Soft. So soft.

That’s all Roadie could think as he began to wake up.

Did logistics get new pillows for the bunks aboard the dropship? Mental note: track down a logistics officer, and ask where they got the new pillows for. These are comfy enough for kings, never mind mechwarriors.

The “pillow” had mumbled and moved a little. This instantly snapped Roadie out of his thoughts, and forced his eyes open. Dawn had cracked over the horizon so there was just enough light to see. Roadie saw yellow in the bottom of his vision, causing him to look down. Aile was still asleep, her head buried into Roadie’s shirt. Roadie recalled that they had both fallen asleep with their backs to each other.

We must’ve rolled over in our sleep. Wait, why am I worrying about moving in my sleep? I just cuddled with a pony. What the hell is wrong with me?

Would you have minded if she was human?

What does that have to do with anything?

Roadie found himself in a mental debate.

Oh come on. You like her, and you know it.

No I don’t. Why would I?

Let’s see here hmm. Maybe because she’s smart, and you get along with her a lot better than you did with most young women you talked to when you were dragged to the clubs by the other recruits during training. Maybe because despite being a pony, she’s cute. It could even do with the fact you both have the same interests, and hobbies.

So she’s a good friend, big deal.

If she was human, would you ask her on a date?

…no?

...

I’ll worry about it later. I got bigger problems right now.

You always say that…

Roadie pushed his thoughts aside, and crept out of the sleeping bag slowly to avoid waking Aile up, and checked what time it was. 0647 hours local time.
Roadie grabbed another MRE, and ate it for breakfast. As he finished eating it, Aile began to wake up. It became clear she wasn’t a morning pony. She slowly stumbled out of the sleeping bag, looked back at it, and then at Roadie. Her eyes opened wide as her memory came back, her face turned red, and she swiftly looked down at the floor.

“Sleep well?” Roadie asked.

Aile mumbled in return, walking to her bag to get her own breakfast.

***Several hours later***

“We’re almost there. It should be just over that ridge there.” Aile said.

“It’d be nice to finally stretch and walk around in an open area instead of the cramped pod, or this cockpit.” Roadie replied, trying to stretch in the cockpit. As they crossed the ridge their expressions changed. Aile held a face of horror, while Roadie let out an explosive sigh, before settling into a focused stare.

“Aile, find something to hold onto.” Roadie said flipping a safety lid up, and flicking the switches underneath. The computer responded through both Roadie’s helmet, and the cockpit speakers.

Safties, disabled

Weapons, online.

The Centurion went from its slow but steady stomp to a full stride, increasing its speed up to 89.4kph. Appleoosa had smoke rising from several buildings in the city. The citizens of Appleoosa, and Royal Guard were battling what looked like a mix of ponies, and minotaurs. The ponies that were attacking had skulls painted over their cutie marks. The Royal Guard held most of them at bay, but the one problem they couldn’t handle was a Hydra supporting the army of bandits. Each head took turns smashing a large purple barrier that dimmed with every strike the hydra gave it. The barrier seemed to be focused on just holding the Hydra at bay, allowing ponies, and minotaurs to attack as they pleased.

Shining Armor didn’t know how much longer he could hold the spell together. His troops were doing okay in the battle, while coordinating the citizens who wished to fight, and while protecting those who didn’t that had taken shelter in the town hall.

“Captain!” a guard had shouted just as the Hydra smashed the barrier with all four heads simultaneously. Shining Armor collapsed to the ground the barrier gone.

Up! Get up! You need to protect everypony including Cadence! Shining mentally shouted to himself as he struggled to his feet, taking note of the telltale thud of heavy footsteps.

“WHAT IN THE NAME OF CELESTIA IS THAT!?!?” one of the guards shouted.

“A Hydra, now-!” Shining replied before being cut off.

“No sir! that!”

“What are you-?”

PEW

Shining looked at the Hydra that had began screaming. A pair of green lines of light had struck the hydra in one of its necks, and traced a line across causing the upper part of the neck along with the head attached to it to fall off the hydra. One of the pagasai guards that had flown over to help turned towards Shining.

“Sir! That light, it’s the same as the light that kept up from getting near the meteor that landed a few days ago!” He reported. Shining and the two guards with him turned towards the source of the light.

“What in the name of Celestia…” Shining said as he looked at giant. If he to choose one word to describe it, he would have used formidable. A massive metallic being resembling no creature Shining has ever seen before. It looked as if it was painted a mix of green, tan, and brown. It's legs, and left arm appeared coated black from intense fire. The black arm carried a shield the size of its massive arm. It’s other arm missing completely, instead it had a large square block with a barrel that unleashed a loud bang as it flashed and sent something towards the Hydra’s center mass. The hydra twitched as its slump of a neck became two necks with two heads. The battle froze in place as combatants from both sides watched the giants square off.

“It’s a Hydra Roadie. If you cut off one head, it gets two.” Aile said.

“Well fuck. Talk about planning ahead.” Roadie joke. Aile gave Roadie a look that said ‘really?’ “Okay. Plan B, center of mass.” Roadie said adjusting his aim.

The centurion fired more lasers, another volley from the LB-10X, and 4 missiles into the center of the Hydra’s body. It became apparent the Hydra had a hide that was nowhere near as tough of the Dragon’s. The shell alone had ripped it to pieces. The missiles exploded along the surface of the skin, tearing away entire chunks. Roadie grinned, but the grin vanished as the Hydra's wounds healed just as quickly.

"Fine. You want more? COME AND GET IT!" Roadie shout unleashing a hailstorm of shells, lasers blasts, and missiles.

*5 minutes earlier*

Roy let out an explosive sigh as he watched the local life battle over a small western town from a distance with his 'mech's scouting scope. He hated not being able to help. He could easily tear the hydra apart with his Commando.

"C'mon Commander, let me help. Since when were you one to not help those in need?" he said as he watched the barrier grow weaker.

"Since we have no idea who's who, and how they will react to a 25 ton metal giant striding into their fight." Wynne D replied.

"You know... they would-"

"The Major is still in the Inner Sphere, and the Sergeant... the Sergeant is... missing. Just... just get back here. We'll think of something."

"Yes ma'am, and Wynne D; I'm sorry. That was a low blow, and-" Roy said as he began to turn the Commando towards the dropship.

"It's alright, but you're right, they would've jump in guns blazing."

As Roy's hand wrapped around the throttle, familiar echoes rolled through. Roy spun back around and zoomed back in on the fight. A familiar metal shape had entered the fray.

"Contact! It's Roadie! I found the Sergeant! and... and guess what he did..." Roy explained while face palming.

"...Go help him out. No point in trying to be subtle about first contact now."

"With pleasure." Roy grinned, and charged towards the battle.

********************

"Give it up, you're a goner!" Roadie shouted as the Hydra rammed into the Centurion sending it stumbling. The Centurion quickly recovered and fire more shots into the Hydra. "Hang on Aile. I hate doing this." Roadie said as he flicked a switch on the joystick. Aile yelped as sparks flew from Roadie's helmet, and the neural link. Roadie groaned in pain, but was swiftly drowned out by a groaning sound coming from the left arm of the Centurion. As the hydra closed for another charge, Roadie shouted and yanked back on the stick. The centurion's left arm struck out in an upper cut motion, nailing the center head right in the chin, and sending the hydra sprawling to the ground. Every creature below had gotten themselves away from the giants as they brawled. Several ponies yelped as a second, smaller giant appeared from nowhere, sprinting towards the melee.

Roadie took aim at the fallen hydra's chest. "DIE YOU PIECE OF-" Roadie shouted while unleashing an alpha striking. Roadie grumbled as the wounds began to heal, only to have another volley of SRMs strike the already wounded hydra, and blow it into several rather messy chunks.

"We all worry about if you survived orbital reentry, and here you are playing hero. You could of called, jackass. I would've loved to join in." a familiar voice came over the radio.

"Roy! Man you're a sight for sore eyes. Is everyone okay?" Roadie happily replied.

"Yea everyone is fine. Let's finish up, and head home."

"Going to have to put a pause on that. Meet me at the town hall, and I'll explain later."

"Uhh have you tried going outside? Not the healthiest choice we can make."

"I know, the princess is working on a solution."

"Wait. Princess? What the hell have you been doing?"

"I'll explain at the town hall. I'll have my radio on, but we really need to figure out what is going on here."

"Alright. I'll drop a beacon, and head back to the drop ship, grab the rest of the lance, and meet you back here."

"Roger."

The bandits quickly noticed how their key asset had fallen, and now the guard had their own pair giants. They swiftly retreated into the dunes. As Roadie began to bring the Centurion about, he noticed a stone collar with purple lights on one of the Hydra’s heads. As the lights died out and the collar crumbled to dust, Roadie couldn’t help but shudder. Something in his gut said that collar was bad news, and it was only going to get worse.

Well on the bright side, I found everyone.

Author's Note

NOTES: Special thanks to AdmiralTigerclaw for the creation of one of the best OCs, and stories I’ve ever read. Link is here. Go and enjoy it!

Note #2. Although I took Ms. Danity out of the story, you should still go read Admiral's story! Go! Shoo! This story will still be here when you get back.