XCOM Operation: ...Friendship?

She handed her armor to me…

“What are…”

“Polish it.” She said plainly.

‘Ah I see putting me to work.’

I shrugged and sat the armor down.

“I said to-”

I gave her a look of ‘seriously?’ as I pointed to my wound.

She went silent.

‘…’

I finished wrapping the bandages.

I picked up the chest plate that belonged to Tempest.

“Got any polish?” I asked.

Tempest stared at me for a second.

The broken stub on her head sparked and a small vial came to her side then went to me.

I grabbed the vial and looked at her stub.

“huh… interesting.”

Her curiosity peeked her.

“You haven’t seen magic.”

“No…not like that at least,”

I looked to the side of her and saw a cloth and decided to heal my psi ability’s as well.

I closed my eyes and the cloth flew towards me.

Tempest flinched a bit from the sudden use of my ability’s.

I grinned at her shock.

“Where I’m from magic was mostly sleight of hand.”

“So you mean that it’s fake?”

“Mostly…there are some things that are unexplainable.”

‘…’

She shook her head and went to stretch.

I grabbed the vial and uncapped it and dabbed it on the cloth and got started to polish her chest plate.

‘hmm her armor seems clunky and uncomfortable.’

I know how armor feels when it’s not made right.

‘Who…or whatever made this armor didn’t know what they were doing.’

That thought aside I worked on the sides of her chest plate which was Covered in dirt and grime.

‘Also guessing that she wasn’t taught how to take care of her armor.’

I shook my head and just continued to ‘work’.

She would glance back at me every so often…and her thoughts were…odd.

(‘he’s different from other males…and stallions for that matter.’)

I kept my composure and kept listening.

(‘I wonder…Ugh what am I thinking!’)

Curiosity started to creep up.

(‘Damn why am I so hot?’)

‘Wait…she is equine in nature…Oh…r....i…g…h…t.’

I know about the biology of animals like Rabbits, canines, feline, and even equines have a ‘cycle’ or ‘heat’ that the females experience when ready to mate.

So hearing her say that she is hotter than normal makes sense.

‘Though animals on earth ‘don’t’ talk.’

(‘Dammit…focus!’)

I decided to help with her… ‘Predicament.’

“You ok?” I asked calmly.

She turned her head to me while she was doing a leg stretch.

“Why are you asking?” her tone showed some annoyance.

I shrugged.

“You seem…jittery.”

Tempest stopped doing her stretches and crossed her arms.

“How So?” her annoyed tone not wavering.

“Well…I know you keep looking at me.”

She was about to retort.

“AND, not in the checking up on me kind of look.”

Tempest seemed the type to be a bit stuck up in admitting that she has some problems…like some XCOM soldiers…even me.

“I don’t need my abilities to tell if something is wrong with you.”

She was quiet for a moment.

“It’s personal.”

‘…hmm…I could just read her mind again but I don’t like doing it all the time.’

Then an idea came to mind.

“ok then how about this…you tell me what’s going on and I’ll tell you something that could help.”

Tempest snorted.

“I don’t need help.”

I stayed silent, I shrugged my shoulders and continued.

‘…’

Tempest huffed again and went back to stretching.

‘hmm I wonder if I can readjust the armor a bit.’

When I got to the insides of Tempest’s armor I started to ‘Tinker’ with the latches and worked on the shoulder guards.

‘hmm it should be more free now.’

I continued to the other pieces of the armor…But just now a song came to mind…

And I started to quietly sing it.

"Welcome little child."

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Tempest was finishing her morning stretches when.

"Welcome little Child."-

Her charge was starting to sing quietly.

She stopped and listened.

‘…’
(This part has lyrics.)
“Welcome little child to the darkest fears inside
Come join the fun, take a journey through the night
Watch the closet doors, or else the night consumes you more,
Taking every piece of innocence that never sees the light

SO, Grab your only ammunition, your common sense and torch.
The corridors are filled with fright, when somethings on the porch.
How long will you last, through these memories of the past,
Since without a light to shine the only soul that's left is yours"

She felt the meaning of the song was serious or something of the sort.

"Forced down to reckoning"-

“Hey.”

She cut him off.

He looked up from her armor and listened.

“What are you doing?”

He grinned.

“Polishing.”

She face palmed.

“No not that.”

He only chuckled.

“Singing one of my favorite songs.”

She raised a brow at the notion.

“Which is?”

He gave a smile…a genuine smile.

"Break my mind by DA Games."

"DA Games?"

He waved his hand.

“It’s the guys' name.”

She shook her head.

“Why would he call themselves that?”

He shrugged his shoulders.

“I really don’t know, but they are pretty good band.”

She only stared at him.

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I was grinning at her response.

“It’s a good song too.”

I finished with that and went back to the armor…all the while I was playing the song in my head.

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An hour passes and I finished polishing and ‘Fixing’ Tempests armor which she was surprised to say the least.

And I heard that the camp was going to move and I was to ‘assist’ packing.

But all the residents were shocked to see me move stuff and lift so easily even with the fact I am wounded.

The storm king was also droopy because the ‘shock’ collar didn’t work at all.

On that note I started to use my psi abilities on the ogres around to get some info…which wasn’t much.

But from what I’ve gathered they plan to attack a capitol and take over a place called, ‘Equestria.’

‘Of course the place is called that because that’s the main populace.’

But other than that I really don’t care.

Want I really want is to get back to earth and fight the war for my home.

Plus, these guys may be ‘evil’ here, but on earth they would only be considered a hostile protest, hippies, or just a plain nuisance.

They have taken over a few places but didn’t destroy anything…unlike the damn Elders.

‘Don’t be bashful Elder bane.’

‘Shut the fuck up.’

We’re moving into the mountains…well they are.

I plan to leave when they rest…or just fight my way out.

‘They already fear me somewhat.’

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When we set out I was helping pull a cart full of armor and gear.

That’s when ‘The storm king’ came to me.

“So ‘Elder bane’.” you could hear the grin in his voice.

“What’s your world like?”

I didn’t answer.

“Well I was wondering what would you do if I try to take it?”

That annoyed me.

I stopped as did everyone, they probably want to hear my response.

“Nothing really, wouldn’t need to.”

The hell spawn stared at me.

“Oh, why is that?”

I chuckled darkly, which seemed to send chills down everyone’s spine.

“Trust me.”

“Well I don’t think I would have a problem; I have an army.”

“of what? 30.” I asked.

“50.”

I again chuckled, then asked the iciest question.

“Are you that eager to die?”

That made the king choke on his words, so I continued.

“My world has armies that can take out yours in seconds, kill efficiently and remorseless, weapons that can destroy entire countries, states, hell even worlds with a single press of a red button.

Same is for me if I really wanted to I could kill you with no regrets, to me your just another bug I will squash.”

The king stared at me with some disbelief.

“And just a slight insight of fear, our most powerful weapon can burn shadows into the earth like scars, make statues of ash of once living people.”

Everyone stared in shock as just I said with no disgust, just a grin.

“If my race is good at one thing, its war, so don’t try it, less you want to be knocking at death’s door.” I finished with my grin.

I continued to pull the cart and all was silent.

I heard the king speak to who I think is Tempest.

“Keep an eye on him, if he tries anything subdue him if possible.” His tone was cautious.

I grinned.

‘It always works.’

‘What…Scaring them.’

‘well it’s not like you do the same with the news.’

Silence once again.

‘Touché’

That was weird it just said an earth term.

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We finally reached the mountain and began to unpack.

Everyone was staring at me with a caution.

‘Good now I can use this to my advantage when I try to get out of here.’

I remember the tactics I used when I got captured by one of the Chosen.

‘Step 1: rest.’

‘Step 2: learn your enemy.’

‘Step 3: get info.’

‘Step 4: install fear.’

‘Step 5: wait for the right moment.’

‘Step 6: get your shit and get out.’

I am at step 5, I have to wait for a while when they least expect it.

I would have to wait for few days maybe to get them to calm down, considering that I told them about the everyday life of humans.

‘Hence the reason we try to reform you.’

‘no you didn’t, you slaughtered us and called it a test then you proceed to experiment on us for your own benefit, not even caring about us.’

‘Isn’t your saying that without no sacrifice their can be no victory?’

‘Sacrifice by choice not by order.’

‘…’

Silence was once again bestowed.

The elders were always preachy, yet know nothing of what they say.

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A day has passed and I have gotten better, in fact I may be fully healed within the week.

But as I was getting better a certain ‘unicorn’ has gotten worse.

Lately she has been avoiding me the best she can while keeping an eye on me.

I did try to make it easier by staying far from her when she had…moments.

But one day she was tasked with scavenging a nearby area…and I was to help her.

Tempest was cautious around me…yet was staying close.

It was cold and I didn’t have any protection so I would have to use my psi ability: Fortress.

Soon we end up near a cliff edge and seems about a 50ft drop.

But I could swear I could see a light down there.

“Tempest.” I got her attention.

She came to me and slowly looked me up.

“Yes?” she asked.

“Look.” I pointed to the light.

Tempest just stared at where I was pointed.

“There is nothing there.” She said with annoyance.

“I see something down there.”

She didn’t change her expression of annoyance.

I sighed and started to look for a way down.

‘…’

After a minute I found a small incline that if I had rope and an anchor I could descend and search.

“You have a rope?” I asked her.

She stayed quiet for a moment but then nodded.

“How long?”

She almost unnoticeably shifted in place before answering.

“About four feet.”

“hmm probably not enough.”

She huffed.

“Got a light stick?”

Tempest shook her head.

“What of your magic?”

She raised her brow.

“What are you on about.”

I nodded my head to the chasm below.

“Your trying to get down there?”

I nodded again.

Her hands laid on her hips and gaving me a cheeky grin.

‘huh first time I’ve seen her grin or smile.’

“You think you can get down there?”

I chuckled.

“Of course, ain’t the first time climbing down into a chasm.”

She just stared at me with no emotion.

“Fine…I’ll help you.”

I smiled.

“Right then.”

I motioned for her to the edge.

“Ok first a question.”

She nodded.

“Can you make a light source that drops?”

She took a moment to think.

“Probably, but not for long.”

“Oh no worries I just need it for a few seconds.”

Tempest closed her eyes and her horn sparked, an orb like light.

It was baby blue…odd red and blue.

“Alright.” I grabbed the orb…and it felt weird like cool water that was air.

She noticed saw my hesitation.

“You ok?” she asked with some interest.

I shook my head.

“It’s just odd feeling.”

I held the orb over the edge.

“ok I want you to count how long this drops.”

She shrugged and waited

I dropped the orb.

‘1’

The orb dropped and hit the bottom.

‘almost 2 seconds.’

“So about a hundred-foot drop.”

Tempest shook her head again.

“So you still think you could get down there?”

I tapped my chin.

“Possibly, I could use my abilities but it would be difficult to get back up.”

She hummed in thought.

“We do have a long rope…but it’s rough.”

I looked at Tempest with annoyance, she crossed her arms.

“Well try having YOUR brain making it difficult to think.”

I chuckled.

“I have, and have my mind token over…Twice.”

Tempest froze.

“Taken over? As in ‘mind control?’”

“Mmhmm”

She again shook her head.

“Your bluffing.”

I grinned.

“I can prove it.”

Tempest motion her hand to do so.

‘slap yourself.’

She scoffed…then yelped.

Her hand smacked across her face.

She stood their shocked as that happened.

“Now that your focused let’s get down there.”

Tempest snorted, her equine feature that made steam run out her nose.

“Why you -”

“I don’t have to hit you when I can make you do it.”

She growled at me.

“come on then.” I motion for her to follow me.

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When we got back we had rope that measured to 112ft, more than enough.

I went to the edge and found a good place to set the rope, I found a rock and tied the rope to it.

I turned to Tempest and questioned her request.

“So you want me to 'stop' your thoughts.” Tempest nodded.

I laughed when she asked as she said ‘I don’t need your help’ but she was serious.

I didn’t think she would get desperate.

A sigh left my lips. “That ain’t possible.”

She stared at me.

“Before you ask it’s because I can’t hardwire your biology just able to take control of thoughts, actions, and mind. You sure you don’t know what’s happening?” I asked her.

She stopped and took a moment to think.

I waited for that moment before breaking it to her.

“You’re in heat.”

She seemed confused.

“I-I’m not sure I fully understand.”

I was surprised to say the least.

“You don’t know.” I said flatly

I sighed when she nodded.

“I’ll tell you later, right now let’s focus on the task.”

I grabbed the rope and walked to the ledge.

“Right then.”

I slowly started my decent.

“What’s even down there?” Tempest asked.

“Won’t know until I Reach down there.”

I began my decent into the cavern below.

I kept walking or rather backpedaled down the edge.

I kept a firm grip on the rope careful not to lose my grip.

‘…’

I was about halfway down when Tempests thoughts started to throw me off.

‘I sure as Tartarus want some answers.’

‘…Tartarus?’

Anyway after an hour or so (Can’t tell without a watch.) I finally reached the bottom.

I started to look for the source of the shine I saw.

‘…’

‘…’

‘…hmm.’

For a moment I believed Tempest, but as I just thought of leaving I saw something.

Something familiar.

I went to the thing that was actually useful.

What was under a rock was a plasma pistol.

One like my team’s sharpshooter had…in fact it had Bills signature.

“How the fuck did this get here?”

The pistol was grey with the pattern lightning bolts…Ugh.

It’s not the design I hate, it’s reason behind it.

*Flashback*

“Remind exactly why?”

“Because I want be called a ‘GunSlinger.’

I rolled my eyes.

“You may be a sharp shooter, but you can’t aim for shit.”

Bullet just stared at me with an annoyed face.

“Says you, you miss more than I do.”

“Kinda hard when ADVENT is shooting at you.”

*Flashback end*

I chuckled at that the memory.

Well this is ‘useful’ but I have to keep it hidden, also look for something else.

‘Kind of hard when I’m only in a latex built for psi ops…comfy…psi-enhancing, but no pockets…’

I thought for a moment.

‘two birds one stone.’

I could use my psi abilities to hide the weapon as making it seem like an everyday object.

That way I’m stretching my mind and being tactical.

I continued to look around until I found something.

And it was a sad sight.

A figure looked that looked like a woman in her late 20’s laying their lifeless.

Her coat was green like the earth but her mane was sky blue.

I walked to her body and found out how she died.

Head trauma, likely from the fall…or something else.

I kneeled to her body, I saw the once life filled eyes wide open.

I saw a piece of paper…an envelope.

I grabbed the parchment carefully, and opened it to read the sender.

“Dear mom, dad, and my bestfriends, Harps Love, Grey Feather, and Hearths heart.”

I closed the letter and held on to it.

I found a bag of gold a few feet away with a note.

“Property of king…”

The rest was rubbed off.

“Well Tempest might like this.”

I went for the rope but I couldn’t leave without paying respects.

My friend "Jackal" was a priest in The catholic church, he taught me some phrases of praise and prayer.

“Deus misereatur et porta caeli.” (May god show you the gate to Heaven.)

I closed her eyes and preformed the cross from head to chest to left then right shoulder.

I finished the prayer and started to climb up.

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Once I got back up Tempest was sitting on a rock and waited.

“Your back already?” she asked sarcastically.

I grinned.

“Fine then I guess I won’t give you; your present.”

Tempest stood up with her hands here hips.

“Oh really? What…?”

I gave a fake pout.

“Not until you say sorry.”

I crossed my arms and looked away.

‘…’

She just stared at me with annoyance.

‘Eh either way I’m satisfied.’

“Your no fun.” I tossed the bag to her and she used her magic to catch it.

She opened the bag and her face was priceless.

I walked by her and patted her shoulder.

“I’m a lucky charm.”

I continued to walk back to camp.

Tempest jogged back to my side.

She held the bag in her hands moving around the gold coins.

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As we went back to our tent I hid the gun under my ‘bed’ and waited for tempest to report the findings.

I plan to leave tomorrow.

This will be difficult to get my armor however.

‘Hmm don’t know if I should use Domination or not.’

I pondered for a moment, then came Tempest with the bag.

“We’re going into town tomorrow for supplies.”

‘Huh I could use that opportunity… but I could get some tools to fix at least my gauntlet.’

I decided to wait till night fall anyway to leave so being in a town for supplies won’t be bad.

“Eh fine by me.”

I laid down and slowly drifted to sleep.

“Hey…” Tempest’s voice kept me up.

“What?” I asked sleepily.

“Are you going to tell me what’s wrong with my mind?”

‘Shit I forgot.’

“Sure…”

I sat up.

“As I said before you’re in heat, this will take a moment so grab a seat.”

Tempest snickered but grabbed a chair and sat down.

“So you’re a therapist?” she asked jokingly.

“Partly, it goes with what I do on missions.” I replied with a smile.

She now seemed uneasy.

“So…what’s going on?”

Tempest huffed and closed her eyes.

“Honestly I don’t know.” She said with skepticism.

“Well tell me what you’re feeling.”

Silence stayed for a bit.

“I feel hot.”

“Like what kind of hot?”

*Sigh* “Like I’m near a fire.”

“Well what else that you notice.”

Tempest pondered on.

“I…feel that I’m more nervous.”

I nodded and motioned her to keep going.

“And…that my head is spinning.”

“Well it may be because of your cycle.”

Her gaze stared at me for a moment before sighing.

“You see when females like yourself are experiencing this it’s your body telling you that its ready for mating.”

Tempests' mind froze in shock.

“I-I-I’m ready to…mate.”

I raised a brow.

“Well…yes…didn’t they teach you in school?”

Tempest growled a bit.

“Hardly went.”

“…Bullies?”

She looked at me and saw my face.

I gave her the ‘I understand.’ Look.

“It’s perfectly natural for you to experience this.”

Her gaze faced to the ground.

“Now there are ways to help.”

Tempest looked into my purple eyes.

In that moment I saw something that made 'me' freeze.

Her teal eyes showed desperation…and something else…Lust.

‘Oh boy here we go.’ I thought exasperated.

“First is taking a cold bath and relaxing, Second is to breathe and try to distract your mind from any lustful thoughts, Third is sleeping or meditating.”

She gave off another huffed.

“Is that all?”

“Well… there is masturbating.”

Tempest’s Cheeks turn Crimson oddly.

“What?”

She struggled to speak for a moment.

“Look I know it’s an odd thing to say out loud but it’s normal practically everyone has done it…save for some religious bigots.”

My mind is slowly drifting to sleep as I yawned.

“Anyway I’m heading to bed…and I’ll bathe in the morning.”

I laid down and turned my body so my back faced her.

I heard the chair move then a sound of bed sheets moving.

‘Nothing like a good bath.’