When Jack next awoke, he was still on the floor, tangled in blankets and Flitter. She was apparently awake, and was arguing with one of the medical professionals as to why the floor was better than the rock hard bed. Jack cracked open an eye and affixed the nurse with a baleful eye. Thankfully, it wasn't the same nurse that he'd knocked unconscious the day prior. The nurse’s tiriad fell short when she caught the look that he was sending her way. Jack yawned wide, purposefully baring his canines at the mare before smacking his lips. “What?” He shot the question at the nurse, who blinked and stumbled with her words momentarily.

“Sir, we need to check your vitals and begin your physical rehabilitation.” She was already fiddling with the bulky machine, the one that Jack had been attached to when he’d woken up. “We also need to scan your head, to make sure your little adventure the other day didn't create a clot or cause any damage.”

“It sounds like you wanna just poke me fulla holes.” Jack said as he pushed himself up, bringing a surprised Flitter and his covers with him. “I'll tell you right now, you're not hooking me up to that machine, and I'm not laying down any more than I have to. I'll be handling my own physio, thank you very muchly.”

His statements only seemed to turn the nurse's attitude further downwards into the area of angry and unhelpful. “Sir, you're not in any position to argue.” The nurse's horn lit up, grabbing hold of the human's arms “Please lay down-” The mares anger popped without warning and was replaced by healthy fear as Jack set down Flitter and his bundle of covers on the bed, only to suddenly tread toward the nurse with an expression that betrayed fury.

With his arms clutched in magic, Jack leaned right into the mare's face and spoke slowly and levelly with a tone that brokered no argument. “I suggest you let me go right the fuck now.” The nurse nodded, and the magic around his arms dissipated. To her instant regret, he used his now free hands to pull the mare uncomfortably close. “I wanna make one thing crystal clear to your medical staff. If any of you touch me without my express permission, especially the unicorns, I will lose my shit. Understood?” At her scared nod, Jack smiled without kindness or humour. “Gooood.” He drawled. “Now, I'm willing to let you take my vitals manually, but after that I'm going for a walk to get some fresh air and find some food. So unless you're also a princess, or you hold an officer's rank within the ArmCan Marine Corps or Hades International, don't think for a second you can force me to do dick, sister.”

With his ground rules set for the medical staff, Jack's check-up went by with considerable speed and with gentle caution. During the lull of doctors, Jack stood and stretched out with a wide groan. Turning his attentions toward Flitter, he smiled mischievously and motioned toward the door with his head. “I need out of here. The Princess’ would prolly prefer it if I had an escort, so I'm lookin at you Sparky.” He grinned at her, which earned him one in return.

Rolling her eyes in good humour as she got up, Flitter shrugged her wings and smiled. “I definitely want out of here, I hate hospitals.”

Jack snorted and nodded as he cracked his neck. “Preachin to the choir sister. Lead on, before the docs actually get a princesstial decree that I have to sit still and let them poke me full of holes.”

Smiling at him, Flitter shook her head and lead the human out of the hospital wing. She knew she wasn't so much leading him as she was accompanying him, but the fact he had specifically worded it that way didn't escape her in the slightest. While she would have preferred Jack not riling up the medical staff, she felt that something larger was at play toward his aversion to doctors and the like. The fact he'd reacted so strongly toward simply being grabbed spoke volumes to her.

“Where’s the guard run? I need to go for a run, limber up and get some fresh air.” Jack was practically bouncing with pent up energy.

“Are you sure that’s wise? I mean, you've been in bed for a long time Jack. Maybe you should start off light?” Flitter had personally hoped for fold first.

Jack simply shot her a smile as he treaded down the marble-clad halls. “A run is light, and my legs are probably the only part’a me that’s even close to snuff.” He wiped under his nose with the back of his hand, before gesturing toward one of the doors.

Sighing in defeat, Flitter flapped her wings and glided the last bit of distance to the door. “Fine, just don't rile anypony else up, okay?” She suddenly felt her confidence in his behaviour drop like a stone as he fed her a shit eating grin. Shaking her head, Flitter pushed the door open and covered her eyes with a wing as the mid-summer sun beat down upon her through the door. Outside lay the Royal Guards training field, which housed all manner of fitness equipment, a kilometre long oval track, and an obstacle course. To confirm her fears, a good thirty ranked guards were out in the yard, training, and a small class of trainees were struggling through the physical training. Overall, the yard was busy, and Jack looked just a little too pleased.

Without pause, he began striding purposefully into the yard, his well worn grey digital camouflaged pants and olive drab ACMC shirt drawing a stark parallel between him and the multi-coloured furs of the unarmoured royal guards. Flitter joined him as he started stretching, but her eyes remained locked onto the drill sergeant that was swiftly crossing the yard toward them. “Heads up.” She muttered quietly, warning Jack.

Flitter halted her stretches to stand tall and salute the DI as he closed the distance. The instructor did not look pleased, nor did he tell her to stand easy. “Cadet Falenas, what on Celestia’s beautiful green earth are you doing dragging some damned animal into my yard!?” The drill instructor’s hackles were raised, and Flitter internally chastised herself for not having immediately asked for permission, even though it wasn't needed. She could only hope that Jack-

“DRILL INSTRUCTOR, WHAT THE FLYING FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING, HARPIN’ ON MY MAH GAWD DAMNED ESCORT?” Jack had stormed over, his features locked down into harsh lines and his voice booming loud enough to make any Marine Corp drill instructor proud. He gestured with harsh, violent strokes of his hand, which had clamped down and formed a pseudo-knife. There was no stopping it now, Jack had fallen into full on motivation mode, and nothing save a bullet to the skull was going to save the poor corporal that had haplessly wandered into his crosshairs. Jack's demeanour had apparently struck deep inside the corporal, who had frozen in his place and stood at attention for his dressing down; dress him down Jack did. “CADET FALENAS IS ESCORTING ME, AT THE PRINCESS’ BEHEST, SO YOU DAMN WELL BETTER STOW THAT SHIT CORPORAL! DO YOU READ ME!?”

The frozen stallion snapped a salute and screamed back, thoroughly motivated. “Sir yes sir!”

The answer only seemed to enrage Jack as his cheeks flushed red with fury. “I COULDN'T HEAR YOU, CORPORAL!! DID THAT SOUND SATISFACTORY TO YOU!?”

The guard screamed louder, drawing even more attention to himself as all work in the yard halted to watch the strange event unfold. “SIR YES SIR!

Jack immediately grinned like a banshee and nodded his approval. “OUT-FUCKING-STANDING SON! NOW, GO COLLECT THOSE SORRY ASS BOOTS AND BRING THEM OVER HERE RICKY TICK! WE'RE GOING ON A RUN! OORAH?”

“HOOAH!”

Flitter sucked in a breath and fought to keep from laughing as the guard blanched at the sudden and irreparable look of legitimate anger crossed Jack's features. “HOOAH!? HOOAH!? HOOAH IS FOR ARMY PUKES WITH DICKS IN THEIR MOUTHS CORPORAL! OORAH SON, OORAH! OORAH?”

This time, the guard got it right, and galloped toward the slackjawed royal guards as if the reaper himself was after him. He didn't even stop to issue the order, he kept running as he motivated his trainees onto the track. With a savage grin Jack turned to Flitter and gestured to the track. “I feel better already. Now get goin’, I want to see you showin’ these pukes how it's done.” Flitter nodded as she smiled, and trotted over quickly to take position at the front. To nobody's surprise, Jack took his place at the front of the pack and led them with a bellow to start.

Above the track, Celestia watched as the surprisingly effective motivation Jack doled out had her guards moving faster than normal. She smiled to herself as she sipped at her tea. To her surprise, Jack began singing cadence, and her guards followed suite with ease. Up where she was, the Staff Sergeant's bellowing voice held no edge and instead took on a pleasant singsong quality.

“Hey, Hey Captain Jack
Meet me down
by the railroad track
With a Bottle in your hand
I'm gonna be a drinkin’ man
A drinkin’ man!”

Celestia sat back to enjoy the sight as her younger sister joined her; plopping down on a comfortable cushion to watch the unfolding events with open curiosity. “What is-” She paused as Celestia smiled and quietly shushed her, and the cadence continued down below.

“Hey, Hey Captain Jack
Meet me down
by the railroad track
With a K-bar in your hand
I'm gonna be a stabbin’ man!

A stabbin’ man!
A drinkin’ man!

Hey, hey Captain Jack
Meet me down by the railroad track
with a bible in your hand
I'm gonna be a preachin’ man!

A preachin’ man!
A stabbin’ man!
A drinkin’ man!

Hey, hey captain Jack
Meet me down by the railroad track
with a lady in your hand
I'm gonna be a lovin’ man!

A lovin’ man!
A preachin’ man!
A stabbin’ man!
A drinkin’ man!

Hey, hey captain Jack
Meet me down by the railroad track
with a rifle in my hand
I'm gonna be a shootin' man!

A shootin' man!
A lovin’ man!
A preachin’ man!
A stabbin’ man!
A drinkin’ man!

Hey, hey captain Jack
Meet me down by the railroad track
with an e-tool in my hand
I'm gonna be A killin’ man

A killin’ man!
A shootin' man!
A lovin’ man!
A preachin’ man!
A stabbin’ man!
A drinkin’ man!

The jogging group began going through numerous cadences that Jack led, until he ran dry. When he visibly faltered in his memory, Celestia smiled pridefully as Flitter pushed forward and began singing some of the Royal Guard’s cadences. The show had already drawn quite the crowd, as the group was already well beyond the normal limit for a training jog. Celestia raised a brow as several of the Coming Dawn’s surviving leadership watched silently from a balcony adjacent hers. Her eyes were drawn back to the group as they ended at the ten kilometer mark. Every last pony was visibly winded and flushed hot under their fur, but they all seemed to be in high spirits. Jack had turned a vibrant red and glossed with thick sweat that was visible even up on the balcony. He saluted the other DI’s, and shook several hooves. Celestia smiled as Flitter lead him off field, but the smile swiftly left her royal face. Once out of sight of the field, Jack doubled over against the castle wall and retched up bile violently. Flitter was immediately at his side, concern visibly etched on her face. With a visible look of pain that he swiftly squashed down, Jack stood straight and wiped his mouth clean. He shot a shaky smile at Flitter and spoke, though Celestia couldn’t hear what was being said from her vantage.

“Let's go get something to eat, I think I kicked my own ass enough for today.” Jack wiped at his mouth with the back of his hand again, pointedly ignoring the traces of blood that laced his vomit.

Flitter looked incredibly concerned and unhappy, and she had every right to be. “That was stupid, even for you Jack. What were you thinking? You could have really hurt yourself! You just came out of a coma, and you're weak-” Flitter swallowed her next words, and silently wished that she'd had the forethought to have just kept her mouth shut as Jack shot a dangerous warning glare at her.

“I am not weak.” He hissed furiously, before getting his voice under control. “I refuse to be. This is my lowest, don't expect me to ever fall this far again.” He straightened his back and stretched. “Now let's go eat, I don't want that run to go to waste.”

With her ears flattened against her skull, Flitter nodded and opened the door. “Alright Jack. Follow me.”

The guard messhall was thankfully quiet when Private Mythic Ace sat down across the table from his partner, Corporal Baron. He pushed a food burdened tray in front of her, but didn’t press their boundaries any further than that. She was still furious, and he knew better than to set her off. Mythic sighed to himself as he prodded at the food before him; the food itself was at least pleasant and palatable. He’d had worse in his life, that was to be sure. He just couldn’t force himself to eat yet. Like Baron, his mind was stuck on the events of the day prior. While Baron was fuming over her inability to act, Mythic was stuck on the human. He already knew that he’d done everything by the book, he’d even gotten a compliment from Celestia herself. There was little he could change by tearing himself up on what he could have done differently.

“That human ever touches me again, I’ll kill him.”

Baron’s stilted, emotion laced voice pulled Mythic from his food prodding and musing thoughts. She was still glaring angrily, but now her eyes had shifted onto him. Bracing himself for the ensuing argument, Mythic took her bait. “Baron, we both know it was a misunderstanding-”

“The bloody knife to my throat seemed pretty bucking sure of itself Mythic! I thought we sent all the freaks back to their homes, but nooo! We had to treat a nutbar soldier like a foal with a broken leg.” Baron stabbed at her food aggressively, and began shoveling it into her mouth without care.

“That’s unfair Baron, how would you react if you woke up from a coma in a strange place surrounded by strange ponies? I mean, think about it. He’s supposed to be a soldier, and what’s the first thing a soldier would do?”

Not gracing him with a look up, Baron muttered out her response. “Assess the situation, grab a weapon and find a way out.”

Mythic let his hooves do the talking for him, expressly making a ‘See what I mean?’ gesture. “You didn’t get hurt Baron, that’s what matters, right? I bet you two bits that you might actually like the human if you got to know him.” The stallion smirked to himself as Baron rolled her eyes and snorted, before returning her attention to her food. His smirk slid off his face as the door opened, and the subject of their conversation waltzed in with a trainee junior officer in tow. “Oh balls.”

With the memories of the day prior making themselves known as he pushed through the door, Jack found himself almost embarrassed as he spotted the two guards that had approached him the day before. The grey stallion had spotted him immediately, but thankfully said nothing. Jack sent him a near apologetic look and a nod, before following Flitter to the mess line. The cook blinked in surprise when he turned around and found a human standing at his line, waiting expectantly.

Shaking off his surprise, the cook motioned to the selection of food that waited in small metal tubs. “We've got some balogna for our night guard, I'm told you humans need meat in your diets.”

Jack found it his turn to blink in surprise before grinning wide. He turned his eyes to Flitter and gestured toward the cook. “I like this guy. He gets it.” Jack smiled with enthusiasm as he looked back at the cook. “God, it's been years since I've had Newfie steaks… I'll take some of those. Uh, Bologna, that is, and uh… fuck it, just throw a bunch of sandwich stuff on there, I'll figure it out.” If the cook was offended by the harsh language, he didn't show it for a single second as he nodded to the request. Flitter simply requested ‘the usual’, whatever that was. As they shuffled down and collected their trays of food, Jack smiled readily as he began treading over toward the two guards he recognised. Before Flitter could realise what he was doing and head him off, he'd already reached the table. “Room for two more?” The grey earth pony glanced toward his partner, who had jerked away the moment she'd spotted Jack.

The stallion seemed to consider his options, and before the mare could say otherwise, he nodded and motioned to the table. “Sure pal, just keep it pleasant this time alright?”

Jack smiled toothily and nodded as he offered his hand. “Jack Kessle. Retired Marine Staff Sergeant and active PMC Specialist.” He jerked the thumb on his free hand toward Flitter. “Cadet officer Flitter Falenas.”

The grey stallion across from him took the offered hand and shook it readily as his partner looked disgusted. “I'm Private Mythic Ace, this is my partner, Corporal Match Baron. Royal Guard. Good to know the both of you.” Baron's look of disgust turned to anger as it was directed to Mythic.

Whether he saw the look of anger coming from the corporal, Jack didn't seem to act any differently as he smiled and began creating a sandwich from the pile of random fixings. “I wanted to apologise for yesterday. I was a little off kilter; hostage taking generally isn't my MO.”

Squirming uncomfortably in his seat as Baron turned her anger toward her food, Mythic tried his best to meet Jack's smile. “Right. Ah'm just glad that nopony got hurt, I’ve seen enough of that to last a lifetime.” At Jack's nod, Mythic took note of how his cadet officer seemed to relax, if only slightly. Now that tensions had been somewhat alleviated, Mythic found his questions beginning to crawl upwards. “So… are the Princess’s sending you back to Earth soon Staff Sergeant?”

Not pausing in his devouring of the loaded balogna sandwich, Jack shook his head and swallowed. “Neg, something about the window being closed and a bunch of magic bull. And call me Jack, or something. It's weird enough being called by my old rank, and I refuse to be known by an army ranking system.”

It was strange to Mythic; something about Jack's personality and demeanour had him stifling a smile. The man seemed to ooze professional cool, whether he meant to or not. It proved to be a stark contrast to the wild, dangerous man that had held Baron hostage the day prior. Mythic had only seen that kind of rapid personality shift in a small hoofful of ponies, which were either criminal sociopaths or Coming Dawn operators. He didn't know which he would have preferred Jack to be. “Right. So, think Celestia will be keeping you around like the other humans?” His question seemed to strike something inside the human, who nearly choked on his mouthful of food.

“There are others still here!?” He turned to Flitter, who looked both surprised and incredibly worried by the energy in Jack's outburst. “Why didn't you tell me?!”

Flitter held up her hooves in defence. “You didn't ask! We were going to see Peter later today anyway!”

Jack opened his mouth to protest loudly, but before he had the chance, his brain caught up and he visibly calmed. “Oh.” He chewed his cheek thoughtfully, before glancing back up at the ponies present. “How many Terrans are left here?”

Eager to have the questions end, Baron answered stiffly, with anger still lacing her voice. “Three.”

Mythic shot a worrying eye toward his partner, before giving a bit more detail to Jack. “In Canterlot we know of three. You, Max, and that… Peter?”

His answer seemed to cause Jack to deflate visibly. “Damn… sounds like a lonely sausage party.” He forced a single, huffing laugh at his own joke before taking a bite of his sandwich. Mythic raised a brow in curiosity as Flitter took on a worried expression regarding her friend. Before either pony could question Jack's badly hidden sullenness, he looked back up from his food and continued the questions. “Tell me about this Max guy. I've heard his name in the same sentence as ‘saved all our asses’. Colour me curious.” The doors to the mess hall boomed open, and the chorus of numerous guards coming in for shift change filled the nearly empty hall.

Not willing to put up with the additional questions and attention, Baron stood from the table abruptly. “Oh would you look at that, it's time for our patrol.” Without waiting for her partner, the mare stormed out of the messhall, shouldering through the oncoming crush of ponies while Mythic looked back toward Flitter and Jack apologetically.

“Sorry about Baron, she's…”

“Holding back the desire to stab me in the spleen with her fork?” Jack hazarded his guess, and earned a weak smile on return.

“She’s… we're uh… there's a lot going on, and your showing up yesterday didn't help. I'll try to explain later Staff Sergeant. Have a good day.” He nodded to Jack, and then to Flitter. “Cadet Officer.”

Smiling thinly toward the guard, Flitter nodded in kind. “Private.” She and Jack watched as the stallion about faced and trotted swiftly after his partner.

As Mythic neared the door, his hopes of escaping the mess hall unscathed were swiftly shattered by the sound of a familiar stallion. “Where yah goin’ in such a hurry, Slumdog? Tryin’ to reign in your wild-mare?” Mythic fought back an angry scowl and a scathing retort, instead opting for a rude earth pony gesture toward the stallion in question. The laughs and catcalls only increased as he pushed through the door and out into the hall.

Jack's frown grew into a serious grimace as the private was heckled on his way out by a table of burly looking ponies. Turning his attention solely to Flitter he didn't bother forcing a smile. “Let's go. I wanna talk.”

“What about your-” Flitter paused as her eyes passed over his empty plate. Had he really managed to scarf down the entire plate without her noticing? Apparently. Shaking her head as she pushed her own mostly finished tray away from herself, Flitter stood and collected both trays, dropping them off for cleaning. As she followed Jack through the door, her worry skyrocketed when Jack stopped long enough to make eye contact with the offending earth pony. The stallion smirked and opened his mouth to speak. The words caught in his mouth when Jack grinned broadly and pointed at him.

“I'll see you on the training field, turkey-fucker.” He ran his thumb across his throat to underline his meaning.

Not pausing to enjoy the shocked gasps and enraged cries that echoed through the mess hall, Jack strode through the doors. Flitter followed angrily. “Jack! You can't call a pegasus a turkey, or a turkey fucker!”

With his brow cocked in confusion, Jack turned his head to regard her. “Uhh… why? That's one of my tamer insults.”

Shaking her head, Flitter stopped and gestured back toward the mess hall. “That's really, really racist Jack! Like calling a unicorn a Hornhead, or an earthpony a dirtbag!”

Jack stared at her with confused, furrowed brows. “But those aren't- Oooh…” His eyes widened in realization, and he began laughing as he turned on his heels. He called over his shoulder and he walked back toward the messhall doors. “Be back in a tick.”

“Jack! Don't-” Flitter's warning fell on deaf ears as Jack reentered the messhall. “Fuck me flying…” She began walking back in the hopes of collecting Jack before he did something regrettable.

She was far too late.

“I do apologize to those I offended with my racist remark, I didn't know. So, on its stead, shithead over there will now be known as Private Fuckface. Good day gentlemen. Private Fuckface.” Flitter groaned as Jack ducked out of the doorway, narrowly dodging thrown cutlery. At the very least, the uproar in the messhall was mostly laughter. Jack grinned ear from ear and scooped up Flitter without warning. He began running down the hall, giggling to his heart's content.

Having managed to extricate herself from Jack's grip, Flitter finally had him back on track and moving toward the research labs. At the very least, Jack was in high spirits and had seemingly recovered from his earlier exercise. “Okay Jack. Peter’s in the labs. Please don't touch anything without permission, alright?”

Holding up his hands in his own defence, Jack offered her a winning smile. “Hey, I can behave. So long as they don't try anything shifty.”

Flitter grunted, not willing to even begin to consider what he meant by ‘anything shifty’. Nodding to the guards that stood ready by the lab doors, Flitter pushed them open and led Jack in.

Try as he might, Jack couldn't help but be a little impressed. The labs were contained inside a very large, vaulted hall, and the very air spoke of an environment of professionalism. Despite the technology gap that was present everywhere else, the labs felt quaintly modern. I bet if I closed my eyes, I could pretend I was back on earth… Jack had to fight back the urge to do so immediately. After all, he had a Russian manbear to meet. Refocusing on the labs, Jack began scanning around. It seemed as though the scientists were working on something electronic, possibly a radio. He couldn't tell with the old technology and magical replacements. Thankfully, Flitter took the lead. Walking through the labs, Jack found an easy smile on his face, one of few in recent memory that hadn't been aggressive or forced.

Soon enough the pair came upon what looked like a mountain of flesh and tracksuit, bent over a microscope and using a very tiny soldering gun with great care and skill. Flitter waited for the man to finish his solder before clearing her throat. The man perked his head and spoke in quiet Russian. <Is there something I can help you with?>

With a smirk, Jack answered in Russian. <Looking for a comrade named Peter.>

The other man was obviously not paying attention, as he turned angrily in his chair and fixed the large labcoat that rested over his comfortable tracksuit. <For the last time, my name is Petyr, Pe-Tyr. Say it with me, Pe…> Petyr froze as his mind suddenly came to the realization that somebody was speaking his native language at him. His head jerked upward, and his eyes bulged to nearly comical proportions as he stared at Jack in shock. <M-martyr Kessle! By God, it really is you! I knew, I knew you would survive! Martyr Kessle wouldn’t die from something as trivial as a headshot when he’s survived a nuclear explosion!> The man laughed happily, before making a cross on his chest and bowing to a now confused Jack. <It is truly an honour to meet you sir.>

The strangely incomprehensible and excited conversation had drawn attention from a number of ponies, one of which could only smile and shake his head as he approached Flitter. “Good afternoon Flitter.”

Turning to greet her friend, Flitter could only shake her head and laugh. “Afternoon Field. Jack refused to stay in bed, or follow doctors orders.”

Smiling as he invited Flitter into his office, Field shook his head. “Humans. I don't think I'll ever not be surprised by them.” Field left the door open to the workstation he shared with Petyr so the pair of humans would know where they went. Sitting down at his desk, Field started his automated coffee machine.

Flitter seemed surprised by the machine, and said so. “You two actually got that thing working? Wow.”

“That we did.” Field waited for the first cup to finish, before passing it to Flitter. “Petyr is truly a technological savant. We've already got working radio prototypes that reach out for a hundred miles and weigh less than half of the griffon's leading model. A coffee machine took him an afternoon.” Field sighed happily as he sipped at his own piping hot brew. “What do you think they're talking about?”

Turning her attention back to the window that showed the muted conversation beyond, Flitter could only shrug. “I have no idea, but Jack looks confused and concerned.”

“I'd rather take concerned Jack over a great many of the emotions he shows.” Field clicked his tongue as he shook a small bag of treats. The fuzzy covered dog bed shuffled at the sound, and before the second shake could sound out, a small human female scampered out and began nuzzling happily at Field. Field nuzzled the human back as he gave her one of the little treats. “Show Flitter what you learned!”

The girl nodded rapidly, and loped over to bearhug Flitter. “Fitter!”

Flitter laughed as the girl hugged her with all of her tiny might. “Hiii Toasty! Have you been a good girl today?” The human bloodhound nodded rapidly as she tried to curl up in Flitter's lap.

“Ye!”

Giggling at Toasty’s exuberance, Flitter let the small girl clamber up into her lap, despite the obvious size difference and awkward positioning. “I'm glad you kept her Field.”

“I'm just glad that Celestia’s commission let me.” Field relaxed into his chair and enjoyed his coffee. “I…” He trailed off, and gained Flitter's interest again. “I wanted to thank you again Flitter.”

Waving him off with a wing, Flitter glanced out the window as she petted Toasty’s messy mane of hair. “You already did Field, and you're the one that got in here with the years of research and monster portfolio you dropped in Celestia's lap. Probably helped that your rival got… You know, dead.”

“Be that as it may, I wouldn't be here without you or Jack.” Field turned his attentions back to the pair outside. “We really need to have Petyr learn more Equish.”

Jack stared at Petyr with worry and confusion. <You keep calling me martyr. Why? How do you even know me?>

If Jack's confusion caused Petyr distress, he didn't show it. <You're one of the eight Martyrs who delivered humanity's salvation, how could I not know you? We learned of you in school, there's even a holiday! It's called Salvation day.>

The man's statement only seemed to floor Jack further. <There's a HOLIDAY because of me!? School programs!? Good God!> Jack rubbed at his face, before blowing air through his nose. <They made us heroes…god… okay… uh, Petyr, where are you from?>

Said man seemed confused by the sudden change in questioning, but seemed to accept it with excitement. <I was born on Titan Station, 2038. I've… a lot of the immigrants on the station idolized the martyrs. It...it truly is a real honour to meet you, Martyr->

<Please, stop calling me martyr. Just call me Jack.> Jack rubbed at his cheek idly. <So you're a scientist? You don't look very old, man.>

Laughing as he sat down, Petyr allowed himself a moment to appear cocky and ultimately pleased with himself. <I have a gift with technology. I earned my Masters in engineering from TTI when I was twenty two, four years ago. I am very good at making things. I can make you things too, maybe upgrade your exo skeleton further?>

Jack's initial questions died violently at the mention of his exo skeleton. <Do you have it here? Where is it? I need it.>

Blinking in surprise at the earnestness of the request, Petyr nodded. <Yes, along with the things you had with you when you were injured. Your sabot pistol, explosives, ect. Myself and Professor Note have kept them away from the other scientists so to avoid any dangerous technology from entering unprepared hooves. I can release the exo to you, but I will need Celestia’s permission to release weapons to you.>

Nodding his head rapidly, Jack motioned for Petyr to hurry up. <That's fine, I just need the exo. Now. I need it now.>

<Yes, yes of course. I'll get the professor to unlock the safe.> Petyr stood and walked to the office with the weight and grace of a man several times smaller. He knocked politely before entering the office to face the two ponies inside. <Field, I need Martyr Kessle’s exo->

Field sighed and set his coffee aside as Petyr spewed Cyrillic at him. “Pete, you know I can't understand you, especially when you're worked up. What-” Field swallowed his words when Jack edged passed the much larger man.

“Exo. I need my Exo, Field.” The look on his face nearly spoke of desperation, and Field struggled to come up with a good reason why that would be. However, Jack wasn't one to take no for an answer.

“Alright Jack, just let me open my safe.” Field’s horn lit up, and the safe spinner began spinning wildly in seemingly random directions. Before Jack had a moment to get antsy, the safe door popped open, and Field motioned to the exo inside. There were important documents, money, and valuable artifacts inside as well, but Field knew Jack didn't care for anything but his exo skeleton at that point in time. Field waited for the human to pull his exo free before closing the safe and giving the spinner a twist for good measure. Jack threw on his exo and let out a purr of satisfaction as it whirred quietly and secured itself to his body. Everybody in the office watched him as he shivered and let out a stilted breath.

“Sorry Field… needed my Exo.” Jack regained his smile as he crossed the office and wrapped his arms around Field. The stallion let out a strangled bat screech as the air was forced from his lungs by Jack's overeager friendliness. The hug wasn't particularly painful, but the embarrassment caused by Flitter's enthused giggles hurt Field's ego more than any excessive hug could ever have. To make matters worse, Jack gave him a shake before dropping him back into his chair. “It's good to see you man! Really glad I didn't shoot either of you.”

Coughing into his hoof as Toasty eyed the man from her bed, Field returned a portion of Jack's smile. “It's good to see you up and about Jack. We were all worried about you for awhile there. Though, I am very surprised to see you up and about so quickly.”

Settling into a comfy chair that was meant for ponies, Jack cocked his head at Field before stealing Flitter's coffee and drinking half of it in one chug. He let out a coo of happiness as she protested, before regaining control of himself and ignoring her flailing hooves. “Yeah, if I was anyone but a Longbow, I’d still be laid up in a bed and doing months of physio. Or dead“ He held the cup of coffee further away from Flitter, who’s annoyance only grew louder.

Field raised a brow at Jack as Petyr slipped behind him to make a few more cups of coffee. “Can you explain?”

Rolling his eyes as he drained the cup, Jack relaxed into the chair. “Well, on account of me not really having any legs, or tendons, and being in really, really good shape. I wish I could tell you that Hades plugged me full’a nanobots or marinated my muscles with Cruedsinol, but that’s not the case. I only have muscle deg to deal with, and it feels like the hospital staff might’a used electrolysis to fight that off. Honestly I’m surprised I was out for so long. The bullet must have just skipped across my skull, otherwise we wouldn’t be having this conversation, plate or no plate.” Jack shrugged before eagerly accepted his second cup of coffee with vibrant thanks to his large comrade. “Mmm! Damn that's good coffee!” He immediately swapped to Russian to sing praise for Petyr. <That's insane coffee Petyr, you'll be seeing more of me for sure!>

Rolling his eyes in good humour as Petyr beamed with pride, Field sat back at his desk. “A lot has happened while you've been under.” Perking a brow out of interest, Jack motioned for Field to continue. Taking the motion with a nod, Field sipped his coffee before continuing. “It seems that Terran humans weren't the only ones brought here by Discord. Whether on purpose or simply by accident, a large number of Terran objects have been cropping up across Equus. A good amount of which seems to be military hardware.” Jack immediately perked up, his interest piqued.

Flitter cleared her throat, politely informing Field that she would be handling the rest of the conversation without having to say so. She smiled apologetically toward Jack before speaking. “Field shouldn't have gotten your hopes up. There isn't a lot of this stuff turning up, it's mostly mundane things too, like broken electronics and trinkets. If you're interested in it still, I'm sure you could ask either Celestia or Luna about a job. Once you're done healing, of course.”

Jack grunted as he slouched back into his seat. “You sure know how to take the piss out of things now Flitter.” Slowly draining the last of his coffee, Jack finally turned his attention to Toasty, who was slowly but surely trying to sneak closer to Jack. “And who’s this?”

Smiling as he watched Toasty perk up at the attention, Field looked back toward Jack. “That’s Toast. She’s the human who sniffed you out in the DRMSI facility. She’s the only reason we found you so fast.” Field clicked his tongue, and Toast immediately perked up, her attention locked onto him.

A slight frown grace Jack’s features as he looked over the small girl. “Really now… Must have one helluva nose to pull that off.”

With a nod, Field pointed at Jack. “Who’s that Toasty?”

To Jack’s surprise and chagrin, the girl bounced up on her heels and hugged him as tightly as her little arms could allow. “Iz Jak! Finded!” She continued trying to snuggle into a now uncomfortable and struggling Jack as he shot a confused look toward Field that demanded answers.

All too happy to oblige, Field laughed to himself before answering. “When Discord’s ancient spell over the humans was broken, a good portion of Equestrian humans suddenly had the brain capacity of your average Terran. However… not all of them did. Most of them, about three quarters, reverted back to pre-terran brain power. Toasty is… she’s a special case. She’s stuck in the middle. She’s a drooling dolt to Terrans, but a venerable genius amongst Equestrian humans. The humans who were given terran intelligence were mostly sent back with the other Terrans to lead proper lives, but Toast would never get that chance. So I adopted her fully.”

To everyone’s surprise, Jack didn’t respond immediately as he settled with petting the girls hair. After a moment of clear thinking, he nodded to Field. “That’s good. She’s got a good home, and that’s all that matters.” He gave Toast an affectionate scratch behind the ears, which she seemed to thoroughly enjoy. “Are you happy, Toast?”

The girl nodded as she pushed her head into his fingers. “Ye.”

Apparently, that was enough for Jack, who smiled more readily at the others as he visibly relaxed. A few minutes of peaceful silence passed, before he spoke in quiet russian toward Petyr. <I need a gym partner who can keep up. You in, comrade?> Flitter and Field both muttered quietly between each other as the conversation went over their heads. The pair decided to chat quietly to each other, instead of trying to make heads or tails of the language.

Petyr was apparently surprised by the sudden attention he was getting, and his slow answer made it obvious. <I… I suppose that would be- I would be honoured.> Petyr smiled weakly as he wrung his hands together. <I just do not work out very often, so I worry that I would not be able to keep up to you, Mar- erm… Jack.>

<Bullshit you don’t work out!> Jack leaned forward and grinned at Petyr. <You hip tossed that beastie like he weighed sweet fuck all. You have to work out.>

Holding his hands up defensively, Petyr shook his head. <Please don’t mention that monster, please. I haven’t told the ponies what happened there.>

The joking tone immediately fled the room as Jack’s features hardened. <What do you mean you haven’t told them? Did they find that bastard Forge?> Jack’s tone held a dangerous edge to it, so much so that Flitter and Field halted their conversation and turned their attentions back to the pair of men.

Begging Jack with his eyes and hands, Petyr sought frantically for an explanation. <Because I know nothing about the beast, or the man who made it! I can’t bring it up without making it seem like it isn’t as terrible as it is. Please, I understand why you would be angry, but now is not the time…” Petyr let out a sigh of relief as Jack turned his red-hot gaze away from him. <I will work with you. To find and destroy the man and any of his beasts. But we must keep it quiet, as competent as the ponies are with many things, dealing with such… such monstrous evils is not one of their strong suites. If we don’t do this right, many could die.>

Nodding in agreeance, Jack fixed Petyr with a hard, determined stare. <Men like Forge… they need to die Petyr. It’s now our duty to see that evil perish, properly and permanently.>

Flitter and Field exchanged glances, and quietly questioned what the conversation could be about to draw such dark tones. Petyr sighed softly, and deflated into his oversized chair. <I will not fight, Jack. I am a pacifist. But… you have need of my aid, and if my hands must create weapons of destruction to protect the innocent, so be it. You have my word.>

The two men shook hands, and Flitter could no longer bear not knowing what had been decided right before her. “Okay, okay, what the heck are you two talking about? I don’t understand a single word of it.”

Jack grinned broadly at her as he stood and stretched, sending a rhythmic pop down his spine. “Petey’s gonna be my gym partner. You know, physio.” His half honest smile must have worked, as Flitter deflated and rolled her eyes.

“The tones of that language are all weird, because that certainly sounded a lot more serious that deciding ‘gym buddy’.” Flitter fluttered her wings as she grew uncomfortable in her seat.

To make matters worse, Jack chuckled softly at her and stood. “You must not hear much russian. Come on, you can escort me back to my room so the docs can poke and prod some more. It’ll be fun! Promise!” His enthusiasm somehow had Flitter’s smile returning, if a bit grudging. Agreeing to take him back to the hospital wing, Flitter and Jack said their goodbyes for the time being and left the two men of science to their work.

The walk back to the hospital proved to be thankfully quiet, although they did get a great number of strange looks and double takes as Jack strode down the halls with his exo skeleton powering his sore limbs. Upon seeing him, the doctors practically had a field day trying to figure out how a recent coma patient could walk so easily, let alone go on ten kilometer runs. Jack said his goodbyes to Flitter, before giving her a crushing hug as she tried to leave.

“See you tomorrow, right?” Jack asked quietly as a nurse fawned over his bandages.

Flitter, for her part, looked sorry as she answered. “Not for awhile, I have class to attend. But um… maybe come see me around six? My room is in Faustican Hall, eleventh door on the right after the north stairs.” She smiled a little more readily as Jack stole a pad of paper and a pen to write it all down. With one final smile, Flitter waved at him with her wing as she left him to the devices of the medical staff. Flitter assured herself that tomorrow would go by much easier, but a part of her questioned how easily Jack had ‘acclimated’ to the castle. Maybe he was just acting? That would explain the rapid and violent mood shifts and confrontational behaviour. It was like he was marking a psychological territory. Flitter shook the thoughts from her head as she trotted back to her room. After all, she wasn’t a psychologist, let alone one capable enough to understand the convoluted inner workings of a brain like Jacks. Maybe he really was that quick to acclimate. Flitter paused just before her door, and a smile spread across her features.

She wasn’t a psychologist, but she did know one.