Author's Notes:

AKA The Cursed Chapter. Seriously, this chapter has been delayed by sickness, technical issues, a wedding, and travel. I've lost over 3K words of work on this chapter alone. All I can say is thank fuck it's done. Chapter 32 is already being worked on, so It should follow hot on 31's heels.

Flitter sat at a document strewn desk pouring over the after-action reports that had come from the elite Lunar guard. They all lined up perfectly, painting a firestorm of gunfire and rapid violence, but by all accounts, the attack itself didn't make sense. Dime a dozen bandits didn't have the funding to pull something this scale, and Chrysalis' hive didn't have the resources to alienate themselves by attacking Equestria's assets. Of course, answers would be more forthcoming if the captured bandit was actually willing to talk. Flitter rubbed her cheeks and focused on the reports; she was subconsciously hoping that if she stared at them long enough, she would have a eureka moment and crack it wide open. Unfortunately, both she and three other officers were at the same impasse. The two groups were working together in some fashion, had funding, and were being supplied with some very serious hardware.

“Has anyone gotten the wreckage report from the downed airship?” One of the officers asked after she sipped her coffee. One of the other officers held up his hoof, before sliding the folder across the table. Flitter had already read through it, or at least, what there was to read. It was the smallest of the folders by far, mostly because Jack had reduced the ship to flaming splinters. Any intelligence that had been present on the airship had gone up in smoke. Eyewitness accounts marked the airship as griffon make and model, but no defining marks could be seen, nor was it flying any colours when it had attacked. The fact it had made it across the border unnoticed while carrying military grade weapons was especially worrisome for a lot of ponies.

All their Intel pointed to one fact. Somebody was funding the location and return of human weapons, somebody who had the funds to bring a hive into the fold. This somebody was willing to attack Equestrian guards and destroy property on Equestrian soil. On top of that, the entire plan was very recent.

Flitter sighed to herself as she got up from the table. “I'm going to see Jack. Good luck guys.” The other officers waved idly to her as they quietly discussed possibilities. Flitter trotted from the room and entered the castle proper; she'd been visiting Jack since he'd been admitted two days ago, but he had yet to truly wake up from the magically induced sleep. Thankfully, the unicorn doctors were healing his wounds quickly, so when he did wake up he wouldn't be bed ridden.

Trotting through the hospital wing, Flitter pushed passed the curtain that separated Jack from the rest of the ward. His nurse was there, using her magic to massage the man's inactive muscles and clean his body. Flitter smiled and greeted the mare. “Hello Poppy. How's Jack today?”

The mare smiled brightly and her magic cut off. “Wonderful, the doctors should be waking him up today. His wounds were fairly easy to heal with all of us here and his body’s natural healing rate.”

With a happy smile to answer the good news, Flitter sat down in the chair by his bed. She began writing a small notice to the team Jack had led on the mission. A good few of them had made it apparent that they wanted to be present when he woke up and Flitter didn't want to let them down. She passed it off to one of the guards outside the room with the request it be delivered immediately, before rejoining Jack. “So, will you be helping Jack once he wakes up?” Flitter smiled toward Poppy as she asked her question.

The mare shrugged as she checked the machines. “I don't think so. I have a lot of paperwork to do anyways. Oh, looks like the doctors are here to wake him up. I hope to see you again soon Flitter.”

Any further conversation was stolen away when the doctors filled in, and the Lunar guards gathered outside the curtains. Flitter frowned slightly at the lack of Field and Petyr’s presence, but they had been incredibly busy with their projects as of late. The doctors horns lit up, releasing the spell holding his mind down in black peacefulness. The effect was immediate, as Jack's eyes rolled in his skull and focused instantly. The machines blared for a moment as his readings spiked, before steadying as his eyes scanned the hospital room. His tensed muscles relaxed somewhat, and the doctors began their short work of checking over everything. For the entire process, Jack sat silently, watching the ponies around him like a hawk.

When the doctors finished their work, they were quick to trot out, leaving Flitter alone with Jack for a short moment. He finally seemed to be relaxing, but the strange hawkish attentiveness stuck. “Where am I?”

Flitter was taken aback by the sound of his voice more than the question itself. His voice was nearly toneless, like he was focusing entirely on speaking clearly. “You're in the castle’s hospital, Jack.”

He blinked slowly, before letting his eyes stray across the small room as he asked another flat toned question. “How long was I out?”

“Two days.” Flitter found herself fidgeting uncomfortably as his eyes returned to her. His next question was voiced differently, in a nearly curious tone.

“Was anyone else in here with me?”

A short pause passed by them as Flitter wracked her brain for names. “A few doctors, me, Sergeant Taven, Captain Hard Tac, Petyr and your nurse Poppy.”

Jack coughed and lurched in his bed, before scratching at his face to hide it. It was gone now, but for a split second Flitter had seen two things in his eyes. Anger, and fear. “Alright.” His voice came out barely controlled and guttural, but he quickly swallowed it all down and bottled it up. “Did all the guys survive?”

“I told you I heard his voice!” A stallion's voice rang out beyond the curtain, and without warning the squad pushed in and surrounded Jack. Their voices overcame Flitter's, squashing and stepping over her questions. She watched as Jack swiftly resumed acting like his old self, laughing and joking with the Elites.

“I had to carry you into the ambulance Kessle.” Hard Tac started as he fished out a cigar. “After you got perforated trying to save our mangy asses. And you're only down for two days? The hell do they make you terrans out of?” He clipped the cigar and offered it to Jack, who took it with a smarmy grin.

“Blood and Iron.” He puffed away at his now lit stogie as Hard Tac laughed with the other stallions.

“Blood and Iron he says! I swear Jack, you've got to be the nastiest bastard this side of the mountains.” The stallion took Jack's hand with both hooves. “You ever need a squad, we’re ready.”

Jack waved the thought off as he kicked his legs off the bed and hopped up. “Oh come on, that was all you guys! I mean, I was pretty amazing, but you guys kicked some serious ass.” Jack grinned as the squad around him laughed. He slowly pushed himself up and stretched, his body popping and crackling as it settled.

“We're going to get some drinks to celebrate. Can I count you in staff sergeant?” Hard Tac puffed on his stogie lightly as he eyed the human and waited for his answer. To his and the squad's disappointment Jack shook his head.

“Not right away. I got a few things I need to take care of. Knock a few back for me though, I'll be there soon enough.”

“Aye Kessle.” Hard Tac gave him a nod of respect before gathering the squad up and pulling them out of the hospital.

Flitter stood by Jack's bed, her mind swimming with questions she knew she couldn't just outright ask. With her voice failing her when she needed it most, Flitter only managed to ask her worst question. “Jack, are you alright?”

“You keep asking like you're expecting the answer to change.” He said quietly as he leaned on the bed and ran his fingers through his scraggly hair. “I'm fine.” He smiled toward her, before his eyes focused on the little gold bar adorning her collar. “When’d you get your butter bar?”

A slight frown crossed her features for a moment as he deflected the subject back onto her. “When you left. I left you a note on your door about my test, but you were busy with your mission.”

He grunted quietly, nodding his understanding. Flitter had somewhat expected an apology, but one was not forthcoming. “Is Baron still locked up?”

Flitter cocked her head in confusion. “Why would Corporal Baron be locked up?”

A short paused passed between them, before Jack lightly shrugged. “A question for the royals then.” He straightened and popped his back with a grunt before moving toward the curtains. Flitter was hot on his heels as she wracked her brain for a way to salvage things.

“Erm… Toasty misses you?” Flitter began to cringe at how lame her words sounded when Jack paused and turned on his heels to look at her questioningly.

“Does she?” He blinked in surprise, but didn't smile. He seemed heavily distracted. “I'll have to visit her and the guys soon…”

Letting out a suppressed snort of annoyance with herself, Flitter trotted up to his side. “Are you sure you're alright? You're acting a little weird.”

Jack's face twitched, and turned up into a fake smile. “When don't I?” He frowned slightly. “Don't answer that, it's a joke.”

Flitter nosed his side as she trotted passed. “Alright. I hope we can talk later Jack. In private.”

He shrugged noncommittally and kept his hands snug against his side. “Maybe. I doubt it though.”

“Huh?” Flitter blinked in surprise as pain prodded her heart.

Jack continued moving for the hospital doors. “Oh come on Flitter. You're an officer now, and I'm just a noncom monkey running ops. I doubt our schedules would even line up remotely. B’sides, I wouldn't want to bother you with my weird.”

He smiled thinly as Flitter's ears flattened against her skull. “Okay. Well, um… I guess I'll find Hazel and Poppy, and go for coffee in the meantime.” Flitter watched as the man immediately tensed, his fists curling tightly at his sides. I knew it. Flitter thought to herself sourly. He knew Poppy. “Will I see you later?” She asked softly as concern laced her voice.

Rubbing idly at the numbers tattooed on his forearm, Jack shrugged and looked around the hospital quickly. “Up to you Flitter…” Jack set his jaw and grimaced as his fingernails dug into his own tattooed flesh.

Sighing weakly as she stood by his side, Flitter nuzzled him softly before pulling away slowly. “Jack, I… I'm sorry for what I said earlier. I was frustrated and… I took it out on you.”

With a soft grunt, Jack nodded and shrugged. “It's fine Flitter. Didn't bother me none.”

“I mean it Jack.” Flitter looked up at him with soft eyes. “You're my friend, and I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you.” She carefully nuzzled his closest hand.

Kneeling down, Jack pulled her into a brief hug. “I know… I'm sorry my head's not where it should be lately, just…” He pulled away and rubbed the back of his head. “Just got a lot of shit on the go.”

“I want to help, Jack.” Flitter nuzzled his hand, before he set both on her head and slowly scratched at her ears.

“I'll be fine, Sparky. I'll see you later, alright?” He smiled down at her as he stood. Flitter swallowed sadly and nodded as she tried to keep her ears from airplaning. Jack gave her one last ear rub for good measure, before turning on his heels and heading off down the hall. As the pair went their separate ways, both their minds drifted to the same topic, the same problem.

Poppy Gallipoli, and how to deal with her.

_____________________________________________________________________

Jack's heels squeaked and squealed as he treaded down the castle halls toward the Labs, his mind racing far ahead of him. She's here! Fuck! He growled to himself as his hands clamped by his side. And she was my nurse. She had me unconscious. When I find her, she's dead. Ain't no amount of luck in this whole world to keep her away from me. He barged through the lab doors and focused himself fully; he was immediately caught off guard by how busy the labs were. Scientists and researchers passed back and forth between work stations, and a moderate hum of mixed conversations filled the air. As Jack neared Petyr and Field's station, his eyes passed over a mannequin of a pony that was bedecked in body armour and tactical gear. The helmet immediately made him think of the old world war German stahlhelm, with its flared neck protector and light steel construction. With his attentions stolen by the mannequin, he nearly ran directly into Princess Celestia’s royal rear.

Celestia turned to face him, her eyes gauging him curiously before she motioned toward the recent addition to the labs. Jack quirked a brow and moved to her side, only to find himself staring at a small test firing range that was protected and muted by thick glass. A large stallion stood inside with a saddle mounted rifle strapped to his side, and a firing bit snug in his mouth. Field stood by with Petyr and several other scientists taking notes. On cue, the stallion fired the rifle, and it ejected a golden cartridge that sparkled as it clattered against the ground. Jack smiled as he looked over the belt fed rifle that sported a fine wood body and gold banding. Thankfully, the barrel seemed to be steel, which it proved when the stallion pinned down the trigger and fired a long line of rounds into the target down range without any issue.

“Decent fire rate. Maybe four hundred?” Jack asked curiously, which caused Princess Luna’s ears to perk.

The Princess turned and smiled broadly at Jack. “Ah! You're finally awake Jack. That is good, I had feared you would miss all of our progress.”

He managed a smile as he rubbed his tattooed forearm. “Can't keep me down with a couple ounces of lead. Looks like you guys got the new rifle working. Kinda looks like a BAR on steroids. What cartridge did you end up settling on?”

Luna clopped her hooves happily and cantered over to a table to show him several gold cast rounds. “We decided to mirror your 7.62x51 ‘nato’ rounds, but we just couldn't get the gunpowder to work. So, we used magically charged crushed gemstones as a propellant!” The princess seemed incredibly proud of the idea, while Jack seemed skeptical.

“I guess anything can explode if you magic it.” He shrugged, before looking around. The cache of weapons recovered from the train all sat in the labs, and several of the boxes seemed to have been busted open, their contents being poured over by the scientists. “You guys sure do seem busy. You starting a war or something?”

As Luna began to speak, somebody cleared their throat loudly and interrupted her. Celestia trotted forward, with Field and Petyr by her side. “We do not aim to start wars, Staff Sergeant. We aim to stop them before they start.” She smiled lightly toward Jack. “This is the humble beginnings of a world wide accord to peace with our allies.” She paused, and began to speak again, only to be interrupted by a happy squeal and a short bolt of woman tackling Jack by his midriff.

Jack grunted loudly as Toast clamped onto him and nuzzled him like mad. “Jak!”

Smiling weakly as his stomach protested, Jack rubbed his hands through her mess of hair as he wheezed. “Hiya Toasty…” He patted her head. “You gotta be a quiet girl right now okay?”

The girl looked up at him with wide happy eyes and nodded dramatically as she placed a finger over her slight lips. “Shh, quiet Toast.” She smiled when he did, and hugged his belly tightly. “Jak.” He looked up at Celestia, who was smiling in good humour at his plight. He rolled his hand, signalling her to continue with what she had been saying prior.

“We have a new initiative. A change in how we do things around here. We are starting a militia, which will train next to the Royal Guard with these new weapons. Next to the militia, we will have a special group.” Jack immediately perked, his attentions piqued. “A special operations unit, like the Coming Dawn and the Lunar Elites. Only this group will have its choice pick of soldiers from across the world from nations who sign the accord.” The princess smiled toward the man as he straightened subconsciously. “We will also need somebody to train everyone. We want that someone to be you Jack.”

His excitement immediately fled from his features, and those present watched as he visibly deflated. “You want me to be a drill instructor?” The pain in his voice became horribly apparent as he rubbed his tattooed forearm. “I… I guess I can do that.”

Not wanting to drag Jack's hopes and dreams in the mud any further, Luna spoke with good humour. “Worry not Jack, you will be joining field operations once both groups are capable of training themselves.”

He began to perk again, but his hopes were once again crushed by Celestia. “Once you have gone through your psychiatric evaluation.”

“A psych eval?” Jack's features twisted slightly in trepidation. He became immediately suspicious, and his eyes flicked to Luna. The princess smiled weakly and nodded, which gave him zero confidence. “Great. Where and when?” He asked stiffly.

Celestia smiled toward him as she began trotting for the door. “Soon. Until then, rest Jack. And welcome to the group.”

“Does it have a name?”

The princess paused, glancing over at him in thought. “No, it doesn't. Do you have any ideas? You are the first member after all.”

He paused for a moment, mulling over a thought. “JSOG. Joint Special Operations Group. Semper fidelis, semper paratus.” The group before him stopped and looked over at him with open confusion and curiosity. Coughing into his hand, Jack quietly spoke again. “Always faithful, always prepared.”

With a smile Luna stepped forward from the group. “A fine name and motto.”

Her sister maintained a neutral expression as she interjected. “A work in progress title. We shall discuss possibilities later. For now, we have things to attend to. Mr. Morozov, please forward Shield to Emperor Wilhelm.”

Jack held up a hand, asking for a moment. “What about Baron and the bandit we captured? What have we gotten from them?”

“The changeling known as Baron hasn't given us anything to work with, and the bandit has refused to speak a word.”

With his features scrunched in distaste, Jack rubbed his beard. “What do you mean ‘nothing to work with’?”

Celestia smiled lightly. “She has informed us that she is not allied with Queen Chrysalis's hive, but with her being a drone infiltrator, the likeliness of that statement being true is very low.”

Sighing lightly to himself, Jack looked to Celestia. “I'd like a chance to talk to her soon, and if you want I can make your bandit talk.”

The Princess immediately frowned. “We do not condone torture Jack. I refuse to allow you to beat a prisoner within an inch of his life.”

“Who said anything about beating? I promise, there won't be a single bruise on his body from what I'll do. Trust me, he’ll sing when I'm done.”

Her frown turned into a very grave stare. “Jack, I will hold you to that promise, but if you lie to me-” the Princess cut herself off and smiled thinly. “I'll send word ahead to let you try. Feel free.” Without another word, Celestia trotted out of the labs, leaving Luna behind.

Luna coughed and smiled weakly. “You really do bring out the best in my sister.” She sighed lightly, before bumping Jack. “So what do you think? Impressive?”

Turning his attentions down toward the small woman still clamped around his midriff, Jack smiled toward Luna for a moment. “Hell yeah. For a nation to go from full on peace to this so quickly is… well it's pretty damn impressive. “ He scritched and scratched at Toasty's ears, causing the small woman to coo and nuzzle into his hands loudly.

The princess smiled weakly as she stood by him and looked over the labs. “I wouldn't say that the nation has accepted the idea… we haven't even broached it to the public, or gone into full production.” She sighed lightly. “But I'm sure that it will go over well so long as Tia is the one to do it.” The Lunar princess began trotting for the door. “I will be seeing you Jack. Please behave.”

“Not a chance.” He shot a well meaning grin towards the princess as she trotted out, shaking her head. When the doors closed, Jack began giving Toasty his full attention. “Who's a good girl?”

“Toast?”

“That's right, you are!” He grinned happily at the distraction and messed her mop of hair, much to her enjoyment.

“Yay!” Toasty hugged his leg tightly as she nuzzled into his thigh. The small raven haired girl smiled happily and soon rested her face against his leg. “Jak.”

As Jack smiled in good humor, Field approached with a small smile of his own. “She's always so docile until you show up. I've actually been thinking about breeding her, if you're interested-” Field's sentence died in his throat as Jack glared knives at him. “-but of course it's just a thought, and I probably won't…”

“Up to you Field.” Jack said quietly, before smiling again. “Hey Pete! You wanna go train in a bit?

The large man shook his head as he picked over Jack's gutted drone. “My apology, but I am busy.”

Jack's smile faded slightly as he rocked on his heels. “Alright then. Uh… I guess I'll see you guys around.” He chewed his cheek for a moment before carefully separating himself from Toast. He quietly said goodbye to the dopey girl, before making his way out of the labs and off into the castle proper.

_____________________________________________________________________

Flitter sat in the booth of her favourite cafe in Canterlot, silently musing over what she knew. Hazel had just entered, and was making her way over to the silently fuming pegasus.

“Flitter? Are you alright?” She asked quietly as she slid into the seat across from Flitter. A waitress trotted over before Flitter could answer, and took Hazel's order. As the mare trotted off, Flitter spoke.

“I think I found out what's going on with Jack. It's Poppy, that mare who was his nurse in the hospital?” Hazel nodded her agreement, and motioned for Flitter to continue. “I think she's done something to him.”

Hazel thanked the waitress for her drink and quietly sipped it before speaking. “What makes you think that? She seems really nice and knowledgeable. “

“He flinched when I said her name.” Flitter said plainly, causing Hazel to sit up straight and stare at her.

“Wow, um… okay, yeah you might be onto something there Flitter.” She scooted closer in her seat and leaned on the table. “So what's the plan then?”

Flitter sighed and stirred her coffee. “I don't know yet, but if she's done something to him, it had to be when he was awake and not able to do anything about it…” She frowned. “The DRMSI building… but the castle would never hire anyone from that terrible place, would they?”

Sipping her coffee as she thought, Hazel tapped Flitter's hind leg with her own. “Why don't you ask Princess Luna to see the employee records?”

“I think I'll do that Hazel.” Flitter smiled thinly and drank more of her lukewarm coffee. “Now, the question is what do I do if and when I prove she worked there?”

Cocking her head a bit as she rested her hooves on the table. “Confront her? You know she did something, we just don't know what. And if she won't talk, then we'll just have to ask Jack. Or, Princess Luna could go into his head and find out.”

Groaning lightly, Flitter slumped at the table and rested her cheek in her upturned hoof. “I don't like any of those options, but they'll have to work for now.” She paused for a short moment as she stared down at her swirling coffee. “I need to figure this out before Jack does something rash… Warn the princesses if I can't. “

“Do you really think he'd… hurt her?” Hazel squirmed uncomfortably at the thought while Flitter scoffed.

“I think if she hurt him as badly as I think she did… If I don't stop her myself then he might just kill her.” Flitter considered just letting said solution work itself out, but decided against it. “As much as I think he'd enjoy that, I can't let him do something like that in front of the princesses.”

Hazel sat quietly, regarding the swirling creme in her fancy coffee. She chewed her lip in thought before looking up from her drink to Flitter. She smiled as best she could as she spoke. “When do we start?”

Standing from the booth, Flitter set some bits down next to her drink. “Right now.”

“But I haven't finished my drink!”

“...Five minutes from now then.”

_____________________________________________________________________

Flitter approached Luna's chambers with the high hopes that the Princess was there, and awake. While she was sure it wouldn't be an issue if either point weren't the case, but it would make things much more difficult. The guards stationed at her door crossed their spears before her, despite knowing exactly who she was. Flitter smiled lightly at the pair as they demanded to know why she was here.

“Here to speak with the princess. Is she awake?”

The highest ranking guard, a colour sergeant, shook his head. “No. She's in the dungeons with the human. Should I take a message lieutenant?”

Flitter shook her head. “No thank you, I'll go find her.” She quickly about-faced and began trotting toward the dungeon at a brisk pace. Worried thoughts flitted through her mind as she cantered past Hazel. Her friend quickly matched her pace, following her through the halls as she was filled in. Flitter quietly worried about what exactly she was going to see going on down there.

______________________________________________________________________

Jack sat across a small wood table from the bandit, Dom. Dom glared daggers at the human as he smoked silently, staring back. Jack's lips curled upward as Captain Hard Tac arrived with the things he'd requested. Princess Luna stood by outside the room, overseeing the process. Dom's eyes flicked to the captain as he set down the bucket of water and Taven wheeled in what appeared to be an acetylene blowtorch.

Leaning back in his chair, Jack smiled cruelly. “Because I'm such an awesome guy, I'm gonna give you a choice in which enhanced interrogation method I use. Wh-” Before he had a chance to get his next word out, the stallion's hoof jerked out and pointed toward the bucket. Jack chuckled, and was joined by Hard Tac and Taven. “As I was about to say, if you don't talk, I'll use both. Now! I've always wanted to waterboard somebody.” He grabbed Dom by his shoulders and hauled him over the table as Hard Tac pulled a potato sack over his head. The stallion thrashed and cried out as they elevated his hind hooves and let his head hang off the table. Once the stallion's entire body was at a slight incline, Jack rolled his shoulders and winked at Luna. “Taven, hold him down.”

Said stallion frowned slightly as he trotted over and held Dominus down as Jack retrieved the bucket of water. “Is this going to hurt him?”

“Not physically.” Jack grinned at Taven before licking his teeth. “Alright tough guy, who do you work for?”

“Eat a bag of dicks human!”

“Wow, rude.” He began pouring the water directly onto the stallion's face, and the effects were immediate as he stiffened and tried to jerk away from the water. His hooves began to twitch slightly as he made weak coughing noises. Jack finally abated the flow and roared his question again.

“Who do you work for, scumbag!? I can do this all day!” The stallion below him struggled against the hooves holding him down as the wet sack pressed against his face. Jack scowled as he hefted the bucket again. “Your call.” He began pouring again, and continued to pressure the stallion until he finally cracked.

Dom coughed and sputtered, before shouting. “Okay! Okay I'll talk!” He wheezed as the hooves holding him down released and the sack was pulled off his head. He glared up at Jack and spat. “I'll talk.”

Smiling thinly and without a hint of kindness, Jack leaned closer to the wet stallion. “Only one hour? We can go for a few more if you want.” He clicked his tongue as Dom shook his head vehemently. “Fine. Suit yourself. Alright, what's your name?”

“...Dandelion Permrose.”

Suppressing a laugh by biting down on his knuckles, Jack grinned. “Alright Dandy, who was funding your operation?”

Dandelion scowled and looked away. “I don't know, I never met them face to face. I just had letters show up.”

“I don't believe you prettyboy. I want a name!” Jack stepped forward and got up in Dandelion's face as he grabbed the stallion by the scruff of his neck.

The stallion cringed away and closed his eyes. “Okay! Fuck! He always went by QC! He was the one that sent those changeling fuckers!”

Princess Luna stepped forward, a heavy frown on her features. “Queen Chrysalis. How many weapons did you find for her?” Jack looked to Luna, before carefully tightening his grip on Dandelion.

“I-I don't know, maybe two warehouses full? I never got to do inventory, we would just get the place full and then the next day it would be empty and payment would be sitting on the desk. It was more money than I'd ever seen, even working for Darkflare, how was I supposed to turn that down!?” Jack cursed quietly, causing Dandelion to jump slightly. “We found these weird crates okay? They were metal and they had a weird symbol on them! I can… I think I remember it.”

Without pause Princess Luna turned to one of the guards present. “Get us a piece of parchment and a stick of charcoal, immediately.” She waited as the guard nodded and galloped off, only to return a minute later with the requested items. Hoofing them over to Dandelion, both she and Jack watched as he crudely sketched. When the work was done, Jack's features had grown grave and he seemed to be deep in thought.

Stepping out of the cell, Jack walked down the hall with Luna and turned to face her. “That symbol’s the biohazard warning symbol. If that's on military cases, we're in trouble.”

A matching frown spread across her own features as she looked over at Jack. “What are the possibilities?”

He scratched idly at his cheek before beginning. “Well, best case scenario is that it's medical waste. Worse case? Biological or chemical weapons. VX nerve agent, mustard gas, Anthrax, any of em. If that's the case we're in deep, deep trouble.” At Luna's confused expression, he continued. “If she's got chem weapons, and she's got the guts to use em, hundreds, if not thousands are gonna die in one of the worst ways possible and there won't be shit we can do about it. Depending on the weapon, it'll burn out your eyes and skin, fill your lungs with fluid, or shut down your nervous system violently. Your body turns against itself and the show isn't pretty no matter what gets used. And if they get used in Canterlot?” He didn't voice the outcome of that particular event, because he didn't have to. “We’re gonna have to take those weapons out of play, and fast, if they’re real.”

Luna scowled hotly for once as she considered her options. “But where is she getting these funds? She is funding these bandits, but somebody is funding her…” The Princess started as Jack began scratching her ears with both his hands, but slowly relaxed within a moment. “Thank you, that feels lovely…”

Glancing over his shoulder at the sound of hooves descending stairs, Jack released Luna's ears and gave her neck a quick rub and a pat. He immediately brightened as he spotted Flitter descending toward them. “Well if it isn't our favourite winged critter.”

Looking up from the stairs, Flitter smiled toward the pair. “Hello Princess, Jack.” She trotted closer and stopped before them. “Princess, can we talk in private?”

The Princess smiled before nodding. “Of course, Flitter. Just one moment.” She turned toward one of the guards who stood by silently. “Have someone properly interrogate Mr. Permrose. If he doesn't cooperate please retrieve Jack.” She gave the man a mischievous wink, which earned her a grin in return. “Now, would you like to speak in my chambers Flitter?” At Flitter's silent nod, Luna turned her head toward Jack and gave him a nod. “We will be seeing you Jack. Good luck in… whatever it is you've decided to do with the rest of your day.”

“Bar.” He answered honestly, before saluting with two fingers and spinning on his heels to walk off toward Taven and Hard side

Sighing and muttering lightly under her breath, Luna turned to Flitter and gave her a short nuzzle, while her ears flicked and yearned for the attention they had been given moments ago. “Shall we?”

_____________________________________________________________________

The trot to Luna's chambers was a long one, as they were on almost the opposite end of the castle from the dungeons. Upon reaching her room's gilded doors and armed guards, Luna pushed the doors open wide with her magic and beckoned Flitter in. Smiling her thanks as she sat down on a cushion and tucked her legs underneath herself, Flitter let out a long sigh as the doors closed and Luna laid down across from her.

“So, Flitter. What is troubling you?”

Flitter rubbed her muzzle and deflated slightly. “It's about Jack.” Luna nodded in understanding, but decided to let Flitter continue. “I think I might be able to find out what happened to him at the DRMSI building. I need access to the recovered records though.”

Mulling the request over, Luna's horn glowed and a small stone floated over to Flitter. “It has been a concern of mine since he woke, and I'm sure that it has been causing you trouble as well. I will give you access to the recovered records, but I suggest you go to the building itself and take a better look. This is a recording talisman. When activated it records everything before it, images, voices, everything. It can also access less sophisticated viewing talismans, which the DRMSI build will likely have.“

With the small talisman cradled gently in her hooves, Flitter felt the weight of responsibility come to rest on her shoulders fully. “I've… never seen one of these before in person… it's really expensive, isn't it?”

“It is a new version, based off of the human technology we recovered. Our first ‘magitech’ device, as Mr. Morozov called it. I had it made on request. Even the royal guard does not have access to them yet.” Luna smiled softly toward Flitter. “My gift to you, a graduation present.”

An emotional scoff escaped Flitter as she held the talisman. “My family hasn't gotten me anything, for any reason in years…” She got up and crossed the small space between them to nuzzle Princess Luna affectionately. “Thank you Luna… for everything.”

Nuzzling back at Flitter, Luna smiled happily. “It has done wonders for me to have a true friend in you Flitter. You and Jack have been… my friends, and I believe I am most certainly better off with the both of you by my side. Please, help Jack.”

Standing and straightening her mane, Flitter fought to keep her emotions in check. “I'll always be your friend Luna. You're not just a princess to me.” She swallowed thickly. “I… I need to meet up with Hazel. We have a break and enter to commit.”

Luna nodded to Flitter, and gestured toward the door with a wing. “Be careful in there Flitter, and don't get caught.” She smiled coyly as Flitter stood and nodded. “Please, bring the talisman back if you find anything. And be careful with it, Mr. Morozov would have an attack if he heard it were destroyed.” Smiling toward Luna as she neared the doors, Flitter nodded her understanding and slipped away, fully intent on breaking the law.

_____________________________________________________________________

“So, what in Tartarus were you gonna use that cutting torch for Jack?” Hard Tac trotted next to Taven, Jack, and a small handful of elite soldiers. They were all out of uniform, and their natural colours were allowed to show. It had heavily confused Jack when Hard Tac had gone from steel grey to a ruddy brown, and the wings present on his armour turned out to be enchantments disguising the sturdy earthpony. Thankfully Taven hadn't changed a bit.

Jack laughed as he fished a cigarette from his pocket and lit it with his abused little lighter. “I was gonna trick him into thinking I was burning him alive with the cutting torch, while poking him with a popsicle and cooking a hunk of meat out of his view. Saw it in a movie once, and I always wanted to try it.” The guards around him laughed incredulously as they approached the entrance to the little night club that was nestled in one of Canterlot’s less reputable neighbourhoods. Jack perked upon seeing it. “Hey, I wonder if Vinyl's in?”

Taven and Tac looked toward Jack, but Tac showed intense interest. “You know Miss Scratch?”

Coughing lightly into his hoof as he walked, Taven cleared his throat and laughed weakly. “Long story sir. Jack seems to be one of the only living creatures on this planet who've pissed her off.”

“Wait, you actually managed to piss her off, and you lived to tell the tale?” Hard Tac whistled, impressed. “Well now I know for sure that you're bugshit nuts.” He began moving for the back of the line that was forming, but stopped as Jack went to the front. He changed course, and curiously followed the human.

The bouncer at the door held up a hoof without looking up as the small group approached. “Sorry, back of the line fel-” the mare slowly looked up at Jack as he grinned. “Oh.” She managed. “It's you.” She scowled, before rolling her eyes. “Go.” Jack turned on his heel to grin at his group before treading in with them in tow. The line outside cried out in indignation, but were ignored by both parties.

Music pummeled them the moment they pushed through the doors and into the crowded club. The ponies at his back rubbed their eyes momentarily as they got used to the shift in lighting, while Jack narrowed his eyes and scanned the club. Not finding whatever it was he was on the lookout for, Jack led the group toward the bar and took a heavy seat down on one of the stools. Ordering a round of drinks as he plopped the sat sack of bits down on the counter, Jack took a moment to scowl at the sack as he counted the pay.

“You fuckers can't figure out paper money fast enough, this shit is ridiculous.” He turned in his seat and glared at Taven. “I mean come on, how hard is it to slap some numbers on some fucking paper!?”

Taven blinked in shock and confusion as Hard Tac laughed and pulled his drink over. “So, Kessle. Now that we're away from all those eavesdropping ears and gossiping maids, how're you feeling? Really?”

A moment passed where the question went unanswered as Jack slugged back his drink and ordered another. “Really really, or really really?” He grinned as the group around him cajoled him into talking. “Fine! Fine, fuck, you ladies wanna know bad enough…” he quietly sipped his second drink as the music thumped against his temples. “I've been better, yeah, but I've been worse. Anything you can walk away from, right?” The stallions around him nodded and lifted their glasses, taking a long drink to the impromptu toast. Jack relaxed slightly as he lit a cigarette. “So, who's ready to get shitfaced?”

“I know I am.” A familiar feminine voice sounded behind Jack, and as he turned to regard it, he found himself grinning as he stared at Vinyl.

“Hey! How's it goin there Scratch?” Jack passed her a drink from the tray and relaxed against the bar as she drank.

The mare smiled at him lightly. “Better. I don't want to skin you anymore. So, stag party, or company outing?” She winked at the group, causing Taven to shrink and suckle his drink while the other guards all drew closer.

“A ‘they're dead and we're not’ drink session.” Jack informed her as he rolled his shoulders.

“Ooh~” Vinyl cooed as she drew closer and sat down at the bar. “Is it that train you destroyed? That was pretty awesome. The look on the royals faces when you kicked open the doors was priceless!”

Jack relaxed against the bar as the stallions behind him began their own conversations and began to split up slowly. “You saw that?”

“Not in person, but it was all over the news. ‘Staff Sergeant Kessle at it again!’ The reader letter column was hilarious.” The mare laughed as she finished her drink, before looking to him with mischievous eyes. “You feel like making some quick cash?”

“Five bits a minute.” He said blandly as he reached over and began scratching both her ears. Vinyls hooves jerked as she shuddered, before pressing her head into his hands.

“You're a shithead…. Right there~” She relaxed and sighed, before groaning as he stopped his scratchings to light rub the side of her head and give it a pat before pulling his hands away. Vinyl sat for a moment, her features scrunched up as she tried to focus again. “You're really good at that… ugh, okay, bastard. I meant the club.”

“I know what you meant. I'm not interested tonight.” He wrapped an arm around an unexpecting Hard Tac and pulled him in with a headlock as he protested and struggled. “I'm getting drunk with my boys!”

Sighing whimsically, Vinyl grinned and shook her head and hopped off the stool. “Well Jack, if you change your mind, you know where I hang. And if you boys want some company tonight, you know where I am.” She winked before turning on her hooves and setting off toward the back rooms as the next musical set began.

Hard Tac twisted out of his headlock and leaned over Jack's shoulder, watching the mare as she trotted away. “I hate to see you leave, but damn do I love watching you walk away…” He patted Jack's opposite shoulder with his hoof. “I'm gonna try and tag it. Wingman?”

Laughing at the request, Jack drank and shook his head in good humour. “Tac, I'll fly wingman for you any day, but that one? She'll suck the life right out of yah.”

“I was married once Jack, I know-” Tac began before Taven stuck his head over the stallions shoulder and cut him off.

“He means literally sir.”

The stallion blinked as he looked between the two, before looking back toward the doors his desired alabaster booty had disappeared through. “...shit...”

Taven laughed as he patted the captain's shoulder. “You're welcome sir. Besides, she's in a proper relationship, so I'm pretty sure she would just suck the life out of you.”

“Just like my ex.” Tac muttered, earning a loud laugh from Jack as he nodded his understanding. Tac sighed to himself before sitting up straight. “Well, what are we waiting for? Let's get this party fuckin’ rolling!” His proclamation met cheers of approval, just as more drinks arrived.

_____________________________________________________________________

As Hazel and Flitter neared the DRMSI building and the sun continued it's steady fall toward the earth, shadows fell across Canterlot, hiding them as they rounded the back end of the large building. Hazel shifted uncomfortably behind Flitter as she kneeled down and looked at the mangled bottom of the rolling door.

“Finger marks… Jack came back here recently…”

Hazel fidgeted uncomfortably as she cast a look over her shoulder. “Flitter what if somepony comes?”

Grasping the heavy rolling door with her hooves as best she could, Flitter heaved upwards, and only succeeded in lifting the door a marginal amount. Through gritted teeth she managed a strained “help now.” Hazel nodded and her horn lit up, shining a faint pink light over the pair of them as they strained to heft the door upwards. The mangled remains of the lock finally fell from the door and hit the ground with a muted metallic clatter. The pair slipped inside, and set the door down gently.

Squinting in the dark, Flitter smiled thankfully when Hazel's horn shone again, and a dull ball of light appeared before them. Flitter looked to Hazel as she moved through the small loading bay, her senses sharp and wary. “Let's see if we can't find out where their viewing talisman control center. Maybe we can find something there the guard didn't.”

“I hope so…” Hazel shivered as they entered the building proper and the loading dock gave way to the clean halls of the building. “This place is giving me the heebie jeebies…”

“You and me both…”

The pair cautiously travelled through the halls, most of which were clean, save for the ever growing layer of dust on them. Flitter could just make out the unique prints of Jack's boots in the older dust, and she decided to follow them. The bootprints led them into what looked to be an observation area over a large enclosure. Hazel gazed out over the enclosure with open curiosity.

“Almost looks nice, huh?”

Flitter's eyes remained on the deeply imprinted forms of Jack's hands in the metal guard rail. “Yeah… real nice.” She lifted her gaze toward the enclosure, and immediately spotted the patches of grass and faux rock that were slightly darker coloured from spilled blood or pressed down by fallen bodies. Pulling away from the edge, Flitter narrowed her eyes and began to trot around. “Now, if I were a talisman control room, where would I be?”

Her eyes narrowed in suspicion as she changed direction again and began trotting out of the observation level and back into the facility proper. Her hooves carried her through increasingly damaged halls, and she soon passed by the first blood stain that had refused to come out. It spattered the wall, perfectly matching the impact mark of a heavy lead bullet. Flitter swallowed uncomfortably, before turning her head to look toward Hazel. Her words halted in her throat as her eyes fell on the words ‘security control’. A thin smile crossed her features as she changed course directly for it. Trying the door handle, a deep frown crossed her features as she found it securely locked. From the deep dents in the doors body, it was apparent that somebody had tried to force their way in and had failed.

“Is this it?” Hazel asked quietly as she stood next to Flitter.

“I think so.” Flitter carefully pulled the mono-edged kabar from its semi-hidden place in her uniform, before slowly sliding it between the door and the frame. A muted clack sounded as it cut through the deadbolt with ease. Flitter smirked to herself as she gave the door a push and it slowly swung open. The room beyond was untouched by the general chaos that had consumed the innards of the rest of the building. Several large panels of enchanted glass stood by, their talisman feeds blank. A small, comfortable looking chair sat nearby, knocked over as if the previous occupant had jumped right out of it. Hazel picked it up, allowing Flitter to sit as she curiously searched the rest of the tiny office.

The advanced talisman slid into place over the control board, and Flitter couldn't help but smile as one of the panes of glass flickered, and a magically produced image appeared upon its surface. The picture was of an abandoned room, it's contents torn through and discarded across the floor. Licking her lips before slowly speaking the date of her and Field's rescue attempt, Flitter watched with growing anticipation as the image began to reverse, going faster and faster until ponies appeared in the image, moving backwards and in a panic. The motion slowed, until everything was finally back to normal. The room she was looking into was orderly and clean, and a trio of ponies stood around a small coffee machine. The door burst in, the the scientists jumped. Bandits moved into the room, shooting one of the stallions dead and setting upon the other two with bladed instruments. Flitter's stomach churned, and she was glad that the she hadn't told the talisman to broadcast sound. She began flicking through the available points, until she finally found the human enclosure. Inside she recognised Petyr immediately, and the woman Jack had called Elissa.

“I don't see Jack in there…” Hazel started as she peered over Flitter's shoulder at the screen.

Chewing her cheek as she nodded, Flitter began to reverse time again, until something large and savage flashed across the pane. She immediately stopped, and found herself staring directly into the eyes of an abomination. It's lips were split into a hellish grin as its monstrous hands ripped a human in two. Flitter swallowed as her throat went dry, and allowed the event to play out before her. The woman Elissa pulled what looked to be a small bone from its neck, before being struck down. Flitter sucked in a breath as the abomination lifted both hands to squash her beneath them; Flitter's held breath escaped as Petyr slammed into the beast and wrestled it. The pair struggled as Elissa wormed away, before Petyr let out a silent roar and sent the abomination hurtling toward the ground. The image jumped at the impact, and before a second had passed Jack burst from the small stream and scooped up a large rock. He pounced onto the beast's chest and brought the rock down hard across its head. Flitter heard Hazel gag heavily as the things face was taken clean off, revealing a completely blank slate of flesh. Jack recoiled as well, before redoubling his efforts in braining the creature. He only stopped striking it when Petyr and Elissa dragged him from its twitching corpse.

Flitter shuddered as Jack looked up by the camera with a look of pure, unadulterated loathing that disguised itself with a twisted grin and drew a finger across his neck. Moments later, a large team of wranglers entered the room, and Jack had bounded out of the camera's sight. Flitter began flicking through the available cameras, doing her absolute best to follow him. She watched as he fought the wranglers tooth and nail, only to be crushed and beaten down. They dogpiled his fallen form after a unicorn blasted him with a half bolt of lightning. As he thrashed and convulsed they pinned him down and began strapping him into the straightjacket he had worn when she'd found him. The heavy metal mask was locked over his head.

A deep frown settled over Flitter's features and remained there as she followed Jack through the facility, and to his isolation cell. The view inside was of an incredibly cramped cell that was beyond cruel, and Jack seemed to be suffering for it. Flitter moved time forward, and followed along as Forge tortured him for biological samples. Hazel had long since trotted away, unable to continue to watch the cruelties play out before her eyes. Flitter remained glued to the pane, taking in every single detail as it happened. When Maltenics and the guards burst into Forge’s office, she nearly cheered, before remembering that she'd all but murdered that mare in a random back alley.

Hazel slowly trotted back over, not risking a look over Flitter's shoulder as she spoke. “Can we go yet?”

Sighing as Jack was taken back to his solitary confinement cell, Flitter nearly nodded before stopping dead as she spotted Poppy. Turning on the sound, Flitter focused solely on what was in front of her. She relaxed slightly as she realized that Poppy was just bandaging Jack's wounds and cleaning him up as best she could.

“I don't think you're going to be here for very long… not with Dr. Forge and Maltenics going at it. We won't have much time together…” Flitter made a face as Poppy began to get a little bit more touchy with her ministrations. Poppy licked her lips as she looked up at Jack and smiled. “We're going to have to be quick.” Flitter came to the crashing realization of what she was doing almost the same moment Jack did, and when the mare drove a kinetic strike into Jack's stomach to cease his struggling, Flitter's own stomach dropped like a rock. Poppy gripped Jack before her and spoke so evenly it was disturbing. “Don't make this difficult.”

Flitter watched with open horror and disgust as Poppy forced herself onto him, but as the recording continued onward, Flitter's horror was slowly replaced by a cold fury that curled in her chest like a rabid animal slavering to be set free. She watched until Poppy decided that she'd had enough, and left Jack abandoned on the cold stone floor, shivering and twitching as he fell into an uneasy sleep.

A voice broke Flitter from her thoughts of vengeance. It belonged to Hazel, and she sounded horribly uncomfortable. “U-uh… Flitter? I… oh Celestia… what are we gonna do?”

Pulling the talisman from the console, Flitter stared at it for a long while before answering slowly. “I'm going to destroy her.”

Hazel pulled back slightly. “Do… do you mean you're gonna… kill her?”

Shaking her head as she pocketed the talisman, Flitter looked up at her friend and watched as Hazel visibly shrank under her gaze. “I know I want to. But if I kill her, some ponies will still love her. I'll go to jail, and lose everything. No, I'm not gonna kill her, but when I'm done, she's going to beg me to.” Flitter sneered hotly at the floor. “And after she does… I just might.”