The next morning, I woke up to the smell of homemade cooking, which brought a soft smile to my face. The clattering of hooves down below my room, and nobody next to me in bed, indicated that at the very least AJ was awake and already preparing breakfast for the family. And knowing Granny Smith, she was down there as well to at least supervise. I had almost forgotten what this felt like. I mused as I got dressed for the day, putting on my dress blues.

Something told me I should wear them.

Imagine my surprise to see Major sitting at the table, working on one of his arms as he passively watched the others preparing food for the day.

“You’re here early.” I commented as I took a seat across from him, eyeing the socket that was where his shoulder should be. The arm that went there was currently in several pieces, taking up a decent portion of the table.

“I don’t sleep much.” He said, his darkened visor focusing on me. “I see you dressed up for the occasion.” He motioned with a screwdriver to my uniform.

“I figure I’d show up looking nice. Tradition for awards and all that.” I explained, glancing at the mess he made in front of him. “Joint problems?”

“Just basic maintenance, nothing serious.” He shrugged, which looked odd with only one arm. “I’ll be ready to go when you are.”

“So, going to eat with us?” I asked, even if I knew the answer already.

“Ate a couple days ago, I’ll be fine.” He got me to roll my eyes as I heard AJ scoff behind me.

“Should take that helmet off and force feed ya, stubborn git.” She muttered, causing him to snort.

“I eat less due to the conditions put upon me through training.” He stated, clicking his arm back together. I just shook my head and dug into the plate that was placed before me.

---

Once we were done with breakfast, I said my usual goodbyes and left the farmhouse with Major. Sitting in the warthog outside was a gigantic pegasus guard, one that I haven’t seen before. I just looked over at her for a moment before climbing into the passenger seat, content to deal with Major’s horrid driving skills.

“So, who are you?” I asked, turning to look into the bed of the ‘hog, noting to myself that she had an eyepatch over her right eye. She looked me up and down for a moment before snorting in amusement.

“I’m captain Swift Wing, leader of Dawn’s guards.” She said. “I’m surprised it took our mutual friend here to make the two of us meet, general.” I paused for a moment, before rubbing my face.

“I don’t spend much time in Canterlot. I haven’t actually met Midnight either.” I admitted, smiling sheepishly. She just rolled her eye and lightly punched my shoulder. Due to her size, that hurt a lot. I deserved that.

“So I’ve noticed. She’s definitely annoyed at that, but that’s neither here nor there.” Swift said. “General Major decided to bring me along, due to my assistance with his projects.”

“A quite helpful assistance, I’ll add.” He stated, beginning the drive to Rebrew. I just looked at the two of them for a moment, before shaking my head. Whatever he is doing, I doubt I want to know.

“So, you’re a fighter?” I asked Swift, noting the crossed swords over a shield as her buttmark. She shrugged and gave me a grin.

“Brawler more than anything. I tend to throw my weight around, and I’m damn sure I weigh more than the average pegasus. But I’m actually more of a tinkerer.” She showed off her highly custom medic armor. “Nothing here is standard issue, everything I’ve improved in some way. Lighter, stronger, easier to move in. I’ve even hidden extra blades in my wings.” She extended a few to show me. “Of course, as a medic I’m not exactly allowed to carry weapons, so…” I just snorted.

“Better to need a weapon if someone decides to ignore the ‘no attacking a medic’ thing.” I said. That was something pretty much every military leader in the world universally agreed on. “How much input have you had with these prosthetics?”

“Not too much, most of the work had been finished by Major and some of Chrysalis’ changelings by the time I got my hooves on a working example of anything. I did add some input of my own, which should be in the final versions.” She explained, pulling out a metal wing from one of the crates she was chilling with. “A bit lighter from removing unnecessary parts, and with help I managed to get it to more easily interface with someone’s body.”

“I take it that your prosthetics will be able to more easily interface with a pony’s nervous system?” My question caught her off guard, where she shot a confused glance towards Major. “Hopefully with as little pain as possible.”

“That… Is correct, Mark.” She shook her head. “Sorry, it just caught me off guard. Major… had told me that you weren’t exactly the brightest in some regards.” I debated punching him, but armor against a bare fist was a bad match. I instead just rubbed my face.

“Yes and no. My old profession in my military required more than just a bit of intelligence and nerves to succeed in. I may be a bit dim in areas, but I am very intelligent in others.” I explained. “I’m a glorified sapper, essentially. Great with explosives and the like, along with chemicals and mechanics.” She nodded.

“Much like I am. I think we’ll get along just fine, Mark.” She grinned as I settled into shooting the shit with her until we got to our destination.

If Major didn’t crash the ‘hog before that.

---

When we got to Rebrew, Swift and I quieted down out of respect for the fallen. Major motioned to the glove box, which held the medals that Celestia had made for this.

“Always hated award ceremonies.” I idly said, thumbing the latch to check out the appearance of her Medal of Honor. “Though they did a very good job making these look good.” The medals were made of a white gold, with a sword set over a heater shield in the main body. Circled around the main part was a thinner circle, with Defender of Equestria engraved on the band. On the back were an engraved sun and crescent moon, along with Sparkle’s and Cadence’s marks in a diamond formation.

“Simple but elegant.” Swift mused, glancing it over. “Surprised they didn’t use 24K gold. Much easier to shape.” Taking one, she eyed it carefully. “Definitely silver mixed in as well, much more expensive, even as an alloy.” That comment got Major to look over.

“Silver’s much rarer nowadays.” I explained to him, gently putting the medal back. “Gold is fucking everywhere, though why its Equestria’s currency is a fucking mystery.” I’d most definitely use something a bit less heavy, at the very fucking least.

“Hm. Might be a problem in the future. Ah well.” He just shrugged and got out, waving a group of changelings over. Swift and I got out as well and helped offload the crates of limbs, taking them over to the designated area. “Alright, you three,” he motioned to three of the cute little buggos, “are going to start applying the less complex prosthetics onto those that need bits replaced instead of limbs. Swift and I will work with the doctors to get the wings and limbs attached.” He looked over at me. “And you’re going to take your time with those medals.”

“Sounds good.” Not like I’m qualified on installing those things. I thought, taking my little box inside. I had a changeling gather room numbers of those on a list Luna sent me, so I wouldn’t accidentally give the medals to the wrong guards.

---

[Major]

I sent Swift off to start with the doctors on staff, letting them begin operations to integrate the bionics into the more heavily wounded. She knew enough to be able to assist them in doing so, but none of them were far enough along to do so efficiently. Nobody on this planet aside from UNSC personnel or Sangheili were.

Truth be told, if it wasn’t for the fact that they were now Earth’s new wardens, I would have simply left as soon as was possible. But a sense of duty kept me here, the subtle need to uplift these species into proper space fairing races.

And a morbid curiosity on what happened to humanity so far into the future. I rubbed my chin, before looking down at the pony that I was currently operating on. Her chest was currently held open by primitive tools, and held under by basic anesthetic. And here I was, with one of the most basic tools I have introduced, about to install new limbs into her.

“Corporal… Flurry Snow, needing two new legs from a wyrm attack.” I mused, gently working new nerve connections into burnt away ends. “You’re a lucky mare, without my assistance you’d be forced to use primitive or magical legs.” Even if she couldn’t respond, I felt the need to let her know. If anything, it brought forth issues I’ve had with the planet at large.

Thousands of years in the equivalent to our medieval age. Magic stagnates progress, despite what they may think. A millennia of relative peace, and an aversion to technological progress from the unicorns to keep their set power.

With a firm press, I finish attaching the second leg that she was missing, then went about sealing her back up. While I was a good suture, I wouldn’t sully a body that I worked on with such primitive methods, so I quickly glued her back up. “One down, seven to go.” I muttered, before calling for an orderly to take her away and bring the next one in.

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