There were times I got nightmares. A lot of times, actually. Memories, especially the more horrifying ones, of the battles I'd fought. Countless times I'd find myself waking in a cold sweat, looking for a rifle or a knife, anything to defend myself, only to discover there was no trouble. There were things that no ordinary human would ever want to see. Countless things. This was one of those times. I came back to in my pelican, in the pilot's seat. "Right…" I whispered, remembering where I was. After the guards had come to ask my presence to the princesses, I decided that I would visit them alone, on my own time. Traveling with armed guards in their own land, it was all a little too suspicious of me. While my initial contact seemed very friendly and great overall, there was still no doubtedly a aura of mysteriousness around me and my origins. There was no assurance that I wouldn't be detained at their earliest convenience, even with what the princess of this territory had said. I had to play this safely, for myself. I didn't intend on dying again.

While the guards and princess Twilight initially seemed a bit taken back by my refusal for an escort, they seemed to understand my reason to do so. They gave me a map of the land, and sent me off with a couple of other odd things. A necklace, from the pink colored one, and an apple where some of the few things I got. I had came back here and slept after leaving, for a good while it seemed. The sun was beginning to set in the background of the scene. It was quite the sight to see. The sun never set on Luna, the human colony on the moon, and I rarely saw it in the times I was out on missions. I always took a good look at the various sunsets I could see, but none seemed quite as… Beautiful as this one. I sighed and looked down at the map, deciding I would make the trip tomorrow in the evening, for now, I wanted to relax. It had been far too long since I'd had a moment to myself, to forget all of my responsibilities. I took off my helmet, the HUD shutting down with the flick of a button, and placed it on the dashboard of the pelican. I needed a bath.

I travelled to the nearby river with my rifle, took a quick bath before the sun had completely settled in for night, and headed back to the pelican. This place seemed too calm, like violence rarely saw the land. I always expected a sort of ambush or raid when alone in other planets, but this place seemed to have none of the. I came back to the pelican with a soft sigh, seeing the slightly battered bird still in the place it had been in. My paranoia was too much for a place like this. I walked to the back of the bird and opened it's back hatch, full of the half empty crates I'd opened when I first found it. Crates I decided to organize and fix so I would know exactly I had, and where I could find it.

I turned on the light inside of the pelican and sifted through the crates, one by one. I'd also closed the hatch behind me, keeping it locked tight. I loathed the idea of anything sneaking up behind me and mauling me. I'd prefer to at least put up a fight first. I put ammo in one part of the pelican, hung my three spare guns up, put the mongoose in a safe corner, and put all my MRIs in another part. It was still certainly cramped, but at least this space was walkable now. I couldn't help but stand and marvel at all of the organization I'd done, the pelican was certainly starting to look like my "home" now. A sudden noise startled me though, a rasping at the back of the hatch. I looked over at it, my hand grabbed the shotgun that hung next to me. There could have been a numerous amount of things at that hatch, perhaps even nothing, but it was still too suspicious to not check. I turned off the light and quietly snuck to the cabin, flicking on the dashboard. The rear camera would surely show me what was there, if technology had progressed since the 2000's.

The camera flickered on, quickly adjusting the darkness. It showed one of the ponies standing at the back of the pelican, marveling up at it, alone. In fact, it was Twilight herself. I sighed, turning off the dash with a flick, going to the back to the cargo bay.

"Hey! Rookie? Are you in there?" I heard, through the muffling sound of the metal hatch. I put the weapon back up, and opened the door with another button, the door slowly expanding out as a platform. "I am." I said, looking at the princess who recoiled slightly at the sight of the closing door. Her reaction was slightly amusing to watch.

"Oh… Hello. You don't mind if I go on in there right?" She replied with a grin. I shook my head, a motion I'd hoped she'd understand. She seemed to understand, though, and began going up the platform, into the cargo bay.

"Can I help you, Princess Twilight? It's late." I said bluntly, looking at her move to the mongoose and give a slight touch with a hoof. It seemed like this room would be a treasure trove for her, judging by her reaction to my possessions. She laughed sheepishly and shook her head, examining the mongoose curiously still.

"No-no… A few ponies pointed out that they saw a 'metal bird' in a forested field nearby, and were a little concerned. Judging by the description, I figured it would be you, though. After all, you also wear a metal sort of outfit. I hope you don't mind my visit, I was curious to see what the technology of another people would be like. Checking in on you was also of a bit of importance to me, as well." She said, moving over to the shotgun I just put up to the wall, only for me to grab it defensively. I most definitely didn't want her to see what it was capable of doing, especially inside of my home.

"Well… I certainly don't mind, but don't touch without asking." I said with a soft sigh, keeping my hold on the weapon for a little longer. "I'll show you a few things, though." I said coldly, motioning her to follow me into the cockpit with a soft sigh, letting go of the gun.

There goes my break.

Author's Note

Hey! A whole year for chapter 5. Yikes. I hope my writing gets better as I go on. I would be grateful for an editor or proofreader, though! I'm still an amateur!