Passing The system
by Calex Winteridge
Chapters
Chapter 1
My life, is, nothing. Everything thing I stand for, means nothing. I’m just a body, a little nothing in a bigger picture. But so is everyone else I know, the people I fight with, or I fight against. Even the fighting means nothing, the only reason I’m fighting is because someone else needs money. I’m just a PMC, a man with no name, or purpose. The only thing I’m good at is being human. But even that's stretching the truth. Being human means, you can have feelings, emotions, thoughts. But, I don’t even have those. Like I said, I’m just a body, following orders against my will.
Emotions building inside me, thoughts clustering in the endless void that is my mind. Feelings that I wish I could take out on someone or something, but to no avail, I just stare, at nothing, do nothing, nothing but follow orders, because that's all I was born to do. Taking orders from someone, against my will, and do them without a thought in mind. Even if I try to show emotion, they are quickly taken away. Only if, “The System” wants to see me in fear, and watch me suffer. But, I deal, I have to deal, I can’t do anything, but deal and again, follow orders.
I didn’t chose this life, I was born into it. Straight from my mothers arms, into training, then into war. Right now I’m only 18. I shouldn’t even be here in the middle east. I shouldn't be part of the Praying Mantis PMC Corp. I shouldn’t have to be trained into war. But of course, they needed bodies, and the only cost efficient way to get them was to raise children into the training, then inject them with nanomachines, and ship them out into the proxy battles that rage across the globe. Of course, the war economy needs to be feed, and we in the Outer Heaven, make it happen. But, really, it’s just the system controlling us and making us do it. I don’t have a choice. But, there is something inside me, something the system left behind. The feeling of fear. But during war, this had grown to the feeling of death. I, don’t want to die, but, I don’t want to live the proxy life anymore, and that's the only other option.
Then why aren’t I dead yet, I should have died a long time ago, is there something for me here in this life. Is that the only reason why I’m alive? Am I supposed to do something with my existence, or is my life just wait for the right time to give out directly under my feet. I will soon find out.
---
Today, like any other day started out the same. Patrol around, stand guard at the gate, maybe patrol some more, then engage in the daily proxy battle that would last for maybe 4 hours, and then, guess what? Patrol more. This just became a normal routine for me, except for the proxy battle, even though they are almost the same every time. Run somewhere that has cover and stand there while you get your ass shot at until you can engage. Then just wait around for a Irving to come, or an air strike. Then run away like the devil himself has you in his crosshairs, cause, knowing your luck theres a sniper somewhere with a hard on for his trigger finger.
Then when you get back to base, rest for a bit, then patrol. But, for some reason, today seemed different. It’s maybe around 2000 hours and I was called for the night shift this time. Of course, not trying to smack the commander in the face cause this was the third time this week he called me, I left without word and took my normal route around the bases walls. Now this is where I find myself, walking along the bases walls, staring straight ahead with wandering eyes. I might happen to catch a glint of something and make me turn my head, but not really look at it, turning for just enough time to see it’s not a muzzle flash, then snap back to eye up front.
My feet already aching and my hands were falling asleep as I try to keep them awake by shaking up once and a while. My eyes were heavy with fatigue, and my nanomachines weren’t trying to keep me awake. The moonlight shined down upon my uniform, making the black BDU under my assault vest turn a grey lightblue, as my gun shinned right back up to the stars above. I look to the stars gleaming in the dark sky and stare at it’s all mighty wonder and try to think.
‘Who, would not want to see this spectacular display of stars and planets, it’s beautiful.’
I could feel a hot tear form in my eye as I tried to fight this sudden urge to bawl up and cry as I look down at the sandy dirt.
“What was I doing, just patrolling for no good reason? Doing someone or something's dirty work, for no reason? Fighting a fake war because of some stupid war economy?’
For the first time ever I really could hear myself think, it’s been a while, the pure fact of me voicing my opinion about myself, to only myself, was just amazing, it felt amazing. But, I could only think for so long until my vision was caught off guard by something.
A brown cardboard box.
At first I ignored it, looking away, but my confusion raced as the box suddenly jumped. Not a whole jump, but enough to catch my attention once again. I reach for my face scarf as I pull it down from my mouth as the sweet and spit rag flapped on my assualt vest and now hangs from my neck, that to shines from the moonlight above. I lift my goggles up into the resting position and shift my way over to the box.
It moves again, this time a little softer, I could see it move as if something were walking around in it. I stopped dead in my tracks. I nearly slapped myself,
‘What the fuck am I doing, I’m supposed to be on watch.’ I thought.
I almost turned around when my suspicion rose over my obligations as I soon found myself kneeling beside the box in front of me. It was strange, the box wasn't dirty, like it was just put there two seconds ago. The four flaps above it were folded over into it’s shipping position. It was just a box, why where, why me, was I supposed to ignore it? More questions popped up, but I Ignored them all together. I couldn’t wait any longer. I stood up and rested my rifle on my back as I went for the flaps. I flipped one open and looked inside.
Suddenly my vision seemed to not even believe myself as I searched my locked brain for answers. All I could see was some sort of rainbow tail, it twitched as it brushed against the boxes walls.
‘What kind of creature is this, a rainbow tail?’ I thought to myself as the other questions didn’t seemed to matter anymore.
I went for the other flaps as my mind raced, fumbling with them as I quickly opened the rest of the covers. When the box was completely opened I stood back up and looked in wonder.
For there before me, was something I couldn’t explain, my mind nearly exploded from the constant assault of questions that was being fired by my eyes. It was, i-it was a blue, p-pony. Not just a pony, but a Pegasus. My mind sputtered once again, it was a she. She was so, young, and innocent, why was she here? What purpose did she serve in this proxy war? Then the realization struck me like a freight train as I really looked at her carefully. She, was not of this world. But, in that case, why would she be here? In my, horrible, proxy fighting, controlled, war savvy planet.
I didn’t think for much longer as I could feel S.O.P reawakening inside my body. My head began hurting as my memories began to fade away.
“No, No, NO, you, can’t control me you son of a bitch, don’t take is memory away from me like you did EVERYTHING ELSE!!! I won’t fucking let you!!!!!” I yelled as I grabbed my helmet and began stumbling around as I tried to hold on to the ponies image. The migraine grew larger as my vision became blurred. Tears squeezed from my eyes as sobbed, trying not to bawl out. I fought the system tooth and nail with everything I had, and then some. I was brought to my knees as the pain in my head grew too strong, I was pushed to the brink of insanity as the only this that was in my mind, was the snapshot of the pony.
Any way possible I hung on to her. S.O.P grew stronger as I could feel her falling from my minds grasp. My stomach turn and tossed up my dinner as I clinged to my head as I convulsed on the ground. My eye became bloodshot as they blurred more and forced me into a permanent state of pain and suffering. I stumbled over to the box as I took another look at the filly, with my, blurred, burning, leaking eyes.
She wasn't sleeping anymore. She was awake, and she was staring right back at me. Her eyes, her innocent, child like eyes. Their purple glow illuminating my cold dark heart as It was now beating faster as my brain worked harder to shun the system and stop it from making me forget her. I threw myself onto my back, and closed my eyes as tears squeezed from them. I wasn’t trying to hold back tears anymore, I was straight up crying.
But, just as it started, it stopped. My eyes widened as I could feel the pressure come off me as I looked to the night sky.
I had won.
For once, in my life, I fought for something I wanted, not for no reason, but for a purpose. I stood up faster than I ever have done before, nearly puking a second time. I Looked around to see if anyone was near me, luckily no one was near. I breathed in through my nose and exhaled through my mouth. The cool night air taking over my hot lungs as chills were sent down my spine as I made my way over to the box once more. Again, meeting the pony face to face. She was beautiful. Her big eyes meet mine as I could have died from a cuteness overload as the previous battle with them system seemed worth it. Her eyes shined off the moonlight as her violet eyes had now a small ring of sky night blue surrounding the edges.
At that moment I spoke up and cleared my throat.
“Hi, uh, sorry about waking you up, uhmm, what are you doing here?” I asked as I put my hand on my knee. She sort of looked around at the surrounding walls of the cardboard prison and then looked back up at me with utter confusion.
“Can, can you speak?” I asked now talking in a lower voice so that it was easier to understand me. She shook her head and put on a expression that said, ‘no’.
“Well, at least you can understand me.” I said now almost sitting on the ground in front of the box. The cool night winds began to pick up as the breeze brushed past me and entered the walls. She, was shivering, she wrapped her tiny wings around her and tried to keep warm. I didn’t know what to do, I never had to deal with something like this in my life before.
Was I just supposed to leave her here? No, she’ll freeze to death out in the cold before the sun comes out. I tried to think over more answers but as I looked down to the pony, her face was now buried into her right wing. She shivered more as her shivering matched her breathing. I couldn’t take it anymore, it wasn't my place, but, I quickly looked around for something I could wrap her in. I searched hi and low around corners and even under the sand near the box. Finding nothing I returned to the box. She was still shivering. She was not going to die here, not on my watch.
My body began to act as my mind quickly caught up to it. I unbuttoned my assault vest and slid it off. I turned it sideways so that I could make some sort of little pocket by closing off one side of the vests arm holes. Now I have a make shift basket I could carry her in.
“Alright, lets hope this works.” I said as I went over to the pony. I tapped on the box gently, not trying to startle her. She looked up at me with her wondering eyes. I pointed to her, and then I lifted the assault jacket up so she could see it. I then turned it sideways so that the bottom was facing her I then pointed to her again then to the open hole that I held in my hand. She didn’t understand. Frustrated I tried some other hand motions. I put down the jacket and pointed to her again. I wrapped my arms around themselves and rested my hand on my upper arm and made a, ‘burrr’ sound with my mouth. Then pointing to my jacket again, I tried to make a motion that meant, “warm.” I ended up doing the shivering one again, but this time shaking my head , “no.” she understood me then. I smiled. I picked up the vest again in it’s awkward position in one hand and I used my other one to reach for the pony. At first she was a little hesitant, then after I put her in my arms, she tried to escape, but, she was too weak. I then fitted her inside the open part of the upside down vest as I tried to make her warm by holding the bottom three holes tighter as I tried to cut off as much cold as possible. She kept squirming around as I felt the weight of her four hooves tap around on my left arm. Soon enough, she became warm has she finally settled down and curled up into a half ball.
“Good.” I said softly smiling at my success. I turned around only to be meet with the walls of the base. I was still here. I couldn’t go in there, they might take her away, or experiment on her, or, worse. I turn around in an attempt to find her shelter and began to walk ahead of me, an alleyway was in front of me. A light from a street lamp on the other end lit up the far side. I began to walk for the light trying to push the base out of my newly formed mind. The alleyway was dark and old looking, like itself was tried too. Reaching the light at the other end I looked around for any PMC or Militia patrols. Luckily this street was abandoned, only a few builds still stood as others were missing walls that had crumbled to the ground from explosions.
I walk along the sandy street as I find myself looking in builds to see if they are occupied by anyone, or if they were pretty much covered from all sides. After wandering for what seemed like forever, I finally found one. A building that actually had a door, four walls and a roof. I moved over to the door and rest an ear on the wooden barrier. Nothing made a sound on the inside. I tried the handle.
It opens. I push it open quietly and move in. The room was dark. But, a window in the back of the room let some light in as the streaks of moon shined down upon a couch. It was very torn in multiple areas, but it will have to do. I take the resting filly and the assault jacket and place it down on the couch. The sudden misplacement she felt made her perk her head up. She looked at me as I sat down beside her and rest my hands on my knees. She shifted her body so that her head stuck out where my head should be in the assault jacket. She looked cozy and snug, and overall the most adorable thing I would be seeing for a while.
She smiled, she was happy, warm, and out of harms way, for now.
And if she was happy, I was happy. I finally did something good for once.
Chapter 2
http://grooveshark.com/#!/search?q=Father+and+son+mgs4
Life, as I had come to know it, was going to get a lot worse now that I have this filly in my possession. I had to find her food in this war torn wasteland, while also providing her with protection with my bear hands seeing how my weapons were locked out of the S.O.P system, thanks Liquid. The shelter thing wasn’t a big problem considering the building we’re staying in, is still standing up on all four walls.
But the food was going to be an issue, because I couldn’t feed her rations, I don’t think she can digest the contents that it holds. Seeing how those are the only things I can find out here, It wasn’t long till I found myself leaving the house for maybe an hour or two just to find enough scraps of carrots and other greens in destroyed markets and stores for only her.
Of course I wasn’t going to eat them, not because I hate vegetables, it’s just that, she needs them more than I did. She needs to be in tip top condition so that she can be ready for when we need to make our next move. I didn’t want to think of it that way, but, thats how I was going to need to live my life, running with a light blue filly in my arms, dodging bullets and firefights.
But, we still have high hopes, we’ve been out here for maybe four weeks now? I couldn’t really keep count when every second of my time is being taken up with me stressing and worrying about her. Hell we had a close call not to long ago.
It was maybe 6:00 in the afternoon, I had just gotten back with some food for me and the filly when gunfire began to erupt just outside the house. I jumped and ducked for cover and grabbed the filly and took her with me. We hit the ground as the bullets whizzed overhead, nearly striking me dead. At this time I had taken off my command vest and helmet only keeping the black BDU shirt and Light tan pants on. Along with the boots face mask and knee pads. The one bit of uniform I did have was my belt that held my sidearm ammo, ( which I had taken out.)
The gunfire rained for nearly 15 minutes before it stopped when a stryker showed up and let the 50 caliber auto turret tear the enemy apart, bullet by bullet. After everything was cleared out, I got up and looked out the windows only to find bodies from the PMC’s and Rebels, all of which were bullet ridden and exposed. I nearly threw up. But I just held my gut and shut the windows faster than I had opened them and went back to tend to the filly who was on the ground, nearly in tears. I was happy to find she was unharmed, but was just shook up about the sudden merciless gunfire.
I calmed her down and fed her dinner, she slept with me on the couch that night. But, that was over three days ago, ever since then, it’s been very quiet.
Along with life becoming difficult, it also became straightforward. Every day I get up, feed the filly, leave to get food, come back, by that time it’s lunch so I feed her again. I hang around for maybe an hour and a half, wondering what I was going to do, then leave and get dinner. Then feed her and she goes to sleep, and so do I, rinse and repeat. Accept it gets harder every time.
Along with feeding her I needed to keep her in physical form too. Since I’ve found her, she has grown a bit, but not much, maybe half an inch. But shes still growing,I'm not sure how big she’ll get. And if shes getting bigger, she’ll be able to run faster, but for now i’ve been trying to keep her physically well. She maybe only a kid, but shes in a war zone, and like it or not speed is key. And I think she has accepted that.
Today when I woke up, the sound of breathing was the only noise could hear. The filly was at my feet sound asleep, her chest rose and fell in a slow rhythm. I quietly got up and began to move over to the door, Near the door on the left side as a kitchen area, a table and two chairs were set up, along with a fridge, (with no power). Near the door, was my backpack, I leaned down and picked it up, sliding it onto my back. The sound of my movement must have stirred the filly as the next thing I knew she was at my side. She was giving me the puppy dog eyes, I knew what she wanted. She wanted to come with me. I already knew the answer, it had to be no.
“Hey now, you know I can’t have you out in the city,” Upon saying that she looked down to the ground in disappointment, but I know how to keep her here, safe, “Hey, it’s dangerous, and you're not ready yet,” I had placed a finger under her chin, “especially if you haven't had your breakfast. Come now theres nothing special out there anyway.” I began to walk back to the sofa to put her back to sleep, when I didn’t hear her come over. I turn around to find that she wasn’t there anymore.
Now I was worried, I ran back to the spot where she last was and began searching. I looked high and low and looked in all most any place where she could have gone, even spots where she could have gone. When I came up empty handed I nearly jumped outside if i hadn’t turned around and looked at the couch.
She was asleep on the far right side of the couch. Now I was in bewilderment. How did she do that, so quickly? How did she fall asleep that fast? She had to have ran over from where she was and had to have taken at least a whole bottle Nyquil to fall asleep that fast. Well maybe not ran over, but more likely she “Dashed” over.
“Dashed? Dashed… Why does that sound so, Important?”
I Knew I needed to give her something, but I wasn’t sure what it was.
“What is she missing… Oh, I know, a name!” I’m not sure why it came to me that she needed a name, it’s just that, filly wasn’t going to cut it.
“Hmm, name name whats a good name for a pegasus?” My mind was drawing a blank. That is of course till I saw her main, the Rainbow colors on top of her mid day sky blue fur.
“Rainbow… uh, hmm. No, thats too short, Rainbow, something, but what.”
I watched her as she slept soundly as I tried to find out what describes her.Then it hit me like a wrecking ball. I knew what her name was going to be. It was the peas in the pod, the bullet in the chamber, the cherry on top.
“Rainbow Dash. Perfect, that’s it, Rainbow Dash.” It was the perfect name. It went together perfectly. And the best part of it was, she even accepted it. Her left ear perked up and her head turned and her eyes shot open and looked right at me. Just like a puppy that heard it’s name being called. Needless to say it was adorable.
“Sleep tight Dash, i'll be home before you know it.” I said brushing my hand through her rainbow mane. She yawned and nuzzled her head into her body, for warmth, just as the sun came up over the window sill and shown right into the room, making her light blue fur shine. I smile as my heart slows down and watches the sleeping filly. I never really noticed how peaceful she looked, sleeping.
Chapter 3
Chapter Three
Leaving the sleeping Dash on the couch, I left our heaven and walked out into the streets of the warzone. The silence of the streets was always peaceful in the morning. I have come to find, that this point in the day is my most favorite part of the day, it’s quite, cold, and peaceful. Much like the world I see in my dreams that I want to share with Dash in real life. But, I can’t make my dreams reality, because I’m still stuck in this hell hole.
I walk down the dusty street and come to a four way intersection. I look both ways before I quickly dart from one side to the other.
After repeating this a couple times, I finally reach the market place, well what's left of it. I may not have been around when this war started, but I’m very certain I can I could see this place when it was still, well, alive. I imagined people bustling about, shop owners taking in orders and selling their produce to the population, and children playing in between the legs of their parents.
It was only a vision, but a very alive one. Of course comparing what I saw and reality, it’s a depressing sight. Most stands are nearly blown to shreds, craters litter the street like trash, along with the trash. I never liked coming here, but I had to.
The air smelt of gunpowder and brass, with just a hint of dust and dirt. I make my way through the abandon streets, walking over craters, and forging my own path in the destruction. I eventually reached an area where it wasn’t to bad, I began searching.
I found many things when I looked around. Bullet casings, shrapnel, bodies, more bodies, and weapons out the wild zoo. All of which I knew I wouldn't be able to use, with the locks and all. But,I did find one thing.
A teddy bear. I knelt down and stared at the childs toy.
I smiled as I picked it up and looked at it. The bear was dusty and partly covered in sand. But after dusting it off, I could really look at it. It had button eyes, and a string mouth, and fortunately seemed fully intact. I smiled at the play thing, I could imagine the child who used to play with it, before the gunfire would begin. I knew what had be done.
I took off my backpack and carefully put the bear on the bottom. I look at it again at the bottom of the bag, it’s smile shining up at me and making me feel warm inside as If the bear was saying, “Thank you.”
Infact I was feeling so good I isolated myself in this pocket of bliss of me just staring.
“Freeze…” My body froze up and stiffened as the words cut the air around me and snapped me back to reality. The voice who spoke out sounded raspy, old, and worn, it terrified me. Sweat rolled down my forehead as he talked again, “Up…”
I moved up slowly while raising my hand over my head until I was standing up straight. I could feel the muzzle of a gun he held push up against my head.
“Move, forward…” I began walking on command as I move away from my backpack, and the toy. Flashes of images of Dash appeared in my head of her being stranded, alone, hungry, lost, and dozens of others. My body began to have heat flashes and more sweat rolled off me. I shook as my vision was pinpointing any possible area where this man was taking me.
Moving off a pile of rubble, we came to an area where it was mostly flat.
“Stop, turn around…” Slowly and carefully I turned around and faced my foe. Then I knew I was doomed.
“Y-you.” I said under my breath, only for me to hear. It was him. The perfect soldier. One of the worlds best Mercenaries ever created. Solid Snake.
“Who are you?” He asked, “And where’s Liquid’s camp?” I searched my head for a possible valid answer but, I kept coming up blank. The camp I’m stationed at, isn’t anywhere close to Liquids, plus I never gave much effort to look at the maps either, I had no clue.
“I, I don’t know… but please don’t kill me… not here, not now…” I tried to plead with the killer, but his motionless face said otherwise. He just kept looking at me, his one eyes staring at me, never blinking, never stopping. If this was some kind of torture, it sure as hell was working.
“Who are you?” He asked again.
“Nobody, well, at least nobody worth your time.” I said, trying to ease the tension. Snake lowered his weapon. After a while of looking him in the face, I was able to look around, immediately looking at his gun. It was old looking one, it looked like one of the Praying Mantis GSR’s, but, longer, and stronger looking.
“You look like a PMC, but you're missing your gear, your helmet, your gun, and your communications… are you with the PMC?” This answer came quick.
“Yes, I was.” Now Snake half raised his Pistol again.
“What do you mean, ‘was’ you mean you were with the PMCs?” Okay, time to cut loose, the only way I’m leaving this alive, is if I answer with the truth and truth alone.
“Yes, I was part of them, but now, I’m free, something happened to me, something happened with me and the system. I fought back for my emotions, and I won.” Snake had a cigarette in his mouth. But upon my finishing, he took it out and placed it in a silver case.
“Thats impossible, no one can ever fight the system, the system is too strong to fight. It would have to take years of mental training to accomplish that, even then, it would be sheer luck.”
“Well, here I am, flesh and blood.” Snake began to circle me, like an animal about to pounce.
“You, you're something else kid. You look in top physical form, even though you fought the system. Tell me, are you alone.” My heart froze.
‘Shit,shit,shit,shit,SHIT!!!! Dashy! Oh my god, what do I say? What can I say? Could he believe me? Should I tell him? Jesus Christ, whatdoidowhatdoidoWHATDOIDO?????’ My mind kept on sputtering as snake came face to face with me again.
He wore a face of confusion. I must have let my emotion take hold of me, for, I was shaking again.
“You’re not alone are you…” He looked right through me.
“No, I’m not, but please go easy on me.” He put his gun away and walked closer resting a hand on my shoulder. Then what came next was the strangest thing I might ever see, besides, you know, Dashy.
A smile.
“Listen kid, I hate the system just as much as you do, these days anyone can be made a soldier, even if they had zero combat experience. You can take a Private and make him a Commander in ten seconds flat. The time of real war has passed, it’s been replaced by the illusion of war. War was about fighting for whats right, fighting for what you believed in, fighting for something to be protected. It made this world what it really is, it’s shaped who people are or what they're going to be. It’s shaped their lives and their outlook on reality. But now, war means nothing, the only thing it’s accomplishing is a fake world filled with the shadows of the past. The system, SOP, the Patriots, all of those things have blinded us from what the world really is, and it our jobs to go along with the tides of time.”
Snake removed his and turned around and looked to the distance.
“Remember kid, this life you lived, is over now, and I think tha-,” Snake stopped talking. I could hear a faint buzzing sound coming from him.
‘Radio?’ I thought. He knelt down and placed two fingers on his neck right below his head.
“Hello?” He said. I couldn’t hear anything.
“Yes, I’m close alright, but what about him?”
“You want me to do what?”
“Isn’t that a little extreme Otacon, it is a little far away.”
“Yeah but, what? Why?”
He continued to talk, to from what I could see, himself. I felt really awkward standing near him.
“What do you mean I talk forever?”
“Says you!”
“Alrightalrightalright, I’ll do it, Snake out.” Standing up straight again he turn around to face me.
“Okay listen up, my friend needs me to get back to work, but heres the deal,” He reaches behind himself and grabs something. He pulls his hand back and hands me his gun. I take the gun from him and start sizing it up in my hand.
“Why are you giving me this?” I ask as he pulls out another gun just like mine.
“Run… find your friend, and head north, on that street,” He pointed to the street to the right of us, “head to the end of town. When you reach a fountain, go east, someone will be waiting for you there.” As he began to walk away, I felt a question building up inside me.
“Snake, why are you doing this? I’m the Enemy remember? Why do you care?” It seemed like a dumbass thing to ask, but it needed to be said. He turned around again and looked at me dead in the eyes as he said,
“Because, in this whole proxy war, you are the innocent one, along with all the soldiers in the PMC Corporations that stand on this world. You are being forced to fight a war that you have no say in. A war that shouldn’t even exist in the grand scheme of this planet.This war means nothing, your life on the battlefield means nothing, but your true life means as much as you want it too, along with the ones you care for. So, if you want to live to see the sun rise one more time, run.” He turned around and began to walk once again. Wind passing by picked up sand and dust as he just seemed to disappear into the rubble.
“Yes sir.” I saluted for a good three seconds, making sure he was gone. I walked back to the backpack and saw the bear one more time before picking it up and walking off towards my house.
Chapter 4
Chapter 4…
As I left the market area and began making head way for home, I started wondering if what just happened, really did just happen. Snake was here, and not just that, he was helping me get out of the middle east. I was overwhelmed with joy, finally my dreams could come true. Even if I had to walk through the entire city before I could rest easy, It was going to be worth it. I would no longer have to worry about Dash, I wouldn’t have to dream of a heaven anymore, and I would actually be able to learn more about her and her origins.
Closing in on the house, I began picking up the pace, just so I could share the news with Dash faster. I couldn’t wait to see the look on her face. I couldn’t bear the wate. I began running. Faster and faster I went and closer and closer she came. Next thing I knew I was throwing open the door, and running over to the couch where I left her earlier.
She was still sleeping before I came in, but now she’s sitting up straight on the couch. Her puppy dog like eyes staring right back at me with wonder and anticipation.
“Hey Dashy, I got something for ya.” I say as I place the book bag on the ground and open the top. She leaps from the couch and stands next to the bag and waits as I search around for the toy. She keeps waiting while I keep searching, I keep smiling at her to keep her attention on me and not my new firearm that snake gave me. Grabbing the bear I lift it up slowly and carefully up to me head and place a hand under it like I just found the most valuable jewel in the world and I’m showcasing it.
Her eyes light up and stare at the toy.
“I got it for you! Cool ain’t it?” I say looking at the bear I held in my hand. She stares at it and does nothing more. Her head cocks and one of her ears fold down. She’s confused. I lower it down to her level and sit it up strait. She steps back a hoof or two, still wearing the same look as before as the motionless play thing stares at her too. I soon become worried.
‘I guess she doesn’t like it.’ I say to myself as I look away from Dash. ‘Maybe, m-mabe she doesn’t like bears. No, wait, she doesn’t know what a bear is…” I almost turned around to take the toy away and throw it in the trash, until I heard Dash rustle around. I turn around and look at my filly, who is now currently now wrestling with the bear. I breath a sigh of relief as she soon begins to truly play with it, tossing it about, tackling it, and other things.
I laugh as it becomes a little bit comical, a filly tackling a stuffed bear that's nearly as big as she is. Now was the time I should give her the news.
“Hey dash?” I say as I kneel down to her again. She stops playing and looks at me. “Uh, I’m not sure you’ll understand this or not, but,” My stomach was turning with the time it took me to take a breath. “ We’re leaving our home.” Now things got dark. Her ears fell to the sides of her head, her smile disappeared, and her eyes lowered. And I could of sworn I saw a tear.
“Oh come on now Dash,the only reason we’re leaving is because,someone offered us a way out of this place, don’t you wanna see the real world,you know, outside these walls of sand and brick?” Her mouth twisted and one of her ears raised up.
“You wont have to deal with half meals or gunfire anymore.” Now both ears were lifted up and her eyes weren’t tracing the ground.
“And, I’m sure we’ll find another home, one much better than this one, trust me.” Now she was smiling again.
“Now thats the smile I love to see, now lets get ready to move, I want to get out of here before the gunfire starts.”
One Hour Later…
While I was getting ready to leave the house, Dash played with her new toy, I didn’t think she would love it that much. I could understand if she was creeped out by it, but you know that way it looks. But, that for some reason didn’t bother her. She just, played with it, without a care in the world.
And if she was happy, I was happy.
Which was good, cause, I was ready to go. I moved over to the playing filly, backpack in hand, and gun in holster.
“Dash?” I said. She stopped playing with the bear that she currently had in her mouth, and looked up at me and shook her head.
“Are you ready?” I asked, again she shook her head.
“Alright,” I lowered my backpack, “Get in.” At first she was confused.
“Okay look, I can’t have you be seen outside in the open world, I have some type of camo on, I can slip by unnoticed, you, you’re a cyan rainbow maned pegasus, you’ll attract every ones attention.” She looked at herself, then back at me.
She shook her head. Standing up on all fours, she walked into the open side of my bag. I carefully, and gently, slipped the bag onto my back, while the filly in my bag wrestled against the constant motion. But eventually, we got situated, she stopped moving, and I was ready to move. That is of course, I felt the filly move again.
She climbed up my back as I could feel her hoofs getting traction. Eventually, her head popped out of the top of the bag, her chin resting on the zipper. Then I realized why she did this, she forgot her toy. I turned around to the darker side of the room again, and found the toy lying on the ground. I smiled and knelt down and picked up her bear. It was slightly damp by the ear. I stood backup and lifted the bear behind my head. I felt her tug so I let it go, and sure enough it fell into her mouths grip.
“Happy?” I asked. I could sense a smile. “Okay here we go.”
Stepping out into the open street again, I took notice that the sun had risen more since I got to my house. There for, the safety of the darkness as no more. And it was only a matter of time before the gunfire began.
Chapter 5
Chapter 5…
I made my way to the marketplace again, my senses running high, trying to keep my cool, when I could be engaged at anytime. Rainbow Dashes mane one and a while brushed up against the back of my neck, tickling me over and over again. To be quite honest, it was kind of annoying, but hey, what can I do, right?
I reached the marketplaces entrance, nobody was in front of me or down the road into the market stalls, or around my area of operation. Just two buildings on either side of me. I was about to walk out into the open, when something told me, that wasn’t a good idea. So, remembering back to my training, little there was, I jogged over to the wall of the building on my left, and knelt down next to it, but still faced front, so I didn’t crush dashy on the wall. I moved forward a few inches, until my head was parallel with the wall. Tilting it slightly to the left, I moved forward, just enough to let my right eye poke out from the wall.
Looking about, I really didn’t see much. my face mask and my special operations helmet made my vision very limited, but, I needed protection. Along with my vest, and patrol belt, no other form of protection was on me at the time, knee pads and gloves didn’t count.
I felt down my leg for my gun, grabbing it and ducking my head around to the corner to safety once again, I began to look it over.
(FOR READERS SAKE)
Name: GSR
Origin: United States
Weapon type: Semi-automatic
Manufacturer: SIG Sauer
Weight: 39.2 oz (1.11 Kg) empty
Length: 8.65 in.(220mm)
Barrel length: 5 in.(127mm)
Width: 1.4 in.(35.6mm)
Height: 5.5 in.(140mm)
Cartridge: .45 ACP
Barrels: 4.49 in. (114 mm)
Action: Single-action
Feed system: 8-round single stack magazine
It felt snug in my hand, almost as if it was made, just for me. Luck grab I guess, thanks Snake. Holding it up, I pulled back the silver slide of the handgun and checked the barrel for a round, luckily there was already one in there, so I let it fly back with a satisfying clicking sound.
“ I don’t want to play god, it is inhumane, it is not my place, but for all those who stand in my way, I will protect myself even if I have to fill his shoes.”
I whispered to myself was I lowered the weapon, and flicked off the safety as I got up off my knees and walked slowly forward, aiming the firearm, in anyway possible. I turned left as I kept the firearm facing outward to my right, keeping an eye on the market. My heart raced, the gun slowly became heavier as my emotions began to grow on me, again.
Tightening my grip on the gun, I kept looking back and forth between in front of me, and next to, trying to keep everything under my vision.
I made it halfway down the marketplace, as I soon found myself letting my guard down, when the sound engines filled the air around me.
My heart rate dropped right then and there as in front of me was a road. To my left, until now, was a constant train of buildings, that defined where the market was, and wasn’t. This road, stopped the buildings, and cut right through the marketplace. I thought about running down that road to avoid the engine of, whatever was coming my way, until saw the approaching shadow coming up the street, towards me.
I panicked, everything seemed to blur, I quickly looked around for shelter, until I had to result to my old tactics, hiding inside a building. The machine grew closer, I turned to my left and spotted a door, a old wooden one. Without thinking, I ran over to it, kicked it in with the flat of my foot, and ran inside, the coolness of the room, making it slightly comfortable to be in.
I looked around for cover inside. A saw a flipped over table, with a few rounds in it place here and there. Seeing no other option. I ran behind it, and ducked for cover, while making sure dashies mane was behind meat all costs. I took off the bag and set it down, I turned it towards me as the little head of the pegasus popped out of it with puppy dog eyes beaming straight at me. I turned over and looked over the table, just as four tires sped past it.
“Jesus Christ it’s a Stryker….” I said under my breath as the dust entered the doorway blocking the view outside. Turning back to the bag, Dashy looked at me with her head slightly tilted, and one ear risen at attention. I lifted my free hand up from the gun and placed a finger on my lips, signaling the universal sign of, “SHHH.”
She nodded and both ears went down, as her face shifted for questioning, to anger and alertness. I had never seen her like this before, It was sort of cute, but, she was showing anger, something she shouldn’t have to show, right now at least. It just wasn’t right.
Turning back around, I looked over the table. Shadows had begun to make there way over to the door, two of them.
“Oh no… no no no no no… this isn't happening…” I said as I slumped behind the table again with my eyes closed in disbelief. I opened them to find my filly giving me the same symbol I gave her. I smiled a bit and patted her on the head. Until it gave me an idea. Turning back around, I lifted my pistol up and placed my pointing finger on the trigger guard. I quickly looked over the table, just to get a sense of the things in front of me, and sure enough, two PMC soldiers wandered into the building. I darted back down and nodded as I looked for something to throw. luckily I found something, A empty mag for a assault rifle of a AK model. AK-102, I think. Anyway, I grabbed it with my left hand and looked over the table one again. The two soldiers were looking in different directions, the perfect chance. I cocked my arm, and tossed the mag outside the house, but made it hit the door, making a knocking sound as it passed. The two guards gasped, as something I had never seen before appeared above there helmets. Strange red exclamation points, strange, never seen them before, until now. But anyway, the guards turned around towards the door,
“What was the noise?” The one on the left said. The other looked at him and said,
“Not sure, you should check it out.” The other nodded and while he said,
“Roger that.” And walked outside.
“Now for you.” I mumbled. Ducking behind cover again, and quickly looked around for something else to aid me in my escape, but nothing turned up. So I did then next best thing. I look my gun in hand, and tapped it two times on the wooden table, just loud enough for it be heard.
And it worked, for I head,
“Huh? Who’s there? Identify yourself.” Of course I said nothing. His response was obvious, he started walking over to the table. I smiled as I waited for the time to strike. He came close, I saw his helmet peek over the top over the table before I jumped up, reached out, grabbed his assault vest, hoist him over the table, and pin him on the ground. HIs face was covered by a sky mask, but his eyes said it all, fear, fear and bewilderment. His helmet had a pair of goggles on it, but nothing more. I wasn’t going to kill him, not in front of Dash. So I did the next best thing.
I choked him out, placing both my hands on his neck, I forced him onto the ground. His voice barely made any words as they were all muffled behind my hands. His teeth gritted hard and strong, the skin around his eyes grew red and his pupil became bloodshot. HIs body convulsed as I forced harder and harder. Closing my eyes I pushed more. Soon he began to stop struggling. I opened my eyes to see him staring back at me. His eyelids slowly closed.
And just as he stopped moving, a single tear left his right eye. Then it was gone, all signs of life, no signs of any living being in him at all. I took my hands off of him, and just stared. I watched has the tear made it’s way down the side of his head, his emotions, his life, his being, slowly dripped down the side of his head, and onto the ground.
And soon, I began to tear up myself.
‘Is this what taking a life felt like,’ I thought.
“I’m sorry, I’m so so sorry.” I said softly. I began to shake. The realization finally kicked in as I looked over at the doorway again. The soldier I tricked earlier, wasn’t there anymore. Looking back around to my friend, my heart sunk into my body.
Her face, her face said it all. Fear, sadness, distrust. She looked like she saw her family get shot, she looked scared for the first time…
It was all my fault…
“Dash,” Saying her name made her pupils shrink and she ducked inside the bag. “Dash please, I’m not going to hurt you, that is the last thing on my mind, please don’t fear me.” I said with open hands. Her eyes looked over at the body next to me, then came back. I looked to, then started to talk.
“This man, he was going to hurt you, he was going to hurt me, he’s a bad man, If I didn’t stop him, bad things could have happened to you.” I said turn back around to the slightly less scarred filly. “So please, Dashy, I’m not going to hurt you, please, I… I love you too much. Her head came out of the bag a little more has her pupils resumed their normal size, but her ears stayed low and her lids kept slanting.
I had scared her, not physically, but, mentally. Now most people would expect this for a war zone. But she wasn’t from the warzone. She doesn’t belong here. She needs to leave, unharmed.
And I failed.
But not to the point of no return. Now she has a taste of the battlefield itself. And now she knows the enemy, it’s only a matter of time before instinct kicks in.
The next few hours were a bit of a blur.
I had re acquired dash, and some how some way, made it past the 12 or so guards that patrolled the streets of the market. Lucky making it out, partially un harmed.And so, finding my way back to the street, a few blocks, away from the market. I continued on foot, towards the fountain that snake told me to find.
And just like clockwork on the battlefield, the daily firefight started right behind as, and I took shelter once more.
But, we were safe, and happy, sort of...
Chapter 6
Chapter 6...
It’s been a good fours hours now the fire fight in the marketplace is still raging on, becoming a full on battle, between Praying Mantis and the Rebels. Dashy had fallen asleep in my arms when I had rested against a wall on the second story of the building we were hiding in. Me however, I couldn’t sleep. I kept on seeing that soldier I choked out in my mind. Everytime I closed my eyes, he would be their, staring back at me, his eyes forever glaring at me as tears flowed painfully from his burning lungs and then being soaked up by the face mask. My body tenses up each time I stare long enough.
But, for some reason, I kept on imagining myself going one step further, and playing god. I see myself pulling the gun on the man in his unconscious state, stare at him for about a second or two as the dust settles around me…
… and then pulling the trigger. And every time the shot rings out I hear the ghostly cries of men dying on the battlefield, countless souls forever lingering in my mind.
‘How many people have I killed?' I asked myself, I got no answer. ‘Why, why is this world so war hungry Why does everyone like the thought of war?’ I asked myself. Again no answers.
“When will this end?” I whispered out loud into the dusty dark room. Gun shots kept on raining from outside the window, taunting my question. Making fun of me. Ignoring me.
But as all the other questions came, one stood out.
‘Why didn’t I pull the trigger?’ This question came from nowhere. I couldn't find out why it came up, or why I would ask myself something like that. But unlike the others, this question had an answer to it. And it lay on my lap snoring away.
Next Day...
When morning came, we left the market and pushed on, I didn’t want to linger in that place anymore. After making our way out of the market area, we headed down the road Snake had told me to travel when we left the market place. Remembering his words I kept my eyes peeled for a fountain.
Dashy was wide awake now, she gotten startled by a mortar shot that came just a little too close to the house, forcing us to leave. Dash seemed much heavier from when we first meet outside my base. Shes grown about maybe three inches and shes gotten much heavier. She was now akin to a normal sized foal.
We had to have walked for at least a good two miles before something stopped us, as if the battlefield never wanted me to leave. We had gotten to a intersection, abandoned cars crowded the sides of the street as they rusted. A small dust storm had picked up a few second prior to me arriving here. The wind whipped the sand up into my face, blurring my vision. The wind was loud, but still quiet enough to hear my foot steps.
I attempted to look down both streets, but of course, I couldn’t see much, but it was worth the effort. When I saw nothing, I began to cross. Half way across the road, I heard a familiar sound. The sound of roaring engines, it wasn’t just one this time, but four. I quickly whipped my head around towards the direction of the market place. And as I did, I saw headlights peering through the sand.
“Strykers…” I said under my breath. Turning my head back around I Quickly darted across the street and flew into nearest alleyway just as the iron beasts hit the intersection. I heard they’re engines halt as they hissed and creaked with the breaks.
I had positioned myself against the wall of the building to my left, and peered out back towards the street as I heard the strykers moving about. All four of the strykers had lined up and blocked the road I was on. But, upon closer analysis of the strykers, I ducked back behind the wall with my eyes closed in disbelief. Two of the beasts were from the infantry division, each held 12 soldiers inside, or three fire teams, or a squad. Each vehicle had a 50 cal. machine gun mounted on the top, it’s remote controlled from inside.
But, the other two strykers were different. They were from the mobile armour division, the MGS types. Instead of the machine guns on top, it was mounted with a 105mm cannon that could fire any round a tank could fire. The outside of it’s hull was covered by a protective layer of mesh. Normally they move in groups of three to make a full squad, but I guess this was an exception.
As I opened my eyes, I could feel my bag rustle about. Rainbow Dashes head popped up and rested on my shoulder. I turn to my right and smile as she gives me a look of reassuring happiness. Then through the wind I could hear the sound of gates dropping to the ground. I whipped my head around with Dashy following and looked back at the platoon of soldiers. The back of the infantry strykers had opened up and soldiers began to march out of the sandy wall. They emerged from in between the vehicles and marched in two columns of 12. In front of the column nearest to me, was a different looking soldier. He was a sergeant, I could tell because instead of a helmet, he wore our standard patrol cap instead. Plus, he had the biggest radio. They’re common, I’ve seen billions.
However on the right column, the front soldier was clearly different. He didn’t wear a patrol cap, or helmet. He wore a beret. It was tan, with a black leather brim, and the symbol on the top part was our companies logo. After I saw the beret, I knew what he was. He was a lieutenant, the front man of the platoon following behind on foot, the strykers were only their for support from a different platoon. They marched slowly, as the soldiers behind the two figure heads shifted about with their rifles in hand, checking balconies, and windows next to them.
But as I looked closer at the soldiers, my heart refused to pump blood as I froze in shock. Through their goggles and face masks, I saw their eyes. They weren’t soldier’s eyes, they weren’t killer’s eyes either. Those eyes looked looked innocent. They looked like children's eyes. From the way those soldiers walked, the way they held their guns, to their overall height. They couldn’t have been more than 16 years old. They weren’t meant to be here, they had lives to live for, not hiding behind bullet proof vests.
I pull myself behind cover once again, and fall back to a safer location, behind a dumpster as Dashes head bounced about. I watch as the soldiers march out in front of the alleyway. The first few soldiers passed without problem, but as the first soldier in the second fire team came into view, the world stopped. His head was turned towards me and his goggles were up, my eyes and his eyes connected, he saw me.
His eyes widened as I was just about to turn start running when a crack cut the air around us. I watch as if in slow motion a high caliber round fly in from down the road and slam right into the soldiers chest. His eyes grew larger as he screamed in agony. His vest ripped open as his rifle hit the ground and blood flew into the air like a mist. The soldiers around him quickly drew to arms and charged down the street weapons blaring as the strykers followed close behind kicking up a large amount of sand, leaving the child in the dust riving in agony. He was now belly up as his legs kicked try to get him to move, but it was to no use. His right arm grabbed the wound as the other tried to push him up. I watched in horror as tears welled up in my eyes.
Through the gunfire and the cannons, I heard him speak in a slurred and garggly voice.
"M-medic…” He was lung shot for as he spoke blood spewed from behind his mask. His hand covering his wound quickly turned from yellow and black, to red. I turned around to see Dash with her mouth wide open, and her eyes wide with shock. Tears had formed underneath her lids and they fell into her fur.
I knew what had to be done. I quickly took Dash off from my back and rested her down on the sand. I began to walk towards the soldier, but she followed.
“Dash, please, let me deal with it.” Dash stopped as her ears fell. She sat back down and watched me. I turned back towards the soldier as I quickly approached him as he still tried to get up and fight. I stopped inches from a pool of blood beneath him as again with the same sound of speech he spoke,
“I… I don’t w-want to die… some help me please…” He said as he tried to push himself up again. I knelt down as the blood reached my pants, the fabric soaked it up. I placed my trembling hand on his shoulder. His head weakly turned to me as we made eye contact again. He young innocent blue eyes looked at me for an answer. Tears fell from my eyes and into the blood as his mouth pooled trying to make words. His left hand grabbed my vest, leaving a print of a bloody glove underneath.
His eyes became bloodshot as hot tear fell from them into the mask as he shook.
“Please, I-I don’t have much time left… if you ever m-make it out of this al-live, tell my mother I died in my sleep in a mortar raid.” He said as his blood was pushed out of his mouth.
I couldn't help him. He had lost too much blood, and his lungs were shot to shit. I nodded to his request as the gunfire echoed off further down the road. I reached down towards my leg slowly, regretting my choice. I didn't want him to suffer any more. I drew out my GSR, and flicked off the safety making a sickening click. I pointed the gun down at the soldier as I closed one of my eyes and aimed down the sights at him. His eyes closed as tears were forced out.
The sand around us had settled from the sand storm as I closed my eyes. I pulled my finger off the ring and placed it on the trigger. This was it. I choked up as I squeezed it slowly hearing the mechanisms turning, counting down the last second to his tormented life.
Then it fired. The gun echoed off the walls and out into the air of the Battlefield. I opened my eyes and looked at the soldier. His hand dropped from my vest and to the ground making a thud as he feel backwards and hit the sand as well. I dropped the gun as I stiffened in horror at what I had just done. His life taken from him at such a young age due to the tides of war. He didn’t deserve any of this.
I collapse on top of him as I let loose with the tears as they hiccuped with my breathing. I hated myself, could I have done more? Why did it have to be him, why not me, why did he have to come here? Why? Why? WHY?
“WHY WHY WHY WHY!?” I screamed at the top of my lungs slamming my hands down into the sand. My lungs burned me for air as I cry into his vest. I pull up into a kneel and pick him up into my arms. I pull his head up towards me as I stare into his dead lifeless eyes. My hands tighten as I slam my head down into him as I hug him.
“I’m sorry, so so sorry.” I said as loud as I could. I stay like this for over a minute, suddenly I feel a soft mass come up from behind me and grapple to my back. I look up and back towards the feeling, it was Dash nuzzling her head into me. She has tears of her own as she weeps softly.
Then through the gunfire, the explosions, the wind,,and my own tears, I hear a voice. It as soft and innocent like a child speaking for the first time.
“Don’t be sad, be happy.” It came from close behind me. I turn around to see Dash looking up at me with tears in her eyes and a smile across her face. I rest the soldier back down and turn around to the pegasus with my mouth wide open in shock. I quickly grab Dash and embrace her in a hug. I feel her hoof wrap around my neck as we embrace each other for what seemed like an eternity.
---
After I had hugged Dashy, I returned to the soldier and rested him up against the wall. I picked up his rifle and unloaded the mag and placed it on his lap. I kneel in an close his eyes lids with my right hand. His blue lifeless eyes closing for the last time. I stand up and look at him. I had place his hands so that they interlocked with each other over his rifle. I slap my legs together and salute him as Dashy stands next to me.
“You were taken to soon kid… I will not let your words die with you.” In my left hand curled up in my fist was his tags.