froze just as fast. Not only was it a Lieutenant, but it was the same one from earlier. He came forward as we saluted we mirrored back.
“At ease soldiers.” Saying that we loosened our stance a bit, but we kept our heads level with him. He walked up to me, only me and looked me right in the eyes. He began to scan me over, not sure why, but something about his presence being here seemed, strange. After looking me over he turned on his heel and scanned everyone else. After about a minute of this he turned away from us and took about four steps before turning back.
“I assume you have been given your orders from your sergeant, correct?” He said with his signature dark tone.
“Yes sir.” We said back. Giving a nod of approval, he continued.
“Good, I’m going to be the soldier crossing over to the otherside, I want to make it there in one piece, you men are here to secure that I do. My life is your hands, if you don’t mess this up, and I get there in one piece, I might give a good word to your company commander.” Saluting we gave him our word.
“Attention Overwatch Guard Renforcement. Priority Alert, singularity in 2 minutes,”
Unslinging his AR2 the Lieutenant moved past us and walked up to the portal. We watched as the sound of electronics filled the air as the device began to spring to life. The ring on top began to spin and slowly began to pick up speed as the lights in the room went out. Now the only light we had was the light emitted from the portal. As the ring speed up faster wind was beginning to pick up in the room as we were slowly pulled towards the machine.
Luckily I was able to keep my balance as the wind grew stronger by running to the back of the room, and grabbing ahold of one of the four handles that jutted out from the opposite wall, everyone else followed my lead. A few second later the room began to shake as something sounding like a jet engine starting up filled the room. Lighting began arcing inside the center of the ring as it grew brighter. The Lieutenant covered his eye as the light got brighter.
Remembering my orders from looking at the white soldier, I quickly looked around the device checking for any problems, seeing none, I looked back to the ring, as even now it continued to glow brighter, turning white instead of blue. The arching lighting began to pick up as ball of raw portal energy formed in the center.
It was beautiful. It looked like we were creating a star, it shined so bright it cover the portal in a flare. Luckily for me, the light died down after a few seconds and the ball was twice it’s original size.
A few flashes later it grew to cover the whole ring. the soldier turned around to look at the control room with his fingers on his ear piece as he gave the thumbs up. ‘This was it, we are finally doing this, we are making our first portal jump.’ I screamed inside my head with pure happiness. A smile appeared on my face as he began to move forward.
Then all hell broke loose…
As if time had stopped completely, everything froze for a fraction of a second, the wind, the light, the soldier, me. Then everything reversed. The lieutenant was thrown back at scaringly fast speeds and slammed into John with a sickening crack as we were all forced up against the wall. The wind in my lungs were forced out as I felt every bone in my body shake as the portal changed from light blue to a light green. Over my radio I could hear for the first time the sound of the control room. I could hear screaming and shouting as soldiers ran about trying to shut the portal down as a voice stood out above the rest.
“Daniel! Get out of the portal room if you can, she’s going to explode, code red I repeat code red!”
But I couldn’t do anything, I just watched in horror as the greatest break through we have ever created, go up in smoke. Horrified I let go of the handle on the wall and began to try to move over to the door where the Lieutenant came out of. Unfortunately the wind was too strong, I could move, but not that much. I forced my head to the left and tried to see where everyone was. David and Ryan both were on the ground, being pinned down by the portals rays, and Daniel was pressed between the wall, and the Lieutenant, almost crushing him.
Shifting back to the front, the radio continued to scream voices until all that was left was the sound of an explosion then static. As the Explosion erupted. The portal room began to break apart, the steel ceiling began to fall down and smash to the ground, wires flew out and sparked, pipes broke open and fire spewed out of them as Alarms sounded across the entire complex. I could feel the heat, I could see the destruction, the fires grew larger as the portal began to flash green as more of it fell apart. The electronics inside fried from the inside out and burst open in a display of blue fire.
This is where it all ends.
In a final act of destruction something strange flew out of the portal, two small objects came barreling out of the energy ball, and headed right for me. Accepting my fate, I closed my eyes and listened to the destruction of all of our hard work. Then as felt the objects hit me, I blacked out, but not before I heard the explosion of the portal, and a faded and gravelly voice say,
“Prepare for your eternal burden.” Then nothing, the sound of blackness, darkness, nothingness. I didn’t know if I was dead or alive, I couldn’t tell, the heat from the fire was gone, the wind and the force of the portal was no more, and I couldn’t see any light anymore. I felt empty, cold, distant, like I was outside my body. I could feel any form of ground, no walls, no ceiling. I was just, stuck, in nothing.
Suddenly, a light in the shape of a doorway opened as the ground slowly returned to me. A white light shone out of it, I couldn’t flinch, I could look away, it burned my retinas as a person formed and walked out. A man wearing a dark blue suit with black buttons that three were done up, black shined shoes, a white undershirt, and a purple tie. His face was almost as white as the doorway he came out of, he sported a black flat top and a widows peak on his boxy shaped head. In his right hand, a suitcase with a strange symbol on it. To top it all off, he was looking at me with his sharp green eyes.
Finally making his way to me, he looked me over for what seemed like forever. Then look back up to me, he smiled sinisterly and raised his hand and tightened his tie.
“Mr. McAlister,” He began, “Do you believe in fate?” His voiced seamed ghostly and old. “ Do you belive, your life if, is laid out for you, in someone elses hands?” He turned around and faced away from me, but I could still sense him looking at me. He took a few steps towards the doorway, before stopping and saying,
“Because the right man, in the wrong place, will make all the difference in the world. So wake up, and take back what as yours long ago.” Then he walked into the light and disappeared, along with his doorway.
DATE: July/ 5/ 2034…
TIME: 3:00am…
LOCATION: Nova Prospekt/Cell Block Delta 2/ Portal Research and Weapons Testing…
P.O.V: Cpl. Daniel Joseph McAllister/ Combine Overwatch/ Testing Division. Unit #: OW04235
Darkness. thats all I saw, everything was void of life, nothing moved, nothing made a sound, the only thing there was the sound of my breath. Was I dead? Was that man that spoke to me, god? If so, gods lame. I tried to move my body, and luckily, I could. I could only move my arms, my feet, and a bit of my torso. I felt as if something was holding me down. I could feel the ground below me, and the wall behind me, sitting me up. But other than that, nothing else.
Something in the back of my mind was sort of relaxed, as if it was saying, ‘I’m so glad to be out of that horrible testing room, and into this place.’ But another part of me was saying, ‘You’re not dead, you’re not dead, YOU ARE NOT DEAD.’ and that side was winning.
“Overwatch Unit #0235, U.U.T.A.P.A systems offline, radio uplink, compromised. Transhuman parameters compromised, memory database lock, compromised. Universal Union failsafe, compromised. Voice communicator/ editor, compromised. Audio and hearing aid, compromised. Seek medical attention.”
It was my suit, I was still alive, and I was still in my uniform. A light turned on in the shape of a circle right in front of my left eye allowing me vision to see. My right eye however did not turn on. I look outside of my mask and into the room. Everything was dark, fires poured out of the device in front of us, and giant sparks of blue and green energy arched in every angle possible. Smoke filled the air, of which I could now begin to smell, the stench of burning electronics, metal, and bodies.
The rest of the HUD began to flicker on, my weapons monitoring coming on last, I didn’t have any weapons anymore, and my health was down to 25%. I was truly lucky to be alive. Looking down at my chest, I saw something rather different.
Two giant lumps of brightly colored flesh lay on top me. There clothing was badly torn exposing bits of there body, I could see small rivers of blood running up and down there frames and they leaked, very slowly. They were in better shape than I was, but the thing is, they weren’t human, combine, or whatever.
They, they looked like small horses. Pegasi to be exact. They has wings and brightly colored manes and tails. Almost like a fairy tale. These were the things that knocked me out. Before I could get up and move them, a figure walked, or, rather stumbled up in front of me. I looked up to see a soldier standing gripping his helmet in his right hand. His blue and grey uniform blend in with the smoke and fire. But his skin stood out like a sore thumb. It wasn’t white like normal. It was tan, like a normal flesh color. The soldier dropped his mask and leaned over and picked up on of the bigger horses off of my chest reliving a huge amount of pereuse on me, and freed my left arm. I pushed the slightly more colorful on off of me and stood up as quickly as I could. But as I stood up my mask and neck connecter fell apart and fell to the ground. Up until this point everything has been quiet, but as the mask fell off, everything that could make sound, rushed to my ears.
Alarms, metal burning, gunfire, explosions, the sounds of electricity arcing, screaming, wires snapping, and cracking of support beams. I nearly screamed from the noise, but I controlled myself for I looked at my mystery soldier only to see a very different looking John staring back at me.
“Quick, grab the horse, the others are waiting for us!” He screamed over the sound of the commotion before darting off to the left of me into an open entrance from which the Lieutenant came out of, the lights flickered off and on. I looked down and spotted the horse lying on its side, it’s chest rising steadily. I leaned down and picked it up, surprisingly, it wasn’t as heavy as I thought.
Throwing it around my neck, I darted for the door to which my friend ran into, leaving behind the trashed test chamber. Entering the entrance of the hallway. I watched as John ran down it carrying the horse as the lights flickered above him. I could see red alarms flashing on either side of as they screamed for us to evacuate the area. I too began to run down the corridor giving haste to my partner.
But as I ran, I began to feel different, like my body was being squeezed into my uniform, like my uniform felt smaller than normal, or it wasn’t on right. Ignoring it I continued to run, but as I counted on, more things felt off. My legs felt like they were being compressed by my pants as if they were one size too small. Along with my arms and my shirt, my chest was also feeling the same way.
I didn’t feel like I was inside my own body anymore. Reaching John, he turned around to look for me. Seeing how I was right next to him, he pushed of a grey bar door and entered the next room. Following, I was greeted with a rather dark staging room. The lights above me shown dimmer and yellower than normal. The combine computers were all dark. Cameras that would normally be swaying back and forth, weren’t on. I saw a long red bench, big enough for the horse, I walked over to it and put her down. John had the same idea, for the other horse was placed right next to mine.
Behind us, the grey door finally, shut cutting most of the sound from the other room out. Now everything was muffled. I look around the rest of the room. The room was lined with big computers and monitors. In the middle was a giant table that held mostly papers and other documents. I walked past the bench and went up to the table leaning on it for support. But as I did, I heard the tearing of cloth. Looking down. I could feel my BDU ripping underneath my vest. Frustrated I threw off my vest and shirt with a little struggle, and inspected my body.
Looking around my body, I was in shock. My skin wasn’t white like normal anymore, It was tan, just like Johns, but maybe a little darker. I pulled off my gloves and checked my hands. They too were tan. A light hung in the corner of the room, there, in the light, was a mirror. I ran over to it and looked in. What I got back was something, completely different. I saw a robust looking man standing in front of me. A vigorous looking frame complete with a set of herculean pecs and six rigged abs that ran from his chest to his pants buckle. His arms were ripped with muscles that bulged out as viens shown proudly through his tight skin. Sweat rolled off of him and it glistened in the light making him shine.
Looking at this body was impressive to say the least, but the thing that boggled me was that, this was a mirror. That man, is me. But this wasn’t me, I didn’t look like that, from what I could remember. Never in my life has my body looked like this, not even in my dreams.
But as I continued to look myself over, not only me, but the mirror as well, looking for a trick, I finally looked at my face. After looking at it for a whole minute, I finally concluded that I was indeed, dead. There was no way any of this was real. For what stared back at me, was me, but not me. My head wasn’t bald anymore, I had a small yet strangely thick, full head of hair. A small mustache and goatee grew off my chin that connected at my mouth. My serial number was gone, it was replaced with wrinkles on my forehead.
But my eyes…
My eyes were completely different. I stared at them, and they stared back. I was horrified. The white sclera of my eyes, weren’t white anymore, instead, they were jet black, as black as the night sky, black as the deepest void in hell, and blacker than the barrel of a gun. Along with my sclera, my pupil as well was just as black. They only thing that stood out from the blackness, was my Lacrimal punctum, they only thing that is supposed to be black wasn’t. Instead, it was white.
I looked like some sort of, monster. I even terrified myself.
“I’m a Monster.” I said outloud.
My heart sank into my stomach as my skin crawled with pins and needles, my blood boiled as I continued to stare at the alien like eyes. These are not my eyes, the combine must have done this, or maybe it was the portal, but they built the portal. Why did the portal explode? Why did I survive? Who was that strange I saw? I had too many questions. Turning around rather speechless, I walked back over to John who was currently, opening another door to let in three other soldiers.
First, the one of the two twins came in, looking different with the same description I had, but he was still wearing his body armour, then the Lieutenant came in with his mask off too and his right arm in a makeshift sling. It must be broken. I wondered back over, and went to put on my shirt again, but decided not to, cause it was ripped down the back and front. Defeated, I put my vest on, along with rest of my amour.
I turned around to see all three of the soldiers looking at me.
John seemed deflated, his eyes drooped, his shoulders had fallen down, and a state of vanquish was washed over him.
The brother had tears in his eyes, his arms were crossed and they shook rapidly, almost as if he was shivering. His shoulders were tucked up next to his ears as his head hung low enough to chest level, but not To low cause I could still see his eyes. Blood trailed up and down his best and suit as if he had rolled around in it in the last room. His hands covered his mouth as I could hear heavy breathing coming from behind them. The tears in his eyes trailed down his hands as they shook with a mighty rage.
“He’s dead, why, why now, just when he had a chance to live again he goes ahead and dies on me.” He said behind his hands. John turned towards him and looked at him his eyes looking him over before he wrapped his arms around the whimpering soldier. Almost automatically, The brother wrapped his arms around John and began to cry heavily as his head was buried into John vest. He shook with his breathing as the tears ran free. John put his head down on his shoulder and tried to comfort him.
The lieutenant above all the rest, had a emotion of pure shock, his face was tan like us, but seemed pale. Blood trailed down one of his eyes and made a big splatter on his assault vest, the blood was as red as his deltoid gear. His eyes slowly twitched as sweat rolled down his forehead and on to his face. His free arm was as stiff as a board and it also twitches.
After a while of pure agonizing silence besides crying, they all looked to me. And I looked back at them. Then John stepped forward slowly and carefully, placed his right hand upon my shoulder. Staring at me with his tired eyes, he spoke a single sentence.
“We are all monsters Daniel.” He stared at me as tears filled his eyes, he continued to speak as his voices hiccuped as he started to cry. His words made him sound like he was in pain.
“We have seen terrible things, the fall of our world, the destruction of all that we stand for, the murdering of OUR PEOPLE.” He screamed and shaked in rage as he stopped to take a breath. "I will never forgive those freaks."
“We have seen innocent people become soldiers in a day, their lives reduced to nothing more than a echo inside the deepest parts of their mind. They, we, never got to make this choice, but because of the Combine, everything that we ever knew, everything that we loved like family and friends are gone, dead, or converted at the hands of the Combine.”
I quickly remember everything that had happened during the war. The Combine invasion, the deaths of innocent people, soldiers and leaders alike. The rest of us getting converted into mindless drones that followed their every command without question.
John took his hand off of me and turned to the rest.
“We have suffered long enough, I will not stand by as the Combine rule over something that cannot be ruled over. My name is John Reefer Lonstein, and we are the humans of earth and I will fight for my freedom till I can fight no more.” Suddenly the brother stood forward.
“I David Joseph Johnson will fight for those who cannot, I will fight for the fallen, I will fight for my brother even though he cannot anymore, with god as my witness, I will fight for freedom!” Then the lieutenant stepped up. As he spoke, his voice had a heavy Russian accent on it.
“I have seen people die at my own hands, these hands have taken both civilian and soldier lives. Well these hands will not kill the innocent anymore, I will point these misguided hands towards freedom and victory, for I’m in control of my body now, and no one can say otherwise. My name is Chernykh Avgust Andreevich and I will fight for freedom!”
I Looked at the soldiers again, they're tired of fighting for a cause they could not control. But, they are willing to give it a second chance in the name of freedom, in the name of Earth, in the name of the human race.
“My name is Daniel Joseph McAllister, and you all right, the Combine war machine must be stopped and freedom must return to the people. I will fight for freedom until I die or they all do!” Quickly I snapped my boots together and shot my right arm to my eyebrows as my hands stiffened to a salute. “Soldiers, will fight for Earth, with will fight for the Humans, and we will fight to bring an end to the Combine threat, now whos with me!” I screamed. The other raised there hands to salute.
“Yes sir!” Lowering my hands I turned around to the red bench. I stared at the poines that lay asleep on the bench.
“Now what to do with you?” I turn around to the others, as they too were looking. Coming up with a plan I began to instruct them on what to do.
“John go find some bangadges, Chernykh, find some water, David, go find find some Antibiotics.” With a collective, yes sir, the sprang into action.
I walked over to the ponies and knelt down in front of them. I placed my hand on the rainbow maned ones front hoofs as I rubbed it with my thumb.
“Everything is going to be okay.” I smiled as the resting body began to move.
It was waking up.
DATE: July/ 5/ 2034…
TIME: 3:25am…
LOCATION: Nova Prospekt/Cell Block Delta 2/ Portal briefing room
P.O.V: Cpl. Daniel Joseph McAllister/ Ex-Combine Overwatch
The pegasuses fur felt soft almost like a stuffed animal. And she looked so cute as she rested her eyes. After John came in with the bandages and David with the Antibiotics I went to work cleaning her wounds and wrapping her up. After checking for broken bones, I finished up my handy work tightening her bandages as tight as I could without cutting off blood flow. I stood back from the horse and studied my work. Four bandages in total surrounded her body. One on two of her legs, and around her chest and one around her head.
David was at work fixing the male when the one I worked on woke up for the first time.
“Uhhg,” She murmured. I was kneeling next to David as he worked giving him tips when I shifted my head over to the horse. David did the same. Her eyes fluttered a bit before they slowly opened. I stood up tall and walked up to the horse kneeling down again, but I kept my distance. I saw a glimpse of her eyes as her cyan blue lids opened up. They were a beautiful shade of magenta. Never before have I ever seen eyes quite as bright and big as hers. As she opened more, they stared into me as my mouth didn't seemed to respond as my jaw dropped open as my eyes widened at her gaze. I hadn’t felt this feeling before, or at least I think. My body felt warm and fuzzy inside as my arm hairs stood on edge and my feet felt as if pins and needles were stabbing them. I felt more than happy, I felt, something… I’m not sure what it was, but it was there. Everything else didn’t matter anymore.
“W-where am I?” She asked as her head turned slowly from left to right as one of her hoofs reached up to scratch her left eye. But as her eyes opened all the way, she began to look around faster and began to grow worried. I could see it in her eyes.
“Wh-wheres Thunderlane? What happened?” Looking up to me she nearly jumped off the bench, her whole body shook in one shock, “Who in the hay are you?” Scared for her actions I threw up my hands and waved them back and forth.
“Please, we're here to help, don’t be scared I don't mean to hurt you.” I said apprehensively. She stood up from her prone position and fell backwards off the bench, and attempted to flap her wings, but due to her entry had received quite a beating, so it was wrapped up. Not noticing this she tried to fly, but received pain instead of flight, nearly yelping in pain.
“ARGH! What in Tartarus did you do to my wings?” She said looking back at the wrapping. Suddenly John came up beside me and moved closer to the stumbling horse as I stood up and followed him.
“When you came here you suffered quite a tumble, your wing is damaged, try not to move it, let it heal, and stop moving around. That isn't the only thing thats broken, you’ll ruin the bandages.” He stated as the pegasus squirmed around. She looked angrily at him and me.
“Why should I listen to you?” She spat in a retort. Suddenly David came up behind us and nearly kicked the bench out of the way in rage. The pegasus quickly looked over at him and snorted as she painfully stood up and stood into a fighting stance as the back of the fur on her neck stood up on edge.
“Because if you don’t, i'll knuckle fuck your face so hard you’ll be shiting your own teeth for weeks.” He quickly as he pointed his hand towards one of the door he came through earlier. “We are being hunted by guards as we speak, the less we talk the more unlikely it is for them to find us. Now unless you wanna die, shut up.” He said nearly hissing out his last words. John and I looked at each other in shock. We had never heard those words come out of David's mouth before, not even when we were in a firefight. John looked back to David and put a hand on his shoulder while he and the horse still stared at each other.
“David? Why dont you let us handle the talking for right now? Okay?” With a grunt, David turned to John and gave him a look of hatred before storming off. After he left. We looked back to the horse who was still watching him. I came closer to her and got her attention as she looked at me with rage. Putting up my hands again, showing no harm, she losned her mood and listened. I took a knee and looked at her directly.
“Sorry about my friend, he’s been acting a little strange lately,” I lied to cover up the fact that I didn’t know what was wrong with him. “I know this place is strange for you but, to help you help me, I’ll answer any question you have.” I said. She began to loosen up, losing the anger in her eyes.
“Okay mister, where am I?” She asked slamming her hoof down onto the ground.
“Well, the planet you're on is Earth, currently were somewhere in Russia, or France, England? I don’t know, one of those places. Anyway, we are in a place called Nova Prospekt, it used to be a top security prison, but it’s something much worse now.” She looked confused.
“Earth? Wait, how did I get here?” She asked putting her hoof to her chin.
“Well, in the room next to us, which is currently exploding to bits, there is a portal, that portal was one of our greatest creations we ever made-” John behind me laughed sarcastically and walked off. Looking back in annoyance, I saw him go back over to the bench and sit down. “Well it would have been the greatest creation ever, if it worked right. Instead, it malfunctioned and may have killed thousands of people, while shutting off all power to the prison, minus back up generators.” She still looked confused when I turned back.
“Uh-huh, well anyway, I don't get half of that stuff-” Behind me came John again. “Neither do I!” I turned around to John, “John! Quiet!” I hissed as loud as possible.“Whatever!” Turning back to the horse again, she still was confused. “Like I was saying, I don’t get half that stuff, but, you said I came through a portal?” I shook my head. “And it exploded?” Again I shook my head yes. “And is there anyway for me to get back?” I shook my head no this time. “That machine was the only one we had and it was a prototype.
A gigantic sigh of distress came out off her as she collapsed onto to floor covering her face with her hoofs. “Great!” she yelled as the ground muffled her out. After about a few seconds of silence she looked back up with a blank expression.
“Anyway, who are you?” She asked. Giving her the answer, I pointed to myself and began to read off everyone in the room, pointing at them as I went.
“Well, my name is Daniel, back there is John over there is david and in the white is Chernykh.” Everyone waved when there name was called, with the exception of David who just grunted. Looking back to the horse she seemed less tense than before and now looked calmer.
“Well, my names Rainbow Dash and over there is Thunderlane.” I nodded looking back towards the sleeping horse.” Another question, what are you?” She asked putting a hoof on my exposed chest. Her hoof felt strangely fluffy, despite being here in this place, as if she wasn’t affected by it at all. It made me fluster up again like before. Time seemed to slow down as she didn’t just take her hoof off of me, she trailed down my torso, as if she was secretly feeling my body. A bit bewildered I spoke up as her hoof left after what seemed like an eternity of tenseness, for it stopped at the lower half of my abs, then rejoined her body.
“W-well we’re humans.” I stuttered.
I looked up from my chest freed from the state I was in, and looked to her face, but instead of looking at me, she was looking at my midsection instead.
What made me just as surprised like she was before calming down, was that she wasn’t just looking, she seemed lost in a gaze as her magenta eyes appeared to sparkle while her cheeks faded into a small shade of light violet. Her mouth was opened and she stared.
At this point I didn’t know what to do. This whole situation was extremely awkward. She was just staring at me, stunned, I didn’t know what to say, or what to do. What made it worse was the fact that I was enjoying it, the thought someone idling at my body to the point of nearly drooling was enough to send me over the edge, but now it was really happening, and shes not even human! But I didn’t care.
I shouldn't be enjoying it, but I am. What made it EVEN WORSE, was that fact that we weren't the only ones in the room, there was three others behind me, and another pegasus, who was thankfully knocked out, for I feared that the two were somehow intertwined and he would kick this living shit out of me if he found out. I would feel slightly better if I could just throw the rest of the world away so that only me and her were left.
So, trying to avoid that happening and David getting involved. I quickly asked a question to snap her out of the trance.
“Uh, well, what are you?” I asked dumbly already knowing what she was. The sudden sound of my voice shook her up, her pupils shrunk as she looked up at me in embarrassment. She smiled as she quickly raised a hoof to cover her checks.
“Heh, well, I’m a pegasus, but i’m not just any pegasus, I’m the greatest flyer in all of Equestria, my home world country.” She said, matter of factly. “I won the great flyers competition and joined up with our greatest flyers in the whole country, the Wonder Bolts.” I had no idea what she was talking about, but I had a good idea.
“So Equestria is your home country?” I asked
“Yes, it’s ruled over by two princesses. One rules the night and one rules the day.” I nodded as I stood up.
“What about your world?” She asked happier tone, unlike before now. As soon as she said that, everyone in the room looked at us, including David. We didn’t know what to say. It became extra quiet in the room. I remembered little of the other world, the world I used to live in. The only thing I knew was who I was, where I lived, and the 7 hour war.
“Well, uh, thats a hard question to answer Rainbow, we don’t actually know. Our world has had a rough past.” David appeared next to me. No longer mad, unlike before. His eyes shined from the dim light in the room, almost as if they were glassy. He took his armour off, the only thing that remained, was his BDU.
“Our world is the greatest thing we could ask for, this planet is the perfect planet. It has a 12 hour day and night cycle, four seasons, and nearly every part of its surface is liveable. We have existed on this world for over two thousand years and used it not only for our home, but our mother, and our life line. We have studied it to the fullest and then some more. We’ve created huge scientific breakthroughs from using its supplies that we dug out of it. We built towns, cities, countries, and have pushed our existence out onto our moon. We built highways, and railways to take us to the far corners of our lands. We made giant ships and airplanes to carry us through the ocean and fly us through the clouds at lighting speeds. We’ve made ourselves cultured by creating multiple forms of entertainment, sports, and have used technology to link us together in ways we never thought possible. Along with culture we have stuck with our ancestors roots and have created many different religions based off of different beliefs. We have tried to shape the future to our will, while exploring our past.” Rainbow Dash and the rest of us listen to David speach, for again, we have never heard anything like this come out of him before. He was defending our world? What for? Maybe to scare the new alien that was in front of us? I dont know.
“Along the way, we have had some, problems that nature through at us, but most of the problems we’ve faced, are from us. War, hunger, poverty, over population, pollution, and the fear that the end is right around the corner when we shroud ourselves in lies that we created. But, our world used to be much better than it is now. For now we can only glimpse at the dream of us ever returning to the world we once lived in. For time has finally caught up with us, a race of hyper intelligent beings called the Universal Union, invaded earth many years ago, the nations of the our world, grudges or not, put there armed forces together and attempted to defeat them. But in seven hours, all of our efforts to stop them went down in flames as 75% of our worlds population was exterminated. Eight billion innocent harmless lives, the ones who built the greatest civilizations in probably the whole universe, nearly wiped out. Families, friends, neighbors, everyone gone, and those who weren’t whipped out, they were forced into, “Cities” giant labor camps really, and the ones who didn’t got turned into us.” By this time everyone was next to me, and now joining us for the first time, Thunderlane, who from this point had been knocked out. He now stood beside John, who stood next to Chernykh who was standing next to me.
Rainbow Dash saw him and smiled, “Thunderlane! You’re okay!” He limped painfully over to the excited pegasus and gave her a hug, as awkward as it looked, it was sort of heart warming. Suddenly as if by mistake, Thunderlane stuttered and push himself off over her and stood at attention, knees locking tight as his right hoof shot up to his eyes.
“Sorry Ma’am, I didn’t mean to hug you, I was just glad to see you weren’t dead, Ma’am.” His voice sounded deep like Chernykh, but he didn’t have a accent. His voice seemed weak and choppy, and his body wasn’t in good enough shape to be standing like he was, his shaking shown his pain.
Rainbow Dash smiled and returned his salute, “At ease, no need to call me Ma’am, spitfire isn’t around now. Thunderlane,” she said raising her hoof towards me, “This is Daniel he was the one who rescued us.” I waved hello, and she continued reading off our names.
TIME: 3:55am…
After an half an hour of explanation of how they got here, again, we explained more about our world, and how it works. In return they told us about their world. I was intrigued by all of the information. It was truly fascinating how their world needs two great powers to raise and lower the sun and moon and how the weather is dictated by what they need at certain times and how they control it to achieve that. Also that magic is the only way this could happen. At first I didn’t believe in magic, but when I considered that they were in fact talking neon colored pegasi from another world and not my imagination, I dropped all suspicions.
We talked more about how our world is ruled over by an administrator named Dr. Breen and that he controls the Combine his main army. We explained that he’s the figurehead of earth and explained that he’s ruled over by the Universal Union, and that they are the ones that destroyed our world.
But, throughout this whole time, listening and explaining, I was as tense as a bound wire because, despite Thunderlane being awake now and sitting right next to her, Rainbow Dash continued to glance over from time to time to look at my body, before I would catch her looking and she quickly looked at something else. I didn’t know whether to blush or just be confused.
TIME: 4:15…
About an hour has passed now, Rainbow Dash and Thunderlane lay down on a bench as the rest of us stand near one of the doors that lead out into the prison. We talked about what our next plan was. Chernykh and David told us how, while they were out looking for supplies to fix up the Ponies, they ran into a few guards and overwatch soldiers that were patrolling the surrounding hallways looking for something. We assumed that thing they were looking for, was us. Since Chernykh was the Lieutenant of our group, we turned to him for information. He informed us that that there was a large distance between us and freedom from this place and that we needed to pass through it untouched or unheard, or else the prison can track us down. Along with that he mentioned something that caught my attention. He said some where in this prison is a Time Vault.
This vault was a 25 mile long storage facility that housed the devices from our past and preserved them to be used for the future. Like our weapons, armour, communication devices, transport vehicles, anything that could be useful to the Combine was saved there for future use. Along with that there is a P.A.T.C, (Personal Accessable Time Capsule,) that anyone can access at anytime to find the information about themselves from the old world. Along with the information about that said person, it comes with whatever they were wearing before the takeover.
“If we want to find out who we are, we need to find that vault, all in favor for finding it, say ‘I.’” Chernykh said as he raised his hand. Me and John were the first ones to raise our hand, David raised it about a second after us.
“Alrighty then, we move out in 15 minutes, get ready to roll.” And just like that, our plan was put into action.
If we can't remember our past, we’re going to find it…
Chapter #5 (Soldiers Of Earth)
DATE: July/ 5/ 2034…
TIME: 4:35am…
LOCATION: Nova Prospekt/Cell Block Delta 2/ Cell Block Delta 2 hallways...
P.O.V: Cpl. Daniel Joseph McAllister/ Ex-Combine Overwatch…
The hallways were barely lit due to the power being out. The blue tint of the Combine steel shines brighter with the help of the red flood lights. What wasn’t illuminated by the lights, was shown by the fires that flamed out of pipes from the walls. Chernykh was on point I followed up behind him with Rainbow Dash behind me, then Thunderlane, then John and finally David who covered our rear. The building around us creaked and moaned as if ghosts had filled the air vents and were calling to us. Gun fire echoed off in the distance as battles raged that we could not control.
The darkness watched us with eager eyes forever staring, waiting for us to join them in the shadows. The hallway itself seemed alive as if we were above a two mile drop, underneath the tiles that we walked on. Every rumble, every explosion, every hiss of steam, made my hair stand on edge. I had put my vest and other gear on for self security, but I couldn’t wear my BDU for it was ripped beyond repair. I felt powerless, I could barely see, I had hardly any memory of my past, and I had to protect two innocent creatures with zero weapons of my own. Though we marched on despite the odds of us dying at any point.
We reached the end of the hallway, before we could continue, Chernykh shot up his left hand in a 90 degree angle signaling a halt. I stopped dead in my tracks, as I feared what he sensed. He quickly turned his head down to his right and looked past the safety of the wall. He turned back and stuck up his fingers, indicating four hostiles.
This was it, our first encounter with hostiles, my heart had slowed down to nearly half its rate as I began to shake out of fear. I wasn’t ready yet, I didn’t have a gun, or a knife, and I didn’t know how to use my hands in a fight with a gunman. But, here I stand, back literally against the wall, no defence, and no clue on what to do. I know I was a soldier before, but now that I wasn’t a soldier in the eyes of the overwatch, the knowledge of being one went away along with the memory locks.
Chernykh Motioned his hand to crouch and I did so as fast as I could. Everyone behind me did the same because I heard there breathing and rusling increase slightly, as did mine.
“Sector Delta 2 Reinforcement Squad Beta 1-1 , check in.”
“Team one reporting in, no sign of Anti-overwatch Breach, beginning patrol protocol 2, stand by for wrap up, over.”
“Copy that team one, checking in with teams two and three of your Squad, rendezvous with team two once sweep is complete at Block Delta 3 entrance, you're free to roam, over.”
“Copy that Overwatch Command. Moving out.”
We waited for what seemed like an eternity, they passed our hallway and continued on. Chernykh had turned around before they passed, and after they were gone, he gave another hand signal which meant, “Move up.” He stood up from his stance into a crouch and moved slowly, as did the rest of us. We exited the mouth of the hallway and moved into the light. The light felt good, I could see everything around me, again, giving me that false sense of security, for I knew that this light ran on battery, and it could easily go out at anytime due to it being a little floor flood light. We walked up towards where the soldiers came from.
Emerging from the light in front of us was a large fire door that blocked the hallway. To our left was a small indent in the wall, it had bullet proof glass and a doorway.
“A checkpoint. Maybe there is a computer we can use, or maybe even weapons we can pick up.” I said pointing it out to Chernykh. He turned around and nodded. He stood up right from the crouch and made haste towards the door, as did the rest of us.
Entering the room, the feeling of security increased ten fold. The room was small and comfortable, unlike the hallway. A Combine computer terminal was mounted on the left wall. On the wall with the glass was a little control panel. Two blue iron chairs that faced the window right next to the panel. On the wall furthest to us was a gun case. Unfortunately, it was empty. However to our right was another case, but this one was different. It was smaller and the prongs that would normally hold guns by the stock, were missing. But most importantly, this one had things in it. Three Stun Sticks and adjustable belts.
I walked over to the rack and picked up the metro cop stun button, and flicked it on via the button on the groove right above the handle. The orange striped tip sparked and flickered on in an instant generating around 1800 volts. I was taught this by a Civil Protection Officer before I was stationed at Nova Prospekt. I flick it off and begin to examine the full body in detail. It had a metal frame and a rubber grip. On the back of the section above the grip where the power switch is located, was a dial. It ranged from 1800 to 800.
I turn around to see everyone moving about inside the room. Chernykh was typing on the computer as he opened and closed thousands of files, obviously looking for something. John was talking to Dash and Thunder inside the room, I heard him talking medical lingo so I assumed he was explaining their wounds in detail. David was stationed by the door, looking out into the hall from time to time, keeping watch. I turn back to the stick when an idea pops into mind.
“Chernykh, do you have a second, I would like to have a word with you.” I say out loud enough for him to hear me.
“One moment, I almost found what we need.” I heard from behind me.
The Combine soldier, guard, elite and police officer all had one thing in common. Besides being part of the Combine. They all have a communication devices on the back of their necks. In training the Combine soldier is never allowed to be flanked. If they are, this box is open to the enemy. If the box is damaged in any serious way, it will create a chain reaction inside the user's body. First they will blackout for one to two minutes, afterwards when they come back, the memory and any other safety locks are disabled causing the user to become very disoriented. Side effects include slurring words, drivel talk, erratic movement and other strange anomalies. However this can be fixed if the mask they were wearing at the time is kept on for a while afterwards, like maybe another two minutes. After this the soldier will regain stability and be back to normal, it’s just that the box needs to be replaced with a fresh one.
Now this is where we come in, If we’re able to knockout a soldier with these Stun Sticks via flank and get their masks destroyed or better yet off in time. We could free more soldiers. Thats how we were freed in the first place, our masks and Comm boxes were destroyed upon impact with the wall when the portal malfunctioned. With these sticks we could amass an army, we could actually stand a chance against they Combine. My spirit lifted up and I turned around to Chernykh as he came over to me.
“Yes Daniel, what do you need?” He said holding a piece of paper. I quickly began to explain my idea. Chernykh listened to me rant about my idea and slowly but sure his attitude lifted as a wicked smile appeared on his face.
“With these sticks we can finally strike back against the Combine by using their own men against them.” I said throwing my arms out towards the door. By this point everyone was listening in on our conversation. Chernykh put a hand on his chin, and spoke up after me.
“The Combine are smart, in some ways. Back when they invaded Earth, they weren’t using live ammo. They were using heavy tranquilizer rounds. Upon impact, it felt like bullet and acted like one too. But it would merely knock the target out cold. Then after the war they collected the bodies, brainwashed them, and woke them up as Combine soldiers.” I looked at him in bewilderment.
“You can’t be serious.” I said in retort. His smile faded into a honest rained expression.
“Think about it, how do you think they have so many soldiers, why kill the whole of a race, when you can reuse them as your own clone army?” That was the cherry on top. It all made sense. Thats why they have the vault. Use your enemies weapons against them.
“Your right Chernykh, it all makes sense. The soldiers out their, they aren't Combine, they’re humans. And that’s why we will free them, instead of killing them. The whole group gasped, even Chernykh. David got up from the doorway and came over to me, enraged.
“Daniel are you insane? Those soldiers out there have guns, and what do we have, three stun sticks. A whole army versus three guys armed with batons. This is a horrible idea.” He said crossing his arms and giving me a look of severe disappointment. He didn’t see the picture.
“Okay listen, those soldiers out there,” I say pointing out side the room with a stern motion, “the ones with guns, the ones that we’re going up against, aren’t combine soldiers at all. They’re just wandering bodies, trapped behind masks of hate towards their fellow man. Combat buddies, family, brothers in arms. All forced to kill innocent people. We were them, but we are free. Come on! They want to live again, can’t you see it. Beyond the mask, beyond the system, beyond the locks lies a human waiting to come out again. Waiting to breath fresh air, waiting to see their planet again.” He shifts his head and looks outside the door with his wandering eyes as they drop from angry to sorrow. Everyone looks at each other, even Dash and Thunder.
“They’re just as human as you are, so don’t tell me they’re the enemy. It’s the combine shell thats the enemy, not the soldier inside.” I Raise the stun stick into the air along with the belt attached to it as David looks back to me. “We may be unarmed, and we may be out numbered, we may not even be in any condition to fight. But we will stand up for our planet, we will fight our our countries, we will rescue the soldiers trapped behind the Combine war machine. We will make the Combine remember the past and have them shake in their boots. We will make them turn and run at the sight of us. We will be feared! And history will remember us as the ones who brought back the soldiers of Earth.” I look down to Rainbow Dash. A Small glint in her eyes as her lids seem slightly puffed out.
“And we won't stand for just us. We will stand as a symbol to other planets like Equestria and beyond. To stand against the Combine, and unite themselves as one to destroy this foe. For what is worth fighting over lines, if the lines are no longer there to fight for.” I said lowering the stick to my side once again.
Then something happened. Rainbow Dash gave me this look, I can't describe it now, but, it looked as if she was agreeing with me. A single tear fell from her left eyes as she moved forward and grabbed one of the stun sticks behind me with her teeth and returned to her stance. Everyone including me, watched her with shocked eyes. Spitting it out she looked at me,
“I will fight with you David.” Then, Thunderlane did the same, he walked up to the rack and grabbed the last one and returned to his stance.
“If she’s fighting i’ll fight too.” He said in a rough tone. She looked to him and nodded her head in a, “Thank you.” I looked up from the ponies to the other soldiers in the room. They all looked at each other as if they were talking telepathically until they all, one by one, nodded to me.
I kneeled down I helped her fit the strap to Rainbow Dashes hoof. The belt had a cool feature that if you pushed a button on the holding point of the Stun stick, it would pop out for easy access. So I fitted it so all she’d have to do was flick that switch and the stick would fling forward about four inches above her hoof. I also made sure it was fitted so she could turn it on and off with her other hoof as well. The belt could also retract the stick to it’s resting position when not in use.
After fitting it to Thunderlane as well they both looked to me and smiled. Then they looked at each other, nodded and looked back to me. In an instant, they stiffened up and saluted with their hoofs.
“Daniel, I’m giving you command over us, if you can save my planet from become a planet of slaves, I will follow you, sir.” I clipped the stick I held around my waist and tightened it up so that it wouldn’t slip and returned the salute wholeheartedly.
“Don’t worry I will.” I said in return. John came up next to me with a grin on his face.
“Trust me, if he says he’ll do something, he sure as hell will get it done.” I look to him and give him a grin too. Yeah, he would know.
4:55am…
After getting ready to move out, we viewed Chernykh’s paper to understand what was on it. It was the directions right to the vault. From the looks of the map, it was going to take a while. So we set off immediately, back into the darkness.
