The straps of his harness pressed against his chest, keeping him held tight to the seat of the dropship as it hurtled through space. His rifle was held by special clamps next to his leg, keeping it from floating around in low-gravity. The constant thrum of the powerful engines filled the packed troop compartment, otherwise dead silent. Vincent stared up at the plain, metal ceiling. When they had boarded not five minutes ago, everyone had been yelling and excited. Now, not a word was spoken. Twenty men and women sat in silence.

Glancing to his right, he amended his thoughts; fourteen humans, and six ponies. Looking at the pegasus mare at his side, he could not stop a slight grimace from forming. Rigid Discipline sat, with her legs sticking straight out from the uncomfortable, human designed chair, glaring at all that dared to look her way. Another pegasus, a stallion with a cream colored coat, sat to her right. His hazel eyes peered out from underneath his gold helm, jumping to the nearest wall with every tiny shudder the craft made. Like his commander, the stallion's sun-hued armor was spotlessly clean, though it did show a few distinct signs of combat, including a ragged, fist-sized hole in the left shoulder piece, through which a small ring of pale, puckered scar tissue shone through. His mane was completely hidden by his headpiece, but his short cinnamon tail twitched every time his eyes would find some new spot to focus on.

Across from him sat a pair of unicorns, a stallion and a mare. The stallion twisted in his seat as much as the restraints allowed and stared with slack-jawed wonder through a tiny viewport at the half of the planet he could see. His teal eyes bulged as he drank in the sight of the world, and undoubtedly the battles already erupting in its orbit. His light pink mane and tail, both far longer than Vincent would have guessed was allowed, each had a slight curl, while his vibrantly green coat made the gilded armor seem dull in comparison. The mare next to him, with her muted yellow coat and light orange mane, sat with her forehooves pressed together before her nose, and her eyes glued shut. Her lips slowly moved, though no sound squeezed from her throat.

The final Guardspony had decided to sit nearest the large, drop-down ramp. He was an earth-pony of a light gray coat, with touches gray in his other-wise sky blue mane and tail. Unlike the others, this pony was glad in a midnight-blue set of armor. His helm was nowhere to be seen, and he was drawing long, slow breaths as if asleep.

“Remedy!” barked Lieutenant Discipline, causing the young stallion turned around in his seat fast enough Vincent could hear the pop from across the aisle.

“Yes ma'am?” asked the green unicorn as he rubbed at the base of his head.

“Cut out the gawking, we'll be done there soon enough.”

“If we can actually make it down there in a bucket.” grumbled the cream-colored stallion as a tiny tremor ran the length of the ship. “Ponies weren't meant to go to space.”

“Quit yer belly achin', Honor Bound.” hollered the older pony parked next to the ramp without opening his eyes. “You'll make it down thar where yuh kin bludgeon something with that thick head'a yers.”

The pegasus called Honor Bound turned to the still mouthing mare, “Come on, Blaze. Back me up here!”

“Quiet, you blasted idiot.” replied the yellow pony as her hooves fell to her side. She opened her eyes for the first time, revealing fierce, bright red orbs that almost seemed to sparkle with barely contained hate. “Stone's right. The humans have done this thousands of times, we'll be more than fine. And I can't wait to get down there and show these metal creeps why they should have never messed with Equestria.”

“All of you, pipe down!” yelled out a gruff, male voice.

Vincent looked over at the shouter. The older Marine was glaring back at him, pale green eyes flicking from one pony's face to the next. His face was creased with age, definitely a rare sight in any armed service as of late. The rest of him, however, showed no signs of aging. Underneath the armor, his body was just as fit as anyone half his age.

The elder soldier grunted as he added, “It's bad enough that you damned equines got folded into my squad, let's not make this any more unpleasant than it has to be.”

Discipline sat a little straighter in her seat, and her eyes narrowed to nearly closed slits at the older man.“I shall have you know, mister...?”

“Sergeant James Williams, missy.” roared the older soldier, “And you're gonna shut that gob, before I shut it for you, permanent-like.”

The spell that had held them silent suddenly broken, one of the Marines spoke up, “Hey Sarge, where're we actually goin'?”

Sergeant Williams sighed, and turned his eyes to the young Private, “We're going where ever the hell the great and powerful Corps wants us to. In this case, seems like that's Camp Stone. It's one of the largest training compounds in the entire galaxy, so we're sure to find some survivors. But, we ain't had word from 'em yet. No idea of enemy strength, or even if there will be a fight waiting for us. But goddamned if we ain't gonna start kickin' those metal bastards off our planet from there.”

“Hey, I'm goin' home!” a woman chuckled, “Trained at Camp Stone before this whole mess kicked off. Wonder if they ever fixed that hole in the wall from where Ricky drove into it with the tank.”

The grizzled Sergeant turned his gaze to the woman, his glare so strong she seemed to sink into her seat. “Well then Corporal, since you know so damned much about it, you get to take point when we get boots to dirt.”

“Ye-yes sir.” the soldier replied as she hung her head against her chest.

“Good, now, if there are no other interrupters, maybe you'd like to get your selves ready for the fight. Pray, meditate, wet yourself,” he looked straight at the still nervous Honor Bound eying every rivet as though it would break, “whatever the hell you ladies and gents need to do. So long as it's quiet, 'cause I'mma be grabbin' a short nap myself. No idea when I'll get to sleep again, 'cept when I'm dead, so I'm gonna make the best of this.” The grayed soldier lapsed into silence, and leaned back into his seat as his eyes slid shut.

Vincent felt his breath catch in his chest. Stone Camp. He, too, knew the name. It stuck in his mind, and made him very nearly stop breathing entirely. That wasn't far at all. Sights, sounds, and smells began to filter in from somewhere far back in his memory. He knew he should say something, shouldn't let himself fall into that trap. If he were found out, he could land in a heap of trouble. First the mess with Twilight, and now this.

His hands shook as he glanced out the small viewport in the side of the dropship, he couldn't say anything. His mouth had gone dry. The planet slowly filled the small window, and if he looked carefully he could see the dozens of other small craft beginning their long, slow descent to the orb below. On the other hand, he reasoned with himself, there's not much of a chance that he would be given an opportunity. Sure, he was relatively close, but there was still the Camp to retake. They didn't know how long it would take, and more than likely he would be sent elsewhere as soon as the battle ended. He wouldn't have time, nor even a chance to slip away.

Honor Bound stared at the Sergeant as the old man appeared to fall into a deep slumber. Hazel orbs danced around the room to each face in turn. Most of the gathered soldiers avoided his gaze, though Vincent gave a reassuring smile as he their eyes briefly met. The pegasus' eyes seemed to grow wider, a feat that Vincent had to admit made him a bit impressed. He almost seemed to shake as his mouth pulled into a frown.

“Is, is that old geezer saying we're gonna die?”

Vincent repressed a slight chuckle, before reaching across Rigid Discipline to gently pat her anxious comrade's good shoulder. When the stallion's head whipped around, he offered another smile and whispered, “We'll be just fine.”

“I don't know.” whimpered the cream-colored pony, “I saw the kind of stuff these Cye things do, and that was just when we were standing still fighting. Now, we're going to be attacking? It's-it's just crazy!”

“Honor Bound!” Rigid Discipline hissed, “Straighten up and act like the proud member of the Royal Guard you are. There is nothing to be afraid of, I highly doubt we'll see anything like what we did in Equestria. Further, these... Cye, have less in their heads than even you. They are hardly a real threat.”

Vincent nodded to the pegasus mare's words, and added, “Lieutenant Discipline's right. Just keep your head down, follow orders, and everything'll be just fine.”

“Speaking of following orders, who the hell's still yammering?!” Williams roared. His gaze swiftly settled on Vincent. Eye narrowing, the older man cocked his head and asked, “Why do I recognize you? What's your name soldier?”

Vincent offered a salute, and rattled off, “Sir, Sergeant Vincent Medoaz sir. Currently acting commander for what's left of Angel platoon.”

A sharp intake of air hissed between Sergeant Williams' teeth. “Angel platoon? The 'heroes' of Cordon?”

“Some call us that, I guess. Sir.”

“God. Damn. It.” groaned the older soldier. “They told me I'd be getting some misfits folded in to fill some empty, but they never said I'd be getting some goddamned poster child, no-brained heroes.”

“Excuse me, sir?” Shelby asked from her seat across from Vincent, practically spitting past her clenched teeth.

The Sergeant's gaze flicked to her. “Are ya deaf as well as dumb? I've seen the after action, what you all did was reckless, stupid, and nearly killed more people 'en it saved. Lost most of the damned platoon, and then another twenty Marines pushing towards you to pull your dumb-asses outta the fire.”

Shelby ground her teeth, and her chest heaved with ire. “But had we done nothing, we would have lost the city, and possibly the planet. Would that have been any better?”

“'Course not.” snorted the older man, “But you all shoulda waited for back up, or radioed in on your situation. Instead, protocol was bucked by that Captain... what was it?”

This time, it was was Vincent's turn to hiss past his clenched jaw, “Evelyn. Captain Evelyn Rae.”

Williams nodded, “Tha's right, daughter of another fool hero. Anyway, she had to follow her daddy's footsteps, and do her own thing. Regardless of what it cost those around her.”

Vincent felt his heart shudder in his chest as his hands began to shake. He didn't need to look across the aisle to be able to feel the rage pouring from his beloved. A single finger rose from his hand, aimed squarely at Shelby. His eyes never left the Sergeant's, though a white haze had settled around everything.

“Captain Rae was an excellent soldier.” growled Vincent.

“Perhaps, but it doesn't make her less of a damned fool.”

“Don't you dare...” began Shelby, only for another warning finger to be aimed at her.

“Regardless of your feelings, you will not talk bad about the dead in front of me. Or so help me, I'll...”

The elder Sergeant grinned. “Do what exactly, son? You ain't stupid enough to try anything, are ya? Give me a damned good reason to be rid of ya, it would.”

Rigid Discipline cleared her throat, and stated in a quiet monotone, “You shall not speak ill of the departed before me, good Sergeant. For, regardless of species, those who fall in defense of their land and beliefs deserve nothing but the utmost respect.” She paused a moment, before adding, “Even the hairless apes. And should you continue to say such horrid things, well, you shall find out just why I was hoof-picked by Captain Shining Armor himself to go on this mission.”

Somehow, the Sergeant's eyes managed to narrow further. “That a threat, missy?”

“No, Sergeant James Williams, that is a statement of fact. Whether you take it as a threat depends on how attached you are to the idea of being a horse-apple.”

Gasps rang out from the assembled ponies, Twilight even going so far as to rub a hoof at her ear. Every pony's eyes bulged as they stared at the the Lieutenant, who merely looked as calm and composed as ever as she intently studied Williams' face. Vincent let his questioning gaze slide to each of the equines, though none of them seemed to even notice. He looked to Shelby, who frowned and shrugged.

A slight hum of static came over a some-what hidden speaker, and a calm female voice warned, “We're thirty seconds from atmospheric entry folks. Please put your seat-trays in the their upright and locked positions and pucker up real tight. Gonna be in range of any ground-based AA in two. Reaching the designated LZ in three.”

“Goddamn, there goes my feckin' nap.” groused Williams. “Alright ladies, get those last prayers in.”

He looked first to Vincent, and then to Lieutenant Discipline, “We'll finish this later. For now, we're just gonna have to get along.”

Telltale streaks of fire appeared in the sky as dozens of dropships began their descent through the planet's atmosphere. Each was tilted slightly upward, trying to keep the relatively fragile craft from burning. No two ships were closer than a hundred meters, though they all seemed to be following the same paths down to the surface. Shudders ran through the crafts as they hit slight differences in air density. Wind howled off the troop-transports, creating a massive wail as they slowly began to lose their fiery contrails. Below, was a landscape of rolling hills with a few wide, tilled fields and forests scattered about.

As the first of the ships began to level out, white-hot ribbons began to slash through the air toward them. The deadly missiles screamed through the air, intent on intercepting the humans well before they could set boots on the ground. Most of the dropships narrowly avoided the heavy cannon fire as it blasted in between them. Two that were still pulling out of their entry dive were clipped, sending them spiraling down to the Earth as they broke into thousands of pieces.

Onboard his ship, Vincent ground his teeth. The suddenly fragile-seeming craft rattled as an anti-aircraft round passed within meters of the hull. His stomach flopped into his chest as the dropship twisted away from the high-velocity death. The stench of sweat and Honor Bound's... mishap washed over him in sickening waves. Another shudder rocked the ship. His heart pounded, though he managed to keep his hands steady on his knees. Several of the men and women had their eyes screwed shut as the aircraft continued to rocket through the air toward the ground.

The craft lurched, accompanied by the sound of metal tearing. Suddenly weightless again, the straps across his body dug into his chest. The dropship tumbled through the air, causing several of the Marines and ponies aboard to scream. Vincent watched as large cracks formed in the hull, and icy wind began to rip into the troop compartment. The breath was ripped from his throat by the chilling blast. Immediately, he broke into shivers.

Slowly, the ship settled it's twisting and bucking. The door to the cockpit slid back, and the pilot screamed, “We're hit, goddamned bastards got smart on me. Last shot took out the right wing. Goin' down. I-I got this though; I can guide us down easy. But we're falling way behind the rest of the group, and into the middle of those guns.”

“Good!” Sergeant Williams bellowed back, “Then we can take out the damned things, give the flyboys some breathing room.”

Vincent yelled over the wind to the Sergeant, “Sir, should we try and link up with some of the other wrecks as well? Maybe some of our boys made it.”

The older man glanced toward Vincent, and shrugged. “Hate to admit it, but you've got a good thought there son. Pilot, reckon you could get us pointed in the right direction after we... set down?”

“If ya mean 'crash', then yeah prolly. Jus' don't expect much else outta me. I ain't s'pposed t' leave my chair.”

Williams chuckled, “Fair enough kid.” Beneath the wind came several, shrill pinging noises off the hull of the ship.

“Shit!” the pilot shrieked, “Only good LZ's crawling with those metal bastards. Their guns ain't gonna do didly to this armor, but we're gonna hafta fight our way outta there!”

“This goddamned day just keeps getting better and better!” roared the graying Sergeant. “Nowhere we can set down that's not covered in hostiles?”

“Negative, nowhere I can reach. Got no manervuablity, and we're losing fuel fast. It's there, or we take our chances among the trees to the north. And this bird wasn't meant to cut through forest.”

“Ain't that about a bitch.” Sergeant Williams reached down and grabbed his assault rifle from its clamp, racking the charging lever as he yelled, “Get yerselves ready, time to kick off the party.”