Shattered

My problems began the day the Arabian Starvation began… That day several of us were summoned to Canterlot for instructions. Only a dozen of us at first. Not all of us were soldiers, however. There were mechanics, doctors, and other professions as well. I never liked the idea of going to Canterlot, since once they already made us leave, but orders are meant to be carried out, so I DID go there in the end. The convoy from the Wasteland departed. IT consisted of 2 medics, 3 mechanics, the rest of us were gunmen. Some were Snipers, some Pointmen, and some of us were Juggernauts. I myself was honored not to fall into any of those groups… Soon you’ll see why. We were travelling in 4 vehicles, all humvees with mounted Miniguns. The other soldiers and I managed to get close relatively quickly, while the doctors kept their noses high, thinking their PhD’s made them more important than us. “Careful, you’ll end up with something stuck in your nose,” One of my comrades noted to them.

“You only chose the army just because you were too dumb to go to college,” Replied a doctor.

“Oh? At least I know how to defend my own ass. You on the other hand, technically couldn’t hurt a fly, thanks to that Hippocrates oath of yours... “ Replied the sniper next to me.

“Is that a threat?” The doctor replied, thinking he was winning the argument.

“If you would be as smart as your PhD needs you to be, you would know by now, that our job is to keep you safe, dirtbag,” Replied the gunner from above, pacing around.

The doctor only looked at me in surprise and opened her mouth. “Unbelievable! I can’t comprehend how rude your men can be, Captain,” She noted.

“Oh? What’s that? They aren’t meeting your standards?” I asked with a serious tone. She only shook her head in response. “Well, it’s not the bread slice that’s small, doctor. It’s your face that’s too huge,” I replied with a taunt. My men broke out laughing, why the doctor remained silent until we arrived. When we did, it was nice to finally stretch our limbs once again. It was starting to feel like we were in a tin can, like a can of sardines. The drivers dropped us off, and returned home, as they and the gunners were a different Group.

“Good luck, Captain!” One of the drivers shouted to me before they left.

The town guards greeted us with a somewhat friendly grin and nod, which we returned, and made our way toward the castle, hands empty of weapons. Most of us had our nanosuits, as you need to be at least an Officer to get one. I, as a Captain obviously were in that group, while the others were at least Second Lieutenants. The doctors had theirs, so did the mechanics, since the built in I.S.I.S function would be of help. It did save the time it would take for them to go get a wrench, or some bandages, that’s the only reason they had theirs. On our way to the castle one of the bystanders threw a rock at us, but one of the snipers caught it, and threw it back at the one who threw it, hitting dead center. “Don’t make me come over there,” She warned the colt, who just walked away, scrubbing the area where the rock hit him.

“They either don’t get what we’re trying to do here, or they think we, as Humans aren’t allowed to beat their ass… I don’t know, they might think they are actual citizens, while we’re just moving in…” One of the mechanics exclaimed, as we approached the castle gates. The guards stopped us for identification.

“Names, ranks, classes” Said one of them.

“Adrian Shephard, Second Lieutenant, Sniper,”

“Sarah Kerrigan, Lieutenant, Sniper,”

“House, PhD, Doctor,”

“Freeman, PhD, Doctor,”

“Pearce, Second Lieutenant, Pointman,”

“Connor, Second Lieutenant, Juggernaut,”

“Vance, Mechanic,”

“Vince, Mechanic,”

“Jackson Brenks, Lieutenant, Pointman,”

“Zaytsev, Lieutenant, Sniper,”

“Jason, Second Lieutenant, Juggernaut,”

And last, I too introduced myself.”Joseph Newman, Captain, Commander,”

The guards nodded, and allowed us pass without a word. We made our way into the castle, and changed direction for the throne room. “Why the throne room, sir? Why not the barracks?” Asked Vince.

“Because I was told the sisters themselves want a word with us too, and it wouldn’t be nice for us to make them walk,” I explained, soon arriving to said room. The guards once again just nodded, and let us pass. It was an Inside joke for us. We only saluted royalty or the Generals themselves.

The doors opened, and we lined up next to one another in front of the sisters, me at the very end. The Generals and Professors were standing beside the sisters, and we saluted them all… At least those who had to did, damn doctors… “Captain Joseph Newman, step forward,” Said General Omnis. I stepped in front of the middle of the line, and ahead a few steps.

“Yes, ma’am?” I asked.

“After all of you receive your instructions, you will stay a little longer,” She replied.

“Yes, ma’am,” I exclaimed, and stood back in line.

“Ladies and gentlemen…” The General continued. “I’m sure you wonder why we had called you here… Or… Why it was you who we called… It is simple. The Saddle Arabian Prince had come to Canterlot weeks ago in person, and alone, just to apologize for Ishtar’s Invasion decades ago. We agreed to forgive them. Now, we are asked to help said nation by dispensing rations. Their food supplies are low, and plants are dying. Your role is to go to a small town named Stoneden, set up a dispensing station, and give out rations as the documents the Captain will receive dictate. For questions, turn to the Captain and ask after he’s available.” She continued.

“Dismissed!” Yelled General Mortis, and everyone left except me.

The professors approached me and asked me to walk with them. I glanced at the Generals, Omnis nodded, so I left with them. “So, Captain Newman… You may wonder what we intend with you,” Prof. Adrian said.

“A little,” I replied.

“We are running an experiment, a newer version of the nanosuit, to be exact,” Prof. Itrix continued.

“And what do I have to do with it?” I wondered.

“We thought you might be willing to do some tests on the field for us…” Prof. Adrian replied.

“What do I need to do?” I asked.

“Follow, and you’ll know,” I followed them to the underground lab, where we walked and walked, until we came to a locked room. Both of them produced their keycards, and swiped it on the scanners, opening the door. Inside the room were three glass tubes, nothing inside. “Here we are, Captain.” Itrix exclaimed.

“And where is the suit?”

“In that tube,”

“What?”

“It’s in there,”

“Is it invisible?” I wondered.

“Yes, but I doubt you would ever use that feature. I’ve read your files… You don’t just go in guns blazing, but either do you spend most effort on sneaking and such… You just so happen to find the best cover, and time your shots,” He explained, and pressed a button in front of him, causing the lid to open. “All yours,”

“What can I expect?” I wondered.

“It will detect your current nanosuit at first. It will then overwrite its code, causing it to separate from your body and replace it. It will also store data from the replaced suit and adjust to your requirements. It will monitor your vitals and everything the old one did,” Itrix explained.

“What’s the difference between the two?”

“The values, Captain. Your current model only enhances your reflexes, speed and strength by a mere 50%. That model over there will do 200%,”

“Why do I have a feeling this will hurt…” I muttered and walked up to the lid. Reaching inside I felt like it was only air, but soon I blacked out and woke up in a hospital bed.

“Wh- What happened?” I asked the doctor beside my bed.

“Ah, Captain Newman, is it? You were brought here by Professors Adrian and Itrix… It seems your sudden change of equipment was a little too much for your body,” He explained.

“How long was I out?”

“Less than an hour,”

“Good... “ I replied and got up.

“Good luck, Cap,” He said, and let me leave. The first thing I did was find the professors again.

“Ah, I see you’ve gotten the adjustments…” Adrian said.

“Which almost got me killed, yes,” I corrected him.

“Is there a question you have?”

“What else is different in this model?”

“The I.S.I.S, it’s an updated version. Until now you needed to at least hold the item you were to store at least once. Now you can produce objects never even touched. It’s also now linked to your weapon management system, and fill restock ammunition in the magazine while you fire the same firearm,”

“You mea-”

“Yes, you will never run out of ammo,” He assured me. “Those are all the differences… But I would like to remind you, that you are still mortal, and can be killed if certain conditions are met, such as a clear path for a bullet to any of your vital organs. Yes, the suit does provide protection, but don’t expect it to take every single blow you may get. Rest assured, it’s damage absorbing ability recharges over time… Just… Don’t over work it,” He warned me. I nodded, and left to find the others.

They were at the throne room when I found them. The suit felt a little heavier than the other one did, even tho it morphed into the same outfit. We all seemingly wore simple fabric military camoflage uniforms. Pants, coats, and tank tops under neat with a baseball cap of the same colors. The only difference was that the mechanics and doctors wore differing attires. The mechanics wore blue jumpers with blue hats, while the doctors wore brown pants, blue shirts, and labcoats. “And so, the first becomes the last,” General Altamir noted as I stepped in, quickly joining the line.

“Now that you all are present, here are the details…” Omnis took over the conversation. “We will give you instructions and updates for your mission through Captain Newman, who is also in charge of what all of you do during the mission. Obviously, we trust his choices, and authorize him to decide whether or not to send any of you back, and ask for a replacement. This is only accepted it one of you misbehave, or disregard orders,” She explained, then looked at the non-military personnel. “The four of you will also obey him… If you know what’s good for you,” She added. “Any questions?”

“What exactly is our task? Ma’am?” Asked Pearce.

“Dispense food in Stoneden… Were you not paying attention?” She threw back.

Pearce only stared at the floor from there on.

“Any other questions?”

“How long will our mission last?” I asked.

“An undisclosed amount of time, I’m sorry to rip you away from your families like this, but we found you the most able to do this,” She explained. “Anything else?” We didn’t have any other questions. The General simply looked at the sisters, who nodded. “Before you leave, the sisters have a few words to you,” She exclaimed, and we turned our attention at them.

“While you are in Saddle Arabia, please keep in mind, that you are not only representing yourselves, or your species, but also our humble homeland…” Celestia reminded us.

“And regardless of what is written in the history books, keep in mind, that the individuals you will meet had done nothing against us,” Luna continued.

We saluted, then replied with a standard “Ma’am, yes, ma’am,” In unison. Except Dr. House…

“What? I was meant to do it too? Doctors too?” She wondered.

“What do you think?” Freeman reminded her, since he had saluted however.

“Well, maybe next ti-” At this point stepped into front of her.

“Listen up, you disrespectful pile of filth…” I addressed her in front of everyone else. “From this moment you do what I say. If I say you jump, you ask how high. If I say you drown, you ask how fast. If I say you die, you ask how painful. I’m in charge, I’m the boss, and if you can’t bring your own lazy ass to do one of the most basic things I will not risk taking you only to embarrass me, the others, and everyone else! Salute and apologize, or else I’ll give you something to practice your PhD on!” I yelled at her. She quickly jumped into a salution and loudly apologized to the sisters. “Louder!”

“I’m sorry!”

“LUDER!”

“I’M SORRY!”

“LOUDER YOU MAGGOT!”

“I’M SORRY!” She yelled at the top of her lungs.

“All right, all right, shut the fuck up, you’ll break the windows…” I replied, only embarrassing her. “One more time like this and you’ll be sitting on your ass on you way back, understood?” She briefly nodded in response. “Thought so,” I said, and stood back in the line.

“Dismissed, you can go now.” Omnis exclaimed. We saluted and left. While doing so, I kept an eye on her. We walked down to the barracks, where several cargo trucks were packed with our supplies, and things we were going to need. The drivers were eager to start off too, same thing for us.

“One person will be in the cargo bay in each truck to cover it’s back. The rest is up to your choice,” I informed them. There were 4 trucks. “Who volunteers?” I asked. Pearce, Jackson, Connor, and Jason silently made their ways to the trucks, each of them fixed an M60 onto the cargo door before we got off.

“So Stoneden it is, Cap’n?” Asked our driver.

“Just follow the GPS, before I take the wheel instead,” I replied, exhausted of people’s bullshit. The driver shut up, so did the rest of us in the jeep. The silence nearly drove us crazy all along. Thankfully, we soon got there.

“Time’s up Captain, here we are,” Said the driver, waking some of us. We got out of the cars, and unloaded the trucks. Needless to say, the doctors though they were exceptions. They weren’t, so I let them know by throwing a crate of canned food at them to catch. Freeman caught it, and joined the others, while House insisted she remains out of it. I sighed and jumped off the truck, crate in my armpit.

“You take this crate and either follow the others, or you get no rations the rest of the week,” I warned her.

“What day is it again?” She asked.

“Tuesday,” I informed her.

“In which case,” She said, then reached for the crate.

“I thought so. One more disobedience, and I won’t warn you. You won’t eat, and I won’t care,”

She nodded and left with the others. “A little too much, Captain?” Asked Pearce, just stepping next to me.

“What makes you think so?” I wondered.

“She’s not trained to handle that much without food sir,” He reminded me.

“Then she does better stay in line and work, or learn metamorphosis,” I replied with a grin.

“Your call, Cap,” Pearce exclaimed with a chuckle, and walked off with the others. I’ve known him for a few months, but he was the only one I know from before the mission. He’s a good guy, loyal, obedient, strong and fast thinking. After spending some time thinking about House’s behavior I continued unloading the trucks myself as well. We soon finished unloading, and the convoy returned without us. The group quickly gathered around after being done.

“Everyone here? I hate repeating myself,” I said to them before giving instructions. I quickly scanned through the line, nobody absent. “Good. Everyone. I repeat, Everyone…” I said, looking at House. “Begin setting up camp. I’ll tell the mayor we’re here,” I said. Most of them saluted and replied affirmatively, the others simply weren’t required to. I headed toward the tallest building in the middle of town, but on my way some of the residents stopped me.

“Can I be of any help, sir?” Asked a colt.

“Not to me,” I replied, and passed him by, but he came after me and blocked my path again.

“Are you sure?” He asked on a questionable tone.

I produced a night-stick and held my hand up ready to swing. “Step out of the way,” I warned him.

“Or else? You’ll hurt me?” He asked.

“If I must, I will,” I replied, taking a step toward him.

“Okay, okay, geez.” He replied, stepping out of the way. I just walked on without reacting to him, soon coming to the doors. I knocked twice, and it opened, revealing a surprised pair.

“Yes?” Asked the mare.

“Good afternoon. Can I come in?” I replied.

“Sure,” The colt replied, allowing me in. “Take a seat, something to drink perhaps?” He asked.

“No, I’m sorry, I’m not here to chat, or for dinner,” I explained.

“Then why, friend?” The mare wondered.

“I’m Captain Joseph Newman, Human Branch of the Equestrian armed forces,”

Their faces changed a lot afterwards. “Oh…” The mare said.

“Leave… Now…” The colt continued.

“You might want to listen to what I have to say, sir,” I replied.

“I SAID GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!” He replied, unaware of our intentions.

“I can assure you, that you will regret me leaving now,” I warned him.

He didn’t say a thing, but threw himself at me out of nowhere, knocking me to the ground. I used my left arm to push his head as far as I could from mine to the side, producing a syringe filled with heavy sedatives in my right hand with the suit. I jammed it into his neck right away, and threw him off, hoping the mare wouldn’t attack as well. Fortunately, she didn’t, and was the wiser. “I’m all ears,” She said after I caught my breath.

“He’ll be fine… He’ll wake up in an hour or two,” I explained for first. “As I said earlier, I’m Captain Joseph Newman, we’re here by order of General Omnis,” I continued.

“And what are you doing here, Captain?” She wondered.

“We were told to set up camp near town, and give away a specified number of food rations each day. For that, we’ll need your help with the administration, so we can make sure nobody got two rations, and that everyone has at least one a day,” I replied.

“I see. Tomorrow we will have every resident gather in the town square, perhaps that can help you,” She offered.

“Yes, well, that would help a lot.” I replied.

“You should go now. It’s getting dark,” She reminded me. We said farewells, and I returned to the camp. We ate our dinners, and went to sleep, except one, who stood the night watch.

The next morning we allowed Connor to rest, having finished his shift. “Listen up, I won’t repeat,” I said to get their attention. “Today we will take all residents into administration, so we can keep track who had how many rations, and when they got it,” I exclaimed, then looked at the mechanics. “We will need the mobile database set up, how long will it take?”

Vance and Vince swapped glances, then Vance replied. “An hour will do, sir,” The two were siblings. I had read all the other crew members files before going to Canterlot as well. Vance and Vince were at the level of Prof. Adrian’s knowledge when it came to any machines. Computers, vehicles, any mechanism it was, they knew it like the back of their hand.

I nodded in response, and looked back at the others. “You’re all dismissed until further notice. Don’t leave perimeter,” I instructed them, and they began minding their own business, as much as they could anyway, in the heat of the blazing desert. As for me, I sat down and tried looking up the crew info once again, but the same thing happened. Coincidentally, while I was holding my tablet, mainly used for non-verbal communication, I received an incoming call. It was from General Omnis. “Yes, ma’am?” I asked.

“Captain Newman?” She asked in return.

“Yes, ma’am,” I replied, enabling my camera.

“What’s the status?”

“The mechanics are setting up the mobile database. As soon as they finish, we will begin administration,” I explained.

“Anything else?”

“Last night the mayor attacked me. I sedated him,” I continued. She only nodded understanding it.

“Understood. Prof. Adrian is uploading an update to your, any only your nanosuit soon. Good thing all of your suits have remote access, isn’t it?”

“What is the update for, ma’am?”

“It will help you keep track of rations in storage, so none can be stolen without a trace,”

“Uh, ma’am?”

“I’m here,”

“May I ask when will the database be fixed?”

“What do you mean?”

“The files on the others I was sent aren’t loading properly, some aren’t at all,”

“Oh, it’s on purpose. If you meet them in person, it helps build a better connection between you. Remember, even I don’t know how long you’ll be there,” She replied, and ended the call.

“You piece of…” I tried to make a remark.

“Morning Cap,” Connor greeted me, having woken up.

“Go join the others, I’ll let you know when we have things to do,” I informed him. He nodded and walked by. I laid down for a nap until the twins were done.

“Uh… Captain?” Asked Vance.

“Eh? I’m up…” I replied, climbing out the bed.

“We’re all ready to go,” Vince exclaimed.

“Good… Good… Grab the tools and come along. Call the others to the town square,” I replied, and went just there, before the others would arrive. I spent a short while talking to the mayor and his wife, then the others arrived. At first empty handed, not to look threatening.

“Listen up, everyone!” The mayor yelled. “Stand in a line after one another so these men can start recording your information!” He continued, and the citizens began doing so.

It went smoothly, Vince and Vance did the administration. Vince made photographs, Vance wrote down the info we needed. Name, gender, race, age… The population was around 200, it was around 6 pm when we suddenly heard some louder arguing. We turned to look, one of the citizens claimed that “We’re trying to take their soul with the camera,” I briefly sighed and joined the arguing two. Most of the others had their night sticks ready, but at waist level, waiting for something to happen. I stepped close and called them off with the usual hand signal: The left hand palm at chest level, preparing my expandable nightstick instead.

“Sir, what’s the problem?” I asked.

“Don’t YOU know what it is?! You’re trying to take our souls!” He replied.

“Well, the others before you are just fine,” Connor reminded him.

“You brainwashed them!” The colt threw back.

“Sir, I must ask you to leave, or else we will have to remove you from the area,” I warned him.

“What? You can’t ask me to leave! I live here!”

“Not the town, the town square. You are delaying the line. The faster we finish, the sooner you all get your food,” I explained.

“I’m not going anywhere without my food,”

“Then stand back in line, and help with the administration,” Vince threw in.

“No way,” The colt replied.

“In that case, I must ask you to leave. We will be forced to remove you otherwise, which will result in a day without food as penalty,” I warned him for the last time.

“You won’t convince me,” He exclaimed.

I lifted the night stick mid air and told him to leave, but with no results. His persistence left me no choice, but to hit him in the foreleg, causing him to go limp on said body part. “Leave, now,” I said again, but he didn’t leave. “Pearce…” I simply said, putting away my weapon of choice, as Pearce stood next to me. “Arrest him,” I said. He nodded and produced a set of restrainers, designed for equines. It worked just like hand cuffs, but it was made so the size can be adjusted around the hooves.

“Wh- What? You can’t, you’re foreign authority!”

“And your problem,” I reminded him while Pearce tried to approach him.

“You can’t!” Yelled.

“You’re making a scene, stop resisting, or else we will be forced take more serious actions,” Pearce warned him. At this point a few of us were eager to see how it ends. The colt only turned to run, but 20,000 volts made him stop, spazzing on the ground. Shepherd managed to unplug him in the end, and restrained him. I signaled them with my hand to bring him back to me, so they dragged him all the way back. With a sharp whistle I made sure everyone is paying attention. “From now on, you either accept and do as we say, or you WILL die,” I exclaimed louder than usual, so those from far can hear. The line was still intact, nobody ran off thankfully. The mare in front of me looked at me confused, and slightly scared. Then the mayor and his wife rushed to me.

“What’s the meaning of this?! I’M in charge here!” He exclaimed.

“If so, go ahead, feed your citizens, because we sure won’t,” I replied. “Okay guys, pack the things, we’re leaving!” I yelled back to my comrades, just to intimidate the mayor.

“You can’t! Your task is to be here and help!” He replied.

“I can just write a report stating that you declined our help. You can guess who’s going to have more credibility…” I reminded him, then turned my back of him. After taking a couple of steps he changed his mind.

“Wait! Stop!” He yelled.

“What is it?” I asked.

“Fine, you can be in charge…” He muttered.

“I can’t hear you,”

“You can be in the lead, okay?”

“Still can’t… You know, we’re here to take care of your asses. If you won’t do what we tell you, you will literally die, without us firing a single bullet,” I reminded him.

“A bullet?” He asked. “What’s that?”

I produced a pistol and took out a bullet from the magazine, showing it to him. “You know what this does, don’t you?” He shook his head in response. I loaded the bullet back and stood up. “Cover your ear,” I warned him, and approached the captive.

“What are you doing to me?”

“You my friend… Will make a fine example…” I replied, and shot him in the gut. The crowd either looked away, cringed, or stepped back, while the colt yelled in pain. I was not finished yet. I produced one of the wrist knives, which we all just called Trick in the sleeve, and jabbed him in the chest many times, letting the sands beneath him run red. “Everyone who does not follow our words of advice, rebels against, or attacks us will follow!” I let them all know, then injected the body with enough Krokodil to make it disappear within the next hour or two. “I hope I made myself clear!” I continued, and let things continue in their pace. The registration ended without a problem, so we managed to dispense everyone’s first dose of rations. We returned to camp after we finished, only to go back to the square the next day. This going back and forth continued for months, even years, when one morning I woke up to a message on my tablet.

<1 New Message>

[Open] ←-

[Dismiss]

<Captain, I would like to be the first to congratulate you on the one year anniversary of your presence in Stoneden. We highly value your dedicated service thus far, and are pleased to inform you, that a replacement group will be arriving today. They may arrive any time, as their speed depends on the weather. In case they arrive, seek Lieutenant Isaac, so you can fill out the documents about your replacement.

The fact that we are replacing you and your team DOES NOT MEAN that we are not pleased with your performance. In fact, it means the opposite. We are pleased, and for this, we reward you all on your return to Canterlot.

Please pass this information onto your squad in word, or show them this message.>

I was so happy to leave this bowl of sand… So I wasted no time and send the message over to the other’s tablets, so they can read it. It was around breakfast when we gathered around to eat and talk as usual. We got a little close under those years, it was half a decade we spent there… After finishing the breakfast, we waited a few hours, and the replacements arrived. My men greeted their comrades, while I talked to their superior, exchanging info they may want to keep in mind, such as local traditions and such. Fortunately Lieutenant Isaac kept in mind the difference between us in ranks, and paid full attention, so it was easy to talk to him. In the end, he thanked me for the info and left to sort his men out, as I returned to mine, and prepared to leave, when a cloaked mare came to us.

Unfortunately, it was a restricted area, so it was no surprise that she was soon greeted by staring down some barrels. She slowly walked toward us, as we had our weapons away. “Stop, and identify yourself!” Said one of Isaac’s. She refused to say a word but revealed her face. “I won’t say again!” The soldier yelled at her, finger on the trigger. I just pulled my pistol and put it to his head.

“Go ahead, shoot, but so will I,” I warned him. He froze in shock, so i knocked him out with the butt of the gun.

“Captain, what’s the meaning of this?” Isaac wondered.

“Your subordinate was about to open fire at an unarmed citizen of Saddle Arabia, who’s visibly harmless,” I explained, putting my sidearm away. The mare only approached me with a smile.

“I see your eye and heart is clear, so are those of your soldiers... “ She exclaimed.

“What are you doing here, ma’am? You’re not supposed to be here,” I informed her.

“I was guided here… The goddess Nazar guided my path to you…” She explained.

“Who?” I asked.

“Ah, so you know not…” She muttered. “The lord Nazar is a Goddess of ours. Nazar is the embodyment of care, love, and protection,”

“Oh, I see,” I replied.

“She herself spoke to me in my dream, telling me to come today,” She informed us.

“And… Who are you?”

“I am a mere priestess, who serves in the temples most the time, praying for a better world with the other priests and priestesses… Priesti? Ahem… Anyway… Nazar herself asked me to pass these onto you for your past years,” She said, producing a few neck jewels from her cloak, giving one to everyone in my squad. “May your lives from now on be filled with peace…” She said, ending her speech.

We thanked her and wished her the same, before leaving on our way back to Canterlot. It was around noon when we arrived, and went to see the Generals and sisters. We stood in the throne room, when finally prof Adrian arrived as well. “Ahem. Greetings, ladies and gentlemen… We appreciate your efforts in the past years, now, you all can return to the barracks back at home, with the exception of Captain Newman. Captain, please follow prof. Adrian…” Gen Altamir exclaimed.

I did as requested, and followed the professors. We returned to the same lab, it looked like it was the first time i set foot there. “What’s up, doc?” I asked from Adrian.

“I believe it is time we take that suit off of you now, as the experiment is over…” He replied. “Please, lie down on your back onto this desk,” He continued.

“Uhh… Sure…” I replied, having a bad feeling. Suddenly I found myself surrounded by glass, standing, strapped to the table, with some liquid pouring in from the bottom of the tank my table turned into. “What are you doing to me?” I asked, a little scared, even myself.

“Ending the experiment…” He said, prof Itrix nowhere to be seen. My bad feeling about the situation became true, and had no idea what he was planning. “You see, Captain… Now that you can do nothing against it, I’ll tell you the details of the experiment... “ He said with a grin, walking back and forth in front of me, the two of us the only in the room, no cameras.

“Haven’t you said it’s to test the new suit?” I asked confused.

“Haha… No… We installed a small backdoor into your suit, and while you thought you’re just helping them, you were our involuntary spy all along…”

“What?!”

“That’s right, everything you learned about them is now in our database… Those five years of info are enough to kill them slowly without them noticing it too..” He explained.

“Why are you doing this?” I asked.

“Because they deserve it… They are the reason Altamir and Itrix died all those year ago! They are the reason Omnis’s parents died! THEY DESERVE EVERYTHING THEY WILL GET!” He began to yell like a maniac.

“So you’re the only one who knows about your plans… You’re sick…” I told him.

“I’m sick? Oh, Captain… YOU’RE the one who shot that colt and nearly gutted him on the first few days… YOU’RE the one who took hundreds of lives on orders from someone else… AND NOW YOU CAN’T DO ANYTHING! YOU’RE MINE NO-” *Bang* *Splat*

“Jeez!” I exclaimed, as Adrian’s brain splattered on the other side of the tube. As his body slowly slipped down leaning against the tube, the blood began making its way down with it, but I was far from okay, as the liquid was still rising. The chunks of what was left of his head made it hard for me to see, but I knew someone was in the room, as I heard someone using the terminal’s keyboard. The liquid stopped to rise and quickly began to drain, as the lib opened I was greeted by Vince and Vance, later with a pistol in hand.

“Come on Cap, we need to get you out of here as soon as we can…” Vance exclaimed.

The restrains let go and I was free again, but confused even more. “What’s this? Explain! Now!” I replied.

“We’ll explain everything later. Just grab a gun and come on. Shoot everyone who aims at us,” Vince explained. I did as asked and the three of us made our ways to the barracks, where we got one of the humvees and slipped away unnoticed.

“Where are we going?” I wondered.

“Home,” Vance replied.

[End of Chapter 1]