AJ sighed as she looked over at the glaring Captain Armor with the captured mares and stallions behind him.

"So let me get this straight Captain AJ, your people killed mine over a accident?" He asked as she growled.

"A accident caused by undertrained privates that can't even keep their cool during a encounter with a lost and dehydrated group of soldiers that were only asking if they could help them. Now take how you feel right now and think back to our meeting and what would have happened if you would have charged Captain Artyom? You and all of your soldiers would have been killed and then what?" She asked looking at the Equestrian guards with a glare.

"What am I suppose to tell the princess when she arrives?" Shining asked as AJ looked away from the guards and to Shining.

"The truth, I followed my orders from my own commanders and only returned fire at her pitiful soldiers, that resulted in the deaths of four of my soldiers and wounding another five. Before we killed 35 of her soldiers." She smirked looking back at the mares that looked at her in fear as Shining glared at her.

"I can see the same undertrained rookies in your own ranks captain. Your military needs to be trained all over again to use caution not attack first and ask questions later." She said looking back at him.

"Get out." He growled while she smiled and looked back at her guards.

"We're leaving. Have the men be ready to move as soon as they are ready." She ordered getting up as one ran to relay his orders.

"Comrade commander where are we going to go?" He asked as she sighed walking the halls towards where her soldiers would be waiting.

"I don't know comrade be we need to find a way to get back home, Shining Armor said something about a creature named Discord that might be able to send us all home. But we need a plan to get him out of his prison. I'll talk with the others and then we can see about a way home." She stated getting a nod from the soldier.

After a while they came outside where her soldiers were piling into their transport before they spotted her as she climbed on top of one of the tanks and came running to the front before standing at attention.

"I'm glad to see you all are here today ready for duty after such trying times and the loss of friends." She said as they all narrowed their eyes thinking of their losses.

"But we have shown these pitiful horses that the Red Army are no pushovers and as of now I have found out that they are allies to the ones that attacked and killed our comrades!" She shouted letting that sink in for a minute.

"So we have been told to leave these lands. So we will. We are not going to start a war with these stupid horses over there idiot soldiers, no matter how much I would love to." She smiled as they all chuckled nodding.

"Trust me I would love nothing more than to show them what real soldiers are, but we have neither the supplies or manpower to accomplish this. So we will leave and see if there is anything we can find at ground zero. Everyone load up and be ready to move in 10 minutes. The storm looks like it's letting up soon and then we will take our leave." She ordered as they snapped a salute before heading to their vehicles.

AJ turned to see Princess Cadence standing by a spinning crystal heart with wide eyes making her smile.

"Dasvidaniya Princess Cadence." AJ smirked and joined her soldiers in preparing for their departure.

A few hours later the convoy came to a halt after they had scavenged ground zero taking any documents they found along with weapons and equipment from the dead unknown soldiers, before continuing on.

AJ sighed as they broke through the storm and could actually see. She smiled hearing the laugh coming from her TC as she rode the back of the lead tank.

"How are we on fuel comrade?" She asked as he sighed.

"About half a tank now commander, the others are about the same. What are your orders?" He asked as he shifted from side to side trying to get feeling in his legs.

"We'll stop here and let the soldiers rest, I know they're tired and I need to talk to the other commanders." She said as he nodded and called it up as they tank ground to a halt while the soldiers jumped out stretching and walking around in the snow.

AJ sighed as she hopped down from the tank and walked over to to her friends.

"Artyom, have the soldiers take shifts on overwatch. Nikolai have your soldiers do a recon of the area and see if you can find anything. Mihail have your tanks set up in defensive positions till we figure out where we are." She ordered getting a nod from them as Michael came up to her.

"How are your men?" She asked as he sighed.

"They are a little shook up but are better than they were." He stated as she nodded.

"Maybe if you go talk to them AJ they might get some spirit back in them." He suggested getting a nod from her.

"Ok I just want them ready for anything, we can't afford to have a platoon down at a time like this." She stated getting another nod from him.

"I'll leave you to it then commander." He said walking away.

AJ sighed as she moved over where Sokov was. They spotted her as she trotted up to them jumping up and snapping to attention.

"Commander." One of the soldiers said as she sighed.

"Go ahead and take a seat boy, I want to talk to you all about what happened." She stated plopping down in the snow as they took a knee.

"Now listen I want you to know that what happened back there was not your fault ok?" She asked getting some disbelieving looks from them.

"You couldn't have known that it would go down like that. I myself nearly lost Captain Artyom today to some of those freaks." She growled as they nodded with narrowed eyes.

"You're soldiers of Russia, and we are expected to die for our country but I know that it doesn't make it feel any better when you lose a comrade." Her voice became hollow as she sighed and looked back up at them.

"I lost a lot of my own soldiers today as they tried to defend the station that you were headed to. A lot of friends died protecting research that was valuable to the motherland and I'll never forget their faces. Captain Jordan’s death along with your other brothers were not in vain, they will be honored and I made damn sure that those that did that to them paid." She growled as they smiled a little and nodded.

"Thank you captain, we'll be ok. It's just the first time we've ever been in combat before, never expected it to be with horses." A soldier chuckled humorlessly as she nodded.

"It will get better, I promise. You never forget the first time you fire a weapon at another living being and wonder if what you did was right. What you did was right so don't think for a second that you were wrong in the least, now I want you boys to relax a little ok? I want you at a 100% by the time Alfa comes back from their recon, you will be rotating out with the others so be ready." She said patting one of the soldiers knees before getting back to work.

"Yes captain." They said before starting to chat with each other.

AJ sighed heading back to her tank, she just wanted to be alone for a bit and rest. For the first day in this place she had never felt so tired before in her life.

"Commander?" She pulled herself together and turned to see one of the few females in the group walk up to her giving a stiff salute.

"What is it sergeant?" AJ asked as the girl looked nervous for a few seconds.

"A lot of the troops were wondering what happened to you and how you came to be like this. I didn't want to trouble you since we all know it's the real you but we were still curious." She mumbled the last part as AJ looked down at her pony body and sighed.

"I don't know why it only affected me and I hope that when we go home I go back to normal. I have to say this has been a experience but I miss being human so much. I miss my hands and my feet, I can't stand these stupid hooves and how I have to walk on all fours. I hate being this way and looking like one of those damn freaks, so tell them that if they're really curious." She said getting a nod from the women before she hurried away as AJ plopped down and leaned up next to the tank.

'What a day.' She thought looking out into the endless ocean of white just staring out into the setting sun.

"Commander." AJ blinked and realized how late it was. It was bitch black outside besides the fire in the center of the formation where she could see her troops by trying to stay warm.

'Did I fall asleep?' She thought.

"What is it Artyom?" She looked up at the human who was smiling at her.

"Alfa just returned they said that they found a settlement of dogs about 40 miles to the east of here, they've already marked it on your MCT." He stated getting a nod from her as she stretched and yawned.

"Good I want them rested so they can lead us to the settlement in the morning. Did they say how advanced they were?" She asked getting a nod from him.

"He said he saw a few vehicles here and there, they looked like a pretty normalish people if being 5 foot tall dogs can be called normal." He said getting a smile from her.

"Ok anything else?" She asked.

"Yes Alfa reported they could hear heavy machinery in the town, like construction vehicles." He stated getting a nod from her.

"Thank you Artyom, now go get warmed up. I want to be alone for a little while." She said turning her back to him and looked back out to the icy lands in front of her as she heard Artyoms retreating footsteps.

AJ sighed as she got up and headed out into the darkness making sure to keep the camp in sight. She needed to clear her head if she was going to talk to the pack leader or whatever in the morning.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here?" AJ turned to see like she heard in the reports, a five foot white dog grinning at her.

"I see someone got curious about the ape things." It was male that was for sure if the deep voice was anything to go by.

"Um no I'm not, I lead those ape things. Oh and we're called humans, dog." She said as the dog growled.

"What did you call me!?" He growled as she raised a eyebrow.

"A dog, it's clearly what you are. Or do you call yourself something else? I'm just going off the reports I got from my recon squad." She shrugged watching him relax and walk up to her on all fours bringing him down to at least a head taller than her.

"We are wolves pony, tell that to your humans and never forget it." He corrected as she nodded.

"Oh like back home, we used to have a few packs that came around the village. I actually met the algha family I think. I miss Sasha, I hope my roommate is keeping her fed." She sighed and looked up at his shocked face.

"This wolf is your pet?" He asked as she shook her head.

"No, Sasha is wild, she and her pack come by my house back home just to hang out I guess. The first meeting didn't go that great when she tried to kill me on our running trail but after I was able wound a lot of her pack and herself they left me alone till a few years ago they just started to show up." She smiled thinking of all the times she and her friends would go hunting with the pack.

"Got to say, I love having them around. When we go hunting it's amazing to watch them stalk their prey." She smiled wider as the large wolf studied her.

"You speak the truth." He stated as she raised a eyebrow at him.

"Um yeah I do, I can't lie to save my life. Never could." She sighed and looked back at her camp.

"I hate being here, I just want to go home." She sighed to herself as she heard the wolf sit down beside her.

"Then why don't you?"

"It's not that easy, I can't just pack up and go home like you can. I have to find some guy called Discord in Equestria so he can send us back home where we belong." She stated not seeing him look over at her shocked.

"So the god of chaos brought you here or something?"

"No, there was a accident today in the lab where we were ordered to guard. We were attacked and something went wrong, now I'm stuck in this stupid body and my men are here with me away from their families and there's nothing I can do till I talk to Discord." She growled stomping a hoof into the ground making him jump.

"Well ma'am, if you need help getting to Equestria and some supplies maybe we can help each other out." He stated as she looked at him with a hard glare.

"I may not be able to lie but I spot them like shit on snow. Don't try it wolf." She growled making him blink.

"Of course, we're having a problem with pony savages from a village not to far from ours that is raiding our supplies and destroying our equipment. If you can talk them down or just kill them, that would be a load off my peoples minds and my father can breath easier." He stated as she nodded.

"I'll talk to my other leaders and we will visit in the morning." She stated getting a nod from him.

"COMMANDER! WHERE ARE YOU!?" She looked up to see one of her soldiers with a flashlight looking around.

"I should go." He said and started to get up.

"Why not stay, meet one of my soldiers?" She asked as he looked back to the human calling out for her commander.

"Why not." He shrugged watching her smile.

"I'M OVER HERE KLARA!" She called out to her waving her arms around as the light shown in their direction.

"WHO'S THAT WITH YOU?" She called running over to them.

"Um I never did get your name." She smiled at him.

"I am Savva, Chief Rolan's son of the Eastern Snow tribe." He proudly stated as they heard the crunch of boots.

"Commander what are you doing way. up. here?" She stopped as she spotted the huge wolf beside her commanding officer.

"Wow, I've never seen a wolf this big before." She gasped as Savva puffed out his chest.

"Thank you." He stated watching her eyes bug out.

"Oh wow you can talk to and I can understand you!" She squealed.

"Sergeant, tone it down." AJ smiled.

"Oh sorry ma'am, sorry sir." She apologized as the wolf chuckled.

"Sergeant Klara, this is Savva of the wolf tribe that Alfa reconed earlier." AJ introduced as Klara stuck out her hand.

"Pleasure is all mine comrade Savva." She smiled as he stuck his large paw out and shook hers.

"Charmed Klara, would you like to sit with us?" He asked as she looked at AJ who nodded.

"Go ahead sergeant, as far as I know it's a free world." She stated getting happy smile from the sergeant.

"Wow, I can't believe I'm having a real conversation with a wolf." She giggled as Savva looked over at AJ confused.

"Where we come from we are the only creatures that can talk to one another, Sasha the wolf I told you about? She can't talk, she's just a animal on our home world." AJ explained as Savva nodded.

"I see, a pity. I would have enjoyed talking with your Sasha." He stated and looked back at Klara.

"So sergeant, tell me about yourself." He smiled as she grinned.

"Well I work at as a sniper, currently under the command of Captain AJ....

(A few hours later)

Savva listened to Klara in amazement as she showed him some of her things from earth like her MCT and radio along with some of her tales of battle and having worked with AJ a few times.

"Truly amazing. I've never heard of a MRE before, and you say that it can store food for a few years?" He asked as he felt a weight on his back, he turned to see AJ sound asleep snuggling up against him making him blush.

"I guess the commander has finally run out of steam." Klara stated getting a grunt from AJ.

"I haven't run out of anything sergeant." She stated as she looked up with heavy eyelids and pushed herself away from Savva.

"Come on, lets get back to the camp. It's late and I need to go over some plans for tomorrow." She grumbled jumping and sliding down the side of the dune.

"See you in the morning Savva!" Klara called out waving over her head while she held her rifle following after her commander.

"See you then." He called out waving to them, never taking his eyes off the mare and female human.

"Hm, what a strange thought." He said to himself before heading back home.

(That morning)

AJ sighed as she felt the tank she was in moving making her get up and look around. She spotted her TC standing up out of the hatch while the radio was a going off every once in a while.

She stretched and yawned making the gunner look back and smile at her handing over a cup of coffee.

"Here you go commander, I saved one for you when you got up. It's been on the heater for the last 20 minutes." He warned getting a bleary nod from her.

"Thank you comrade, you're a life saver." She sighed taking a sip of the black coffee and let another sigh out.

"Still tastes like shit with mud mixed in with a hint of tar." She grumbled taking another sip.

"I hate mornings." She groaned seeing the smile of the gunner out the corner of her eye.

"Don't you smile at me like that, I know your secrets Private Prachovske." She grumbled hearing him chuckle.

"Worth it seeing you like this commander, makes me feel a little better that the Queen of the Spetsnaz isn't a morning person." He stated watching her smile.

"Well don't pass it around comrade, I have a title to uphold." She said downing the rest of the coffee in one go.

"Ugh, I don't know how the general can take this stuff all the time." She stated standing up and opening a hatch.

"How far are we from the village?" She asked letting the cold wind wake her up even more.

"About three miles out commander." Prachovske replied turning back to her as she put her gear back on along with a helmet with a headset.

"Everyone hear me?" She called into the mike.

[We read you commander.] She heard Mihail along with the rest of her commanders.

"Good, what's the status of our fuel?"

[All about half a tank or more ma'am.] Artyom reported.

"Ok, once we get there the locals should be expecting us. Klara, I want you to take position with your spotter and one of the privates and provide overwatch for the town. Savva said that there were hostile ponies in the area, if you see any take them down." AJ stated with no feeling in her voice.

[Yes ma'am, I won't let you down.] She stated.

"Alright, as for everyone else I want you to wait outside the vehicles besides gunners, TCs, and drivers. Once we're in the town I want a parade formation, I want them to be in awe when we get there." She stated.

[YES COMRADE CAPTAIN!] She smiled as she saw village come into view.

"Alright everyone dismount and parade formation." She ordered as she climbed out of the tank herself and headed for the front of the formation while Klara and her team headed up a hill beside them to carry out her orders.

Once everyone was in formation she marched them down the road where she saw a group of wolves standing at the gates waiting for them. She smiled when she saw Savva there  with a serious look on their faces.

As they came to a halt in front of them she stood on her hind legs and put her hooves behind her back.

"Hello sir I believe your son has told us about you." She stated getting a nod from the older wolf.

"My father wishes to speak with you." Savva said as AJ nodded.

"Of course, Mihail." She called over to her friend who looked up at her.

"You're in charge while I'm in this meeting, Artyom, Micheal, Nikolai. You're with me." She ordered and turned back to the elder wolf.

"Do you mind if my men come inside away from the cold?" She asked getting a nod from the elder.

"OPEN THE GATE!" One of the warriors called back while Mihail took the head of the formation and headed inside with the rest of them.

"Mihail, make sure everyone stays by the vehicles and doesn't wonder off" She ordered getting a nod from him as she went to join the others towards one of the larger buildings.

A few hours later Mihail was with some of his soldiers as the locals watched them or talked a little to the men.

"Um hello." Mihail looked up to see a female wolf that was white with gray spots on her coat and a black tipped tail smiling at him.

"Hello, how can I help you?" He asked as she got a nervous look on her face.

"Uh I was just wondering, could you tell me what you are? I've never seen anything like you before." She said while he smiled.

"I'm a human." He simply answered as she nodded looking at the tank he was leaning against.

"Is it ok if I sit by you?" She asked while a few of the locals watched the interaction.

"I don't mind." He stated leaning back against the tank as more locals started to talk to his soldiers.

"So where do you come from?" She asked looking over his uniform, never having seen anything like it before.

"Far far away from here." He stated rubbing his hands together to keep warm as a male wolf came up to them.

"Lucy, what are you doing?" He asked as she smiled up at him.

"Hey Yakov, I was talking to one of the humans is all." She said and smiled back at Mihail.

"I see, so human what do you think of our town?" He asked as Mihail looked around.

"It reminds me of Artyoms village back home to tell you the truth." He said as they smiled.

"So you have a friend that lived in a place like this?" He asked as they heard a squeak from on top of the tank making them look up to see Kira one of his mechanics that had her finger in her mouth.

"Ow, ow, ow!" She hissed glaring at one of the hatches.

"Kira? What are you doing on the commanders tank?" He asked as she looked back at him with tears in the corner of her eyes.

"The captain told me that one of the hatches were sticking and wanted me to take a look at it, but I just slammed my finger in it." She sniffed shaking her hand again before putting it back in her mouth as Lucy jumped onto the tank and went to her.

"Let me see, I can help you." She gently cooed as the girl took her finger out of her mouth and showed the already purple digit.

"I think I might have broken it." She whimpered as Mihail climbed up with Yakov.

"Are you ok?" Yakov asked as she nodded.

"I'll be fine, sorry sir I forgot to lock the latch." She winced as it throbbed.

"Here maybe this might help." Lucy stated pulling out a bottle and pouring some clear substance on the wound.

The human hissed as it hit the wound while Yakov smiled watching the purple finger fade back to white while Mihail looked on amazed.

"Lucy is our town healer, she can heal anything from cuts to even the most serious of wounds." Yakov smiled at the other wolf who blushed.

"It's just what I do." She stated before she was hugged by the human.

"Thank you! I would have been out for weeks with that thing broken like that." She smiled at the blushing wolf before she lifted the hatch back up and locked it this time before getting back to work.

"Hey captain! Maybe the commander will let us take some things home with us once this is all over! I know I wouldn't mind getting a bottle of that stuff once we get back to the motherland! She called from inside as the other human smiled.

"I doubt they take the same kind of money we do corporal." He said and looked up at Lucy who was still blushing while Yakov had a funny grin on his face.

"So soft." Lucy mumbled as Mihail raised a eyebrow.

"What's so soft?" He asked as she blushed more.

"Um well her um skin." She stated.

"Uh ok." He said confused as Yakov chuckled.

"Sorry it's just that we've only been around each other and a lot of fur gets in the way so I guess it's a new sensation to feel." He mused as Lucy nodded.

"Yes, I've never felt that before. It's, nice." She said shyly as Mihail nodded.

"Alright then. Well why don't we let her get back to work." He suggested as they heard laughter from a few trucks down making them smile.

"Why don't we go inside where it's more warm?" Mihail suggested as they nodded.

"My house isn't far from here and my mate should be cooking up some rabbit about now." Yakov stated but Mihail shook his head.

"Sorry I can't leave this area, come on I'll show the inside of one of these beasts while we're at it." He stated and led the two, to one of the CV-109s that had the ramp down.

Kira sighed as she fixed the hatch and looked up to see a female wolf looking down at her.

"Hello." She smiled as the wolf stared at her.

"Can I help you?" She asked as the wolf smiled.

"Sorry, I was just curious about this thing. I didn't mean to stare, my name is Nina what's yours?" She asked while Kira climbed out of the hatch.

"I'm Corporal Kira, nice to meet you." She smiled sticking her hand out as Nina stared at it.

"What do I do with that?" She asked as Kira blushed.

"Um you grab it and shake it." She instructed while the wolf stared at for a second longer before gently taking her hand while Kira shook it.

"I see, so it's a greeting from where you come from." She said as Kira got a good look at her.

She was black on her stomach and white on her back with black tipped ears and paws. She had on brown shirt on that covered her assets and a black bandanna that her ears poked out of.

" So what do you want to know about it?" She asked as the wolf's eyes lit up.

" As much as you can tell me." She smiled.

"Ok climb inside and we'll get started." Kira stated motioning for her to follow.

Klara sighed as she watched all the fun happening down in the town while a wolf was next to her laying on his stomach with her binos looking around.

"I've never experienced something like this before." He grinned getting up and looking east and growled.

"What is it Yuri?" She asked.

"Ponies, they're coming in from the east to try another raid." He stated as he heard her chamber a round.

"Distance?" She barked to her spotter.

"1200 yards and closing." He stated as she lined up on the lead pony there had to be at least 40.

"We have to warn the town!" Yuri said as they smiled.

"They'll know as soon as the first shot is fired, you might want to cover your ears." She suggested.

"I see the target."

"Send it."

THOOM!!

Mihail and everyone heard the thunder of Klara's rifle as they jumped up.

"WE GOT HOSTILES CLOSING IN FROM THE EAST!" One of the soldiers on the radio called out.

"1ST AND 2ND PLATOON WITH ME!!" Mihail ordered as they rushed to the east of town while Klara's rifle continued to thunder from the hilltop.

[Solov, Alfa stay with the vehicles and defend the town. Get everyone inside till this is over.] Mihail heard AJ bark in his ear making him smile as he cleared the town and could see the ponies being blown apart by Klara's anti-tank rifle.

"We'll hold here, don't let any of those bastards get by you comrades!" He ordered watching as Klara continued to take them down one by one as wolf warriors came up behind them with swords out along with old muskets from what he could tell.

As the ponies drew near he could see their line faltering making him smile.

"OPEN FIRE!!" He called as LMGs and assault rifles barked in response to his order shredding the remaining ponies while the warriors stood in awe.

"By the spirits." One of the rifle wolves gasped.

"CEASE FIRE, CEASE FIRE!" He ordered after the last pony was down.

"Move in and finish the rest of them." He stated before looking back at the warriors.

"Unless you want to do something if there's any survivors?" He asked as the lead wolf smiled.

"With pleasure." He grinned.

"Lets go warriors, it's chow time!" He ordered as they jumped over the humans and headed to the kills.

"Come on lets go back to the convoy." Mihail ordered leaving the wolves to their feast.

Mihail and and his soldiers were welcomed with cheers from the locals making them smile as AJ trotted up to him with a proud grin on her face.

"Good work Mihail. The elder has asked us to join them for the feast that your kills brought, this is a great honor to newcomers in their village." She smiled as he beamed.

"Artyom will be going in my stead since last time I tried to eat any meat I nearly puked my guts out because of this body." She sighed.

"God I can't wait to get back home." She said as he patted her head making her growl.

"I don't know AJ, I like you more like this. You're all cute and stuff." He chucked before yelping as she stomped on his toe.

"Cute and stuff huh? I dare you to say it again Mihail." She growled as he whimpered while she applied more pressure.

"Sorry ma'am won't happen again." He squeaked.

"Good, now go eat with the rest of the men. I'll watch the trucks, oh and have Klara come down from there to eat as well." She stated as he nodded and called Klara back while she headed to her tank and had the driver take her to the outside of town so she could watch it incase of another attack.

A few hours later AJ could still hear the laughter and music from town as she scanned the area for another attack.

Clank clank clank.

She turned expecting one of her friends to be opening the back hatch but they never did.

"Um Captain AJ? How do you open this thing?" Savva asked making her smile and clamber back and opened the hatch to see him smiling.

"Everyone is enjoying the party for your mens victory, why aren't you there?" He asked as she moved back to the gunners seat.

"I don't like crowds that much is all." She sighed and continued to scan the area.

"I see, then you and me are alike in that way. I hate crowds and not to much of a fan for parties either." He stated as she nodded but said nothing.

"I'm surprised your mate isn't here with you." He stated as she chuckled.

"Let me guess, thought that me and Artyom were together yes?" She asked giggling again at his confused look.

"Yes, the way you are together just screams that he is your mate." He replied as she shook her head.

"No, we dated once before but it was just too awkward and we called it off. I see him as a brother and we just get each other and connect on another level than everyone else." She sighed and looked back at the monitor.

"Besides no one wants to date the Queen of the Spetsnaz anyway. I work to much and people just don't understand me is all besides the few friends I have and they only scratch the surface." She sighed and looked back at him with a apologetic smile.

"Sorry didn't mean to dump that on you." She said while he just waved her off.

"It's fine, if you keep things bottled up then it'll eventually break you." He stated looking over at her watching her sigh.

"Maybe but I don't know you to just let all my emotions out and even then that's not the kind of person I am." She shrugged and looked back at the screen until she felt him pull her out of the seat.

"HEY WHAT THE HELL!!" She screamed as he set her in one of the seats.

"I may not know you Captain AJ, but I would like to. You have to be one of the most interesting beings I've ever met." He said taking her spot and moved the turret around scanning the area as she was.

"So talk to me, AJ." He stated as she sighed.

"You know I could just walk out of here right, and let you take over so I can get some sleep." She said raising a eyebrow.

"But you won't, deep down AJ you want to talk about it and I can see it's really bothering you." He stated as she looked down shuffling her hooves.

"Am I that easy to read?" She asked as he shook his head.

"The fact that even your closest friends don't see it just shows how well of a mask you have put on for them and the soldiers under your command." He said looking back flashing a fanged grin.

He stopped smiling and watched the mask she put on for so long be taken off for the first time in many years. She look like death warmed over and just really tired.

"I guess you might as well be my shrink then." She stated taking off her armor setting it on the side then her heavy coat.

Savva swallowed a lump in his throat as he looked at the harden and toned muscle on the mare that was under the tight body suit before shaking his head.

"I guess I should start at the top huh?" She asked while he nodded not trusting his voice.

"I have to say it all started back at the hospital when I woke up....

The morning sun rose over the snow fields bathing it in its orange glow, inside a lone tank were two figures curled up on opposite benches while a third sat in the gunners seat scanning the area for the enemy.

"Ugh, I hate these stupid benches." AJ stated holding her head and looked around the inside and spotted Savva sound asleep with one of his large paws twitching every once in a while.

"Morning commander." She turned to see a smiling Artyom handing her a cup of coffee.

"Good morning Artyom, how was the party?" She asked her mask slipping back on with ease as he shrugged.

"Pretty fun, some of us got hit on by the females and even some of the males hit on Klara and Kira at the party." He chuckled as Savva rose with a groan while Artyom looked over at him with AJ letting a smile cross their faces. But something was different about her smile, almost like a fond smile she used to give him.

'Yeah right.' Artyom thought as he looked back at Savva and then at AJ to see it gone making him doubt himself.

"Good morning Savva, how did you enjoy the bench?" She asked as he groaned.

"Worst sleep of my life." He chuckled and looked over at her smiling.

"Well Captain AJ, I need to go and wash up. I'm sure your soldiers and yourself would like one as well?" He asked as she nodded.

"Thank you." The mare and human sighed getting a laugh out of him.

"We have a very large hot spring not far from here that he village uses on a regular bases. You're more than welcome to it." He stated getting a nod from the them.

"Thank you Savva." Artyom stated as the door to the tank opened.

"Sir I'm here to relieve you." One of her soldiers stated when he spotted Savva.

"Oh hey I didn't know you had guest, good morning." He greeted when he spotted his CO.

"Good morning commander." He smiled as she nodded.

"Sergeant. Go round up everyone and let them know to get ready to take a bath, we all stink." She ordered as he beamed.

"YES MA'AM!" He cried and shot off to round up everyone.

It didn't take long before she had everyone ready and they would go out group by group. Enlisted females then males and finally officers.

AJ sighed as she floated around the large hot spring on her back, she had scrubbed herself as much as she could and now she just wanted to relax for a while before she went back to her duty.

"Hello captain." She looked up to see Savva getting into the water.

"What are you doing?" She asked as he looked at her confused.

"Taking a bath like you of course." He stated as she covered herself and dipped low in the water.

"What your people have co-ed bathing?" She asked moving far away from him and to one of the walls.

"Yes, don't you?" He asked still confused.

"No, it's mostly a private matter." She stated as realization came to his face.

"Oh I'm sorry, I'll leave." He stated and started to get out till she sighed.

"No it's fine, I guess." She said making him pause.

"Are you sure, I don't want to offend you." He stated not looking at her as she blushed.

"As long as you don't try anything, I guess I can cope." She stated watching him get back into the water and stay on the far side away from her.

There was a awkward silence that hung in the air before AJ finally had enough of it.

"Thank you, for last night. I feel much better now that I actually talked to someone about it." She smiled a little as he looked up and grinned.

"You're very welcome, I was happy to listen." There was still tension in the air but not as much as there was.

"So I heard that you used to help Artyom on his farm before you enlisted in the Spetznaz." Savva mentioned as she smiled.

"Yeah, like I said last night, Artyom and I are thick as thieves and brother and sister in all but blood.."She sighed before getting up and heading to get her uniform on.

AJ grunted not seeing a towel before she shook herself dry not seeing Savva staring at her.

He stared at the toned muscle and battle scars that littered her body, he could feel her strength rolling off her as she turned looking at him with a smirk.

"See something you like Savva?" She asked with with a raised eyebrow watching him blink and then look away.

"SORRY, SORRY!" He yelped as he heard her grunt.

"Hmph." She threw her uniform on covering up her past and her pain. She looked back at him before she grabbed her weapon heading back out into the snow.

Savva groaned sinking into the water while he ran his paws down his face letting them fall and slap the water.

'Idiot.' He growled to himself.

Next Chapter: Troubling thoughts Estimated time remaining: 29 Minutes