When the Silent Fall

Chapter four – Bigger Problem

Shuur ran as fast as his digitigrade legs would carry him. His friend was bleeding out, to anything else blood was a life line, to the Sangheili blood was honor. When a Sangheili warrior loses too much honor, said warrior dies. He began to see the village up ahead, he was close. Hold on little one, you shall not perish. Shuur was inside the town now, not even caring if the citizens saw him anymore. He saw a sterile white building growing in the distance, the red cross at the top symbolizing his destination.

Shuur didn’t even try to open the doors, he simply went through them. After the initial confusion, he laid Apple Bloom on the counter and looked at the shocked mare behind the desk, “This little one needs medical care, I trust that this is the purpose of this building?”

The white mare nodded before she reached a shaking hoof to push a button. “T… trauma team to lobby please, trauma team to lobby.”

Shuur heard her voice appear throughout the complex. Shuur stared holes into her, “Make sure she receives proper treatment.” The white mare nodded before promptly passing out. Well at least she held that long, Shuur thought to himself A miracle she didn’t simply scream and run, come to think of it… Shuur looked around the room, soon realizing that there were about thirteen others watching his every move.

Shuur stared back, until he heard the sounds of hooves flying across the linoleum tiles. He promptly cloaked, not wanting to delay the ones who would be taking care of his friend. This was followed by a chorus of gasps as he finished, now simply a shadow with no owner. As the ponies stared in shock and awe, a stretcher burst through a free swinging door trailed by four ponies. A Chesnutt brown Pegasus ran up to Apple Blooms still frame, and gaped at what he saw. He instantly began barking orders.

“Red Heart, get a bottle of disinfectant, Blue cross, give me the trauma kit!” The ponies began movement as soon as their names were called; he watched the earth pony gently pick up Apple Bloom. After getting help from the remaining unicorn, he watched as she took Apple Bloom from the doctors grasp with magic and laid her on the stretcher.

As they sped off in the same corridor they came from, he sighed with relief. She was going to be fine, albeit a little less honorable. Though I should probably check on the others. Shuur made his way towards the door, noticing some of the ponies watching his moving shadow. He increased his speed, wishing to leave the wretched place, Sangheili hated hospitals. It was a place the un-honorable came to lose more honor from being sliced and spilling blood. That was the reason that not many Sangheili chose a different path than a warrior’s path. Being called ‘honor takers’ was not a thing many creatures would like being called if you saved lives. Shuur knew that Apple Bloom had not seen honorable combat, but she had an honorable job. Providing food allowed for such glorious combat to happen, so Apple Bloom was an actual provider of honor. This meant she would have been held in high regard by the Sangheili, no matter how small.

Shuur was outside now; the darkness covered his shadow making him absolutely traceless, if you didn’t have magical glowing purple eyeballs. Shuur sighed, or infrared, or hearing amps, or looked for his large footprints. He supposed he wasn’t completely traceless, but still hard to spot. He made his way to the place he exited the forest, now seeing the rest of the ponies and the remaining Crusaders. As he made his way to the now honorable ponies, he heard someone new speak.

“Now I heard that a creature came running into the hospital carrying a filly, it might just be the thing we’re looking for.” Shuur looked behind him, another Chesnut brown pony, this time earthen and with an hourglass cutie mark. The grey pegasus beside the brown one made Shuur wonder what had happened to its eyes. They were both facing opposite directions, along with a scrunched face to add to the confusion.

“What did they mean creature, Doctor?” Shuur heard the wall-eyed one speak, her voice matching her appearance, slightly off for some reason.

The Doctor looked to the grey pegasus, “They said it was bipedal, asking for medical assistance, and then turned invisible.” The Doctor shuddered, “They mean actually turn invisible, meaning a working cloaking system! I mean at least that’s what the screwdriver says, maybe just another wonder of this world.” The unnamed grey one nodded.

“Well I haven’t heard of any kind of bipedal monster that can turn invisible at will, so you got me stumped.”

The Doctor nodded, “Well then Ditzy we have a mystery to solve!” Ditzy nodded again more vigorously this time, and then took off, Straight for Shuur. He sighed, Here we go again.

Ditzy crashed directly into Shuur, causing his shields to flare to 67% power. The Doctor didn’t miss it and soon pulled out a small long brass tube thing that glowed green at the end. Shuur felt funny, that and his visor was getting fuzzy:

-WARNING SONIC INTERFERENCE

-WARNING SONIC INTERFERENCE

-SHIELDS LOSING POWER

-CLOAK LOSING POWER

-WARNING ALL POWER GOING OFFLINE

-H.U.D. LOSING POWER, SUGGEST REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENAFDSDFGHN,A.

Shuur watched in horror as his entire suit lost power, like a plasma pistol at full charge was fired at him, only more staggered. He soon watched as Ditzy’s eyes widened as he lost cloak, and all power for that matter. The Doctor kept his sonic weapon trained on Shuur, keeping his power offline in turn.

“Stand back Ditzy, I believe we have our monster.” Ditzy did as she was told walking back to The Doctors side. “Now, you are going to answer some questions.”

“What is that? Who are you, and how is it draining my power?” Shuur retorted.

The Doctor nodded, “No not me, you, you sir are going to answer some similar questions.” Shuur did not like this pony, rendering him next to blind, and then asking him questions he didn’t want to answer.

The Doctor looked at his helmet, “First, what are you? I don’t believe I have encountered a digitigrade red armored alien before.” Shuur clicked his mandibles in annoyance.

“I do not exactly trust you with that knowledge. Though you may call me-”

“Mister Elite!”

He looked to his left, seeing Scootaloo leading a charge of ponies his way. They soon all stood in his defence, even the six he just met. The Doctor stopped his sonic attack.

“What are you all doing here?” He looked a little shocked to see the six.

“We are defending the guy who just saved us, that’s what!” cried Rainbow Dash. Now The Doctor looked a slightly concerned.

“He saved you?”

Twilight nodded, “Yes, from a record sized pack of Timber Wolves no less.”

Shuurs HUD flickered, he sighed again, the damage was not permanent.

-SONIC INTERFERENCE CEASED

-SHIELDS 12% +

-CLOAK RECHARGED

-MAIN POWER ONLINE

-H.U.D. POWER RESTORED

Shuur stood to his full height, The Doctor watched him rise the entire time. He looked at the Crusaders, then the rest of the group.

“Thank you little ones, he has some kind of sonic weapon, interfering with my armors power transfer.” The Doctor looked hurt.

“Weapon? No no no, the sonic screwdriver is not a weapon; it is just a very versatile tool is all.”

Shuur chuckled, “The only thing that has ever drained my shields has been a weapon.” Shuur thought back for a moment, “Until today.” He looked down at Scootaloo, who stared right back.

“Like I said, it’s hard to avoid an invisible alien.”

Shuur nodded, she was right. He then turned to The Doctor, “You Doctor, said that you had been looking for something. Why?” The Doctor pulled out a paper from seemingly nowhere, handing it to Shuur. He took it in a four digit hand, which seemed to fascinate The Doctor. Shuur looked at it before he handed it back, “It’s blank.”

The doctor took it in a hoof, “No it isn’t, how can you do that?” Shuur tapped his helmet.

“My HUD has experimental perception filters, for when a complex has a special defense system.”

The Doctor was now impressed for but a second, “Wait, defense systems, are you some sort of alien infiltrator?”

“That Doctor, is confidential.” Shuur said, kneeling to The Doctors height, The Doctor was intrigued.

“On whose orders?”

Shuur continued his stare down, “In the event of capture, or stranding a Spec Op agent is to take his life, or to never speak but be stripped of rank.” He stood at his full height, “And I have already died on Reach.” The Doctor lost his confidence.

“Can, can you regenerate?”

Shuur laughed, “My kind possesses a faster healing rate than others, but we cannot simply regain lost limbs!” The Doctor Chuckled.

“Yes well, what do you mean then?”

Shuur looked down on the little pony, “I mean I received a knife to my brain during my mission and awoke here.”

“Well that’s interesting, quite interesting indeed.” The Doctor smiled.

Shuur turned to see the pony’s reaction, he had not told them at all. He turned to see several stunned faces, and a single not so stunned Pinkie Pie.

“You what?” asked Twilight. Shuur looked at her.

“To put any simpler would be hard; I died.”

Twilight shook her head, “No, you couldn’t have, I mean that’s impossible. Right?”

Shuur nodded, “It is, though if it’s any consolation, before our battle I spoke with an odd voice in my head telling me that he brought me here.” The Doctor turned his head.

“Now I believe you are mad. Wonderful, just when I thought your kind was interesting as well.” Shuur gave an angered growl.

“Never insult a Sangheili to his face again, or I shall see to it that you are eradicated.”

The Doctor actually looked a little shaken, before realizing, “Sangheili, never heard of them. Must be a rather isolated people, or this is really another dimension, not just a new body.” The Doctor and Shuur looked at each other realizing they had released rather sensitive knowledge about one another, before they both cursed in their native tongue.

Twilight stared at them both in shock, “What, and what now?” Shuur was first to recover.

“I shall speak no more about any interplanetary questions. Now would you instead like to hear about the voice, or are you too convinced that this planet has driven me to insanity?” Twilight nodded.

“It’s not the first time somepony has had voices in their head, let’s hear it.”

There was a chorus of agreement before Shuur nodded, “Very well, how to describe it, hmm. Well one thing is that it was male, snarky, said he had a plan B when I refused to help him, and sounded, erm, chaotic.” Twilight sighed on the end of the description with a look of shock and disappointment , “The Princess will not like that news, though she must be told. I suppose it can wait, but we better get home for some rest, I am tired.” Again there was a chorus of agreement, and a single yawn.

Applejack perked up all of a sudden, “Wait, Elite how was Apple Bloom when you got her to the hospital?”

Shuur looked at the orange cowpony, “She was in bad shape, but a trauma team arrived to pick her up shortly.”

Applejack sighed with relief.  “Ah just hope she’ll be alright. That was a right nasty gash.”

Shuur nodded, “Yes perhaps we can go see her tomorrow, the Crusaders and me.”

Applejack nodded as well, “Well I suppose you can stay in… our… barn.” She shot a poisonous look at Shuur, “You just about burned our barn down with that blue doohickey, plan on paying us back soon?”

Shuur pondered for a moment, “Sorry, I was desperate to leave. Plasma has a tendency to burn very well; I am used to metal or stone buildings. I suppose I would not mind working for you, so long as I keep my place to stay.” Apple jack thought for a while before sticking out a hoof.

“Sounds like a deal.  Pet ‘er there.”

Shuur knelt down and shook the ponies hoof, “Very well, I shall now work for you, and refrain from the use of plasma weaponry near the property.”

Twilight broke up the happy moment, “Wait Plasma? Your people have mastered the use of plasma? You just HAVE to tell me how it works!” Shuur stood, looking at the purple mare.

“No.”

With that note, he cloaked and began to move towards Sweet Apple acres.

“You can’t hide Elite, I know where you sleep!”

Shuur shuddered at the thoughts of being attacked while slumbering; he decided to use his sleep time difference to his advantage this night. As they reached the farm gates Shuur un-cloaked, “Very well I shall be off to my quarters, good night Applejack.”

Apple jack tipped down her hat, “Likewise Elite. G’night!” Shuur walked over to his sleeping quarters. As he opened the doors, he saw the extent of his damage. Not only had the hole gotten bigger, he also saw small piles of ash that was once hay. He also saw that one of the beams was scorched, but not burnt away.

He sighed; using his sword to cut a hole would have been wiser. Now there was no protection from the wind, or a bad rainstorm. He found his old pile of hay, squat then sat down in the crunchy material. Here he was, a Sangheili warrior elite, sitting on an uncharted planet, in a pile of hay, in a burned barn, with a sleep cycle starting well into the night of this planets usual time. He sat a while longer wondering, Where did I go wrong with my life that the holy ones saw it fit to place me on this rock. Shuur shook his head before laying down, For starters you died His mind went back to the Spartan on Reach, He hoped he fared horribly. With the thoughts of the demon being surrounded by suicidal Unggoy bearing Plasma grenades, Shuur dozed off. Little did he know on a planet far far away, A certain Noble Six was wrapping up some Phantoms.

(ஜ۩۞۩ஜ) On said planet…

Six heard a voice crackle to life in his helmet.

“Good gunning Spartan, all stations brace for cast off.” Six climbed down the MAC cannons ladder, watching the ‘Pillar of Autumn’ make its get away. “This is the Pillar of Autumn, we’re away. The package is with us.”

Six climbed off the ladder, walking slowly to his inevitable doom. He detached his favored DMR, holding the rifles black casing within his grip. He was in control now, not some idiot who didn’t know a thing about combat. Who constantly made him use enemy weapons and run directly at hunters. No he was in control now, and he planned to keep it that way.

He began to march towards a now ruined base, where a squad of marines made their last stand. He saw a Phantom overhead, as it began firing concussion rounds at him. He sprinted for cover, but not before it drained his shields, and cracked his visor. He opened up on the Covenant ground forces, hoping to snuff out his light, probably the last human on Reach. His gun clicked empty. He ran for a small bluff, hoping to get some cover while he reloaded. He found no such solace. He gripped his helmet, hearing a satisfying whine and hiss; he threw the now broken helmet to the ground. He soon learned that was a mistake as a squad of Elite troopers made their way to him. He fought tooth and nail, duel wielding an MA37 ICWS and a M6C Magnum. But both clips ran dry, and soon he found himself kicking away the Elites, until he saw a Zealot activate his wrist dagger, then whiteout.

(ஜ۩۞۩ஜ) Meanwhile in Equestria.

It was just yesterday that Apple Bloom was out of it, with a huge bleeding gash in her leg. Now Shuur was amazed to be escorting all three girls the next day, back into the Ever Free. They may have been primitive, but their medical skills were undeniably good.

“Hey Mister Elite?”

Shuur looked down at Apple Bloom, who still had a scar and a limp, but was otherwise in good shape.

“Yes little one, what is it you require?”

Apple Bloom smiled, “Is it really true you carried me all the way back to the hospital after the Timber Wolves attacked?” Shuur was a little shocked.

“Has no one told you yet? Gah, obviously not, but yes it is true. I did carry you back to the hospital.” Apple Bloom beamed.

“Well thanks ah lot, let’s just call it even.”

Shuur was confused, “Even? I was unaware I had a debt.”

Apple Bloom rolled her eyes, “You lit mah barn on fire.” She stated plainly. Shuur chuckled.

“Ah, yes that. I believed that being a ‘farm hoof’ would suffice.” Apple Bloom looked up to their guardian.

“Well that’s paying back mah sister, but you still had to make it up to me.”

Shuur shrugged, “Good to see I did so even unintentionally.” Scootaloo spoke up.

“Sorry to break up the lovely comments, but remember why we’re here?”

Sweetie Belle looked at Scootaloo, “Why are we here again?”

Scootaloo let loose an exasperated sigh, “We’re here to get our cutie marks as floral cataloguers. DUH!” Sweetie Belle took a look of anger.

“Well I am sorry if you just came up with the plan yourself without discussing it with us!”

As the two of them began to bicker, Shuur saw a sudden flash of white light ahead. “Girls stay here and don’t move.”

Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo stopped at once hearing the seriousness in his voice. “What’s wrong Mister Elite?” asked Apple Bloom innocently.

“I don’t know, but I do not want anyone hurt again.”

Apple bloom nodded, and joined the rest of the girls underneath a nearby bushel. Shuur activated his cloak, creeping towards the flashes point of origin. As he moved closer, he noted the lack of animal noises in the area. Shuur crept silently closer, and closer. He soon reached a clearing he recognized, the one he had arrived in. Only now a figure of steel grey lay in the center. He immediately recognized the form, the demon that had killed him. How ironic, I shall end him with his own tactics then. Suddenly the figure, squirmed. Shuur stopped in his tracks, That was quick. Shuur ‘smiled’ I shall observe him, see how he reacts. It may just be humorous. Shuur moved to position himself close enough to the Crusaders so he may assist, and still have a good view of the demon. He sat down and waited.

(ஜ۩۞۩ஜ)

Six’s head was pounding. Wait, pounding? He looked up from the ground to find himself in a forest. Six was now utterly confused, why was he in a forest? Reach didn’t have a lot of forests, and he was supposed to be dead. He had watched as the Zealot had plunged an energy dagger into him, supposedly ending his life. His combat training told him to get up, to check for the nearest UNSC outpost. But all the worlds he had been on didn’t have as lush floral life. Only Earth would have this dense a forest and he would have seen some sort of tower in the distance, or at least had radio contact. His mind told him that this place was alien, un-explored. Or Covenant. Six was partial to the latter; killing more Covenant meant less aliens the UNSC had to worry about.

Six began to stand, slowly as he could already feel the pain. Once he had reached full height, he surveyed further. He had already noticed his repaired helmet and visor, and began making full use of it. His motion sensor would flare occasionally; due to the amount of life in the forest this was expected. The noise was another indicator of alien origin. Six doubted Covenant worlds were much different from human ones, mostly devoid of life, exceptions for the creatures with higher adaptability. Six did one last take before he made his way towards the forest. If this was an unoccupied planet, he would need shelter. Though there was the possibility of sentient life, it was low so he had no plans of an excursion.

Six wondered about his existence, was this like that old movie Matrix? Were they all just batteries powering the machines? That would certainly explain the change in scenery upon death, but if he died in the virtual world, wouldn’t that mean he died in real life? Six shook his head; he had no intentions of going mad within the first half-hour of being alone. Not that Six minded being alone, he was a lone wolf. It was his nature to be alone, just never on an un-discovered world, filled with possible hostiles. Six sighed it was going to be a long day wasn’t it? He moved through the forest, walking along and taking in the scenery. It was actually rather beautiful, an un-scarred world, no democracy, no UNSC, and in turn, no one to report to. He was now a separate unit, a true lone wolf. Six smiled, he could do as he pleased, no one to say, Leave them, or their not worth the ammo.

Six was brought out of his torpor with the rustling of a bush. He looked at said bush, glaring daggers into it, until he heard a voice.

“Mister… Mister Elite, is that you?”

Six was awestruck, the voice was English, human, infant. But another thing struck him as well, What does she mean, Elite? He stepped closer to the bushel, hoping to find the source.  But before he reached it, a small orange head popped out, equine in shape. Its eyes widened.

“You’re not mister Elite!” Before Six could ask his critical question, a voice spoke out, gruff and undeniably Elite English.

“Touch a hair of their hide and I shall not hesitate to cut off your head, Demon!” Six looked up to see an Elite Spec Op uncloak, gripping the hilt of its sword.

“Shit.” Six swore before he retreated away into the underbrush, he needed cover. He turned his head to see the progress of the Spec Op, only to halt in his sprint as he saw the Elite converse with them. He was even more surprised to see that the small native, or at least he thought native, inhabitants did not simply run in the sight of the eight foot killing machine. He soon found a tree thick enough to cover his entire frame. He placed his back against the wall, drawing his DMR off its magnetic holster. He looked around the corner, seeing that the Elite had ended the conversation he took aim. Time to go to work. Six shouldered the rifle firmly, placed the scope onto the Elites head, and pulled the trigger.

(ஜ۩۞۩ஜ)

CRACK!

All three of them heard it, a sound that Mister Elite said would happen. Scootaloo lead the charge out of the forest, hopefully warning ponyville of the bigger problem as Mister Elite said. Apple Bloom huffed, “Ouch, mah leg still hurts girls, I can’t run that fast!” Scootaloo slowed a little, wondering what could be a bigger problem for Mister Elite. The way he had taken care of the Timber Wolves nothing in the forest would have given him a harder time, except maybe a hydra. Scootaloo saw light at the edge of the forest. As they galloped out of the woods, Scootaloo saw her scooter and made headway for it. The other two followed close behind, climbing into the wagon.

“Go!” Yelled Sweetie Belle. And Scootaloo obeyed, willing her wings to move faster than usual, they buzzed off towards the Library. Scootaloo could here quiet cracks, like distant thunder.

(ஜ۩۞۩ஜ)

CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!

Shuur counted to fifteen before returning fire, remembering his training. His HUD began to display the fact that neither one of them were making progress on the other. He knew the Demons ammo was low because his shots were becoming more accurate and sparing. Unfortunately so was he, his Plasma rifle was low on power, mostly because he had used plenty during the attack yesterday, mostly.

After Shuur’s weapon overheated he hid behind cover, he didn’t dare use his grenades because of the mount of foliage around them. He was surprised it had not already set ablaze; plasma was not a cool substance. He didn’t hear incoming fire so he looked around the corner, only to begin receiving magnum bullets to his head. Shuur quickly ducked back, now he was counting to twelve, given that the demon didn’t reload.

Shuur began picking up new signals on his motion tracker. Six in total, now was not a good time. He had hoped that Scootaloo would’ve taken longer so that he might that have already killed, or at least crippled the demon. Shuur knew the risk as to calling for help, but Twilights magic was essential for executing the demon. Truthfully he had not assumed that she would bring her friends as well. This complicated things, the demons primary was empty, but a magnum was still an accurate weapon. He then saw an even more troubling event occurring. His tracker had picked up three slower signals emitting a distance away from the original six. He had one guess as to who they were. He cursed in his native tongue, he needed to prioritize. The demon would not choose between ally and foe, they had been seen with him, so the demon saw them as Covenant allies.

Shuur heard the demon speak, “More of them. Well I was saving these for the Elite, but why not.” Shuur cursed again, ammo low, allies in fire zone, and demon bluffing about no rifle ammo. Shuur heard the demon speak again, “Three on left, six, hih, on right. Less to shoot, less accurate the shot, sounds like a plan.” Shuur eyes widened, this creature dared attack children, lesser not, his friends? This was answered by the sound of clinking metal, marking the swap of weapons. Shuur saw his friends now, oblivious to the demons scope. He reacted more than he thought. Running on the now blooming instinct to protect, he began to sprint towards the Crusaders.

Scootaloo spotted him, “Hey Mister Elite, so-“

CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!

Shuur watched his shields meter fall from 100% to zero on the third shot. The fourth pierced under his armors chest plate, wounding him. “GRAAH!” Shuur cried in pain, bullets had never touched his skin. Or inner organs either. He fell like a cruiser with no gravity lifts, plummeting to the ground. As he fell, he heard screams. Once he finished falling, he observed his wound. His blue blood spilled out at an alarming rate, what was left of his honor went with it. He heard the startled cry of the Demon, but not from his sudden burst into action. Then what? he wondered. His thought interrupted by the sudden appearance of Scootaloo.

“Mi…Mister Elite? Are you alright?”

Shuur could see tears forming under her eyes. He coughed blood, That isn’t good… He looked back at Scootaloo, whose tears were but froth, now were torrents. He looked down to his injuries, “No little one, I don’t believe I am.”

Scootaloo was sobbing, “Oh mister Elite, I’m so sorry! If I hadn’t wanted to lead us back you wouldn’t have gotten hurt. I’m sor- sor- sooory!” Shuur saw the other to tear up as well.

“Worry not little ones, a child’s curiosity is a given thing. Besides the point, I will finally be granted my great journey.” Shuur was lying to himself, he was bleeding out. Death by honor loss, what next, saved again? soon at a speed Shuurs dying mind could not comprehend, Twilight was next to him, she gasped at his wounds. Before he could object, her horn glowed. Shuur felt a tingling sensation near the wound, observing the great deal of effort on her end. Soon she huffed, but her horn simply started glowing brighter. The sensation was gone, but soon he saw a bright flash of light, then they were someplace else. He recognized the place as the hospital from yesterday.

By the Great ones, does my mind control this world? He watched as Twilight stepped up to the counter, asking for a doctor. The mare behind the desk gasped when she saw the patient as the creature from yesterday. She wobbled over to the desk before asking for a trauma team. She then fainted, again, just another miracle. Shuur’s vision swam, the lights becoming brighter, he just barely caught the doctors coming through the doors. Shuur began to feel numb, finally rest.

“Plan b, Elite, Plan B…”

The wretched voice told him in his head. Suddenly, Shuur’s rage ignited his heart, again.

“YOU!”

He screamed mentally. The voice now shocked, spoke again, “Oh, well, Plan C I suppose. Darn you Elites are tough.*Chuckles* Oh how I wish to see you gone and out of the picture soon, but alas, it seems that even alien hero’s don’t die easy either.”

Shuur felt pain in the left of his chest, spreading through his still frame, then murky shadows overcame his remaining vision.

Extra-long chapter, though I’m afraid that you won’t see these very often, bugger to edit. Oh and sorry for delay, my friend came over. NO ONE MUST KNOW MY SECRET! It was fun, played some games, TF2, COD WAW. Watched the snow pile to 4 inches today as well, Oh Canada how I love thee. Well I get to wear my awesome hat and toboggan. Look at me turning this note into a blog. Anyway, have a happy winter, and whatever holiday/festivities your religion practices.

IMR1fley here,  I’m the new proofreader.  I look forward to editing the future chapters, as well as hearing feedback from all of you about how we’re doing.  On a side note, I have to mention that, in contrast with the dear Doctor, I live in southern Texas, so I’ve been having 80 degree weather for the past week.