The world was quiet when Jack awoke. Instinctively he sucked in a breath, expecting the tangy taste of recycled air mixed with stale sweat, but instead all he got was a nose full of hair. Pulling away slightly with a snort, he blinked the sleep from his bleary eyes and looked down at Flitter’s naked, slumbering form.

Memories of the long night surfaced, earning a mildly entertained smile from him as he sat up in the huge bed. It was big enough for alicorn royalty to sprawl out in, and he’d made sure that every inch of the damn thing would smell like him and Flitter. After only a moment of reflection, he rolled his hips and planted his bare feet on the cold floor. His tightly fitting armour link suit was sitting crumpled on the floor nearby, interspersed with Flitter’s own clothes and undergarments. Ignoring the clothes, Jack stood up and began to meander about; it was the first time in a long time that he’d had a full sleep, and he didn’t have anything to do right away either.

He was listless, and it felt good.

Ambling over to his armour where it stood sentinel over the royal suite next to Flitter’s, he dug around in the enclosed pouches. Ignoring the feeling of a thin plastic tube brushing his fingers, he searched for something in particular. After a moment he dug out a single stogie, the end already clipped off but unlit. Twirling it between his huge fingers, he smiled to himself as he retrieved the battered lighter that rested in the same place, before wandering out onto the royal balcony. Standing naked in the cool morning breeze, he lit the cigar and leaned against the chilly marble castle wall. Allowing the cloying smoke to collect in his mouth before pushing it out his nose, Jack allowed himself a moment of calm serenity, free from the demands of everybody, free from the world, free from his life.

It was only a moment, and it was all he dared afford himself. Pulling one final puff off the cigar, he held it in and savoured the hearty, woody taste of the cheap cigar. He snubbed it on the perfect white marble, staining it with blackened synth-tobacco. He’d finish the rest later. He had something to do.

He’d lied to himself earlier in saying he had nothing to do, but what he had planned was unpleasant to even consider, and he hadn’t wanted it to spoil his rare good mood. Carefully stowing the partially smoked cigar back in the pouch with the battered USMC lighter, he once again searched the pouches until he found what he was looking for.

Drawing out the small Bic pen, he slowly looked over it as his features fell to a terse neutral.
“Just take th’ bloody thing, you deviant!~” He closed his eyes as her voice echoed in his head. It was painful. Embarrassing. The only tangible thing he had left of Ada Forth was a Bic Pen, loaned to him to write letters to families of fallen warriors. After a long breath and a moment, he slowly opened his eyes, and gently ran his thumb over the length of the pen. He imagined her holding it in her slender fingers, he imagined her chewing on the end of it as she thought. He imagined her with the pen in her tactical vest, the innocuous little thing close to her heart.

He closed his eyes once more as he drew in a deep breath, and set the pen down on the grand vanity. He’d said goodbye in Hereford, but, it hadn’t felt right. He hadn’t really let her go. In fact, he’d kept the only Bic pen in all of equestria close to his own heart during his whole near year long journey from dead man to hercules.

His fingers remained on the thin plastic pen, as if the simple act of lifting them off would banish her forever to the desert oasis inside his mind, where all the other faces and names coalesced into darkness. Opening his eyes, he cast a glance over his shoulder to Flitter as she lay in the bed, bare chest rising and falling with every steady breath.

He shouldn’t…

Then, Flitter’s breath caught in her chest, and she tossed in the bed, murmuring quietly. He paused, holding his own breath as if the near silent inhale-exhale would disturb her. Turning again, Flitter shuddered and grasped at nothing.

It didn’t take a genius to figure out she was having nightmares. Flitter was strong, but…

He’d convinced himself once that he was strong. That because of it, he didn’t need help. That accepting help made him weaker.

Letting his fingers leave the plastic pen, Jack walked back to the bed and sat down, reaching over to run a hand through her short cropped hair, a gentle shush escaping his lips as he stroked her head. To his relief her tossing and turning ceased as she nuzzled into his hand. A smile met his lips as he lay back down and pulled her close, letting her head rest against his chest, as close to his heart as he could manage.

Jack awoke for the second time in the morning when someone knocked loudly on the double doors leading into the royal suite. He closed his eyes again, squeezing them against the noise, willing his ears to close with them. Against his chest, Flitter groaned in disbelief.

“Seriously… what fucking… what time is it?” She grumbled as she began to turn, looking to her mechanical wrist with sleep blurred eyes. “Ughgod…” She let her head fall back down onto Jack’s bicep. She glanced over at him, looking none too pleased. “Can you believe this?”

Chuckling, Jack began slipping from the bed. “I’ll get it.”

“Hey.” Flitter purred, grabbing his arm. She wasn’t strong enough to stop him, but the move did more than enough to pull him right back down into her arms, and against her waiting lips. Jack embraced her fully, pressing gently into the morning kiss that did more to warm him than a full pot of coffee. “Hey~” Flitter murmured happily as she set her forehead against his, their noses touching.

“Hey yourself.” He murmured back, cracking a smile.

The knock sounded again, dispelling the shared smiles and replacing them with annoyance and eye rolls.

“I got it, I got it.” Jack stood, still stark nude. He didn’t bother dressing as he strode to the door. The third knock was just beginning to sound as he pulled the door open, peering out and down at the morning intruder. “WHAT.”

The royal guard backed up slightly, eyes going up, and then down. The mare’s eyes went wide, and whatever message she had was caught in her throat with a little croak. A flush was working across her fur and to the tips of her ears, and while the sight was, in Jack’s humble opinion, fucking hilarious, he was annoyed and didn’t want to give the mare more than a passing glance between his legs.

“Hey,” he rumbled. “My eyes are up here, cupcake.”

“H-how-”

“Fuckin Magic. Spit it out already.” He crossed his arms and stared down at the mare, nearly three times her height. The poor guard had to sit to fully look him in the eyes.

“Sir! The Princesses and High Command are requesting you and Knight Captain Falenas in the War Room!” She saluted, whether out of instinct or orders, he wasn’t certain and he sure as shit didn’t care.

“Right. Tell them we’ll be there shortly. Oh, and get one of the bellhops to bring breakfast. Lots of breakfast.”

“S-sir, they’re requested your immediate-”

He was done. “Is Canterlot on fire?”

“No…”

“Is the human camp on fire?”

“No?”

“Is Order knocking down the front gates?”

“No sir…”

“Then Sun Butt and the Funky Bunch can wait ten fuckin’ minutes while I eat.” He glowered down at the mare, though in his heart he felt a little bad. She was just following orders.

“Yes sir!” The mare stood, and cantered off to see things through, and face the repercussions of his actions.

“You signed up for this shit, lady,” Jack muttered as he turned from the door, idly mooning a maid in the process as he shut the double doors behind himself.

“Marching orders?” Flitter asked from the bed as she slipped on her sports bra, and wiggled into the matching shorts.

“Oh you betcha bud.” Jack chirped with fake joviality. “Breakfast should be by shortly, hopefully that stuck up cook didn’t get smoked. I like the way he does his waffles.”

Smiling lightly, Flitter stood and began hunting down her under-armour uniform. “You gonna get dressed and stop mooning the staff? I mean, not that I’m complaining about the view.”

Scoffing, Jack set his hands on his hips. “Oh so when everyone else does it, it’s fine, but when I go commando, everybody loses their shit. What, you afraid ponies are gonna mistake me for Luna?”

“Why would ponies-”

“Cuza this full moon!” He turned and wiggled his ass, causing Flitter to nearly double over with a suppressed snort. Unable to contain herself, Flitter began giggling and cackling, tossing pillows at Jack as she fell to the bed and rolled. “Oh you like that one huh? Crude humor?” He teased with a grin

Only to receive a swift rebuttal from Flitter as she managed to suppress her tittering giggles. “C-call me Neil Armstong, cuz I’m claiming that moon!” Springing up off the bed and leaping at him, Flitter began her surprise attack, eager to make use of the little time they had before breakfast arrived.

Celestia idly glanced at the clock on the wall, her cabinet gathered before her at the war table. The human leaders had joined as well. Walter, his sister Jessica, Captain Milani, and Hans Drescher. Gilda and Malcolm Highwater sat at the table as well, though the former was drumming her talons against the table in annoyance.

“Did the guard get shot or what?” Gilda began to complain, but was met with Captain Milani’s calm and measured voice.

“I’ve never known the Captain to be late, nor Mar- Pathfinder Kessle to have anything short of impeccable timing.” She tapped her cane lightly, sitting prim and proper on the cushion.

An electronic snort sounded from Hans as he waved a manipulator idly, resting in his spider-form. “Then you really don’t know Jack at all.”

“I bet they’re fucking.” Jessica blurted out nonchalantly.

“Jess!” Walter started, but was swiftly met with a miffed response.

“WHAT!? Am I wrong!?”

Before the argument could break out, the double doors to the war room swung open, and two unarmoured figures strode in. Flitter lead, dressed in a uniform Celestia didn’t recognize that hugged her athletic body like a second skin. Jack trailed, carrying a plate overflowing with pancakes that he was busying himself devouring. It wasn’t his manners that disturbed Celestia, but his body. She’d mistakenly thought that his armour had simply contained his frail, broken body. The man, no, the beast before her could not possibly be Jack. Not after what had happened...

“Sorry we’re late, a certain somebody demanded on getting seconds.” Flitter shot a glance over her shoulder at Jack as he sat at the table, though dwarfing it and his plate with his shadow.

All at the table were silent as they took in the sight of him. It appeared that his true appearance was a shock to everybody. If Jack noticed, he didn’t lift his attentions from the pile of fluffy pancakes, devouring them as if he had room for gallons. Which, he likely did.

“Jack-” Flitter started.

“Woman, I need ten thousand calories a day, don’t shame me!” He shot back, doing his best to eat quickly.

Coughing, Hans straightened and waved a manipulator. “I believe we can start while Jack eats. This wouldn’t be the first briefing he’s eaten through.”

“I’m hearing more voices and they’re still shaming me.” Jack growled. “Keep it up and imma chew with my mouth open.”

“Please don’t.” Luna muttered, head nearly into both hooves. “Please…”
“Let us begin….” Celestia murmured, before standing to her full height. Even then, she was eye level with Jack. “We have a problem.” She saw a flash of snark fly across Jack’s features, but thanks to the pancakes, he kept quiet. Sudden realization met Celestia a moment later, and she let out a breath. “The Imperial Primary Battlegroup has gone into full retreat, linking up with the group retreating from Stalliongrad. They’re full steam, headed for Ironclaw Foundries, their primary naval yard. We believe they’ll be refitting and rearming, with plans of pushing out again. I know it does not need to be said again, but we cannot weather another siege.”

“Do you have an approximate location?” Milani asked, clasping her hands together on the grand oak table. “If I can receive a geographic location, I can task our overhead satellite to orbit over the area so we can have an eye on their operations.”

The locals all blinked in surprise, but again Celestia lead. “Yes, I can provide you with that.”

Heaving a sigh, Walter rubbed at his features. “I don’t know if we’re ready to take on another fight like that…”

“You still need to talk over reimbursement with Celestia and her Generals, Walter. The volunteers were for the siege busting, not continued warfare.” Jack said as he set down his fork. “If their forces there aren’t too heavy, you can just have a chopper drop me off near the area and I’ll handle things.”

“On your own?” General Ironside asked, skeptical. “You’re one man.”

“One man in the right place can cause a whole lot of mayhem.” Jack spoke back simply, picking up his fork again.

“That and he’s Nasty Jack Fuckin Kessle!” Jessica burst out, grinning. “Kickin ass and takin names!”

“Oorah.” Jack lifted the fork slightly as Walter shot a look at his sister, while others took the outburst with emotions ranging from annoyance to amusement.

“Second, the Turned Rangers have been sighted camping in the area surrounding Ponyville. It seems they were late for the attack, or held back for some unknown reason. As it sits, they are impeding our ability to move forward, and we currently lack the ponypower to force them off the point.” Celestia looked around the room, waiting for ideas. A few were shot about the room lightly; an artillery barrage, a vehicle assault, even the application of one of the remaining airships. However, Flitter spoke up quickly, and all but squashed the opposing ideas.

"If I may, I can infiltrate their camp and destroy one of our captured masks, it'll bring them back to our side."

Luna lifted her chin and spoke before her sister had a chance. "That will be a highly dangerous infiltration mission"

"No more dangerous than an Orbital Drop into that hell outside." Flitter countered smoothly, her mechanical fingers drumming on the table. Jack could tell she was nervous. "It has to be me.
Somebody else might screw it up."

Milani was the first to properly speak, her hands gently clasped together and her back straight. "My ship can get you over the target area, and from their you can halo jump in. They certainly won't be expecting it."

"Never underestimate a ranger, Captain, but I'll take your offer."

Jack. A familiar voice echoed in his mind, causing him to pause halfway through a bite. His mood soured all but immediately, though he fought to keep it from showing.
You can't waste your time with conventional warfare. We're close. So very close.

The statement rang true, causing him to set down his fork and crack his knuckles. The pops sounded like suppressed gunshots in the room. Standing smoothly, he circled the table, easily dwarfing everyone he passed.

"Jack? Celestia started, the ghost of concern on her still ragged voice.

"The Imperial Army isn't what we need to worry about. Not really." He stopped before the maps, setting his hands on his hips. "Forge, Carolus, Jalgromak. We kill them, we end this war. We might get lucky and not have to fight Order, but at this point I don't think our combined lucks could win two bucks off a scratch ticket."

"Easier said than done, Pathfinder." General wave spoke, unimpressed with the creature before him. "While we can safely assume Carolus has retreated to Hunter's Perch for the time being, getting there with a force sizable enough to crack the defenses will be a gargantuan task. As for the doctor, he hasn't been sighted for years."

"What about Omega Hive?" Jack countered. "They were everywhere, maybe they have intel."

Letting out a sigh, Celestia sank slightly more into her cushion. "Hive Omega has been under assault by Chrysalis' hive, under the leadership of King Xerox. While I'm sure they've managed to hold, I haven't received a missive from them since days before the siege began."

"We shall assemble a taskforce and investigate the hive." Luna said firmly. "Jack, can we count on you-"

As the princess spoke, the door to the war room swung open and a guard entered. "Beg pardon, but one of the prisoners is vehemently requesting a Knight Sergeant Jack Kessle? He said it was urgent."

Everyone present at the table jumped slightly when the massive thing was bumped to the side like a toy by Jack's bulk. He was at the door in a blink, moving faster than a man his size had any right to. "Alentius." He murmured, before pausing at the door. "I'll be back, carry on without me."

Jack's boots clipped and thumped down the rough hewn stone halls of the dungeons, weaving through the torchlit halls as he followed the guard. If he knew where they were holding Alentius, he would have left the guard behind minutes ago. But he didn't, so he was forced to stew in his thoughts.

"Here he is. I-"

"Unlock it."

"I…" The guard glanced from Jack to the cell door.

Sensing the obvious opposition of orders, Jack sighed in exasperation. "Just tell your superior whatever you need to. If you don't open the door I'll open it myself either way."

After a very brief moment, the guard nodded, and shuffled through his keys. Soon the iron barred door swung open with a rusty groan that echoed throughout the halls. The dungeon was rather sparse, though it went deep, so Jack had no idea how deep he really was. Pressing inside of the cell, he soon found the feathered form of one of his men. "Alentius." He went down to one knee, lifting his head slightly. "Hey, you with me?"

The emaciated griffon managed a grin. "You got fat." His proud voice was raspy and hoarse, a shadow of what it had once been. He wasn't a big griffon, like Cassus had been. He was even smaller now, and it only served to anger Jack. "Took… your sweetass time…" his grin wavered.

Huffing in amusement, Jack helped him lift his head, feeding him some water. "Yeah. But I'm here now, and I'm gonna make things right. You called for me?"

Alentius nodded, managing to sit up on his haunches with help. He cringed hard, seeming woozy. "They really did a number on me… should have just kept my damn head down…" He drank the water greedily before speaking again. "I-" He paused shortly to wince. "I know where JSOG is."

His heart skipped a beat, his breath catching for a moment. "Where are they, Alentius? Where are my boys?"

Alentius' grin grows slightly. "Haven't changed, have you?" Sitting up a little more under his own power, Alentius wiped his beak. "You remember the village, in the Crystal Empire? Where we lost Captain Tac?"

A gentle chill began running through his veins. "Yeah." He had nightmares about it still. "I remember."

The griffon nodded again. "JSOG is there… keeping the Crystals away from the… monsters. They come out of the woods…" He took a short break, focusing on his breathing. His opposition to the control had fried his head, hopefully just for the short term.

Jack began to slowly nod, his mind forming an image. The snow filled woods, the effigies… "The Crystal Empire still kicking?"

Again a nod. "Yeah… can't push us off… but you can. You can save them." Alentius grasped Jack's arm. "You have to save them and stop the monsters." His grasp slackened, the sudden burst of strength fleeing his body.

Nodding slowly, Jack helped him to his bedroll. "You rest up, Alentius. I'll get the boys out. Even if it means going back to that place."

The griffon nodded, easing down into the mat as if he were a hundred years old, not nearing his thirties. "And… kick that punk's tailfeathers, will you?"

"Don't you worry about Carolus." Jack muttered grimly. "I brought him a present from home."

Treading back through the halls, Jack mulled over his options in his head. JSOG were well armed, well trained, and likely expecting an attack. If he wanted to try and minimize casualties, he had to hit them just right. The Equestrians only had so many Order masks, and each one used meant a lot of others wouldn't be tasting freedom for a long time. How many of his unit were still alive, after everything that had happened? A dozen? Maybe less?

The area burst of a shattered mask could free thousands, if not more if they were packed in tightly.

It didn't matter. He had to try.

He owed them that much.

As he turned, he nearly trampled a bright ball of fur underfoot. As he went to mutter an apology and continue on his way, the mare snarled.

"Get the hell out of my way!"

The sudden outburst forced his train of thought off track, and he turned to eyeball the offending pony. The irritated return died in his throat as a flash of rainbow mane flipped around the corner and vanished. "Dash?" He moved to follow the mare around, only to find her bolting down the hall. "Hey!"

His call only caused her to flare her wings and fire off, launching forward with incredible speed. She was headed for the doors.

"Fucking hell!" Jack cursed as he took off after her, boots pounding hard against stone. He was fast, but the halls were the only thing slowing her down. The moment she left them she was gone, and there was no way in hell he could keep up. Without the bulk of his armour holding him down, Jack rocketed after the pegasus, startling guards and civilians as he went. She was pushing hard for the exit, daring to use her wings indoors. All it would take is one mistake and she'd be peeling herself off a wall. "Dash, stop! It's me, Jack!"

He had one chance to grab her. One chance to keep her from bolting out the doors and starting whatever it was she had going through her head. At his name, she faltered, hooves touching stone. She cast a wide eyed glance over her shoulder, only to be leapt upon by Jack. It was a difficult move, to try and tumble around her, instead of simply tackling her. He doubted she'd be well off if she ate his shoulder, so he was forced to land awkwardly, rolling the prismatic mare up in his arms. Immediately hooves began beating upon his face, stinging slightly on impact. She was still a very athletic creature, and she wasn't pulling her punches.

"LET ME GO DAMMIT!"

"Why're you running, Dash?" He knew why. He knew why the moment she'd taken off, but he still had to hear her say it.

"I have to save them! They're my friends! I can't let them be slaves!" Dash continued to fight, as if her awkward punches and bucks could bust her free.

She was the element of loyalty. Intrinsically connected to the other five by means well beyond Jack. He still understood, felt it in his core. After all, he was about to do the same damn thing, commandeer a ship and steam north to save a bunch of dead men. "Dash." He held her tight, careful to not crush her, or her flapping wings. "Dash I can't let you go." Despite his gentle voice, he could feel her go rigid. "You can't go alone. Not now."

"Why didn't you grab one of the others?" Dash asked through gritted teeth. "Why didn't you grab Twilight?" She sucked in an angry, grieving breath. "Why me?"

He knew exactly what she was feeling. "You were the closest." He answers quietly. "I wasn't fast enough, Dash. I tried to get as many as I could but I only got you." He couldn't have her coming apart now on the breakers of self loathing. He had to point her somewhere else. "We're still hunting them, Dash. I'll get all of your friends out."

She pulled in a deep, sturdy breath. "And you'll kill that son of a bitch? Rip his feathers out and-and-!" She faltered, her mind unable to process the cocktail of fury and grief.

"I'm gonna commit a cruelty unto him your world has never seen before." He spoke softly into her ear, still holding her. He could feel her dense, coiled muscles slowly unloading, the leaden weights taking up place over her frame. "I promise you, Rainbow Dash. Ah will fuckin' murder that man for what he's done."

She nodded jerkily, shuddering slightly. "Good. I want to be there. I… I have to be there…" She deflated further, holding his arm.

"I understand." He said simply, petting her head. Confident that she wouldn't bolt out the door on a suicide mission, he slowly released the girl, returning to his full height.

"What now? What do we do?" The mare asked quietly, rubbing at her forehoof.

"I need to get back to the war room and give a report. I just got some intel from an old squaddie of mine that needs to be acted on fast." He was already starting down that way, and the pegasus was quick to fly next to him to keep up.

"Where are we going?"

"I'm headed to the Crystal Empire to destroy a monster factory."

Jack entered the war room as the meeting was concluding, earning the full attention of everybody in the room. "Sorry, had to handle that." Dash slipped in behind him, peering about the room.

Celestia simply nodded to him, as her full attention turned to the mare. "Rainbow Dash, I'm glad you're awake. We were just finishing up here, can you wait for me outside?" Her tone was soft and motherly, belonging to someone tiptoeing on eggshells.

"No." Dash said firmly. "I want to join up and help. If you think I'm just gonna sit back here and- and not do anything, you're-"

"Then wait outside, Rainbow." Luna said curtly, causing the mare to clam up a little. "We'll decide where you can serve best momentarily."

"Right… I guess I'll be… outside." Dash gestured to the door with her wing, awkwardly slipping out.

Celestia sighed hard, shooting a needle tipped glare at her sister, who sat cooly and unaffected. Jessica leaned over and stage whispered to her brother. "Who was that?"

Waving a flippant hand, Jack took back his seat next to Flitter, groaning gently as his frame compressed. "Vital component of the friendship laser." His answer clearly didn't answer any questions the human delegation had, but he had things to do. "I've just learned from Alentius that JSOG is stationed in the Crystal Empire, protecting Doctor Forge's Progeny breeding ground. I need an Order mask and a ride up there, otherwise we'll be drowning in those monsters well before the Imperial task force returns."

The news was shocking to many in the room, but it simply made Celestia look tired. "And you intend to take down the progeny, JSOG, and Doctor Forge all on your own?"

"Yeah, that's the cut and dry of it." Jack set his hands on the table. "Anybody else will just slow me down, and risk additional assets."

"And we won't be risking you?" Celestia asked, attempting to skewer him. It was clear she wanted to apply him to a different issue. He'd long since learned that her concerns were rarely over his safety or bodily health.

"You must have not seen me working. I'm not going to brag or showboat here, but you can't afford to send anybody else. If I get killed out there, then you have much bigger fuckin problems."

The solar diarch stared into his eyes for a long moment, as if searching him. "You've said that to me before, Jack. I pray you're right. We need you to assist in the clearing of Chrysalis Hive."

"Ma'am." Walter lifted a hand. "Like I said, a lot of the first expeditionary are veterans of the Poliquean Campaign, that was nothing but bug hunts and tunnel work. We can handle this so long as we have support."

"You've never fought changelings." One of the generals said.

"If the situation becomes untenable, you have my permission to drop a rod of the hive." Jack said as he picked himself back up. "Nuke the shithole from the face of the map. Go in after and smoke any survivors. Mark King Xerox as a Jack of Spades, offer a prize to the soldier who bags his bug ass. Now, which ship will I be taking north?"