Humanity

Chapter 2

Disobedience

Going through the portal was probably the oddest feeling I've ever experienced. I felt my enter body being stretched forward like how one would stretch pasta dough. The sudden stop after I had appeared on the other side however, was a different story. Everyone managed to leave the portal unscathed except me, who felt my foot trip over something.

I lifted myself off the ground while I heard laughing right beside me. Looking in that direction, I found Jake standing next to the portal with a leg out. He cleared his throat when he noticed me glaring at him. I forgot how much of a joker he is that he doesn't care where he gets his laughs from. If he had an opportunity to get his laughs from the commander in chief, without getting caught of course, he would probably do it. Thankfully he had the courtesy to at least help me back up.

"Sorry, I couldn't resist," he apologized while helping me get back on my feet.

The brightness of this new world was blinding me and I was forced to put a hand on my forehead to act as a visor. We were surrounded by more chain-link fences with another checkpoint to go through before we could roam around the base. Grass grew everywhere except around the base which was surrounded with pavement.

The base itself was smaller than I thought it would be, considering we've occupied Equestria for almost four years. All the buildings were a drab grey, which was a large contrast to the bright colors around us. I could spot the barracks and headquarters from where I was standing, but there were several more buildings around them and I had no idea what they were for.

"Yeah, you can't resist a lot of things," I grumbled in return, brushing the loose strands of grass attached to my vest. I stopped mid-brush and plucked one off to look closely at it like it was a fine piece of art. The bright green plant life was alien to me since most plants on earth were either dead or displayed as prized pets to those who could afford one. I suddenly realized I was surrounded by trillions of credits worth of plant life.

"Dude, if you're going to act like that over a blade of grass, I don't want to see what you do to the trees." He chuckled as he lightly backhanded my left arm. "Come on, everyone is heading to the barracks to pick up their PBA's." With him leading, we easily went through the checkpoint and headed toward the greyish building to our left.

PBA, or Personal Battle Assistant, was an AI every soldier carried with them. Or rather, was "installed" into us. All of our equipment had small wires running underneath that allowed the AI to feel anything we felt, like a secondary nervous system. It was also a voice in the back of our minds to let us know of dangers, mission updates, and surviving in an environment.

Inside the barracks was no different color-wise, and if I didn't know any better, I'd say I was colorblind. The barracks was also connected to the armory, which was to our left in the front lobby. In front of us were the corridors which had the bunk beds. If we were posted here, I would be finding a empty bunk in a heartbeat. However, command had somewhere else in mind for us and we were only here to pick up our PBA's.

"I'm pretty sure the DMV would be going faster than this," I grumbled, looking at the large line standing in the lobby. Crossing my arms while I waited, I noticed to my right two soldiers walking up to the turn-in line. They weren't with our platoon, nor any armed forces I've seen before.

They were clad in enough gear to slow a normal human down. Their bodies and equipment were covered in a shiny black material that looked like latex,except it wasn't skin-tight. Murmurs from my platoon said they were some type of special forces. Others guessed they were mercenaries working along with us.

As they started to walk back toward the front door, they seemed to notice Jake and I had not said a peep. The entire platoon shut their mouths when one of them spoke up, his voice a mixture of electronic and human.

"Tell me... What do you think we are?" One of the strange-clad men pointed a finger at me.

"You're..." I began, but stopped myself. I heard that some went beyond their humanity and had machines installed in them. Cyborgs, as some people called them. Unfortunately cybernetics wasn't a perfected technology. Agreeing to become half machine left you disfigured, scarred, and maimed, but you became something more than human. Something others would call "perfection". I wasn't one of those people.

"You're an abomination," I stated flatly. The other cyborg let out a laugh that had a hint of static. The inhuman sound sent a chill up my spine.

"That's a new one. We'll remember that next time we meet again, Allan." They both started to leave the barracks, but said one last thing before going through the doorway. "Oh, and for the sake of me not having to save your sorry ass.Don't take these enemy lightly."

I desperately tries to shrug off the cold chills I was feeling as they left. Turning around, I saw everyone pretending they weren't staring or turning back forward. Jake sighed and put a hand on the shoulder.

"You sure know how to make people hate you, huh?"

I returned to crossing my arms and ignored Jake. Thankfully he remained silent until we reached the front of the armory.

"Jake Tennermen?" The man who ran the armory raised an expectant eyebrow at both of us.

"That's me!" Jake said proudly as he stepped forward. He presented his forearm to the armorer, who then pulled at several plugs under his clothing. He plugged in the respecting slots and started to upload his AI. After about a minute, he was unplugged and allowed to step away for my turn.

"Allan Windberg? Your arm please."

"Start slow, its his first time." Jake chuckled as he received an unamused glare from me. I went through the same steps Jake did, when it started to upload did I start to hear something talking.

AI initializing... standby...

"I wonder what voice you have. I'm stuck with someone that sounds like a chain smoker." Jake said sadly.

"Greetings, Allan. My name is PBA-54. a calm female voice said in my mind."Since this is your first time, would you like to go over basic functions and uses? Think yes or no."

No thank you.

"Very well. Skipping tutorial and going on standby."

After that exchange was over, we left the barracks to find our platoon was already leaving the base on foot. I asked one of the soldiers where we were going and he said the Lieutenant had ordered everyone to start moving southeast. As we traveled over a low hill with a single tree sitting on top, I decided to get some information from my assistant.

PBA-54, do you have any idea what is southeast of here? And is it possible to call you something else?

"According to all mapping efforts, the only town known southeast of here is called Ponyville. Which is your current destination according to your leaders PBA unit. As for my current name, if you wish to call me anything else, I will remember to respond by it.

Alright. From now on your name is now Jenn.

"Acknowledged. Anything else?"

What do you mean 'the only town known'?

"In the three years humans had started their invasion, cartographers have only mapped out approximately 143 square miles from the west and south of the main base. Reasons as to why are barred off as classified. North and west have been going exceedingly well due to lack of resistance from local inhabitants and other factors."

So all that propaganda about Equestria belonging to humanity was a lie? They said we had the entire land under control when in reality, we're still trying to map out the world. Fucking fantastic.

"Propaganda is normally used in that way to mislead others, Allan. If you knew the truth, would you be here anyway?

Probably. Better here than my job back at Earth. I then realized I never asked her about that subject. Wait, Jenn why did you-

"Standby mode on"

Jenn? Dammit Jenn answer me! PBA-54!

I tried several times for her to speak up, but found I wasn't getting anywhere the seventh time. Apparently our conversation was cut off at the right time as the entire platoon had stopped in front of a menacing dark forest. The trees were so dense it would slow us down dramatically to go through them in our gear. Not even the sun at its zenith seemed to clear away the darkness the forest had.

"Lets move it, men. We're going around the forest." Our LT ordered over our communications. I gladly agreed with the plan, but unfortunately something else had other plans for us.

A large lion-like creature lunged out of the forest, immediately mauling the nearest soldier. As soon as the first attacked, three more appeared as well, swiping with their paws as large as our torso. Everyone else who wasn't smacked away like a rag doll or being torn apart while being pinned to the ground were opening fire. To our relief, the bullets bit into the terrifying creatures and they started to bleed, but to our horror they didn't stop attacking.

"Focus fire, aim for their heads!" The LT yelled. We quickly responded and over thirty men opened fire on one of the creatures, each using their entire magazine. The creature slumped to the ground two seconds after everyone opened fire, but the damn things were still twitching while on the ground.

The battle continued like that. For every creature we focused down, we would lose several more men. By the time the last one had slumped to the ground, we were down to less than twenty and had tons in critical condition.

I frantically looked around the field, but couldn't find my friend. He was nowhere in sight, so I contacted Jenn.

Jake! Is Jake alright?

"Jake is currently unconscious fifteen feet east. He has eight rib fractures and slight head trauma. Suggest finding medical attention for him immediately as there may be internal bleeding."

I sprinted the short distance to find him facing the sky next to one of the large creatures. Getting on my knees I started to panic. I had to do something to ease the pain or help somehow.

"Removing his vest should relieve most of the pressure on his chest. It won't help with the wound, but it will lessen the pain."

Following her orders, I worked with taking off his vest and equipment. When I did, my face turned horrified at what laid underneath. He had taken a swipe directly to his chest, marking a rough blackened shape of the creature's paw on his chest.

How long until medics get here? Have they been informed yet?

"Yes, they are on their way. We are currently twenty miles away from HQ. Due to the hills, I would estimate forty-five minutes.

"Hold on, buddy. Help is coming." Soon as I said that, I heard loud rustling coming from the forest. Everyone quickly turned toward the sound with their guns pointed toward it, expecting a fifth creature to appear. After several seconds of listening to the shrubbery rustle, my LT finally motioned for me to check it out.

Saying whatever prayers I could think of and glancing back at Jake in worry, I advanced on the shaking bush. When I was close enough to touch the shrub, I quickly pushed the bush aside and aimed my gun at whatever was hiding behind it.

"Gotcha!"

"Eep!"

A small shaking bundle of yellow and pink was hiding behind the brush. Its hooves were over its head as if believing the childish 'if I cant see it, it cant see me' rule. Looking back at my platoon, they gave me curious gazes back.

"What is it Allan? You're not dead yet so I assume it's something harmless." The lieutenant said in annoyance as he walked up next to me. As soon as he saw the pony on the ground, he pointed his weapon at it. "What the hell? Don't just stand there, shoot it!"

"Sir, it doesn't even look like it could harm a fly." I stated bluntly. "It can speak. Maybe if we just try to talk to it..."

"Talk to it?" He seethed out through his teeth. "These damn ponies are the reason we're going here in the first place. We were only ordered to fire upon anything that's hostile, but I'm not going to let them get the chance to kill my men!"

It all clicked together after he said that. At first I wasn't sure what was happening. I've only known him for several months, but I knew he was a level headed individual who always kept his head cool. He was afraid of something, and it was causing him to break down mentally.

"Allan! I gave you an order, soldier. Shoot it before I do so myself!" His piercing glare could probably go through stone.

This is crazy. I'm taking orders from a mad man. This is basically murder!

"Allen, I'm noticing an increase in blood pressure and large spikes of neural activity located in the Amygdala and Hypothalamus regions of his brain.

Layman's terms, please?

Fear. Your lieutenant is experiencing a phobia with this pony. Weather it's hereditary or something he's experienced in the past I have no data on, but he's becoming quite unstable. Please follow the order as refusing to fire upon the pony might make him consider you a threat.

"Damnit Allen! Fine, I'll do it myself!"

I looked at the pony on the ground and began to feel sorry for the poor thing. It was at the wrong place at the wrong time, and was going to be killed for it. Only because of what she is. The lieutenant aimed his gun at the cowering pony.

I'm sorry.

BANG