Author's Note

Enjoy chapter two! Remember if you guys find anything wrong with it please don't be scared to inform me of it!

I won't bite your head off for wanting a better story 😅

Also sorry for the short chapter I play to make the next one at the very least 7 or 6k in words!

Chapter Two - Meeting a firebird and a letter to a tired Princess

Chapter Two -

860 was still pushing this blasted cart full of precious materials; the internal clock on his HUD was showing the sun was going to set soon.

'Great, if my helmet isn't lying to me or isn't malfunctioning, I have two hours left of Sunlight before I need to use night vision again.'

Not that 860-minded. but still, sunlight was better than night vision. Shaking his head, the soldier pressed forward while nature around him was very much energetic. There were birds, rabbits, and insectoids.

Living and surviving around him, making the soldier pause, for a moment while 860 took in his surroundings.

'Where the hell, am I? Is this an overlooked pocket from the Suppression field? So many questions and so few answers.' Sighing, 860 made sure the cart wouldn't roll off, so he could grab a rock to keep it in place.

After finding a decent-sized stone, the modified man got down on his knees. To place it in the path effectively, stopping its chance at movement.

'I should take a break. This armor is making me sweat like a pig on a hot summer day.'

Moving over towards a larger stone, one that could handle his weight. He proceeded to take a seat, retrieved his mini-death helicopter in one swift motion, and tossed it into the air.

The viscerator, of course, turned on. Waiting for the soldier to issue a new directive. "Scan, the atmosphere for possible health contaminants for human life."

Moving into action, the little death copter flew off. Scanning the space around him, along with plants, and algae.

Even the nearby stream, wasn't spared by the soft blue light. This would take time, to receive a full report on. So 860, grabbed his main weapon and began an inspection.

'At least my Firearm didn't break on me, mid-combat. however, it's still operational from what I'm seeing.' 860 might have been wrong, for all he knew.

And fully dismantling, his prime weapon in an unsafe location, was a good way to get flatlined.

Having nothing else better to do, the soldier sat there, postponing his exploration of the woodlands, fate seemed to target him as his body began sweating.

Checking the temperature, in his helmet, the outside scanner. Marked the surrounding environment temperature, at 79F. However, it was decreasing due to the sun setting.

'Christ, it's hot, can't that damn drone hurry it up? This armor is sweltering.' The combine was pretty good at many things. But making armor that was insulated, wasn't their strong suit.

It didn't help that this armor was a winter model instead of a summer one. 'At least, I'll be warm during the colder months, But hopefully. I'll be back at the Citadel before that happens. '

Twilight POV

Twilight, and her friends, had arrived back at Ponyville without much issue; her friends had taken the gems back to Rarity's shop.

Once everypony, had given Rarity the gems she needed they said their goodbyes. And left to do whatever their plans had been before, Rarity's foal-napping.

However, Twilight didn't forget about the thing that saved them all. Or better yet, 'him.' as Rarity called it.

'What would have happened if it wasn't there to save us? Surely, it is a force to be reckoned with. We can't handle this. Nor can the local Royal Guards.'

Arriving at her library, Twilight immediately got to work, using her magic to unlock the front door and entered.

Spike followed close behind.

"Spike, would you fetch me some paper, ink, and a quill?" Nodding, the little dragon scurried off to retrieve the requested items.

Meanwhile, Twilight went to inspect the item that saved her life.

'I have no idea how to disassemble it, maybe he may know? But the main issue is the obvious language barrier between us. If only there was some way to make him understand my questions. And magic can only go so far.'

Gently igniting her horn, Twilight floated the half-emptied syringe over, she wanted to experiment with the last of the liquid inside. Which made her frustrated.' One day we will. But for now, I must keep it frozen if possible so the last of the samples don't spoil.'

Calmly, Twilight went into her basement, increasing the magical flow into her horn so it would become brighter.

"Now, where did I move that Freezer?" Looking around for a moment Twilight spotted the appliance. 'Found it, let's put this somewhere that won't break or freeze.'

Walking up to it, she opened it and placed the used syringe inside. "There, now it should hopefully last. If it even can be frozen now, let's go write that letter to Princess Celestia."

Checking, once, then twice, and even a third time. if the alien sample would handle being frozen. Twilight eventually. went back up, to the main part of the library, tail flicking sporadically.

"Is something wrong, Twilight?" asked a concerned Spike.

Swiveling her ear, Twilight sighed, before shaking her head. "Nothing to concern yourself Spike, did you get the things I asked for?" she asked.

Shortly, the mare heard familiar footfalls, coming toward her. "If you say so, Twilight but here are the things you asked for." Spike offered while she took them into her magic the mare began to write her letter.

'Dear, Princess Celestia, today I learned. Just because somepony is ladylike, doesn't make her weak. In fact, by using her wits, a seemingly, defenseless Pony can outsmart and outshine them all.'

Seeing that, as her friendship lesson. Twilight moved to the bottom part of the letter to tell her of the main issue.

'I didn't want to end this letter, on a sour note however, a situation is going on. Near and possibly inside, the Ever-free forest. A creature that I have reason to believe is from beyond the stars, is now hiding in those woods. It is extremely dangerous and deadly. I ask for instructions on how we should handle this if at all. Yours truly Twilight Sparkle.

Reading the letter over, multiple times to confirm no spelling mistakes. Nor over-complicated words were used. Twilight sealed the letter, in the Royal seal.

Turning around. She found that Spike had been given gems by Rarity; currently, he was going through them to see which was the biggest or longest.

"Spike before you start eating, can you send this to Princess Celestia?" jumping up, Spike rushed over nodding.

"Sure thing!"

He said happily, after taking it from Twilight, he proceeded to send the letter to the sun ruler. "Was that all?" Spike asked while Twilight shook her head.

"Nope you're good to go, I'll be reading if you need me, Spike." Nodding the baby dragon went back to sorting his gems.

"Spike, save some of those, I doubt Rarity will have any left. Once she's done." Twilight warned, but the dragon waved her warning off.

"Uh Huh."

'All of those gems will be gone by tonight.' Twilight thought, shaking her head, she knew her little assistant better than anypony.

Walking up the wooden carved steps, Twilight went to her room along with grabbing an unfinished book from her bedroom bookshelf, then went out onto her balcony.

Laying down, Twilight opened the book from where her bookmark was poking out. Once the book was open, she began to read from where she left off.

"I just hope, Princess Celestia responds soon. Celestia knows what it can do if it finds Ponyville and goes on a rampage." Twilight implored the heavens, hoping 'he' wouldn't find their quaint little town.

Because deep down she doubted that her and her friends could stop him, slow him down maybe. But stop him? Improbable.

860 POV

It felt like an eternity waiting on the Manhack to gather the necessary information. And 860 was growing more agitated with each passing minute.

'I swear to God, if this damn drone, Doesn't hurry it up, I'll just take my helmet off, and find out if I can breathe or not.'

Deciding not to shoot the viscerator drone, 860 gave out a long and exhausted sigh. 'Maybe thinking might help me wait out the information gathering.'

Closing his eyes, 860 thought back to his first mission with his permanent team, it was an immense infestation of 'necrotics.' and 'Parasitics.' or what the Resistance called, 'Headcrabs, and Zombies.'

Two, other Stabilization teams were dispatched, but they hadn't responded for three days, five hours, and twenty-seven seconds.

During the mission, a headcrab tried to connect with his head but failed. 860, had reached up, and had pulled the Parasitic off, and slammed it. Repeatedly, against a wall, until the wall was glistening in fluorescent plasma and organs.

"526, did say that was overkill. Even for a Parasitic. And I told him, I was giving the new Residential place, a fresh paint job." This made 860 grin slightly, but it didn't evolve into true exhilaration.

860, had many successful missions. That his higher-ups allowed him to remember to make him a skilled and better, 'Asset.' In live combat. However, 860 was so deep in thought, he was not aware of the manhack.

It was floating in front of him, waiting for the modified human to take the digital report. Snapping out of it. 860, offered his hand, to the death drone once more and took the report.

"Recall."

After storing it, 860 began going over the report to see if the air was safe, it took time to load the behemoth of a report. But after getting it, 860 began reading it.

'The Atmosphere here is 23.95% oxygen. Nitrogen is 75.09%, Argon is 0.93%" Looking at the report again one last time, to confirm the data was indeed correct.'

'From these readings, I shouldn't face many issues, and actually. More oxygen in the air might benefit me.'

but deep down, there was still a part of him that was suspicious of the report thinking it was false.

860 sighed. 'If I die, because of a drone malfunction. I swear if there's an Afterlife. my team, wouldn't let me hear the end of it.'

Seeing this as a make-or-break moment, 860 reached up with one hand, and slowly began undoing the clasps that held his helmet in place.

Once that was done, he needed to loosen it, leaving his firearm on his lap. 860 reached up and removed the grayish-black, helmet from his head, exposing his real head to the world.

The wind felt amazing on his skin, adding sweat into the mix was heavenly. Along with the fresh air he was breathing in, however, the air here was different.

Unlike the atmosphere back near the cities and citadel, from what he could remember smelled dirty, even synthetic.

But the air here reeked of fresh, untouched nature, it was quite pleasant to him he stayed there unmoving, expelling excess heat.

Listening, to the beasts of the woodlands, along with just smelling the world around him from 860's seat.

'I could get used to this, but this isn't my function. This recess may continue for five more minutes, and then I will continue my main directive.'

Once the five minutes were up, the modified human redid his helmet, the fit was always immaculate. While tightening it into place, a large bird landed on his knee-guard.

"Hello, Avian lifeform."

860 called out to it, before reaching over slowly with his hand, offering the bird his hand as a makeshift perch, to his surprise. It hopped up and was now resting on his whole hand.

'Now what? I've never held a bird before.' 860 had seen plenty of avian lifeforms, but none had ever dared to do what this current one was doing.

Upon closer inspection, 860 found that this bird was blood red, and orange. It was also producing an abnormal amount of heat, and energy, for a bird of its size.

Slowly, it leaned over and pecked at 860's helmet; it seemed to be inspecting him as he was in return.

"Please avian lifeform. Refrain from pecking, at the lenses. They are a nuisance, to clean smudges off of." Still, it continued pecking at them along with other parts of his helmet.

"I see you listen very well, to instructions." 860 grabbed his gun and sat up this time. The bird took to the air, flying around him, before landing on his shoulder.

'Better, than the equine's, at least this creature wouldn't leave me for dead.' Going back, to the mine cart he kept pushing it with one hand, but this time with a bird companion, getting a free ride on his shoulder.

They traveled together for some time, the sun was going down behind them, luckily the soldier and Phoenix had found a primitive stone tower overgrown with greenery.

'Beggars can't be choosers, this is where my forward operating headquarters will be, For the time being.' Reaching up, 860 offered his hand to the Phoenix who quickly hopped up.

Placing it on the mine cart he pointed to the bird then at the ground, signaling it to stay there. Turning around he grabbed the drone and turned it on.

"Sweep directive."

860 commanded, the structure had no door, however, it was just big enough for him to enter so once the viscerator flew in, 860 followed.

"Shadow clear."

He said to nobody in particular, while the active drone assisted in clearing the tower. To avoid getting injured, 860 left the drone to sweep the building.

The drone was gone for an overextended amount of time. Until it returned, a few minutes later showing that the Sweep had no hostiles to engage.

"Building clear, area secured."

Redoing the process with the manhack, 860 explored the building personally. He discovered a wooden table, that looked a little worn-out, and yet was still standing somehow. 'At least, I can do full maintenance on my equipment now.'

Three pillows around it, some drawers and cabinets, and a window that wasn't shattered, And after investigating the next room, he found a shared bed quarter that had three beds. Out of the three only one looked slightly usable.

'First-floor clear, time to go to the second and resume scan and clear.' Going up the stone steps, one step at a time. 860 had his finger on the trigger.

If there was anything in this building the man hack missed it would have been an easy fix for 860 with one blast of his firearm.

Thankfully, the search provided nothing except two more rooms. A sentry post, on the third floor. and the basement was empty minus a few barren, crates and barrels.

Heading topside, 860 found the bird still there, surprisingly even after he ordered it too. Surprised 860 inquired a question to the bird.

"You stayed? consider me surprised." Even though his Vocoder, wasn't showing it in his voice, 860 was telling the truth, While the bird nodded.

Thinking his head was still recovering from the crash still, the Overwatch soldier, just summed that up to his eyes seeing things.

Looking back, toward the setting sun the large bird seemed anxious like it wanted to fly off, but 860 wasn't letting it.

'Probably, it has a nest that the lifeform wants to return to. Might as well, release it.' Walking over to the mine cart the soldier grabbed a jewel and offered it to the bird.

"Take it."

It was the collar, from the bipedal lifeform he killed. Sure, it wasn't covered in blood, and last he checked, it didn't stink. So 860, didn't see why the bird wouldn't take it.

Moving over, the bird gently plucked three feathers from its body. One flight feather and two secondary feathers.

It placed them into his gray gloved hand, before taking the collar. 'Did; I, just. Do a commerce Exchange, with a Bird?' 860 was dumbfounded by this.

Finally snapping out of the confused state, 860 discovered the bird was long gone and now it was dark.

Pushing the mine cart inside was easier said than done, but once it was in, he moved it to the basement for proper storage.

"I'm not exhausted, yet might as well, clean this place up." Activating his night vision, the modified human began working on clearing plant life, and rocks. And other forms of debris that had built up over time, while avoiding the more nocturnal creatures that called these woods home.

However, he left the feathers somewhere where he wouldn't accidentally. Destroy, or ruin them.

'I never, really noticed the night sky. It's so open and, silent.' 860 gave the night sky a few more glances, before continuing on his work.

'Last I checked, it's not going anywhere, I can star gaze another time. right now, I need to focus.'

Celestia POV

Currently, the sun ruler was waiting on Philomena, her pet Phoenix. For the past week, she was very well-behaved in exchange. For good behavior, she was allowed to fly wherever she sees fit but must return before the sun sets.

This time, she was late. By an hour, to be specific. Celestia wasn't angry at her bird, but still. She loved pulling on her feathers when she did something like this.

As if on cue, Celestia's ears swiveled, and she could hear the familiar wing flapping of a certain Phoenix.

Celestia simply waited, for the right moment before jumping into action. Using her magic, the solar ruler took hold of Philomena and teleported her right in front of her.

"Philomena, what have I told you about staying out past the agreed amount of time?" Celestia asked the female Phoenix in question, who seemed to be hiding something behind her back with her wings.

"Young lady, what are you hiding behind you?" asked Celestia, but Philomena refused to reveal whatever it was she had been hiding.

Knowing her best, The white Alicorn simply teleported a mirror behind her large phoenix. Which revealed a diamond-engraved collar and a bright orange jewel hanging from it.

"My word, Philomena! Did you steal this?" Celestia asked, taking the collar away from her, with her golden magic. This seemed to upset, the bird who snatched it back with her beak, furiously shaking her head no.

"Then, who gave it to you? This isn't a cheap item to purchase. Did a Noble? give it to you." Asked Celestia another no was her answer.

Midway through her interrogation, Philomena reacted to one of the questions, that grabbed Celestia's attention.

Her once, solid orange feathered cheeks turned red, picking up on this, Celestia's once serious demeanor, Changed like a switch.

"Does my little, Philomena have a Colt friend?!" Celestia teased, which made her redder than orange.

Reaching over, with her foreleg. The fiery bird jumped up onto the outstretched limb, holding the color in her beak.

"What is his name?"

Inquired, Celestia however Philomena didn't have a name to give for her new friend.

This story wasn't adding up in the elder monarch's head, not in the slightest. "You mean to tell me. Philomena, a stranger, has given this to you, without knowing its true worth?"

The bird nodded, making Celestia sigh, as a result. "Did you give him or her compensation in return at least?"

She peeped, and nodded once more, opening her large wings and showing three feathers were missing.

"I should have never taught you how to barter with anypony." Another peep was her response.

Gently putting Philomena back in her cage, Celestia decided to shrink the collar down for her bird.

Since she seemed to really like the collar she was given, after making sure the neckband wouldn't choke her at all, or constrict her movements, Celestia went towards her desk.

"If I find out who you got that from I will compensate them. True, your feathers can fetch a decent amount of bits if sold. But nowhere near the worth of that collar," With a flick of her tail Celestia, Ignited her horn.

Deciding to close the open window, now that her prized bird had come home.

'Now that Philomena is back, I can go through some Paperwork.' True this was the least interesting part of running a whole realm.

Especially since her sister's return, many of her nobles had refused, to accept Luna back into the position of being a 'Princess.' most were terrified of her.

Others simply saw her return as an insult to Celestia's rule, however, rumors were going around the ranks of nobility.

From what she was told by her Guards, that overheard talks. Some wanted Celestia to oust her younger sister and declare her rule absolute.

She hoped it wasn't true, and was just intoxicated rambles of aristocrats, who had a little too much to drink.

But to play it safe, and for the safety of Luna, who was just now getting her magical abilities back, her older sister decided to.

Call forth, her young sister's ancient banners, and the bat pony sovereigns, were keen on answering the call. In droves, eager to serve. The Night Princess once again.

'At least they didn't forget her like how my Ponies did. However, the bat pony lands are even willing to join Equestria again after her return.' Celestia thought, making her heart twinge in sadness.

Thinking back to that fateful sunset after banishing Nightmare Moon, a letter had arrived in the sun ruler's court.

It decreed, that the bat pony lands. After the false banishment, and unnecessary hostility of the sun Princess, and her nobility, forced them to secede from Equestria and wouldn't merge until Princess Luna's return.

Many nobles at that time. Were outraged by the letter, and urged the Sun Princess to Call her banners. to stomp out, this illegitimate Rebellion against her crown.

Many of her High lords had called their Banners, in preparation for Celestia's call to arms. However, seeing the Thestrals request a just and peaceful motion.

Celestia sent a message, via messenger, telling them she accepted their demands, and that they were allowed to do as they desired, much to the disappointment of many.

'I avoided needless bloodshed. It was the least I could do for my Sister, during her time on the moon, I didn't have a say over them. But now after all that time, at the very least, they wish to Merge with Equestria once again.'

Finally seeing the end to the thousand-year divide between ponies and thestrals, Celestia was glad for the fact. that they did, keep their word, and didn't try to fight the peaceful reunification.

'All they wanted. Was for my Sister, Luna, to return.'

This warmed Celestia's heart because it showed just how Loyal, the thestrals were to their Princess. But sadly, it also showed the younger sun Ruler. just what kind of nobles, reside in her castle.

But her little ponies were still loyal to her even though they wanted her to dispose of Luna which would never happen.

Deciding, her mental mulling, had taken up enough time she snapped back from her drawn-out, blast from the past.

Celestia began going through the paperwork that required her to examine, working late into the night, which was very common for the sun ruler; she did it, in hope of making the next day slightly manageable.

However, her efforts would be in vain, somehow there always seemed to be a manuscript or document that needed her to read or sign.

Looking, to her left, Celestia spotted a familiar scroll that always appeared there making her smile faintly.

"It appears, Twilight has another friendship lesson she has learned."

Deciding to spend the last of her energy, reading her student's letter Celestia used her magic to flow the scroll over, and opened it.

The letter itself was a delight to read, however, the part at the bottom troubled, Celestia. "Twilight could be overreacting, the Ever-free forest, and even the rock wastes are connected so it shouldn't be a surprise seeing exotic animals there."

Reaching up with a hoof, Celestia covered her muzzle as a yawn escaped her. "I shall write back later tomorrow. Hopefully, it was just her nerves getting the best of her."

Celestia slowly got up, from her seat before making her way into her bed-chamber, to retire for the rest of the night.

860 POV

It took some time, roughly eight hours had passed, and 860 had cleaned the old stone structure up. All the flora, that had managed to grow inside or on the outside. we're pulled out, root, and stem.

He had discovered a flag of some kind, it was ancient, but it displayed two equines, one white and one blue. Both with wings and horns.

'Why does the wildlife here, have wings, or horns? Even none of these anomalies at all?'

Deciding this was a topic of discussion for another time, 860 returned to the second floor and moved two crates in the way to block the doorless frame.

'That should keep out any trespasser that shows up.' Removing his helmet, and other forms of equipment, and pieces of heavy armor.

860 felt lighter, this felt strange. He more or less lived in his armor, and only removed it when it needed to be cleaned. Or changed, for a stronger model or just for the season.

'I could have transferred into the Ordinal core, I have the experience and the successful manuscripts to do so, but I do better on the front than commanding from the rear."

Regardless, the human could see his fleshy body underneath. Within the moonlight, 860 could see his lesions that healed, long ago but still remained.

Some were long, others short, and others had faded away but the more profound ones remained.

And for the cost of this disfigurement, was his humanity.

Well, a decent bit of it anyway, in exchange the human was far stronger, more durable, taller, and lastly more deadly than an average human male.

'Time to initiate, stasis mode.' Getting onto the old bed, 860 made sure he wouldn't fall off, before passing out.

Little did he know this uneventful sleep would change. Once falling asleep the altered human heard an unfamiliar voice.

"Spikewall, unit respond." a voice called out from the darkness, it waited a few moments before repeating the sentence.

"Spikewall, unit. It would be in your best interest to respond." Acting quickly, 860 spoke out to answer the unidentified voice.

"This is unit, 8-6-0-9-6-2-1. Please identify immediately, to confirm you're true identity."

"Advisor, unit."

This surprised 860, as he never thought a combine advisor, would talk to him personally, but due to it outranking him 860 quickly responded.

"How can I be of Service?" the voice continued to speak once he stopped conversing.

"Unit 8-6-0-9-2-1, where is the rest of you're Stabilization team?" Asked the slug life form.

"Stabilization team, designated. 7-0-3-9-10 has flatlined, Spikewall is still active."

In response, the slug produced a sound of displeasure at the recent knowledge, but not a sound of annoyance. "Acknowledged. Spikewall unit prepare for advanced Directive."

"Affirmative. Spikewall is awaiting new directives." There was a long delay before the oversized slug spoke once more.

"Your Directives, are as follows. Investigate this Region, and discover the driving force, of these unknown, energy fluctuations. Once you find the main source, report your findings, immediately. To make further connections possible, we will return some, 'Faculties.' This is a privilege. Do not abuse them."

Seeing this as his new assignment he agreed. "Copy that, but what am I to do if the local life forms becomes hostile?"

Without missing a beat, the advisor responded." Prosecute at will. If they do not serve a purpose to your new directives then deal with them as you see fit."

"What has happened to Overwatch and Airwatch? I can not be fully effective without some kind of support."

"You still suppose, you're on earth. 8-6-0-9-2-1? Allow me to break the knowledge to you. You're no longer on Earth, but somewhere that we cannot reach. That should explain your inquiry about not reaching Overwatch and Airwatch. We have reason to believe the main cause of us not being able to reach this new universe. Is because of those, unknown fluctuations we mentioned, previously. You have your orders, do not disappoint us."

And just like that, 860 was awakened to birds chirping and singing. Getting up from the old bed 860 had equipped his armor once more. But left the backpack and extra weapons

Once that was completed, 860 moved the wooden crates out of the doorway. 'Nothing has attempted an entry on the structure.'

After pushing them away, he went back to retrieve his weapon of choice. Before he finally noticed the few crossbow bolts sticking out of his armor.

Afterward, he extracted the primitive projectiles, seeing them as nothing more, than a hindrance. On his movement, 860 headed downstairs, and out of the primitive structure. 'Time to retrieve my team.'

Heading back, in the direction he arrived from. 860, kept an eye out, for any hostile Contaminants, he may run into on his travels.

'I wonder if that bird will return. I doubt it, Birds don't come back if they are frightened off. But how did I scare it? I didn't do any sudden gestures or show any Aggression towards it.'

Dissatisfied, at the loss of his travel companion, 860 prevailed. Onwards, knowing that languishing over the point would be pointless.

However, upon reaching the stream 860 spotted something in the corner of his eye. It was brown and large, turning to look, there was nothing but grass and shrubs.

Wanting to play it safe, 860 tried to transmit to the A. I again. "Overwatch potential ambush, Spikewall, is preparing to Prosecute at will."

Gripping his main firearm, and flicking the safety off. 860 was ready to throw down with whatever dared attack him.

Behind him an animal released a vicious snarl, turning around. In a flash, 860 saw a strange lifeform; it was the shape of a wolf but made out of Timber.

'Let me guess, they're called Timberwolves?' 860 remarked inwardly, before the beast that was large enough. For 860 to ride, suddenly charged. Resulting in him putting a hole through its head.

"Spikewall is Prosecuting, at will!"

The blast was loud nowhere near the level of thunder, but still effectively loud. The plasma slug had connected with the Timberwolf's head resulting in a loud wood-splitting crack; after the smoke cleared, the blast had gone straight through the wolf's head

Shortly, after finishing off the one, two more. Arrived taking the place of the recently slain predator.

"Attention hostile, toothpicks. Fighting a Soldier of the Universal Union. Is not permitted, Please. leave while you still have your lives. Failure to obey will result in your rapid Amputation."

Gripping his gun handle, 860 prepared for a fight as the two multiplied into four. Then five, and then eight.

'I guess they want to be Sterilized. Good, I need plenty of experience that I can feasibly obtain. if I'm to function, in this mysterious Environment."

Like a wave of water, the Timberwolves charged him forcing 860, to engage the feral beasts.

Being only able to shoot approximately, five of them, before the wolves were upon him. One of the large wooden animals had knocked his main weapon away and had gone for an attack on his leg.

Another was trying to bite through his armor, along with Snarling, trying to and failing. at killing the 'prey.' Resulting in 860 saying how practical their attack was.

"Hostile spikes, Ineffective."

Resulting, in him having to use his Stun baton. 'Now this is a challenge, I can get behind.' Gripping the metal baton, 860 jammed it into the eye sockets of one of the Timberwolves and then turned it on to full power, while the wolf howled in pain.

860 electrified its head cavity, for five straight minutes while the wolf's packmates, attempted to tear at 860's armor, to little consequence.

Only then when smoke leaked out of the flatlined Wolf. Made the others flee, from the recently started fire.

"Overwatch be advised, Timber lifeforms are susceptible to conflagration. Spikewall is switching to more, sufficient, combat mode."

Grabbing a tree branch, from the smoldering wolf. 860. Threw it like a spear with deadly precision, going through the side of one Timberwolf and getting lodged in its body.

The recently started fire, had scared the last remaining Timberwolf. "Spikewall checking for any recent deterioration."

Looking over, his armor 860 had discovered, that the monsters had left their claw marks, and bite marks, on his armor but nothing too serious.

"Overwatch, Spikewall, has insignificant damages, maintaining current Directives." Shaking his head, 860 mentally smacked himself.

'Stop that, 860 there isn't any Overwatch to report to. I'm on my own, minus the Advisor Unit. Unless my mind is being affected. But then that means my mental state is deteriorating.'

Retrieving his primary firearm, 860 continued on the two-hour journey on foot. Toward, the rock and barren lands of the west.

"It's time to bring my Squad home." While walking 860 went over the plans he would need to do in order to give them a proper send-off.

'I'll need a Shovel if I can't make one, or Pilfer one. By the time, I dig five graves, under six feet, their bodies will belong to the maggots by then.'

Smacking his lips, 860 had discovered his low, hydration level. 860 grabbed a water ration and leaned against a tree.

After removing his helmet which he placed on the ground, he proceeded to down the whole silver-lined pouch of its liquid contents.

'I still prefer cold water, not warm. Especially in summer weather.' knowing the pouch could be reused, 860 stored it once more and re-equipped his helmet, then shortly continued on his way.

Until he arrived back at where he exited the underground cave formations. However, the bipedal lifeforms had moved the half-destroyed dropship pod out from the underground caverns. and left it there, along with another cart of gems.

This made 860, slightly disappointed, he did want to go back into their dens. To do some target practice, but now, there wasn't a reason to.

Grabbing, the man hack once more 860 turned it on before issuing an order. "Find any kind of urban Centers nearby."

860 just watched, the little drone gain altitude for some time after reaching roughly a hundred feet in the air it stopped and began slowly moving around taking in the surroundings and searching for any kind of structures.

Shortly it returned and looked in the direction of an urban center. 'It found, what I was looking for time to get that shovel.'

Turning, in the direction the Viscerator pointed to the modified human began his march toward this supposed urban center. While the manhack flew down and awaited, for a new mission tasking.

Grabbing it and storing it 860 continued on his trek to this town. Little did 860 know, he was walking toward the town of Ponyville unaware of the true inhabitants, of the village.

To be safe, the soldier, kept his prime weapon to stand by status in the event something else tried its luck at attacking 860.

'I have no idea if, this Urban Center. Is friendly or hostile so it's best if I stay vigilant went entering the town.'

860 was forced to cut threw the woodlands which he didn't mind of course if yesterday wasn't a sign of his liking of the fragrance of nature.

'Let's wait till nightfall. The night will cover my approach, I'm kinda not hard to miss. in broad daylight no less, along with me not being camouflaged. I rather not take, incoming fire from hostiles if it can be avoided.'

Sitting down, on a fallen tree. 860 removed his helmet so that his head could breathe, without the protective armor covering it all up.

'In the meantime, I can appreciate the nature around me. This isn't terrible I never understood. why 526 disliked nature, maybe he was mistaken. Or was he made to dislike it.'