Chimera 4

"LUCIFERS!"

The shaggy infantry pony yelled at his fellows, trying to get their weapons trained to the skies to destroy the incoming fighters, But they were to slow. LRM's ripped through the skies and into the meandering trenches, killing scores of ponies.
High above the battlefield a Steiner pilot chuckled at the whole-sale death she was reaping. She opened coms to her fellows.

"This shits too easy, these militia mud dwellers are like rats!" She let out a chortling laugh to punctuate her sentence.

"No kidding Blue one! These fuckers don't even have tanks, It's like shooting crippled fish in a barrel."

"Lets mop up these fools and-"

"CONTAC-"

KRAKBOOM

The LBX shell ripped through the fighter-bomber's fuel reservoir, igniting it into a sailing ball of plasma fire.

"IT"S A FUCKING MADCAT!!"

Another shell sailed through the air, perforating yet another one of the attackers, turning the multi-million C-Bit machine into flying slag.

"Take that you arseholes, pick on someone your own size!"

The pilot of the Madcat triggered his jump jets, avoiding a bright green lance of enhanced light. Switching over to his heavy laser to conserve autocannon ammunition, Riot returned the beam straight back to its sender, cutting the fighter into flaming twos. The last of the Steiner pilots had attempted to disengage and fly off; abandoning his attack vector, but Riot wouldn't allow any cowardice today, not from Steiner.

The last of the death machines plummeted towards the churned, cratered earth, as the shaggy infantry pony ran past his squad's savior. A few of his fellows waved their thanks to the merc pilot from the Royal Guard, he personally remembering to buy drinks for the next guardscolt he saw.

Up in the Madcat's cockpit, Riot was already signaling his lance-mates for info regarding the enemy mechs reported following the Lucifers.

"Nova, I need coordinates for that Catapult ASAP!" The grey buck had opted for a heavier flight helmet, a choice he was regretting as his spine cracked back into place despite the augmentation he had received years ago.

"Got pings from both that Catapult and an Atlas! Possibly a Bushwhacker for recon."

"Shit just got interesting ladies!" The grey buck signaled his lance to move back towards the ruins of the city for cover as the Atlas crested the hill, only to receive an autocannon round to the chest.

"Everypony get BACK!"

The Steiner Catapult had just jumped, firing missiles over the hill, only to see the rear end of a Madcat slipping into the bombed city, and his missiles hitting nothing of importance.

"Set standard spread, we're hunting mercs."

"This is Wildman, moving for city center," The small Cougar strided down the rubble filled streets, its agility aiding it in moving around the piles of detritus and torn apart buildings.

"Watch yourself, that Bushwhacker is headed into the city!"

"Don't worry lance lead, I got this." He moved the sticks to spin his mech around the nearest corner, heading east, towards where his sensors said the enemy bushwhacker was entering the city.

"Wildman, check your corners, that atlas is still out there, and he's pissed."

Riots custom Madcat had already joined up with his lance-mate Nova, and was currently moving towards the crippled cities capital building. Leaving his other lance-mate to move freely.

Nova wasn't sure of the current choice, he never liked leaving his lance-mates alone in the field. "Riot, you head to the capital building, I'll hook up with Wildman to ensure a proper kill on the Bushwhacker."

"You sure Nova? Alright, just make sure you get to the capital ASAP, we ain't gettin paid to gallavant around around town while Steiner murders another planetary leader ."

"Roger that lance-leader, kill and run order in effect."

Meanwhile, cross the city...

"Sire, the merc group hired on to protect the planets council was The Equestian Royal Guard, a relatively small band, compared to a group like say, The Desperadoes. Yet they still manage to obtain high paying contracts."

The atlas stood silent, like a statue to death and furosity. Its pilot well know for both, and more.

"We head straight for the capital, no more fucking around. if these mercs get in our way, we show them why no one fucks with Steiner."

"Yes sire, should I regroup with Router? Or should I-"

"No. You stick with me Bick, Router will cover our flanks."

"Yes sir."

"Acknowledged Nova."

The Cougar moved more cautiously, through the streets. He soon caught a glimpse of his target, the enemy mech was moving through the square ahead of him, crossing over the center, and moving for the far side.

"Hostile located, moving to engage."

He set his sights, and locked on.

A short salvo of missiles clubbed the Bushwacker on its right side, and a barrage of medium laser fire hitting the same area, tossed the mech for a loop. He quickly sighted Wildman, and letting loose with machine guns, and a blind missile attack. The quickness of the Cougar overridden by the tiny streets, the machine guns tore into it.

Wildman hit his throttle, moving his mech directly towards the Bushwhacker, smacking it with another pair of missile salvoes and laser strikes. As he neared the larger mech, he quickly turned and moved around behind it and hit it again. The heavier mech couldn't move quick enough to target the speedy smaller mech, and sent his autocannon rounds flying blindly around the square. Wildman pulled back, and rushed from another direction, focusing his strikes, and destroying the autocannon.

Warning lights went off in the Cougar, about the heat levels.

"This is Wildman, I have engaged the Bushwhacker, but I`m pulling out to cool down. Could somepony keep him off me?"

"Wildman this is Nova. I'm approaching on your position. ETA one minute. What's your condition?"

As Nova rounded the hill in his Vulture he eyed the crippled Bushwhacker and engaged it with dual LRMs. The Bushwhacker erupted in an explosion of fire and metal debris.

"looks like I got here right on time. That bushwhacker would have mauled you. You should know better than to let yourself overheat like that."

"I was out gunned. if I didn't keep a consistent rate of fire he would have roasted me for sure".

"I don't give a shit. We have to meet back up with Riot, and now you've lost us valuable time. Cool down and hurry your ass up".

The whining crackle of PPC`s snapped past Riot's Madcat as he ducked and weaved through the ruined city streets. The Steiner captain was furious, spitting insults and profanity over his comm system.

"Catch me if you can you blimey FUCK!" Roaring with a fast laugh as yet another shot went wide, the Atlas pilot was an amateur at best. "You aint the first to try and take me down, you wont be the last!"

Bounding past a still burning troop carrier, Riot saw the Steiner Catapult whip down a side street a few hundred meters away. The Atlas pilot was still seething over his wasted shots and the guardscolt's slippery nature.
__________________________________________________________________________________

"Crash! Whats the ETA on the councils pick up!? I've got some friends who want to party." Moments later Riot's Comm crackled as a mares voice was projected into his helmet.

"Give me ten minutes Team lead, We're moving as fast as possible!"

"You've got five Crash! Get that Ferret on the ground and get the VIP's out of the capitol building!"

"Roger that Team lea-"

*CRUMP*

The hard impact of SRM's jolted Riot's mech to the side, throwing out his Communications. The Catapult was right there! Where the hell had it come from?!? Turning, Riot fired a wild round in hopes of deterring the enemy, yet it struck true. The Steiner Catapult was thrown off balance as the heavy auto-cannon round slammed into its right missile rack. The resounding detonation knocked the mech onto its side, but didn't kill it out right, as the mech already was struggling to regain its footing.

"I'll be seeing you later buddy!" Riot slammed his throttle down into full, in hopes of out running the Atlas still hot on his trail. "Wildman! Nova! Whats your ETA on the capitol building? I'm bringing some unwanted guests to this party!"

"Riot this is Nova. Me and Wildman are inbound on the capitol. ETA 90 seconds. Wildmans got some heat damage to his targeting systems, and I'm down one LRM."

As the words left his mouth Nova saw a large explosion near the Capital. A sense of dread came over him. Had his buddy been Frosted, or had it just bean a stray SRM? Either way Nova was furious.

"Wildman get up here! Get ready to engage that catapult! Looks like Riot made a new friend".

"Why don't you just use your LRMs?"

"Well because you can't keep yourself from over heating I had to use one of my LRMs on that bushwhacker, and your crazy if you think i'm going to use my last LRM on some half dead punk that you could easily take down with a laser strike!"

"But..."

"You listen here you little punk! I'm your CO. Now get your ass up here and engage that Catapult".

Riot burst through a decaying wall, finding himself out in the open, with nothing in between him and the Atlas. The realisation hit Riot like a pint of hard whiskey, He was at the capitol building, neither Crash nor Riot's lance mates had shown up, and the council was still on premises.

"Goddess fuckin dammit!" Riot strode through the charred park, the capitol building looming in the distance. A large laser beam burned over the top of his mech. It was a warning shot. Riot wheeled his mech around to face the Atlas, who had stopped at the edge of the park. The crackle of the Atlas' external comm filled the deadly silent courtyard.

"You've given me no end of trouble, I will see you dead for it, merc. And after I am done with your pitiful body, I will destroy your lance." The arrogance dripped off of the Steiner pilot's voice, even through the tinny feedback of the comm system.

Riot didn't answer the other pilot, He didn't even turn on his external comm. Instead he pulled a small picture from his dashboard, giving a faint smile at the faded photograph. "I'll see you soon Aurora." Riot slipped the photo into the grooves of his helmet, then floored the accelerator straight at the enemy Atlas, taking the Steiner pilot by surprise.

Firing his heavy auto-cannons, Riot could see the Atlas flinch and buck from the high explosive AP shells slamming home. The air was filled with cracking energy and gun-smoke, one of the Atlas' shots hit home, slagging one of Riot's left auto-cannons. The Steiner pilot was roaring obscenities at Riot over his external comm, But Riot's comm's had been overloaded by all the ambient energy. Thus while he couldn't hear the enemies derogatory terms, he couldn't hear his team mates begging for his position, He couldn't hear the infantry commander reporting that the council was leaving the building. All he could hear was the sound of a mare, his mare, telling him to do what needed to be done.

Dual PPC shots slammed home into Riot's mid-section, buckling the armor and causing a cascade of warning lights and klaxons in his Madcat's cockpit. Seeing that his enemies demise was close at hoof, the Atlas moved in for a gruesome kill.

Riot pinned the accelerator to the floor, his Madcat's heavily modified engine roaring back to life, lurching the crippled mech straight towards the enemy Atlas. Jump jets set to full as the Madcat lifted from the ground, lifting its last auto-cannons into a striking pose. Time slowed to a standstill as Riot brought down his right hoof, his cannons bursting through the Atlas' cockpit, the heavy AP rounds punching straight through to the old mana drive crystal core, which exploded into a breathtaking miniature mushroom cloud filled with eldritch lightning, scrapping the Atlas and propelling the slagged Madcat straight through the Capitol building's main entrance. The shock-wave blew out any window that hadn't been destroyed during the bombing raids, the air turned into a sparkling fusilade of reds, oranges and black soot.

The sounds of battle and the death cries of Riot's Mech fell silent upon the Madcat's broken canopy, the sounds of VTOLS filled the area, infantry trickled out from the surrounding buildings to meet there ride. Councilor Crush Horton boarded the VTOL, whose pilot sat, looking over the devastation wrought through the courtyard. What he didn't see as the door slid shut and the Ferret VTOL lurched into the air, was a shaggy grey stallion push the broken canopy from his mech, and slid his way out.

Bleeding and battered, Riot lifted his flask from his recently donned flight jacket, and took a long swig. He surveyed the courtyard, as well as the Atlas' slagged pieces, wondering when he would see his mare again.

"We gotta keep em' off Riot, his mech' is crippled, and that Catapult is closing in!" Wildman's Cougar burst into the square containing the capitol building. He let loose with both his lasers and his missiles, the heat had damaged the locking system, but the dumbfired rockets hit home. The combination of strikes threw the Catapult for a loop. He rushed it from the side and let loose with his lasers again, nearly destroying it. His heat was climbing, so he pulled out, and circled the slowed Catapult, who was unable to get a lock on the quick moving mech'.

His heat back to a manageable state, he spun and clocked the Catapult with everything he had, knocking it to the ground, and destroying its legs. The pilot ejected just before the mech' exploded, fortunately the destruction had not spread to either Riot's crippled Madcat, or Wildman's Cougar.

"Catapult down, Riot is still in his mech', I think his comms are down, lets get him the hell out of there."

"Finally you do some thing right today. Circle around and make sure those Ferrets are alone up there. I'll go see what i can do about Riot."

Nova headed back to were Riot and the atlas had gone down. All that was left was a pile of twisted atlas remains, and a half buried Madcat cockpit. Nova looked around for any sign of Riot under the charred and twisted metal. Just as he was about to call it he saw a stallion emerge from the rubble and pull out a flask. It was Riot.

"Wildman, get on the comm and call for a medical team. Riots here but he's bleeding".

"Sky is clear Nova. calling for Medical." Wildman replied.

"God damn Riot, what did you do, put a shell through the core?"

Riot responded but his words were lost in the thick metal of Nova's Vulture.

"Hang tight Riot. We've got a medical team inbound. We'll get you home in no time. I think you just earned yourself a healthy leave".

Nova and Wildman were both sitting in the medical ship, both unwilling to leave their lance mate. " I'm sorry about my fuckup with the Bushwhacker, its not the first time my overconfidence got me into trouble." He threw a longing look at his side, still covered with his white jumpsuit.

"It was a rookie mistake. Don't let it happen again".

The words were rough but Nova had already forgiven the young pilot; in his head at least. He was just happy that the fiasco was over. Nova glanced over at Riot laying on the medical table, yelling for his whiskey as the nurses tried to mend his wounds. Nova couldn't help but smile. The medical ship lifted into the air. They were finally headed home.

Onboard the 'Octavia' Arcadia class drop ship , all was well, the pilots were recounting their most recent battle to the others. The tale of how a single lance saved a planetary leader, and thwarted another attempt by Steiner to seize more control of the sector. Rumors abound of how Madcat, crippled on the left side, completely obliterated a healthy Atlas with a single auto-cannon shot.

Thank you's and compensation having already been sent from the planet, the Guard's contract was complete. Drinks and boasts were in heavy concentration in the mess hall, everypony was getting paid for a job well done.

Riot stood in the mech hangar as the 'Octavia' broke orbit, surveying his slagged mech. His body sporting a new set of scars and fresh bandages. Climbing up a maintenance ladder he entered the shattered canopy of the Madcat; the emergency lights had shut off, the consoles lay dead and blank. Broken plexi-glass littered the cockpit, which Riot brushed aside. Picking up his discarded flight helmet and pulling a small photograph from the inner band, Riot brushed another shard of glass off the protective covering. The miniature versions of a dark purple bat pony mare and a little purple colt with fiery hair clung to the tall frame of a grey stallion, clad in riot armor. They looked happy, content with their lives. The photo was crinkled and singed, yet it had survived everything life had thrown at Riot.

A mare's voice echoed through the empty mech bay.

"Hey Riot you up there?" Riot shook himself from his stupor, wiping his eyes he poked his head past the broken canopy.

"What's up Crash Course? You need something?" The white mare gave him a quizzical look before she relayed her message.

"Ain't me that wants ya', Colonel wants to see you, prolly bout' scrapping your mech."

Exhaling slowly Riot closed his eyes, nodding his head.

"Alright Crash, thanks for the heads up." The mare stood there for a moment, unsure whether she should speak her thoughts, but as the grey stallion ducked back into the destroyed Madcat she wheeled and returned to the rowdy mess hall.

Tucking the photo into his vintage dragonskin flight jacket, Riot slid down the ladder and started the trot towards the Colonel's office.

ROYAL GUARD FLEETCOM ALPHA PRIORITY TRANSMISSION 34324S-01

Encryption Code: Red

From: VI Deep Winter, Commanding VIRINTAI, FLEETCOM Sector One VI/ (EQRG VIRINTAI: 00026-83629-DW)

To: EQRG FLEETCOM in the SHILOH system

Subject: HEAVY ASSET LOST

Classification: Classified (TSE Directive)

/start file/

Mech asset lost on SHILOH system's edge coordinates 030 relative. Lance Leader Iron Venture (EQRG SN: 00021-22107-IV) lost requisitioned heavy asset Mad Cat "Prime" Var. in combat. Decisive victory achieved. Detailed report attached.

/end file/

Commanding Colonel Silverbolt switched off the terminal and rubbed his forehead in an attempt to aid the aspirin in destroying his migraine. He hated random migraines. Soon, an officer walked into the room holding a newspaper.

"Mornin' sir." said 2nd Lieutenant Charger.

"Morning Rare." replied the tired colonel.

"Another migraine? Sir, that's a bitch."

"Tell me about it. I'm the one whose skull feels like it's about to explode any nanosecond." For some reason, these migraines always came when something irreplaceable decided to creep into his mind. Losing a Clan Mad Cat wasn't helping.

"It's probably this station fuel they use sir." said Charger. "If you're able to, you might wanna see this."

"Just read it to me. Quietly." Charger cleared his throat and found the appropriate article.

"The New Lunar Republic can celebrate another victory. Thanks to the leadership skill of General Masquerade, the long besieged planet Shiloh can now have peace. The well decorated general was able to launch a full-scale attack on the Steiner garrison and was able to finally capture the city, despite the heavy loss of life. When asked for a comment, General Masquerade only said: 'This victory is for the Lunar Republic, ponies, and the colts who kept the bastards pinned down long enough for me to get there.'" Silverbolt's hooves froze as the migraine grew even worse. If that was even possible for a pony. "In short, sir, you've been gypped...again. There's no mention of you, the support fleet that transferred the good General Masquerade, or you're rescue mission when his shuttle pod was shot down."

"It doesn't matter." said Silverbolt.

"'It doesn't matter'? But sir, you nearly lost your best colts nine times to save his! And where's your credit? Up our asses and around the corner because that son of a bitch-"

"I said it doesn't matter. Rare, you're my friend and I'm glad you're looking out for my interests, but I just don't care. Let that arrogant pony flaunt around all he wants." said Silver who was in the process of begging Celestia to end either his life or the migraine. "Now just please go find out when we can get the hell out of here. That or find me some more aspirin."

"Yes sir." Charger said before leaving. Silverbolt, meanwhile, continued massaging his forehead. Suddenly, there was a knock on his office door. It was going to be a long, long day.

Riot entered the room of his commanding officer, Silverbolt, shortly after the second lieutenant had left. He found the silvery grey buck cradling his head as he went over the after action report.

"You wanted to see me sir?" The bucks head never lifted up from the dull green datapad.

"Turn down the lights if you would Riot?" Blinking, Riot slid the dimmer down till the room was considerably darker. He took a seat in front of the maple desk. He magicked out a stark steel flask, floating it out to the officer.

"Take a swig sir, home made from Tintavel. It'll help with the headache." The officer looked up from his pad swiping the flask out of the air, and taking a deep swig. Giving a deep cough and wiping his mouth with a fore-hoof, Silver re-caped the flask and slid it over to Riot.

"Tastes, like home. Brings back memories, thank you Captain." Riot magicked the flask back into his breast pocket.

"It's good for forgetting. You wanted to see me sir? I assume over the mission."

Silverbolt was thankful for the gesture from the NCO; some memories just didn't want to stay down. The colonel closed his eyes and exhaled as he stood up and made his way to the large viewport that over looked the planet below. He gazed out at the scene for a few moments, taking in the atmosphere in the room which had thickened to noticeable levels.

"Do you know why I called you here Riot?"

"Because I slagged my Mad Cat. Sir." Riot mentally braced himself for the verbal thrashing he was about to receive.

"Correct."

He let the word hang for a brief instant.

"But I also called you in for your... engagement with the Steiner faction and your impromptu architectural redecoration of their parliament building."

He could feel Riot's stomach sink.

Silver turned his head a fraction in Riot's direction and continued.

"I don't think I could have chosen a better pilot to show those Steiner bastards who's planet this is."

Silver, satisfied that the tension had lifted, turned to Riot. A sly grin spread across his face as he said the words.

"I haven't read the report yet- could you tell me exactly why my Cat is scattered all over the Shiloh's capital city?

Riot let out an easy breath, having avoided a figurative bullet that had never been fired.

"We engaged the Steiner Lucifer wing outside the city limits, they were already tearing through the local militia, clearing the way for the mech lance to advance without problems." Riot shifted from his cushion back to his hooves.

"It was after we had routed the Lucifers that the Steiner lance showed up. I believe the pilot of the Atlas was Bloody Bucker. My lance retreated to the city for cover, their Bushwhacker went through the far side to follow and scout us out. Wildman went after him before I could countermand him. I sent Nova after him to ensure his survival."

Silver raised a brow.

"And the status on the young pilot?"

"He's fine, Nova pulled his ass out of a possibly dangerous situation, he made it out with only some minor burns."

Riot walked over to the far wall, looking over the planet scan.

"The Atlas sent a Catapult around my flank, trying to pin me down, but I winged em' when I punched an LBX through his left missile rack. I was still trying to stay away from the Atlas when I punched through to the main courtyard. The Atlas had me cornered, the Councilor hadn't gotten out yet, If I hadn't acted as I did, the Ferrets would have been shot down and the council would have been slaughtered."

Riot took a deep breath, not sure what to say about his episode before charging the Atlas in a winged Madcat.

Silverbolt nodded, content with the explanation. He studied the scan and juggled the loss of the Mad Cat with the life of some trivial Councilor on a backwater, bombed out, sand blasted, sorry excuse for a world. He shook his head in disbelief as he realized where his subconscious was taking him.

Must be the meds, he thought, they'll clear up. You're not half as broken as you put yourself out to be.

He glanced up at the Captain, he was no doubt waiting for a response.

"Alright Captain that will be enough, keep fighting the good fight, just take care when you're behind the controls of something that's worth more than half our kit put together."

He nodded towards the door- a polite indication to clear the room. The Captain took the hint and saluted. Silverbolt returned the gesture and shook hooves before the Captain made for the door. Noticing his headache had gone away the Colonel added:

"Captain."

"Sir?"

"Send me a report on whatever miracle beverage you keep in that flask of yours, that's an order." the colonel said with his trademark smirk accenting the formality.

"Heh, yes sir, I'll do my best sir." After finishing his salute, Riot wheeled and exited the officers post. Trotting slowly down the hallways of the Octavia, Riot wasn't sure what to do with himself...
Why didn't you let me stay Auroura? I just wanted to stay for another few minutes, who knows, I might have saved you.. Or I might have died with you and Hunter. I would still be with you-

Not paying attention Riot bumped into a Technician pony with his toolbox, who quickly attempted a salute, but was interrupted by Riot continuing past him. A white buck exited a bunk room, the sound of laughter and clinking cans following him out. He spotted Riot headed down the hallway towards him and waved him over.

"Hey Riot! Me and some of the guys are pulling out the cards. Care to join us for a game?"

Nova's a good kid, just a little naive
"No thanks, Nova, I think I'm going to get some food then hit the sack. Tell the guys I said hello. Heh, don't party to hard, Steiner's ugly ass is still out there."

The white buck deadpanned

"Ah come on Cap' the guys would love to hang out with you."
Riot rolled his eyes, hiding a slight smile.

"Alright Lt. Lets go."

As they approached the bunk room Nova stopped just outside the door.

"Hey Riot. Before we go in there mind telling me what went down with that Atlas? that was some crazy shit, even for you".

"I did what I had to do Lt, It just happened to go nuclear."

The door slid open with a hiss, an old boombox played rock and roll in the background as two bucks and a mare sat around a folding table, a deck of cards was strewn across the table. They glanced up at the pair entering with mixed interest, one of the bucks hardly noticed as he went all in.

"Didn't seem that way to me. Wildman and i were just over the hill. We would of been on you in 30 seconds. There's no way a pilot like you would have let it go so wrong so quickly."

Nova looked at his friend. Obviously angry about the question, but there was something else there too.

"Hey Nova you alright out there?", one of his bunk mates called from inside the room. The music had stopped and the colts in the room were all looking at them.

"Were fine fellas. We'll be in in a second".

Nova thrust his back hoof into the wall directly behind him. There was a spark from the Pneumatic door and it slid shut.

"Comms had been knocked out by Steiners PPC's, couldn't hear anything beyond his monologuing. Why does it matter Nova? Enemy dead and gone, VIP secure and safe, mission accomplished."

Riot could feel the tension building up, knowing that the talk, one way or another, wouldn't end in his favor.

"I'm almost as good of a pilot as you. I know that you could have held out at least 60 seconds Before things went nuclear."

"You wouldn't understand kid, It's complicated."

Riot had slid back a small respectable distance, trying to find a comfortable spot to stand.

"Hey! I've known you since I entered the corp. I know you better than any pony else. You may be able to hide it from the others, but I know that you're hiding something. I know you don't like to talk about this kind of stuff, and i wont make you talk about it now, but if you've got some skeletons in the closest then you better get them straightened out. You're the corps best Pilot, and above that you're my friend".

Nova was angry at the end of his rant. He looked up at the Colt that stood a few inches above him. It didn't intimidate him one bit. He knew if he had to take Riot hoof to hoof he'd come out on top. Nova knew all of Riots weak points from combat practice.

Nova stood there waiting for a response.

Riot exhaled slowly, His eyes closed as he rolled his reasons over in his head. The whiskey had long since worn off, and with the remarks Nova had made, Painful, bloody memories boiled up.
Always with the questions,the whispers, the screams... why wont Celestia let me die? why did she take Aurora and Hunter from me?

"Tell you what Nova, you want your answers? Fine, but not here. meet me at my quarters in ten."

With that Riot pushed past the the lieutenant, who was unsure of whether to be happy that he was getting answers, or worried about the things that could haunt a buck like Iron Venture.

Nova sat stood there confused. He was worried about Riot, but knew that if he was giving him answers then it would come at a cost. Every pony in the guard had secrets. Even Nova himself had his share of demons. Nova turned around and the pneumatic door opened. Nova's bunk mates nodded at him as he walked past.

"Hey Nova. Were's Riot?" one of his bunk mates asked.

"He had to run".

Nova walked over to his bunk and took out something from under his pillow. a few of his Mates raised an eyebrow at this.

"I'll be off guys. Gotta take care of something".

Ten minutes later Nova stood outside Riot's bunk room.

A knock at the door reminded Riot of his duties, he placed the photo down next to his old battle-saddle.

"Door's open Nova."

The door slid open and the white buck trotted into the room. As he crossed the threshold, he was jumped. Riots weight forced Nova forward and onto the floor, Riots .45 caliber pistol pressed snugly against Novas temple. His fore-hoof pressed against a spinal pressure point, enough to make sure Nova stayed put, but wasn't hurt.

"RIOT WHAT THE FUCK!"

"Look forward and shut up."

"I don't-"

Magical force pressed into Novas skull as he felt himself thrusted inside an unfamiliar body. Novas body galloped down a dull grey hallway, everything felt wrong. Nova realized he was ridding in Riots body, probably through a memory. Riot skidded around another turn, his breathe frantic and rushed. A door opened infront of him and he ran through.

BLAM

Riot went down hard as the .44 round lodged into his metallic spine. Nova couldn't move, he couldn't speak, and he couldn't look away from the scene of horror he was witnessing. A deep purple mare was on the floor in front of him, bleeding and sobbing as two armoured bucks had their way with her, a small lighter purple colt was being held hostage by another armoured stallion holding a sub-machine gun to the colts head. Nova felt the familiar bite of a large caliber pistol being shoved into his temple, but the owner of this one meant him harm. As Nova finished connecting with the memory he had been thrust into, he finally heard the voices and sounds of the scene panning out in front of him.
A poisonous voice dripped into his ears, the smell of cheap cigarettes stained the breath of the gun buck who held him hostage.

"You never should have come back Venture, You should have stayed dead! But NO! You had to go and survive, and fucking answer those idiot's distress call, and fuck up my plans for the stable!"

A cracked voice broke through the bucks monologue, gathering Nova's hosts complete attention.

"Please Iron, they're... hurting me... m-make them... s-stop." Nova's mouth moved on its own accord, but he could feel the hot tears streaking his cheeks.

"Daddy! Please stop them from hurting mommy!" The sub-gun buck struck the little colt, who cried out at the pain. "Shut it you little shit! Or I'll brain you're fuckin' father!" The buck kicked the little colt again.

"You fuckers leave them alone! FIGHT ME YOU FUCKIN COWARDS!!"

Nova felt an uncontrollable rage building up inside him, a searing hotness that made his body shudder and twist inside his host. The pistol slammed into the back of his head, dazing him as the world went out of focus. The little colt was crying as the stallions mercilessly beat his father and violated his mother. Riot was pushed over onto his back as the lead buck towered over him, pounding his hoofs into Riots face. Time dragged on, the blows kept raining down, Nova could feel the bones in Riots face breaking under the stress, he could practically taste the blood that welled in the back of his throat. Another shot rang out from the large pistol, its shot burying itself deep in Riots chest. Novas host curled up, rolling over onto his stomach as blood flowed freely. Nova could hear the sobbing cries of the mare, supplemented by the sickly impact of hips and flanks.
The blows had stopped but everything felt wrong. Nova felt the blood flowing from Riots nose, body, and mouth, the metallic taste of copper almost seemed familiar. The lead buck spoke up, after catching his breath.

"Execute them."

"NOO!"

The bucks stood up, leaving the mare sobbing and broken on the floor, they shoved Riots wife and child into the middle of the room, and leveled their weapons at them. The lead bucks pistol barked again, driving Riot to the ground as he tried to wriggle free. Nova felt his hair being yanked out as his head was pulled up to see the deed being done.

"FIRE!"

The world stood still as the machine guns fire into the two, perforating the body of the mare as she tried to shield the little colt from death.

The world snapped back into focus with righteous fury, The edges of Novas vision literally swam in flames, surprise and horror etched the faces of the bucks as the rooms was consumed with Fire, Bullets, and Blood.
Before Nova could place exactly what had happened, a dead mare lay bleeding with her head on his lap. A light purple colt was cradled in his hooves, a string of bloody blossoms leaking from his tiny chest. All the fury and anger had ebbed away to nothing as the little colt clutched at his fathers bloody coat.

"I hur- hurt da-ddy, make th-the hurt go away..."

"No no no no no no, don't worry little Hunter, daddy will fix you up good and right..." Tears flowed down his cheeks and onto the mares face as Riot fought for air through his terrible new wounds.

Nova felt shaky magic pull a glass flask from a container on the workbench, a deep blue potion swirled within, promising salvation, but as It drew near...

"D-daddy..."

Riot's gaze shot down, only to see the lights of the little colts blue eyes die, just as his mother's had barely a minute ago. Glass shattered across the bloody floor, the echo of hoof-falls filled the hallway, voices sounding urgent and worried.
Riot let out a single choking sob

"My little Hunter..."

The world came swirling back as Nova found himself on the cot in Riot's bunk room, he looked around to see the captain slumped over a work bench, an empty bottle of whiskey lay next to him, along with an unfinished mech model, obviously meant for a filly or colt.

Nova swung himself off the bunk and walked over to were Riot was slumped over. Nova felt sick. He felt vomit welling up in his throat. He leaned over and vomited in the trash can at the foot of the bunk. When he was done he walked back over to Riots work bench, and tossed a stack of letters on he bench. Nova left Riots bunk room with new found respect.

Riot heard the door swish closed behind Nova, and he found himself alone in his bunk room. levitating out yet another bottle of hard liquor , Riot pulled apart a single shot shell, removing its powder and crushing it into an even finer dust with his magic. Slowly adding it to the drink, along with a shot of Sparkle-cola, and swirling the drink around in a vintage shot glass. Gulping down the sharp liquid, Riot hoped to drown out the cries of his family; he wished that they could have been left alone. Aurora had never meant any harm, but she had always been bullied and abused because of her being a bat-pony.

Remember the good days, for they are all you will have in the end.

Riot shut his eyes and let a small smile slip onto his face. He remembered everything, whether he wanted to or not. He remembered the day Hunter had been born, he recalled himself and Aurora deciding to call him Hunter Borealis, after her grand-father. Riot remembered when he and Aurora had first met as foals; the first school dance, first base, second base, and the final home run. Riot remembered the first time he could finally understand Aurora when she spoke in the bat ponies native language. While Full Auto might have taken her life from him, he could never take her memory, or that of his little colt.

Giving his work bench a defiant sigh, his eyes passed over the small bundle of letters that Nova had left next to him.

"He's a good kid, heh, just a little naive at times."

Riot levitated over the first of the letters, taking a long swig of the sharp liquor and began to read.