I woke up and was immediately freaking out. "This aint my room; where the hell am i?" I sat up and looked around spotting what looked to be a rural town stood up and started walking as i got closer it was eerily quiet in the town. Noticed the buildings entrances were all a bit small.
I bit my tongue trying to wake myself up when i heard a mooing noise from further into the town. I followed the sound eventually coming across six slightly smaller horses of varying colors surrounding what looked like an occupation force Gekko class think tank .
Why are they classified as think tank's? Beside the semi sentient ai their nothing like other think tanks. On spotting me the Gekko mooed jumped over the horses and ran over to me and stuck out its wire arm clearly wanting to link with me i watched as the horses chased it and slowed on spotting me at that i took the arm and connected it to my neral links external port.
It was very confused and scared especially of the pink one. Which almost made me laugh looking at them. Looking farther back i could see a collapsed building it clearly tried jumping on. Wood doesn't hold 10000+lbs very well especially sudden impact of it. I noticed it had all 6 horses marked as neutral potentially hostile more toward hostile with the pink less with the winged ones. My brain just fully processed that fact and i recoiled a bit with the realization that two no three were winged i took a step back accidentally disconnecting from the Gekko it rose and tilted its head and giving a low moo at me i turned and began running all seven beings followed. The Gekko leaned down and used its head to slide me ontop of it then it started taking large bounds we were leaving the horses literally in the dust (more rain of dirt really) except the blue one who was right beside us keeping up with no issue.
"Come on i know your an occupation model but can't you go faster?" I yelled smacking the top of its head. "A fuckin horse is keeping up with you, i know its got wings but that's just wrong."
After me saying that the horse flew directly in front of the Gekko and it slammed its legs into the ground sliding to a stop in an effort to not collide with the horse.
Once the Gekko had fully stopped the horse flew up to be face to face with me. "What are you? And what is that thing? Fluttershy couldn't understand it. " It said pointing at the Gekko which seemed anxious it was shifting foot to foot.
"Well im a human and this, " I patted the Gekkos head in a manner that felt strangely affectionate after the fact. "is a Gekko specifically an occupation or enforcement model." I replied to it.
The horse quirked an eye "occupation of what?" It said its voice reminding me a bit of a smoker.
"Oh yeah of course the American empire used these kinds of Gekko to keep control of territories they took during The third world war but now their used as special units in most police branches." I answered this confused it more.
"World war? And third? We've never had a war that large and your kind has had three?!" The blue horse replied/questioned as a few of the others caught up.
The Gekko jumped at the next voice heard almost throwing me off its head. "Wow your really really fast would throw you a party for that but you cant eat i think." A sort of squeaky voice said as i heard audible springing noises coming from beneth me.
The Gekko got more antsy to run shifting its weight more so i think it may be the pink one. The blue one spoke. "Uh Pinkie i think your scarring it."
"Oh okay sorry." The squeaky voice said as i heard the bouncing move away some.
A few of the other ponies arrived. The yellow one which flew over beside the blue one and started trying to calm the Gekko which mooed at her? At least i think its a her.
The Gekko bent its knee's lowering its head enough i could safely hop off. And i was immediately snared in a lasso.
"No more runnin now ya here?" A southern voice said. As its owner walked up to me.
"Wasn't going to though now i want to!" I yelled causing the Gekko to fling its head to face me and the orange i heard a click as its gun armed. "No need for that now!" I yelled at it. If it is post war its likely lower than .50 cal but still it would rip these things to shreds. Dont really want that.
It tilted its head and mooed as if asking for confirmation. I nodded to it. "Now could you untie me?" I asked as i refaced the orange the purple one was looking me over from several feet away writing on parchment; and the white was still pretty far away.
the Gekko did about an 6th of a mile with each bound so while we didn't run for long we got pretty far. So most these horses are rather fit i guess. I thought.
The orange one apologized and started untying the lasso. "Names Apple Jack." She said.
I slightly shook my arms after i was free from the rope. "Jack." I replied sticking my hand out. Apple stuck her hoof in my hand and we shook things immediately felt more relaxed with that. I looked back and up at the Gekko the two winged ones were atop its head one sprawled out the other keeping its hooves close to its body in a fashion similar to a cat.
The Gekko turned its legs to face the way i was while keeping its head rather still. The purple horse walked up to me and lifted my hand with the aura it had been using on the parchment and quil earlier. I yanked my hand out of it.
"Thats rather rude." I said to her. She smiled sheepishly.
"Sorry just rather excited." She said.
Apple spoke up. "Shes the scientific sort and tends to get carried away at times."
"Well she'll love the Gekko." I stuck my thumb back at it.
"That's what it's called?" The purple asked as it somehow re-pulled out the parchment.
"Mhm." The blue one confirmed from her position ontop of it. "Oh and hes a human." She said shifting her hoof toward me.
The white one finally caught up. "Why did you let them get this far? Rainbow," she questioned while sounding winded.
"The thing moves a lot faster than i expected." The blue who ill assume is Rainbow replied. "Most stuff we meet its size is much slower."she continued.
During this exchange the purple one was up close walking around me getting further examinations i guess. "What is your name?" I asked purple.
She stopped to answer. "My name is Twilight Sparkle. If we're going to talk could we head back to the town?" She answered then asked.
I shrugged and stuck my thumb back. "It's up to this guy i ain't walkin that far."
Twilight nodded "makes sense. Maybe the town will come back out. As soon as the Gekko showed up everypony ran into their homes or nearby buildings. ,"
I turned around walked up to the Gekko and patted its leg. It looked down at me. "Could we go back?"
It nodded and Rainbow slid off its head to the ground. The Gekko lowered so i could get ontop of it. I was careful to not touch the horse still ontop with me.
I heard a quiet voice. "Um hello, my names Fluttershy, do you understand the Gekko?" The yellow whispered.
I shook my head "only other Gekko understand the mooes but i can read there body language they occupied my town for a while. i can also link with it if needed."
"Link?" Fluttershy asked. The Gekko started walking before i answered knocking me onto my ass.
"By link i mean directly connect our brains."
I answered.
"That sounds dangerous." Flutter said quietly.
"It is with another human but with the Gekko it's relatively safe as long as neither of us trigger attack barriers."
I noticed the sun was setting ahead of us as the group walked back and Rainbow lazily flew beside the Gekko. Once we got back to the town which wasn't deserted anymore the pink one reappeared .
Rainbow flew down before she could start anything. "Pinkie you need to try to be calm and kind of quiet. Gekko is rather skittish when it comes to you."
Pinkie nodded, "ill try my best."
I slid myself off the back of Gekko's head trying to roll when i landed but wound up pretty much belly flopping on the ground. "That was a shit idea." I said to myself as i got up onto one knee and pushed myself up. a few horses came over and offered help but i refused. Earlier hadn't purple said everypony? So i guess there not horses but there heads are at eye level.
It was now with the larger number of ponies out and about i noticed most had some sort of branding on there flanks and most kept their distance from the Gekko.
Even knowing it meant no harm it was still very imposing to them.
Purple came over to me. "We should head to my castle since its getting late the Gekko should fit into the main hall." She began walking and i hesitantly followed the Gekko doing the same flutter still ontop.
"So what are you royalty?" I asked purple as we walked.
She nodded. "I am the princess of friendship." She said with a straight face and i immediately started to laugh.
"Friendship your joking right?" I asked once i stopped.
"No, friendship is a powerful magic!" She said with a frown.
"I would say a 50 cal is more powerful." I replied. The Gekko mooed as if agreeing.
Purple, no Twilight gave a questioning look.
"You guys don't have gunpowder weapons do you?" I asked as a result of her look.
"No never heard of that. ," she replied.
"Its best it stays that way, and this guy here," i pointed back at the Gekko. "Has got a 45 or 50 cal gun that can hold up to 6000 rounds. Would be higher capacity on war models."
"That sounds extremely dangerous." Fluttershy spoke up from on top the Gekko. I had completely forgotten that she was there.
"Not too much for you to worry about it doesn't see you as a threat, Your pink friends another story though." I nonchalantly said with my hands in my pockets.
"How do you know that?" Shy asked.
"When i linked with it i saw its radar info, doesn't see you or rainbow as much risk even borderline friendlies." I answered noticing a slight chill as the sun mostly disappeared beyond the horizon.
Twilights horn lit up casting a purple light that's edges merged smoothly into the dark. "So what exactly do 50 callibers do?" She asked.
"50 caliber is just the size of the round and they rip things to pieces from a distance, basically." I answered
"If your comfortable with it id like to run tests tomorrow." Twilight said while giving a semi worried look back at the Gekko. Fluttershy had effectively disappeared again atop the Gekko.
I was silent noting we were approaching a castle it was rather lit up appearing to be made of crystal. Would have had to been a very large stone to make a castle mostly of crystal. I thought to myself.
The doors opened when we were about 10 ft away a purple biped lizard at my knee level. Came rushing out toward Twilight. The Gekkos gun clicked off its safety, but then immediately re clicked it realizing the lizard wasn't a threat.
"Twilight i was rather worried when i heard a monster appeared in town." The lizard said.
"It wasn't a monster." Shy said causing the lizard to look behind Twilight then it immediately shouted in surprise
"Its huge. What is it?" it yelled.
"It is an occupation class Gekko." I answered drawing its attention to me.
It once again looked kind of surprised. "Your an odd minotaur. What's your name?" It asked.
"His name is Jack and he's a human, he'll be staying with us for a while." Twilight answered before i could.
I nodded to confirm and stepped into the castle along with Twi the lizard and the Gekko. Which had to bend down some to fit the door but once it was in it could stand at full height.
Twi offered to show me to a room but i refused and asked for just a blanket and pillow so i could stay with the Gekko for the first night.
Author's Note
Feel like this is shoddy writing but this idea was in my head. May continue writing
Author's Note
Forgot about the gekkos mid section when writing last chapter
Chap 2
The following morning Jack was guided to a dinning hall the Gekko had to stay in the main hall as the rest of the building other than the throne room was too small for it to fit. It wasn't too happy to be left behind the crystal messed with its radar so it only had its visual field for senses.
Once Jack got seated and started eating Twilight asked him a question. "So how does the Gekko get energy?"
"Well im not an expert but they have a built in battery pack and synthetic blood that has to be replenished at least monthly; more often if there in combat a lot." I answered.
"What happens if the blood isn't replaced?" Twilight asked.
"Well they get weaker and eventually stop moving. Go into recovery mode and shut down to save battery." I once again answered.
This horrified Twilight. "So basically they die or go into a coma!"
I nodded. "If you want to apply organic terminology, nothing organic in it its muscles are 100% machine; hence it having to have synthetic blood. People have tried using real blood but that can't repair synth muscle." I explained.
"So if i want to keep it around i have to replicate and make large quantities of its blood." Twilight thought aloud.
-Changing area/perspective.-
The other members of the mane six came into the castle causing the Gekko to whip its head around from it watching the hall waiting on Jack and the purple one to return. The blue and yellow ones flew up to it yellow speaking gently.
"Did you have a good night Mr Gekko?"
Then rainbow in a rather excited tone asked "where's the human?"
"His name's Jack Rainbow." Apple stated sounding slightly irritated. "But yes if you could kindly indicate where he is sugarcube." She continued looking up at the Gekko. It mooed and nudged its head toward the hall.
"Thank you, darling." The white said as it continued down the hall with Apple and Rainbow while Flutter stayed with the Gekko.
"Don't want to leave you all alone." She said landing herself on the walkway at its head level.
-Back to the dining room-
The hallway doors barged open as three ponies walked in.
"So what's the plan Twilight?!" Apple asked as she approached.
"For now just intend on doing some tests and figuring out how to keep the Gekko alive, may send a message to Celestia depending on the results of the tests." Twi answered.
"That's not very like you, you usually plan like 20 steps ahead." Rainbow exclaimed.
"That's the thing i can't really plan ahead the Gekko may have a very dangerous weapon but can't be sure till we test it, the only one that can confirm currently is Jack!" She said looking and pointing at Jack. "A single being isn't good enough for a solid conclusion, no offense."
"None taken fully understand your logic." I replied to her as the white trotted toward me having to go around the table i tracked her movement unsure about her she seemed posh and i never liked posh folks.
She got to me and asked. "Do you always wear clothes and if you do i could make some spares for you."
I took a moment to answer surprised by the genuine sincerity of the question/offer. "Uh yes i do always wear clothes and that's rather kind of you. Correction i wear clothes most the time actually."
"That's actually rather unique few species always are dressed." Twilight interjected.
"May i eat?!" I loudly asked the room.
"Ah yes sorry." Twi said and the others sat waiting on me to finish. The ponies all talked while i remained mostly quiet.
"Alright now let's talk business." I said leaning back in my chair.
"I would like to get a sample of the Gekko's blood so i can try to replicate it." Twilight quickly stated.
"Replicate it?" Rainbow asked.
"Yes its blood is artificial and has to be replenished." I replied. While grabbing a knife off the table. "I can ask it but no guarantees." I stood heading for the door to the hallway.
Ater half a minute of walking i entered the main hall to see the Gekko facing Fluttershy and having partially seated itself having its legs in a position it could spring up if needed. It must feel rather comfortable with her to put itself in that position. I thought as i aproched. Making a slight ahem to make myself known to both of them. The Gekko slowly stood up turning to me Fluttershy flew up from behind it. I held out the knife as well as a cup. "May i get a blood sample?" I asked the Gekko with a slightly shakey voice. The thing could easily kill me in several ways send me flying with its legs pop a few rounds in me, etc i had seen a few folks die from both during the war back when the base ai was more jumpy.
Gekkos ai were typically reset after missions as it was shown they could suffer from ptsd despite simpler brains so a more alert base ai was good. So early occupation models also were jumpy off the bat but unlike their cousin war models there ai was rarely reset so over time they would typically mellow out but since this one was still desert tan it was uncertain if it was experienced or not.
The Gekko gave a confirming moo and offered its leg. I made a small slit and held the cup under it watching the white blood leak out once the cup was half full i patted it to tell it i was done. I turned to see disgusted looks on three ponies faces.
"Thats blood? Looks like paint." Apple asked/stated.
"Yes it is blood especially for synthetic muscles almost pure nano machines with proteins and glucose i think. for energy and muscle repairs. As well as minor armour repairs." I factually stated. "Now where's Twilight?" I asked as i wiped the knife on my pant leg then slid it in my belt loop.
"She's still in the dining hall and said she would be out in a few minutes." Rainbow answered.
Fluttershy flew over and quietly asked. "Did that hurt it?"
I nodded, "despite being machine they do feel pain to an extent helps them stay aware. The nano machines should patch that wound in a few minutes."I looked at the Gekko. "Could we link? Want to see if were from same time period." i set the cup down and slid up my links cover as it extended its wire arm. once we linked i went straight into time files it's been active for about two years ai's that old as well and it was put into service a year in the future. I dove a bit deeper to the ponies outside i was completely nonresponsive. It worked as part of american swat for half a year but spent the last year and a half in canada so why the tan plates then? Doesn't fit either country. realizing id been in for several minutes i went back up and reconnected with my body.
I blinked a few times then yanked my connection with the Gekko. "Its from 2 years in the future in my timeline." I stated as i looked down to see the cup was gone.
"What were you doing? You spaced out for like two minutes there." Rainbow asked.
"Well i hope you don't mind." I said as once again looked at the Gekko "i went a little deeper into your brain." It gave no response as if it fully knew already.
"Where'd the blood go?!" I asked.
"Oh Twilight came and got it while you were out." Apple calmly replied.
"So why are you all still here then?" I asked both curious and suspicious.
"Twilight asked we make sure your okay and keep an eye on you as she'll be busy darling."
White answered.
I nodded. "Makes sense and could you not call me that dont like fancy stuff. Im a coward but im rough and rugged like this guy." I said patting the Gekko's leg. "Am i allowed to go out into town?" I asked
"Why certainly and maybe Gekko can help with clean up and repairs from yesterday." White once again answered.
I nodded and moved toward the doors they were heavy. The Gekko gently kicked the door and it flung open. Possibly damaging it.
"That was uncalled for." Apple said a bit irritated. "And holly Tarturus that things strong."
Gekko and i just walked out while the ponies were mildly dumbfounded. After a moment they came up beside us. Rainbow flying slightly above me Apple beside me and white beside Gekko.
"So what's your name?" I asked white.
"My names Rarity" she replied.
I nodded. "A fancy name for a fancy being." After a little walking we were in town and near immediately saw the crushed building and ponies working to clear The debri we walked over and most flinched or backed away as we approached staring at Gekko. "Can we offer any help?!" I asked/yelled.
The pony that seemed to be the head of this project an old looking mare walked up. "Can that thing carry the larger pieces away?" She asked looking up at Gekko.
"It can move it, just a matter of hooking it up. ," Apple said stepping forward. "Judging by how a gentle kick slammed the castle doors open."
After that i went to help move smaller pieces as a few ponies made a harness to stick to the midsection of the Gekko. I made small talk with a few ponies as the Gekko anxiously waited for the ponies to finish making the harness.
With how often its anxious think this Gekko is a little more than semi-conscious kind of like the case of those Japanese Totchkomas. A fully sentient think tank is risky business. I thought as i worked.
After about half an hour they finished the harness and the Gekko started pulling debrie away from the sight. Around that time i had to sit was getting worn out by the labor. Spending most my time gaming left my body weak.
But these ponies didn't seem tired at all, really. After a while of me watching the ponies and Gekko work Rarity came to me and asked if she could get measurements for my future clothing i agreed and followed her to her store encountering the pink Menace according to Gekko she was hyperenergetic and i began to understand Gekko's feeling sge went on about something i hardly processed then offered me soda and a bagel for my 'hard work'
"Ive hardly done anything it's all Gekko." I said.
"I know but since you arrived together, and it doesn't eat, you should get its pay. Okay?" The Menace stated.
So they've lumped me and it together not a bad thing per se. I thought as i ate. Then it was off to the boutique.
After about ten minutes and me demanding i have a towel she convinced me to take my clothes off so she could measure them directly. After a few minutes she gave me my clothes back with a slightly disgusted look. "They smell when you get a new set wash them immediately." She demanded.
I sighed "Alright then ma'am." I replied hastily getting dressed. What is with females and there sensitive noses. Wonder how cleanup is going. As i thought that i heard a crackling and a flash of purple light and there in the middle of the room was Twilight
"I got distracted by the blood and forgot about the tests i need to do with you and Gekko, Gekko mainly." She said looking at me and looking around. "Where is it?" She asked.
"Its helping clean up from the building it crushed." I answered walking out the door of the boutique.
"Lets go get it." She said trotting out behind me then coming to be beside me
