To Embark...

by SoraNova

Chapters

• Chapter 1
• Chapter 2
• Chapter 3
• Chapter 4
• Chapter 5
• Chapter 6
• Chapter 7
• Chapter 8
• Chapter 9
• Chapter 10
• Chapter 11
• Chapter 12
• Chapter 13
• Chapter 14
• Chapter 15
• Chapter 16

Chapter 1

The sky outside was gray, and the parking garage’s lighting was dimly lit.

Inside, a tan earth pony was being accompanied by three men, and four women. They all wore Greatcoats, and the color resembled that to a funeral of some sort. Except for one of the women, wearing a regal purple instead. They had just arrived at an exit, where they met with the pouring rain. They took out their umbrellas and started to walk over to the building across the street.

The rain was all too familiar to the pony, as it was for everyone else in the group.

“You’re not thinking about that, right?” asked the woman in purple.

The pony only sighed, before reluctantly nodding his head.

She rolled her eyes, then used her hand to straighten out her long dark brown hair. “Damn, I don’t expect to make this moment anymore awkward. Just don't think about it, okay?”

“Eeyup.”

They’d reach the entrance to that building, closing their umbrellas and resting them at their side. When they went in, they were met with curious gazes by the first couple of people. Their footsteps and the clopping of the pony’s hooves would only make more. The Pony could only cower at this sight, his tail tucking away between his hind legs.

“Bi-er, Haystack, it’s all right. You’ve been through this before.” Marianne asserted, her shoulders tensing. “Remember?”

“Yeah, but…”

“The life of a mercenary is always going to be like this… Well, at least for us, so you can’t hide in that shell for long.”

“Hmm… Eeyup.”

"Plus, be happy that we're working with the FBI to let you off the hook." Marianne said with a smile. "Okay?"

  Haystack smiled also. "Mmm Hmm."

They arrived at the elevator, calling it before entering. As it ascended upwards, Haystack could only stare blankly at the people below. They returned that gesture. The windows that wrapped around the elevator would soon be replaced with walls. He simply sulked after that. ”Ah’m back here again… am ‘ah?

And he stared and stared and stared…

The elevator would soon stop, making the pony feel a little woozy at this.

In a couple seconds, the door would slide open. He and the others would walk out into the now empty hallway. During this, Haystack looked down at the logo that was painted over the white towel. Which depicted three letters that were lined next to a Horizontal arch that clenched onto the globe. That, and combined with the three letters, formed a wrench.

"Get used to it, Big Mac." he thought to himself after looking at it. "Get used to it."

He and his group then approached the fancy blue doorway in front, and waited…

“Ah, Marianne, Bi- I mean, Haystack,. Come on in.” said the man through the speaker above.

They nodded, entering through the double doors. On the other side, a long table where men and women sat in their formal attire.

“Morning Mister Blutarch.” Marianne greeted, giving a casual wave to the elderly man in the blue suit.

“Good Morning, Marianne.” he’d reply in his modest British accent, but without moving. “Good Morning, Haystack.”

“Um… Good Mornin’.” he said shyly.

“It’s been two months since your last report. Any Progress?”

Marianne only smirked. “Actually... we got something else. Remember the boy that we said we'd hunt down?"

"Yes, what about it?" Blutarch asked.

"Well, after two years sir, we found him."

The entire board gasped at this, but their leader simply kept his cool. “Hmm, shocking. I honestly didn’t know that he’d still be alive after all.”

Marianne would take out a grey circular object. Twisting the knob would reveal onto them a large widescreen hologram. With that, she showed Blutarch where he was located, and photos of his whereabouts. Using footage from surveillance cameras and hidden ones. The target looked nonchalant and oblivious to this. “Well, from what we’ve uncovered, it looks like he didn’t go that far.”

The man raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, I'd have figured."

Marianne took a deep breath before continuing. “You know how the Red zone works, Blutarch. You just have to hope that no one with a gun will find you.”

Blutarch gave a smirk of his own. "So, will you need my men to finish him off?"

   Marianne smiled. "Don't worry, Blutarch... We got it all under control."

  Blutarch stood from his chair, declaring with such pride, "Hmm, understood, as CEO of Builders' League United, I grant you permission to hunt this man down!"

The people in the room all clapped and cheered. Haystack on the other hand, felt his stomach tie in knots, and did his best for everyone else to not notice.

It was a typical night for the target.

“In this High School classroom,” said the man on TV. “The young mares and stallions are being taught about Equestria’s role in the Global Economy. Even though they are sealed off all trade from the rest of the world, they still contribute greatly to world events. Including its peacekeeping missions worldwide, and being a part of the G-Nine…”

He had been watching this for fifteen minutes now. Scene after scene, happy pony after happy pony. Despite the fact that they were unintentionally taunting him, he still accepted that it was at least something worth watching after a long day of work.

The documentarist asked in an encouraging tone, “Excuse me Madame, how do you feel about Celestia’s isolationist policy?”

The teal-coated filly beamed with joy even before the question was asked. She quickly brushed her blue mane with a hoof before answering. “Well, I think it’s an all right plan. I know that the world isn’t that evil, but she only does it to protect us…”

The target admired her enthusiasm, but it would quickly disappear when home was rearing up.

“The little foals however are taught your basic learning skills that any child here at home would be taught.” The video now cut to little foals listening diligently to their teacher. “They learn every day so that someday they’ll acquire the skills to find their cutie marks, a symbol on their flanks that marks their destiny for Equestria’s future. It is unknown about their origin, but scientists have ceased investigating it since the end of World War II. More on that, later… Next, our guide takes us to the east end of Canterlot…”

He sighed.

“… it was a different story for this young filly and her father. They own a small hardware store in East Canterlot’s shopping district. The nice stallion showed me how everything worked in the store, even showing me the many gadgets that engineers and farmers’ alike use...”

With due time, it would cut to the father, feeling sentiment as his little backstory was being told. “We… we never really started off that well. I dropped out of High School to support the family, but… I made stupid mistakes along the way.”

“Hmm, I see.” said the documentarist. “Well, what was it like?”

The stallion looked away for a quick glance, the frown deepened before looking back. “I thought I had the entire thing under control… But… then the recession came…  I was dumb enough to buy a house I couldn't afford. We… we were thrown out of the house. Then, we just went our separate ways after that… I came here, met my wife… and… a lot of stuff happened when little Rosie was born.”

The next scene was of him and his daughter standing out in the hot sun, the two sitting on rickety pillows as they waited patiently for new customers. The documentarist would narrate over the scene as usual. “The country’s poverty level began to increase during its industrialization in the early seventies. Today, more than twenty percent of the population is now below the Poverty line. What makes it worse, is that tuition fees are required in order for a foal to receive basic education… Unfortunately, the poor are unable to afford said tuition, leaving many foals to start working since they’re seven…”

Sad… he’d think. He kept watching through the interview, with the dad still spewing out more sappy content. He’d admit that he felt sorry for the poor guy, kind of reminded him of...

“Grrr!” He shook his head rapidly, choosing to turn the TV off afterwards.

A loud ping was heard before a lady spoke via loudspeakers, “Attention citizens of The Den, curfew will begin at ten thirty. You only have two and a half hours of leisure before the bells ring. All lawbreakers will be put down with lethal force. Additionally, food rations are still available. If you have not stopped by to receive your ration, please head to your local restaurant to do so. Thank you, and have a great evening.”

  There was a loud click before it all went quiet. With that done, he chose to turn the TV back on just for the hell of it.

“… We do our best every day to have a decent life… And, if Purple Shine was here…” The stallion began to hold back tears. “… S-she’d be proud of us.”

“Well, I hope she would.” the documentarist comforted.

“Mmm Hmm.”

  It cut to a photo of the purple mare who sat on a hill with a cheerful smile. “However, despite their limitations, many of the lower classes I’ve met continue their lives with high hopes during these tough times…”

  Then out of nowhere, there was a grumble coming from Ivan’s stomach. "Damn it."

  He stood up with reluctance showing through his body and trudged his way towards the compact fridge at the end of the room. He bent down to open it and…

  Nothing. Then he figured it out. "Ugh, shoot!"

  He had no other option left, so he put on his shoes and got going.

  When he went out into the streets, he’d see that white lights over the horizon were starting to appear. It was always like that every night. He only made a slight moan at this, knowing what he had to do. Suddenly, he felt droplets of rain hit his brown hair. He looked up to find that the sky was now a lit brownish color. There would be thunder along with another drop hitting his nose.

  With that, he began to run. “Damn it.”

  It would rain even more with due time. Fortunately for him, he made it to the restaurant before it would worsen. Inside the restaurant, smooth jazz played while many of the lights were shut off, making for some dim lighting. One of the officers would turn on the TV. Which had the same show running as well.

“And here, within the Everfree forest, lies the ancient Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters.” narrated the man, the camera pointed at ancient ruins in a humid looking forest. “The Ponies of Equestria know this as the old Castle where Princess Celestia and Princess Luna used to live, but you at home may know this as the ruins where the Great trot occurred.”

  He listened intently as he waited, sitting down in one of the tables.

“The Great Trot of Nineteen-ten would forever be marked in both Human and Equestrian History.” he said, cutting to a photo of the people who joined. “Where twelve individuals aged ten to forty, walked from the massive fields of Kansas all the way to this temple in Equestria. For more than five months, the group endured many trials by both nature and humanity itself. Despite the ridicule and the harsh weather, they still reached Equestria. Sadly, it has been reported that only one made it alive... before dying shortly after…”

   Sad that people are more than willing to keep going through all that hell. he’d think.

  The few people that were there, were starting to leave with their food. As always, he was left alone; and he was okay with that. He’d see cars begin to park outside, but the waitress near the door made sure that they wouldn’t enter; all thanks to the ‘Sorry, we’re CLOSED’ sign. Once that was done, she swayed her hips with every step towards him. With hands intertwined and a modest demeanor, saying, “Enjoying the wait?”

  He looked at her pretty face, bewildered. “What?”

“I said, if you’re enjoying the wait.”

  Bewildered, he answered nonetheless. “Uh… yes…, yes I am.”

“Good.” she’d say before reaching towards her apron. With a quick snap, she’d wield a pistol in hand. Her expression would shift to a darker shade. “Cause you won’t be coming back here… or anywhere else.”

  The woman would pull back the hammer.

“Do it, ma’am.” Ivan told her, his eyes looking at the pistol with indifference.

  The lady lost her stern demeanor. “Well…, I'll do it."

  She kept the pistol pointed at his head, but her hands could only shake.

  Ivan sighed. "You can take your time, I got all night."

  Immediately, she looked away from him. Her eyes closing as her hands continued to shake. Then, it stopped. Slowly, she put the pistol down, and breathed in, and out. Then with a compassionate tone, she'd say,  “Get down.”

“What?”

  Her hand would pull Ivan out of his seat with full force.

  The window would shatter into pieces as bullets from the outside would come flying in. The lady would be hit relentlessly, tainting her pearl uniform with splotches of red. She’d fall to the ground with her eyes flared open without end.

  Ivan, now behind the toppled table, decided to take a brief glance at her lifeless body.

“Geez, right the hell out of nowhere." he’d mutter bewilderedly, before looking up to find those people approaching him with guns blazing.

  Rat-at-at! Rat-at-at!

  Thw-Thw-Thw-Thwap!

“Fall back, fall back!”

“What?”

  When he heard something hit the floor next to him. When he looked in that direction, a young woman in light beige body armor looked at him with such awe.

“Uh…” The curly dark hair she had rang bells immediately. “Jackie?”

  “I-Ivan….” For her, it all felt as if the world she was fading-

  Thwap! Thwap! Thwap! Thwap!

  Bullets broke through the table, missing him by inches.

  Their minds snapped out of it, with Jacklyn the first to begin orders. “Uh… c-come with me!”

“What?”

  She took out her pistol, handing over to him. “Come on!”

  Her face showed that of dread. “… Please.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Ugh, fine.”

  They stood up and fired more suppressing fire at the enemy as they made their second charge. It was enough to shoot one of them in the stomach. When he did, Ivan managed to catch a glimpse of his beret. A musket, a sword, the two crossed underneath a blue dove. It was screaming Déjà vu to him. “Strange.”

  They’d run towards one of the windows near the door. Outside, he could see the police sirens in the distance.

“At least the cops are here.” Ivan muttered.

  They could see police officers come out of the vehicle, only to meet with the men in black. After a brief moment though, the officers were opening fire on them as well.

“Son of a bitch!”

“This way!” She directed him towards the counter, where two of the cooks confronted them with rifles pointed at them.

  BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! ...

“They’re in on it too?”

“Push!” she shouted.

  The two vaulted out of cover and opened fire on them.

  BLAM!

  The cook was put out of its misery.

  Rat-at-at!

“Aargh!”

  Whack!

  The other cook was out cold to even care about his wound.

“Nice kick.” Ivan complemented.

“Hmm, thanks… I guess.” she blushed, looking away to hide her frown.

  They’d reach the back door; and without fretting, Ivan kicked it open. Luckily for them, it was empty.

“Erm… uh… this way!” she’d repeat with a rapid point, leading Ivan over the wooden fence and into the streets. Sadly, four police cars would be waiting for them, shooting at them like Cavalry men.

“Stop right there!” one would shout.

  Schrrreeech!

  The officers in the front of the pack would be met with gunshots to their faces.

“Grrr, get out there and deal with him!” the officer would order with such rage.

  The others would get out of their vehicles and open fire.

  Despite being distraught for what she just saw, she grabbed Ivan’s hand, and quickly pulled him out of their hiding spot. Ivan kept shooting to ensure their safety.

  BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! Click!

   Past the medium sized trees lied multiple apartment buildings; where the two chose to rest, their enemy in hot pursuit.

“So.... It’s been awhile, huh?” she said, stifling a laugh. “How’s it been?”

“Hmm, it’s been fine so far.” he’d say. “Uh… can I get more ammo?”

“Oh, yes.” She dug through her pockets and got out two more clips for him.

“Thanks.” he nodded, sliding the magazine into the slot.

  Cl-click!

“You’re welcome.” she grinned.

  While he pointed the pistol at into the darkness, she could only look at him the same way she looked at him before.

  ”You haven’t changed, haven’t you?”

  BLAM!

“Aaaargh!”

“Huh?” she gasped.

  Behind her now, one officer was now bleeding from the chest.

  BLAM!

  Another would be shot in the head.

“Dear Luna!” she’d gasp.

“Let’s go. We don’t have time.” Ivan would grab her by the hand and lead them out of cover.

  Running down the street wasn’t enough to get her out of the trance she fell into once more. She kept gazing at Ivan, who led her far away from where they were…

“No, no you haven’t.”

“Jackie… Jackie.”

  Her eyes widened once she heard his voice. “Uh… yeah?”

  With a worried look, he asked. “Where to?”

  She looked from left to right and right to left, before coming up with her answer. “Oh, uh, this way, follow me!”

  He did as such.

  A black sedan would drive up to the restaurant. Officers and troops alike would stop to look at it park right in front of them. One of the officers would go and meet the lady coming out. Marianne stepped out of the vehicle with her regal demeanor, only this time she wore the color in a raincoat.

“Ah, Miss Petit. I-”

  One of her body guards ran in between them, hands clenching onto his assault rifle.

“At ease, Greg." she ordered calmly. "He’s all right. Anyway, just call me Marianne.”

  Eyeing at the intimidated officer, he gave a nod. “Yes, Madame.”

“And don’t call me that either.”

“Oh alright, Marianne.”

  He stood to the side and let him walk up to her.

“So, what’s the status, Chief?” she asked firmly.

  The Chief frowned. “Um…can I show you?”

  She briefly bowed. “Of course, come along Haystack.”

  Haystack would follow. "E-Yes Ma'am."

  Some of the men would glance at him, some would give him curious gazes, etc. He couldn’t believe that this continues to happen to him, looking at every human being who looked back at him with mixed reactions. Haystack reluctantly kept trotting past the men and women, knowing that he had a job to do.

  She followed the officer towards the restaurant.

“Damn.” she muttered disapprovingly.

  When she got inside, she could only look at the body of the young waitress. Behind her, was a knocked over table.

“She turned on us, Marianne." reported the officer. “Fortunately, she didn’t make a single dent.”

“Good.” Marianne would say, observing the scene. “But that doesn’t make up the fact that that’s what got him to escape.”

“I know, ma’am. It was an unexpected move by her.”

“Yeah, one that is expected from people like her. You should've kept a closer eye, you know.” she looked up at the ceiling, finding a dangling tile riddled with bullet holes. “Shoot, that shield brought him some time then.”

“Some clever escape he did there.” said the chief with a whistle.

  Haystack entered the room, only to gasp in horror at the corpse.

  She turned to see him, only to roll her eyes at his disgust. She then sighed. “Well then, looks like we need to set up a full perimeter on the area before he-”

“Um…” It would only take a quick turn of the head to find what he needed. “H-hey Marianne, look at that.”

“Hmm?” Marianne faced where his hoof was pointing at. It was a trail of bullet casings. She knelt down to take a closer look. “Um… did you by any chance arm those guys with assault rifles?”

“No.” said the officer. “They were armed with pistols.”

“And did the target have a weapon of some sort.”

  The Chief raised an eyebrow, looking at the open ceiling quizzically. “He didn’t seem to shoot until after your boys retreated.”

  She stood back up. “So...”

  There was a short pause as her eyes narrowed. “Greg, did you see someone by his side?”

“Uh… um…”

  She looked down to find a trail of those casings down the corridor.

‘W-we were hit with suppressing fire, Ma’am.” Greg managed to say. “We couldn’t tell.”

“Ugh, go ask the others if they saw something, alright?” Marianne ordered.

  As the conversation proceeded, Haystack took the opportunity to have a look around. He only needed to head behind the counter to stop everything.

“Sweet Celestia.” he shouted, mouth agape. “Hey Marianne, look!”

  They quickly rushed over to his location, finding the same thing.

“Looks like he wasn’t alone then.” she said, rubbing her eyes.

“How do you know that?”

“One is dead, and the other is out cold." the officer explained. "Not to mention that I doubt anyone can be so ruthless and so merciful at the same time. Especially in a gunfight.”

  All Haystack could say was, “Eeyup.”

  There would be a sound of static coming from the Chief’s walky-talky before, “Chief, we’ve engaged the target; but we have four officers down, over!”

  The officer responded with such haste, as the news sunk into each of them. “Oh Shoot…! D-did you subdue the target, though? Over.”

“No, sir. He and an accomplice got away.”

  He groaned. “Damn, have your squadron fall back to the nearest outpost.”

“Yes sir, out.”

  He put the walky-talky away. “Grrr, should we deploy the military for this job?”

  Marianne rolled her eyes. Calmly, she’d take one of her two Ivory colored revolvers out of her pockets. “Chief Frederickson, I’ve worked with Mister Bentley personally. He’s an involuntary killer with great skill, so deploying the military won’t make any difference, unless you want to order more body-bags from City-Hall.”

“But-”

  Marianne put his hand up in the air. “Not to worry, sir. We have it under control.”

  Frederickson snapped. “What do you mean, ‘under control’?”

  Marianne gave a short chuckle before reaching into her walky-talky. “Maribelle, did you spot them?”

  There was a short pause. “Yes.”

“Uh…” The chief froze. “How… H-how old is this ‘Maribelle’ person?”

  Marianne chuckled. “Age doesn’t matter, sir. Then again, it didn’t matter to anyone, didn’t it?”

  She eyed the chief with a little smirk, giggling while he cracked under pressure.

“Eeyup.”

  The chief jumped at the sound of his voice. Now looking at the serious pony, he only stood there as he spoke. “The girl’s a mystery that we often don’t question. Am 'ah right, Marianne?"

  Marianne smirked. “Yes, yes you are."

  The two were now headed towards an intersection when they could see a light get brighter and brighter. In a bush nearby, Ivan pushed her down by gently holding her head. The squad cars drove past them without even spotting them.

“Ivan, do you think they’ll search every house for us?” Jacklyn questioned worryingly.

“I doubt they will.” replied Ivan. “But we have to-”

  Another squad of cars drove from behind, prompting them to shift position.

“Well, since we’re here, I’d like to ask one single question.” he said, the two getting up and jogged across the street.

“What is it?” she asked beamingly.

“Why the hell are you here?” Ivan asked with annoyance.

  The question clenched at her heart. “Um…”

“You should be back in Chicago, shouldn’t you?”

“But…” She began to rapidly tap her fingers against the rifle.

  Ivan rolled his eyes. “Seriously Jackie, you’re some how many miles away from home. So...” During that pause, he took a soft breath. “What’s going on?”

  She wanted to speak, but knew that...

  Something else caught his attention.

“Shhh.” he hushed, beginning to gain speed. “Gimmie your knives.”

“What?”

“Just gimmie them, now!”

  She could only make a little squeal as she scrambled to fulfill his demand. She slid out the knife from her holster, then handed it over to Ivan. With a little skip, she reached over to the knife holstered next to her ankle. “Here.”

  With this she had to ask, “Do… do you know what it is?”

“Mmm Hmm.” he said firmly. “I have a good feeling."

  He could practically hear the footsteps of that entity. Thus, once he stood under a street light, he readied into a battle stance while hearing the footsteps get louder and faster.

  Swooosh!

  Clang!

  Both sides now had their blades against each other. In front and passed the midsized Katana was a girl with long blonde hair, who wore a long black poncho over her black dress. Ivan's eyes widened, distraught by what he's seeing. However, he quickly regained his focus, granting him his first remark. “Maribelle, long time no see, huh?”

“Hmm, like it really mattered.” Maribelle said with a little smile.

“Yeah, I should’ve known that the three of you didn’t die back there. The note in the car was kind of a giveaway”

"I agree." she said.

"By the way, aren't you supposed to be acting shy or something?" Ivan continued. "There's no moon out."

"Hmm, that's the magic of science, right?"

  His eyes narrowed. "You're don't know why, don't you?"

  She rolled her eyes. "Tsk, not a clue. Plus, I'm six, don't you think I should've grown out of it by now?"

"Touché." he groaned.

"Also, do you really think I knew everything about me, or anything about that lab?"

  He shook his head briefly.

"Exactly."

  Then there was silence, which gave Jackie an opportunity to look at Ivan's opponent further. ”Sh-she’s… she’s just a…little girl.”

  When the conversation picked up…

“So, who’s the lady here?” she nodded towards her.

  She could only hold her gun close as her shoulders tensed.

  Ivan gave his answer. “She’s just an old friend, nothing for you to be concerned about.”

Maribelle blew a raspberry and laughed briefly. “Fine, just curious is all.”

“So, it didn’t work out back in Equestria?” he’d ask.

  She snarled. “Let’s not talk about that.”

“Hmm, fine.”

  She kept glaring at him.

  Ivan’s face turned into a frown. “Hmm, I’m surprised that it took you guys that long to find me.”

“I have to commend you for that. We honestly didn’t know that we’d find you here of all places.” she giggled wittingly. “We even went back to Chicago to see if you returned.”

  The news was a hard blow to him.

  Maribelle could only lose her angered expression for a much gloomier one. “It’s sad though, we had to tell your mom and step-dad the harsh news.”

  Ivan gritted his teeth, holding it in.

  It was quiet for a little while more.

“So, are you going to let me go, or start the duel?” he asked calmly. “The cops aren’t around, and I’m certain that it won’t last long.”

  The proposal rocked Jackie to the core. “I-Ivan, you shouldn-”

“Sorry Jackie, but you should know why.”

  Maribelle could only. “Hmm, at least you’re in…”

  She pulled back and aimed for his throat. “Agreement!”

  It was blocked by one of the knives. She pouted at this, and pulled back to make the next strike. It was the same result every time no matter where she aimed for. Ivan would take several steps back to maintain his distance, but Maribelle was like an artillery barrage. It was hard to catch up, but he managed. There were instances where she was just inches away from hitting her target, but the constant blocks would deny her that privilege.

  For Jackie however, it was only about sitting back and watching Ivan risk his life. Seeing the girl’s katana nearly take a jab at him, as well as questioning why she’s even holding that, made her want to faint right then and there.

  Clang!

“Grrr!” Ivan pushed it back, causing her to target his chest.

  Clang!

  She had enough. Instead of repeating the same tactic, she jumped into the air, and charged at his face with her foot. It too was blocked. While in the air she kept kicking like bullets from a Gatling gun, but in wouldn’t end in her favor. Her target’s next block caused her to lose her balance and fly into the air. Hastily, she regained her balance and slashed her sword like an executioner.

  Clang!

“You know you could’ve just ran by now.” Maribelle chuckled, putting as much force as possible against the knives.

“Well, I was proven wrong then.” Ivan said, his body outside of the streetlight’s view.

“You were the one who didn’t make a move.” She lowered the sword, when she took advantage of his weakening hold.

“Consider it a decisive victory then.” His hold began to strengthen again.

  Maribelle smirked. “Right, but don’t expect me to give up that easily!”

  The sword soared straight toward Ivan’s throat.

“Ivan!” Jacklyn screamed, her heart breaking from the sudden attack.

  The sword flew out into the distance before landing down the street with another clang.

  His hands weakened again, slowly being lowered. Seconds later, one of them made a slash at the girl’s torso. She’d collapse onto her knees, clenching on in pain before a punch to the face would make it worse.

  She could only watch in revulsion, watching Ivan’s knife aim for her throat. However, “I-Ivan stop!”

  The knife was halfway there before he stopped. Ivan looked directly at her horrified face, unable to say anything after that.

  With trembling legs, she told him, “Can we... can we go now?”

  He lowered the knife. “Hmm, alright.”

  He then looked down at the wounded girl, who was both panting and numb. “See you never.”

  Maribelle did nothing as he watched him walk towards his ‘friend’. “I-Ivan?”

  He turned around, “What?”

“Y-you know we’re mercenaries… right?”

  He turned around. “Of course.”

  They ran off, leaving her alone. “Damn it… why the hell… Arrgh, I don’t even know anymore.”

  She then took out her walkie-talkie. “Grrr. B-Haystack…?”

“Yeah?” he said in a panic.

“I’m… I’m gonna need a medic.”

“Don’t worry, Ah’m on my way!”

  Static!

  Maribelle could only mutter, “Damn it, Ivan.”

  They continued running as she led them to where they needed to go. She didn’t say a word to him, and Ivan could tell that it wasn’t a good idea to talk to her at the moment. So, she let her do what she needed to do until the moment was right. They ran down another five blocks before looking at a sign that read, ‘MOTEL TRANQUILITY: 5 miles’

  She gasped before declaring, “This way!”

  It’d take a while, but they would reach the small motel. Going inside, the two would shiver from the rain's cold grasp.

"Damn, that's some rain out there, huh?" Ivan uttered, giving out a slight giggle.

On the other hand though, Jackie didn’t say a word, she just went over to the bathroom. Ivan groaned. “Let me guess. It’s about that fight I had, right?”

  She came out in nothing but a green shirt and shorts on. She held onto the wall for support before turning to look at him, her eyes watering. “What have you been doing, Ivan? ... How the hell did you end up here?”

  He took a moment to conjure up what needed to be said.

  “Well, to eliminate that debt I had with the police,” He took a deep breath. “… Let’s just say that I took a job to eliminate that debt. Now, judging by this situation, you can already tell that it didn’t work out.”

  He sat against the wall. “So, how have you been doing?”

  Not knowing what to say, she simply put on a smile to hide her impatience. “Well, I’d rather ask if you’re okay first.”

  Her smile would vanish. “No seriously, how’s it been?”

  She didn’t give a response, frowning.

  This caused Ivan to roll his eyes. “Ugh, never better. The workplace is garbage but passable , you know?”

“Um… I’ve… I’ve been doing well.” She fiddled with her fingers. “I’ve been really worried about you since you left and all and… I’m just glad that you’re all right.”

  Ivan smirked. “Hmm, I find it surprising that you’d deny the news.”

  She looked towards the flower portrait behind her. “Um… Your parents looked... they were sad to see you gone... They told us that they found your uniform, riddled with bullet holes.”

  Ivan let out a small growl. “Of course they’d say that.”

  She only looked back at the wall in front of her.

  Ivan grumbled. “Now I’m working from eight to six…”

Another breath was taken.

“I’ve been through a lot lately.” He looked at his baby blue uniform. “I’ve been working at a plantation every day for a while now… and that’s it.”

“But…, don't you want to go b-”

“You know how the law towards deserters and dead people work in Chicago, right?

“Oh… right.” Her eyes began to water.

  There was an awkward pause before Ivan resumed the conversation. “Judging by the uniform, I’m guessing that you joined a mercenary group yourself.”

  She was now rubbing her eyes clean. “Heh, you’re right.”

  Ivan looked at the logo on her sleeve, depicting a four point star underneath a sword. “Huh, you work for Nova. I’ve heard of them, provides the RED hub in Chicago with security.”

“Yep.”

“Well, that’s not like you to be wielding a rifle. You know that, right?”

“I know.”

“Then why’d you join?”

  She clenched onto her hands. “Well… after graduating, I realized that jobs were becoming scarcer now.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

“I couldn’t find one myself… then Nova was offering job placements and… and, you know.” She continued. “A year went down the line, and then… things started getting worse back there, and… yeah.”

“Hmm… So you left the city undetected.”

  She nodded, crossing her arms and looking down to await her fate.

“I see.”

  Her formation loosened upon hearing this.

“You got some nerve doing that, you know.”

  She curled one of her hands into a fist. “Like I said… things have gotten worse over there.”

“Well, it’s a dog eat dog world, you know. The least you can do is obey the orders handed to you.”

  The silence returned. She only calmed after this, despite holding on to those feelings she had just seconds ago.

“So… what are you going to do now?” Ivan asked.

“So, where did the pony go?” asked Chief Frederickson, the two walking down the next crime scene.

“Went to go pick up little Maribelle.” Marianne answered. “Grrr, turns out that our plan was a total failure after all. Damn it!”

"Hmmph, you have some nerve using children in your missions."

   "Yes, yes we do." Marianne said confidently.

  He watched the officers being covered in body bags, using that as a change of topic. “Four of my boys dead, huh?”

“Yeah, they weren’t fit to fight that guy. Not to mention that one of my men was wounded critically.”

“Of course.”

“Grrr, two years of searching for him and we end up with-”

  Clink!

“Huh?” She looked down to find something underneath her feet: A Dog Tag to be specific.

  Marianne put the Dog Tag in front of her, which read.

  She kept it in that place for a little while before lowering it back down. She then began to rub her eyes tersely. “Um… Chief? What else is there to report?”

“That’s one daring move you did there. Do you think they’ll take it well?”

“Uh…” Her shoulders tensed again. “I’m… not sure.”

“Well, your answer should’ve been that they won’t.”

Tears were starting to leave her eye. “Yeah… I know.”

  “So… what do we do now?”

  She went over to the bed, lying down. “Well, when I came here, I was planning on finding my way to the Green zone.”

  In shock, he sat up. “Uh, uh, seriously?”

  She held onto her arm, nodding.

“For your information, no one is allowed to-”

“I know, I know.” she admitted. “But trust me, I know a way we can get in.”

“Uh, how?”

“Well, I have relatives in Washington State. They can help me get in, simple as that.”

  He scoffed. “And?”

“You can live with us if you like, find a job that fits you…” She turned to face the ceiling, putting a little smile on her face. “… Maybe find that special someone, you know?”

  His eyes watered, but it was best that he didn’t cry. “Yep.”

“Does that mean you wanna go?”

“Well… the cops are after me…. Going to work will obviously get me killed… Not to mention that going back to Chicago is yet another death sentence… so… okay.”

  She'd smile. “That’s great.”

“Well… how do you plan on getting us out of here?” There was no response. “Uh… Jackie?”

  She snapped out of her little trance. “Uh… what?”

  He repeated. “I said, how do you plan on getting us out of here?”

“Hmm, the… the only way out is through that gate, right?”

“Yeah… also the walls are too thick for any tank to blow it up. Not to mention the soldiers and armor that are on the top.”

“So…” She started rubbing her arms as the smile faded, struggling to find the right words for her next statement.

“I’m all right with that.”

  She made a soft little gasp.

  He looked back at the outside rain. “We’ve been through worse back in Chicago, right?”

  She was reluctant to nod, but she did.

“Then it’s safe to say that we either win or die trying.”

  The smile was now coming back. “I guess you’re right.”

  They stayed there a couple of seconds before Jacklyn spoke up. “So… do you think we could just call it a night, then?”

“Mmm Hmm. I'm gonna stay down here, though. You know... to let the clothes dry without making things awkward.”

The thoughts made her cheeks redden. “Uh... Okay.... Well, good night then.”

Then she flipped over to the other side and simply started his sleep afterwards.

“Uh… good night.” He did the same thing also.

  Through the silence, the same flow of tears was still attached to Jacklyn's eyes. “Ivan?”

“Yeah?”

“Aren’t you scared of who you’re dealing with?”

“Jackie… it doesn’t surprise me one bit.” he comforted. “Just relax okay?”

  She hesitated to form a smile, but she gave in regardless. “Mmm Hmm.”

  Ivan smiled too for a moment. “Good. Well, Good night.”

“Yeah, heh, sweet dreams.”

  It was quiet after that. Their feelings still remaining in each of them.  

Chapter 2

  Ivan could already here sirens wailing in the distance. His eyes would open slowly as he felt his limbs fill with energy.

“Ugggh.” he’d groan, looking down to find a blanket over his legs. That’s when he heard snoring into his right ear. “Hmm?”

  He found Jacklyn lying her head over his shoulder. She too was fast asleep, saliva drooling from her mouth. He was starting to feel his hand resting over her hip. Containing his demure look, he could only sigh.

The sky was barely turning blue when they left. After getting ready, they’d leave the hotel and sneak past five blocks downtown. They now stood behind another apartment, observing a small store in front of it.

“The cops would be searching the motel by now.” Ivan said, but no response was made. “Jackie?”

  She had her arms crossed, but would immediately snap back, red-faced. “Um… yeah… good thing we got out of their in time.” Jacklyn whispered, looking back at the store. “So, this is the place?”

“Yeah.” Ivan answered. “Just like back in Chicago, huh? Donated from the Green zone, and perfectly legal."

Jacklyn raised an eyebrow. “So we’re going to rob the place?”

“What, no!” He looked at her questioningly. “I got a plan. Trust me.”

“But-”

“Just trust me.” he said with a raised whisper.

  With half-heartedness, she accepted. “What’s the plan?”

“First off, we get up, and walk over there.”

  With her skepticism, she stood up alongside him. They casually walked across the dark streets of the area, reaching the other side without incident.

“What now?”

“I knock on the door.” he said with a grin.

  Knock! Knock! Knock!

  She’d groan, “Then?”

“We point our guns at the door.”

“Oh… Wait, what!”

  In a couple of seconds, the door indeed opened. In front of them now was a man around his late thirties in pajamas; rubbing his eyes thanks to the morning grogginess.

“Uh… hello, how can I-” He saw the guns. “Oh my god!”

  In an instant, his hands were up, “Whoa, don’t shoot officer! We can work…”

“Bill, it’s me.”

“things out! I swear I’ll pay my bill this ti-” He stopped his begging when that was said. “Oh, Ivan. Nice to see you again.”

“Yeah, nice to see you too.” he said with a groan of himself.

“So who’s she?” Bill asked, pointing at Jacklyn.

“She’s a visitor from outside the den.”

  She gave him a welcoming wave, as he waved back he noticed the uniform she was wearing. “Get in… now.”

  When Bill entered, Ivan would say one last thing to Jacklyn. "You care about the people helping you, right?"

  She nodded. Then they entered with their guns still on guard.

  They did as such. Bill would lock the door behind them.

"Wow, good nostalgia huh?” Ivan said, looking at the nearly empty shelves and freezers that took up the large room.

   "Yeah, don't rub it in too deep alright?" Bill chuckled.

   “Sure." Ivan complied. He'd look at the empty counter, where he was reminded of something. "Hey Jackie, remember Reggie?”

  She looked down onto the floor. “… Yeah.”

  Ivan, feeling uneasy by the tone in her response, further asked, “Uh... How’s he doin-”

“He’s dead.” It was then quiet. “Thanks to a firing squad. He was caught trying to flee the city.”

“Oh… Anyways, w-”

“Get what you can.” Bill said, standing behind his counter with crossed arms. “Just don’t go overboard.”

“Alright.” Ivan headed for the soups section first.

“Ugh, you two got some nerves to want to leave the den. Honestly I don’t know if you both will make it through."

  The two said nothing. One due to choice, the other due to fear.

“Look, the US has the largest Pizazzium reserves in the world… Well, mainly because they’re the only country that has it. You should already know where most of their budget goes to by now, right?”

  Still nothing from them.

“Well put it this way, If Australlium had the power to divide a country between caps and commies, then Pizazzium has the power to forge another Empire. You really want to run away from those guys?”

  The two said nothing as they walked towards the counter with their supplies.

“Ugh, they have an army that can burn you to ashes!" Still nothing. Bill only groaned. "You really want to go back Chicago, do you?”

  Ivan sighed. “I’m not going to Chicago, Bill.”

“You can work another five years to- Uh, you serious?” Bill said, baffled.

“Mmm Hmm.” he nodded.

“Uh… we’re going to the green zone.” Jacklyn answered.

“Wait.” Bill scoffed. “Are you guys crazy or something?”

“Apparently yes. She knows a way in by the way.” Ivan said, briefly pointing at Jacklyn.

  His scoff turned into suspicion. “And what would that be?”

“I got family there.” Jacklyn put it simply.

  Bill had nothing to say while she added, “Also, Ivan can't go back to Chicago. He's now a dead man."

   He nodded in agreement, but he had to remind them, "You know we’re all the way in Eastern South Dakota, right?”

  They nodded.

“Then you should know why what’s outside these walls are known as the red zone.”

“Look man, I don’t know if we’re going to survive long enough outside either.” Ivan admitted. “… But I can’t stay here anymore. Going to work will absolutely guarantee you that I won’t be buying from you anymore."

  Bill unfolded his arms, his gaze showing bewilderment. “Uh… why?”

  The two exited out the door a little while later with a backpack's worth of supplies, while the Sun’s glow was barely visible over the horizon at the time.

  ”Hmm, I am sorry for what they did to you back at your old job, but I don’t think that trying to break through the walls is a good idea either. Their next trade expedition isn’t for another five weeks.” Bill warned, but his tone instantly dropped. “But you and that girl make a great argument here. So, all I can do is wish you the best of luck.”

“I know.” Ivan nodded.

  Bill would smirk. “You were one of my favorite customers, you know.”

  Ivan shrugged that complement off with a bothered 'Hmmph' as they went into an alleyway, looking for any oncoming troops. Two Armored fighting vehicles passed by, their turrets brandishing. When they were out of sight, they ran towards the next one.

   There was a group of guardsmen walking casually down the street. They just needed to wait in the shadows before they’d all leave.

  ”Ivan, one more thing.”

  He turned around to look at him.

Which made Bill briefly glance at the waiting Jacklyn. “Please… just try.”

  Ivan sighed. “Meh, we’ll see.”

“Good Morning to all of you who reside in the den. Today’s temperature is set at eighty seven degrees with a couple of clouds here and there. Last night’s rainfall contributed greatly to the agricultural sector, and hopefully will be a productivity boom for the farmers…”

“Damn, they had to come at this time.” Ivan muttered.

“Why do you say that?”

“The announcements are like bells to a dog. Obviously waking all of them up for work... but someone needs to take them there; and who else but the military.”

  They would witness the soldiers make way for three trucks that would park in front of the apartment buildings.

“Oh shoot.” Jacklyn whispered.

“Okay, follow me.”

“What, where are you going?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Ivan said, approaching one of the guards.

“B-but won’t that-”

  He had already grabbed onto him, covering his mouth. Ivan was on the verge of getting his knife out when Jacklyn ordered. “Put him down!”

  The other soldiers quickly spotted him and drew out their weapons. “It’s the targets!”

  Ivan’s face drooped. ”Damn it Jackie.

“Drop the weapon now, both of you!”

“Ivan, do as he says!” Jacklyn screamed, obeying their command as she walked alongside Ivan.

  The soldiers kept their guns pointed at them, one shouting. “If you don’t do as such in ten seconds…”

“Ivan, please.” Jacklyn begged.

“Yeah, you don’t have time dude… L-let me go, and we can get it over with!” the held soldier ordered.

  Ivan reached for the soldier’s pocket, grabbing a pistol and a cylinder shaped device. “Don’t worry…”

“Hey, let go of that!”

“I was planning on letting you go anyway.” He pulled the pin from device and dropped it on the ground.

“Son of a bitch!” The soldier grabbed onto Jacklyn’s arm, making her yelp. “The girl’s get-”

  The muffled blast unleashed a large puff of smoke that enveloped the entire block.

  Jacklyn would get back on her feet to hear screams all around her. She struggled to open her eyes, doing her best to resist the burning. “Ivan…! Ivan!”

  Then she felt her hand being gripped tight. She was suddenly yanked out of her place, and sent out of the smoke. She wiped her eyes clean of the tears before opening them. “Ivan!”

“Just be glad that you didn’t cause too much damage!” He pointed his pistol at three oncoming troops, shooting suppressing fire as they entered into another alleyway.

“Um, sorry” She brooded, still wiping the tears from her eyes.

“Behind you!” Ivan pointed, handing her the pistol.

“Eep!” Without thinking, she turned around and fired a couple rounds. The three soldiers would be wounded in their legs and arms. Ivan would watch her back, shooting two more soldiers dead.

“Clear... Well, almost.” Ivan took the pistol right out of her hand, and walked over to the wounded men and women.

"Hey Ivan, don't tell me that-"

  BLAM! BLAM! BLAM!

  Jacklyn could only gasp, speechless at the inevitable.

   "Hey Jackie, help me drag them in." Ivan said, walking over to the corpses and dragging one inside. He'd turn around to find her still standing there, with distraught eyes staring back at him. "Go!"

   Jacklyn nodded hastily before doing as she as told.

  Ivan then picked up the soldier’s rifle along with the ammo, handing the pistol back to Jackie in exchange for the soldier's. He took away the soldier’s goggles, as Jackie did the same. “Anyway, if we’re going to escape, then don’t be that naïve, okay?”

“I know that.” Her shoulders tensed as she put on the goggles. “It’s just that I was-.”

“Look, I know you mean well, but if we’re going to attempt this, I need you to cooperate, alright?”

  With a surge of motivation, and a hint of sorrow, she nodded.

“Good.” He released the safety pin of another smoke bomb as the speakers announced, “Attention Citizens, you are authorized with staying indoors and locking your rooms. We are currently under a code red. Please stay calm, our military…”

  He went out of the alleyway and tossed the explosive at an oncoming Personnel carrier and the troops that stood beside it.

  BOOM!

“C’mon.” He grabbed onto her hand.

  They ran in the direction of the vehicle, heading down the street and towards a metal fence. Ivan climbed up the fence while Jacklyn did the same when she found out where she was. Ivan shot some more suppressing fire on the other side, the bullets would race out like flames at light speed. The enemy’s fire, did the same.

“What now?” Jacklyn shouted amidst the chaos.

  Ivan looked frantically for a new plan. That’s when he found a large silhouette nearby. “We hide underneath that.”

“Oh, yeah.” she grinned in relief. Before the smoke could clear up, they were underneath the truck as the troops kept searching and searching.

“Damn it, where the hell did he go!” one of the soldiers yelled. “Ugh, you all know what to do! Search every nook and cranny for these turds!”

“Yes sir!” his comrades chanted.

“Now what do we do?” Jacklyn blurted.

“Just keep holding on. We were trained for this kind of stuff weren’t we?”

“But won’t someone-”

“Let’s just hope that they don’t.”

  Jacklyn cringed at that. What made it worse was that the soldiers did as ordered.

  Bam!

“Move it, move it!” one of them shouted, followed by the frantic screams of the civilians close by.

  They heard boots everywhere before one of them would reach the doors of the cargo truck. He opened them, only to trigger the words, “They’re not here!”

  More sounds of doors crashing down and screams were heard. It just wouldn’t stop.

“Ivan?” she pleaded in whisper, watching as their captain walked towards the truck. She gasped. “Oh no.”

  Ivan felt the same way. Worst yet, the smoke was starting to fade away. He only had one option left, and it was best that he make the most of it.

  He let one hand free and aimed it towards the soldier’s feet. ”Imperium”

  He witnessed a blast of black mist shoot into the air. In an instant, the soldier was wobbling in place before getting it together.

“Captain, did you find anything?”

“Uh, lemme see.”

  The Captain bent over and shed a light into the underbelly of the vehicle. He soon pulled back and turned it off. “Nope, it’s empty as well.”

“Oh, okay then.”

“Tell them to leave the civies alone and regroup, we’re moving along.”

“Okay sir… so they got away?” the soldier asked, upsettingly.

“Of course, now… just get moving, alright?”

“Yes sir.” He ran off, “C’mon men, let go of them…”

  Then the captain would begin to wobble after a few seconds. “Aaah…. What just… Never mind.”

”Hmm, the test worked.” Ivan smirked. He’d lose it once she saw Jacklyn’s face. “Uh… you all right?”

  He caught Jacklyn shaking, her eyes broadened and her voice shrill. “What… what the…. What the hell was that?”

  Ivan’s had nothing to say, and just let it sink in as they heard the civilians step onto the truck. In a couple of seconds, it would begin to rumble and start moving.

“Attention Citizens of the den, we’ve lifted our security to a code yellow. Please return to your designated driver and start the next work day.”

  Click!

  They spent the entire time keeping quiet, choosing to look out at the dilapidated buildings that covered every street in this cage they call towns. Along the way, they would only see countless trucks that lined every street.

  When their ride stopped…

“Uh, sir… M-may I stay at home?” A person with a weak voice would ask.

  They’d hear him cough.

“What happened to him?” a soldier would ask calmly.

“He’s too sick to work, sir.” said another voice. “He’s been sick for five months now. Shouldn’t they be doing something about that?”

  In a few seconds, the truck began to move.

  Rat-at-at!

  The screams would fade as they moved further away from the scene as possible.

“Sweet Celestia.” Jacklyn gasped.

“Funny how you say that.” Ivan muttered.

  The shocked face would fade, but the event kept slinking into her mind.

  They didn’t know how long they hung on there, but they knew for sure that it felt like forever. It would be awhile before they’d leave the town and onto the other side. There, stood vast patches of gold that spread for miles upon miles. Jacklyn was the one to be marveled by it the most, despite being here since yesterday. The image from before was still in her mind, but she’s glad that something came along to distract her from it. She looked towards Ivan, expecting the same thing from him; but all he saw was an indifferent frown on his face.

”Ivan…” was all she could think of with the pity she had.

  The truck would keep on driving for quite a while, until it would soon slow down and come to a complete stop.

“Jackie…? Jackie!”

“Huh?” She said with a jolt that nearly caused her to let go.

“This is our stop.”

“What?”

“Uh… we’re getting off here.”

“You can’t be serious.”

“Of course I am.” he guaranteed.

“But the main checkpoint is-”

“Shhh.”

“Nothing here, sir.” said another voice.

“Oh no!” she squeaked. “What do we do-”

“On my mark.” He took a brief pause.

“Clear, sir! Checking the next one!”

  After another pause, “Go!”

  He dropped to the ground, rolling out from the truck. Seeing this, Jacklyn would do the same. Once out, she wasted no time in joining Ivan in the field. Upon meeting him, her hand was grabbed by his’.

Moments later, they could only hear a faded 'Clear!' out behind them.

“So where to?” Jacklyn asked.

“The Entrance is a couple miles up ahead.”

“How many?”

  Mildly annoyed, he answered. “I don’t know. It’s just up ahead. So don’t try to get yourselves caught, because I’m certain they’ll turn against you.”

  Ivan then bolted into that direction, his head ducked. With a hint of pity, she followed. While doing that, she did what she could to not think of that.

“So, I like this place.” She said bluntly.

  Ivan huffed at this. “So you like watching people get oppressed and shot?”

“No… I mean… this… Uh… what’s it called again?”

“Oh, a plantation.” he answered, his mind in a haze.

“Yeah… those.” She chuckled as her cheeks were reddening.

“I thought you meant by…”

“Ugh, of course not Ivan. What made you think that?”

“Well, remembering Chicago, of course… and the part of town you were from.”

  With a roll of the eye, she giggled. “Puh-lease, Ivan. It was just as bad there as it was where you lived. So don’t think that, okay?”

  Ivan groaned. “Fine, if you say so.”

  They continued to crawl through the lines of stalks, only being able to hear the birds chirping, the trucks whirring and-

“Get down!” The two hid deep within the tall plants before five drones hovered above them. Green as the soldiers’ uniforms and lights that made fireflies jealous, they searched through each and every part in that area. They’d scan the plants, nothing. They’d scan the ground, nothing. Understanding this, they simply left.

  Far Away from the search, Ivan had his hand over Jacklyn; making sure she didn’t scream.

“You all right?” he asked, letting go of his hold.

“Mmm Hmm.” she nodded, recovering from the sudden incident. Softly, she breathed; and then they were off again. “So… this is where you worked at, right?”

“Like everyone here, yes.”

“I can’t believe you have a job in something as beautiful as this.” she said, looking around once again.

“Pfft, awe is the first thing that comes to your mind when you come here. Then you had to face the music once the work hours were assigned to you.”

  She’d frown at this thought. “Oh… I see.”

“I thought I’d be back in Chicago in a couple months, maybe weeks… turns out I ended up here. All thanks to the New Minutemen.” he sighed. “To their credit, they at least saved me from Lunarist troops.”

“Hmm, those people spell nothing but trouble;” Jacklyn huffed. “and… I’m glad that they didn’t get to you.”

“Well, it wouldn’t be any difference if they took me in. Might as well just go along, right?”

“Don’t say that!” she responded. “It’s best to see you safe than with working for that lunatic!”

  The Ping went on the air.

“Good Morning Fellow workers of Ft. Wilson, South Dakota. Today is another beautiful day to fulfill your dreams… And now, please stand for the Pledge.” the speakers began. “… I Pledge allegiance to the Flag, of the United States of America…”

  They continued to crawl downwards as it went on.  ”Oh Ivan… who are you to say that?”

“… with Liberty and Justice for all.” There was a brief silence before, “And now, enjoy your day. Remember to respect your fellow workers and continue to strive for your brighter tomorrow.”

  Cl-click!

“Hmm, good luck with that.” Ivan mumbled.

“Why say that?”

“You know.”

  Jacklyn’s wanted to say more, but couldn’t.

“All right, you know what to do!” shouted a soldier. “Now get to work!”

“Shoot that was quick.” Jacklyn mumbled, hearing the sound of shoes pressing against the wheat.

  The more they went forward, the louder they became.

“Mommy, do you think one day we’ll go home?” a little child said.

   Jacklyn’s eyes only widened as her mouth slowly opened. She could only hear silence as a response. The only thing that could be heard was the sound of footsteps mixed with a few sniffles.

“Hide.” Ivan ordered.

  They hid once more, crawling slowly towards the crowd. Jacklyn would go on to see them. Some of them would stop at a certain position and begin to cut through the tall stalks with their sickles. Others would keep passing by. They kept their pace going as they blended in, letting their soft crawls mix in with the every step the workers took. All were oblivious to their moves thanks to that tactic.

“Ivan, what are you doing?”

  He stopped to quickly look up. “Uh…”

“You know it’s work time, right?” said a woman looking down on him.

  With a roll of the eye, and a small groan. He raised a hand in the air, specifically the one holding the pistol.

“Oh my god.” she’d gasp. “Just as I thought.”

  Jacklyn only kept his mouth agape.

“Huh?” the lady looked over to where she was hiding.

“Damn.” she mumbled.

“Jackie, meet Miss Madelyn Fuentes.”

“So, you two were the ones wreaking havoc across town.” Madelyn chuckled. “That explains why you weren’t here.”

“Gee, you think?” Ivan groaned.

“Keep in mind that I have the gun pointed at both of your asses, so-”

“Don’t try anything funny, I know.”

  The three kept walking down. To break the silence, Jacklyn would ask. “So… Miss Fuentes… Do you know what you’re doing?”

“Oh of course I do, Ma’am. You know how much they’ll pay for hunting down criminals.”

“Actually Ma’am, I don’t.”

  Ivan face-palmed.

“A simple ‘Get out of Jail free’ card.” she chuckled, but her tone quickly dampened. “And I really need it too.”

“Hmm.” Ivan grumbled.

  Jacklyn couldn’t believe this. “Does that mean that-”

“Yes, Jackie.” he groaned again.

  Her voice now grew more panicked. “B-but why the hell would you-”

  Madelyn sighed. “I’ve been here for more than a year now, and I’ve been trying to save enough money to go to New Haven, Connecticut… But, you know how the law works in these bases.”

“Yep.” Ivan said, glancing at the workers.

  They all stared at them with a hint of tremor in each one of them. None would even want to approach the trio. However, judging by what he’s heard…,

“Jackass one and two thought he could take on the world… how pathetic."

“The poor girl looks like she’s crying… God damn this place.”

“Bad guys like them don’t deserve to be here, right son?”

“They did their best to go against this system, I envy them.”

  Ivan could only grumble.

“Um… Did Ivan tell you how he got in here?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, basically, it was the same thing for me. Minutemen came and ‘rescued’ me and… you know the rest.”

“Yes, yes we do.” Ivan mumbled.

  That’s when Jacklyn figured something out, “But why New Haven? Isn’t that a Green Zone, also?”

“Yeah, but since I got you guys in custody, getting in would be a breeze.” she said bluntly.

  Jacklyn’s eyes continued to water.

“Just let it go, Jackie.” Ivan sighed. “You tried.”

  She remained quiet.

  The celebration in Madelyn’s head would fade out when she was made aware of her tears. “So… where were the two of you planning on going?”

“Washington State.” Ivan said.

“Washington State? I thought you were-”

  He briefly pointed at Jacklyn. “She’s got relatives up there, apparently. Plus, I’m now considered a dead guy back home.”

“Oh, that’s so sad.” Madelyn commiserated. “So claiming to be you will get you shot, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Hmm…” To ease the mood, she had to ask. “Do… you guys know each other?”

  They nodded.

“We both went to the same High School back home.” Ivan told her.

“Oh really?”

“Mmm Hmm.”

  The frown remained on her face as the seconds passed. “Well, I’m sorry that it had to be this way, though.”

“I know… We live in a dog eat dog world, right?” Ivan derided sketchily.

“Well… What if the dog didn’t want to eat him?”

“Huh?”

  They turned to look at the agonized Jacklyn. “What if he didn’t have to eat him?”

  The two looked at each other before looking back at her. Madelyn was the first to say something. “I don’t know, ma’am…  I just don’t know.”

  She continued to keep quiet.

   Later on down the field, they reached a dirt path that lead to a long two story building. It was bordered by a metal fence. Where they were heading, was a gate that was guarded by two towers that were garrisoned by troops. Upon seeing them, the gate began to slide open.

“Don’t cry, Jackie.” Ivan said, leaning over to her upon hearing her weeps. “I told you that you tried.”

  She nodded.

  As the door opened, the other side revealed something unexpected.

“Oh shoot.” Ivan mumbled.

“Uh…” Jacklyn uttered, frozen in place as her mind trembled. “Uh…”

“Good Morning Ivan, Jackie.” the lady in front of him said with a smile and wave. “How’s it been?”

“Grrr…” He hid the redness on his cheeks, while his shoulders tensed up.

“Long time no see.” She raised her pistol in the air.

  BLAM!

  Thwap!

  The two winced at the shot, only to find that Madelyn was on the floor with blood oozing from the back of her head. After that ordeal, the crops began to shake rapidly. In seconds, a pattern of men and women in black and beige had lined up and blocked the way back. Their guns armed.

“Yeah, long time no see, Marianne.” Ivan grumbled.

“Well, since we’re here,” she frowned. “We can have a little talk before it’s done.”

“What do you want to talk about?” Ivan groaned.

“Hmm. First off, I’m surprised that you've been hiding here all along.” Marianne sighed before looking at Jacklyn. “And I’m also surprised that you decided to go after him.”

  She remained quiet, her tears drying.

“It was hopeless to begin with, you know.”

  But with that, she began to speak. “Why, Marianne?”

“Huh?”

  She looked at her with a mixture of anger and heartbreak. “We were friends since the first day we met…, why would you do this?”

“Pfft, look who’s talking?” she said, pointing at her uniform.

  She held her hands as she looked back down.

“Well then, before we finish the job, I would like to say that the rest aren’t around. Less Pain equals less time, right Ivan?” She began to point her pistol at him with point blank range.

  Ivan would mumble, “Of course.”

At the same time, she aligned herself with the soldiers to lift her hand in the air.

“Please Marianne!”

  They looked over to a newly weeping Jacklyn.

“Don’t do this!” she begged. “Please!”

  Marianne only sighed again. “We’re Mercenaries Jacklyn, not actors.”

  Jacklyn’s weeps were becoming more audible as they awaited their fate. Seeing this only bothered Ivan… ”Ignis!”

  Marianne’s eyes quickly flung open. “Shoot!”

  She leaped off the ground, as a ball of flames exploded underneath her. The men and women who stood beside her were engulfed in flames as she landed on her feet. Outside the fence, she heard more screams of agony. She only pouted. “Damn, I forgot.”

  The men and women behind them too were on fire.

“B-By Celestia’s Mane.” was all Jacklyn could mutter at the gruesome sight before Ivan would pull her away.

“No time, let’s get moving!” he’d yell.

  She could only stare at the burning corpses as they ran towards the closing gate. With a little boost, they reached into the others side.

  BLAM! BLAM! BLAM…!

  Three bullets flew right past them, but another three deflected off Ivan’s arm. They reached the door in front of them, which would open once they stood there.

“Stop!” said the office, pointing his pistol at them. It would be met with a grab of the arm and a yank outside.

  Ivan grabbed the pistol in Mid-air and turned around.

”Frigidus!”

  Jacklyn’s horror still remained as ice enveloped the entire doorway… and the officer’s body. “Uh... I-Ivan, what in Celestia is-”

“I told you, that there’s no time, now get going!”

  As he ran off she briefly looked back at the glacier, made a huge gulp, and quickly followed along.

  They ran down the massive room that was filled with fancy wooden tables all around. It was so huge, that it would expand to the second floor via a stair was attached to the center.

“Uh… Ivan, what kind of place is this?” Jacklyn asked, looking at the velvet curtains and carpet around her.

“Where the high-rankers go for a fun time.” Ivan answered.

“So… this is the kind of place you lived in?” she asked solemnly.

  He only kept quiet as they reached the door. With a brief glimpse of the other side, Ivan whispered, “Let’s go.”

  The next room was an empty lobby, adorned with large windows at the front.

“There’s the exit!” he pointed.

“Thank Celestia we’re-”

  To their dismay, a convoy of five Humvees were rallying around the fountain outside. In an instant, they increased in speed and managed to reach the door before the troops can assemble. The nearest cover they could find were white pillars that decorated the entrance.

  On the other side, the glacier finally exploded after two grenade blasts. Marianne entered the room, and along with another squad of men and women, they charged down the hall.

“Ivan, Jackie, please.” she’d think to herself. ”Just work with me.”

  Back on the driveway, another soldier was shot in the face, courtesy of Ivan. Quickly, he went back behind the pillar as the enemy continued their relentless gunfire.

“Jackie!” Ivan shouted. “Get behind me! We’re pushing up!”

“What, you crazy?” she shouted.

“Just do it!” Without waiting, he grabbed her by the hand and ran down the stairs towards one of the now body-littered Humvees. Once there, he took out a grenade, and tossed it towards another’s window.

  BOOM!

“Jackie, take the wheel!” Ivan shouted.

  He fired another batch of rounds at the enemy behind him before opening the door and heading towards the turret. Suddenly, there was a battle cry from inside. The soldier attempted to aim his knife for his throat. Ivan quickly grabbed onto his arm, punched it with his fist, and then jabbed the knife straight in his chest. He then darted towards the Machine gun once he let him drop. The first target was the Humvee ahead.

  Rat-at-at-at-at-at-at-at-at…!

  The bullets showered it with intensity before finally giving in.

  Jacklyn, watched in fear as the fiery event unfolded.

“Go! Go!” was what snapped her out of it.

  She pressed the gas pedal and quickly eased out of the parking space, going at full throttle towards the dirt road.

  Rat-at-at-at-at-at-at-at-at-at-at….!

“Get down!” Marianne screamed before the bullets would strike the entrance with force. Three troops were shot dead by the attack. Even though the others managed to get behind cover, another would be shot.

  A bullet missed her by inches and scraped the pillar.

“Whoa!” Marianne jumped back. “Ugh, damn it.”

  When the bullets stopped, she looked back towards the driveway and found that they managed to destroy another Humvee and leave the last one to remain a sitting duck. “Oh son of a bitch.”

  She walked down the stairs and observed the damage from up close.

“M-Ma’am.” one grunted beside her.

“Oh God.” She quickly kneeled over and got out a syringe. She injected the blue liquid in her arm.

“Uh… Grrr…” The soldier stood up, watching as the wound and the pain would fade. “Uh… Thanks, Ma’am.”

“No Problem.” she nodded, then turned to her troops. “Go check for more wounded!”

“Yes Ma’am!” they saluted, and got to their job.

  That’s when another soldier would run over to her. “Uh, Marianne?”

“Yes sir?”

“Uh… we… our… uh, only an eighth of us remain.”

“That’s disappointing.” Marianne told him.

“Uh… w-what do we do now?”

  She kept staring at the sight. “Ugh, isn’t it obvious? We’re withdrawing.”

  She picked up her walkie talkie. “Attention men at the gate, a rogue Humvee is driving towards your area via the wheat fields, please advise.”

  She then put it away. “Hmm, we should never underestimate our enemies. You know that, right?”

“Of course, ma’am.” the soldier nodded.

“Very well then” she breathed. ”Should’ve remembered that phrase.”

“Marianne, this is Big Mac.”

  She picked it back up. “Oh, what’s up?”

“… I’d like to talk to him.”

  The Humvee sped down the road without encountering anyone along the way.

‘You better get ready, Jackie.” Ivan said, checking the Machine gun for ammo. “Once you carjack a military vehicle, jail shouldn’t be the first thing to come to your head.”

“Well, we’re already a target, anyways.” Jacklyn reminded him. “So, it wouldn’t matter.”

“Yep. Just keep driving.”

“Ok-”

  She would be interrupted by a voice that declared an, “Incoming transmission.”

“Huh?” She looked down towards the surface above the air conditioner, finding a flashing red light. Noting the power symbol over it, she pressed it. What appeared then was a holographic display of a pony. A pony that stood with a bullet proof vest and a rifle beside his hooves.

“Hello.” he’d say.

  The voice rang a bell in Ivan’s head, but was unwilling to show it.

“Uh…” Jacklyn was in shock and awe, not knowing what to say next.

“Can ‘Ah… can ‘Ah speak to Ivan please?”

  She nodded. “He’s in the turret.”

  The pony nodded also, and the hologram shut off.

  Ivan waited for him. There was no point in acting surprised once he saw his face. When he appeared…

“Uh… H-Hey Ivan.” the pony said shyly.

“Hey, Big Mac.” was all he said, continuing to stare at the road ahead.

“So… How’s it goin’.”

“Not bad.” he deadpanned. “Been a while since we last saw each other, huh?”

“Eeyup.”

  The two stood silently as Jacklyn kept driving along.

"How's Maribelle doing?" Ivan asked.

"She's doing fine." Haystack answered. "I didn't appreciate what you did to her."

"Well, there's no guarantee that she'd make it out alive and unhurt."

"Eeyup."

  After a short pause, Ivan chose to ask, “So you didn’t get the opportunity, didn’t you?”

  The Pony looked down, holding one leg with another hoof. “No… no we didn’t.”

“That’s a shame, you know.”

“… ‘Ah know.”

"And the Marriage?"

That question was like a jab to the throat. "It's... It's doing okay."

"Well then." Ivan said coldly.

They remained quiet after that; but it would change when Ivan would plainly ask, “So… how do you plan to kill us off?”

“Well… Y-you’ll have to find out.”

“Hmm, I guess you’re right.”

  He went over to the power button and shut the transmission off. After a couple of seconds, Jacklyn took the initiative and spoke. “So… who was he?”

  After thinking it over, he simply told her. “Just an old business partner from the ‘magical’ land of Equestria.”

“Oh…” Her heart kept breaking as they kept driving down the road.

  Then the sound of beeping would get their attention.

  Blam!

  BOOM!

“What the-” Jacklyn discovered the explosion in mid-air beside her.

“Flour it!” Ivan screamed.

  She quickly pressed on the gas pedal.

  Like a steering wheel, he tilted the HMG, causing the turret to turn and face the Humvee that fired that rocket.

  Rat-at-at-at-at-at-at-at-at-at…!

  The bullets pounded against the armor. It returned fire, making Jacklyn swerve left and right to dodge as many bullets as she could. The vehicle would go on to fire another rocket towards them before exploding.

  BLAM!

  The rocket too exploded in midair.

“Nice.” Ivan muttered.

“Ivan!” Jacklyn screamed.

“What!”

“Do something!” she shouted, pointing at the road ahead.

  He looked over to the hologram behind him, finding a large squad of troops form a line across the road.

“Oh shoot, not them!”

  The soldiers fired relentlessly at them. What came at the two were bolts as bright as the blue sky. Jacklyn ducked as they tore through the glass. With that, Ivan opened fire. The flaming bullets would strike close to their bodies. This caused them to ascend into the air towards the Humvee with blue flames on their backs.

  Rat-at-at-at-at-at-at-at-at-at-at-at…!

  Holes were starting to appear in the vehicle as Jacklyn did her best to keep them off. She took out her rifle, and counter fired.

  However…

  Thwap!

“Aaargh!” In pain, Ivan fell back towards the chair while clutching his stomach. ”I guess this is-”

  He suddenly felt a tingle in his hands, as if they were being electrocuted by several scraps of metal. He suddenly got the urge to grab his rifle and aim towards the soldiers out the window. The burst of bullets punched through the soldier’s flat mask. As blood shot out, the body crashed against the window. Jacklyn would jump from her seat in shock.

  With a load grunt, Ivan forced himself off his seat and opened the door. Hanging on, he fired as many rounds as he could towards the incoming troops. The bullets pierced through the green metal armor that covered them. Five of the eight would fall as Jacklyn stopped the vehicle. The dead body rolling down to the ground.

  On her uniform now were large droplets of blood. “O-Oh my!”

  She shook her head and quickly refocused on Ivan. “Hey Ivan, are you okay!”

“Grrr… Just keep going!” he yelled, climbing towards the Machine Gun.

“Uh… I-Ivan, are you ok-.”

“Just get going before-”

  BOOM!

  They watched the explosion behind them, tracing it towards the top of the wall.

“Oh Celestia!” Jacklyn gasped.

“Go, go, go!”

  She quickly made the Humvee dart forward at full speed.

“Ready! Aim!” The Soldier was ready to swipe his arm downwards.

“Stop!”

  The soldier quickly looked at the person who gave him the order, or looked at the young stallion. “Oh, Mister Haystack, you’ve arrived.”

“’Ah don’t recommend that you keep firin’.”

“But sir, your target’s getting closer!” he reminded the pony. “Not to mention that the ARC’s attached to the turret are preventing us from destroying it!”

“It still isn’t worth it, sir.”

“Ten Delta Operatives were killed by those bastards!” he yelled hotly. “Do you think I can let them off easy like that?”

  After a short break. “N~ope.”

“Sir, I was generous enough to use an Abrams tank for this!” He motioned his arms at it. “The TOW cannons would obliterate them to-”

“And what then?” he spoke sternly. “Won’t that put an even worse reputation on y’er country, mister? Do you want them to shame you?”

  The two stared at each other for what felt like hours before the soldier finally gave in.

  He then reached for his walkie-talkie. “Cease fire, and withdraw. We’ll let the security forces deal with them.”

“Yes sir.”

  Static!

  The tank would begin to reverse.

“Ugh, you know-”

  Haystack interrupted. “Do you have any regard for your citizens, Sargent Hernandez?”

“Yes sir, it’s my duty.” he said straightforwardly.

“So, why would ya go out of your way to kill just two people?”

“Because…” Hernandez eyed from left to right, giving him an awkward smile. “I-It had to be done-”

  Haystack headed for the edge of the wall, taking out his Sniper rifle. Once there, he placed it over the barrier and began to look through his scope.

  Lifting a finger, Hernandez hesitated to speak. “Uh… Mister Haystack?”

  Jacklyn continued to drive towards the massive walls ahead. Her mind could only be on the road, but Ivan kept waltzing in.

“Yes, Sargent Hernandez?” asked Haystack.

  Ivan kept holding onto his wound, doing his best to not let go of the machine gun.

“Do… Do you know why we did what we did in Iraq?” Hernandez asked.

  The Humvee had now exited the fields and was driving down an asphalt road.

“Actually… ‘Ah don’t know.”

“Ivan…” Jacklyn shouted worryingly. “Hang in there, please!”

“We only did it because we needed to end the war.” Hernandez answered.

  Ivan sighed. “I’ll… I’ll do my best!”

“But… weren’t there other methods, Sargent Hernandez?” Haystack asked, looking at the rogue Humvee through his scope. “Couldn’t it be done in a more civilized fashion?”

  They were only a few miles away from reaching the massive fence that blocked them from the walls. Sadly, it meant they were one mile closer towards their key battle.

“You know that people like them wouldn’t listen, right?”

“They would, Sargent. They just needed the right words.” He pulled back the hammer, letting it slide back into place. “So why do you think this case is any different?”

  Haystack could see the Humvee ram through the doors.

  However…

  Static!

  Hernandez began. “On second thought…”

  Once the Humvee was in the right place. Haystack muttered, “You don’t know, right?”

  He then pulled the trigger.

  Thwap!

  One of the tires blew to pieces, causing the vehicle to swerve wildly.

“What the-”

  They were suddenly in the air as their world spun round and round. The vehicle would crash on its front and roll over with force. It would land on its wheels before finally releasing smoke of defeat.

  Haystack breathed a sigh of relief. "Please Ivan.... we can work this out."

“Attention rogue workers! Surrender at once, or face brute force for your actions!” a soldier called from the speakers above.

“Ugh…” Jacklyn grumbled. “You all right, Ivan?”

  His only answer was through firing the machine gun at the warily advancing soldiers.

“Just get out there and defend!” Ivan shouted, shooting down every soldier one by one.

“Uh… G-Got it!” She grabbed her rifle and opened the door.

  Erratically, he fired the weapon from left to right and vice-versa. The troops kept charging towards the Humvee, hoping to subdue the two with sheer manpower. However, it wouldn’t be close to that once the casualties started to come in.

  Jacklyn would shoot one soldier in the knees making him collapse on his belly. She watched the soldier struggle to get back up, but one of Ivan’s bullets took him out. With a glum expression, she’d utter, “Celestia help us.”

“Retreat!” another soldier cried. “Retreat!”

  The troops begin to pull back, but that wasn’t enough to stop the flow of casualties.

  Through their binoculars, they were able to observe the bloodshed.

“Hmm, you were saying?” Hernandez smirked.

  Haystack could only glare at his remark.

  Ivan kept shooting until he found Jackie pinned down against the door. That’s when he got an idea.

  Later on, Jacklyn would shout, “Ivan, do you need help-”

“Take this shield that’s attached to the back of the seat, and push forward!” Ivan shouted. “I’ll cover you!”

“What, but-”

“You were a part of the Peace Corps once, it’s just like that! Get going!”

“Uh, yes!’ she crawled back inside, and quickly loosened the shield. Once it popped out, she grabbed the attached baton and crawled back out, heading towards the enemy fire.

  With the advancing troops heading for her, it gave Ivan the opportunity to mow them all down.

  Click!

“What?”

Click-Click!

“No, no, no.” he said.

  BOOM!

  An explosion landed right beside the broken vehicle. “Shoot.”

  Another explosion hit beside him.

  Jacklyn on the other hand, had to deal with the first rounds of bullets striking her shield. She knew what to do then. She pressed a switch on the handle which would make two shields slide out of each side.

  BOOM!

“Damn it.” He looked down at his stained uniform, the wound visible. It still hurt like a snake bite, but that wasn’t going to stop him. With the pain still resonating, he reached towards the eject button and pressed it. With a sudden push up, he was in the air. He would land on the ground before another explosion would destroy the Humvee completely. ”How coincidental.”

  She looked behind her to find what happened. “Oh thank Celestia!”

  Then she began to pull back.

“Grrr.” Ivan struggled to stand up, but was able to manage as he crawled towards Jacklyn’s position.

  Bullets would keep flying by as he approached her. The trip there was rather quick.

“Ivan, you-”

“Push!” Ivan shouted.

  She nodded and they charged down the empty lot with bullets still pounding against the shield.

  BOOM!

  Not caring where the explosion occurred, Ivan simply shouted. “Go faster!”

“Right!”

  They increased speed as they approached the barracks, with Ivan shooting down anyone who got in their way. When they reached the barracks, they quickly sat against the wall.

“You okay, Iv-.” She looked at the blood that was dirtying his sleeve. “Oh Celestia.”

  She reached into one of her pockets and took out a syringe. Quickly, she’d inject it into his arm.

“Huh?” He quickly felt the difference just seconds after the vaccine entered into his bloodstream. He could now stand up without any difficulty.

  Unfortunately for Jacklyn, the opposite of a thank you was in store. With contained anger, Ivan told her, “You know, you could’ve just handed it to me in the Humvee, right?”

“Uh…” Blushing, she looked down. “Sorry… I’m sorry.”

“Grrr, just don’t do it again, got it?”

“Mmm Hmm.” she nodded again.

  Now on his feet, he went to the edge of the wall and shot some more rounds at the enemy troops, killing two as they attempted to push upwards. “Now Jackie, let’s get going.”

  She’d nod in anticipation. “Right.”

“So Marianne, you knew him before?” asked a soldier, observing the damage in the estate.

  She opened a bottle of soda and drank from it before answering. “Yep, he was a good friend.”

“Um… Do you think they’ll be able to… subdue them?”

  She was quiet with that. After looking at the bullet holes in the fountain, she’d say, “Do you think the chances are very high, sir?”

  He shrugged. “Um… No, not likely.”

  She sighed, flicking her air with the wind. “Don’t worry, I got another person to help me.”

“Hmm, who would that be?”

“Well, he was a friend during the early days of my first deployment.”

  Intrigued, the soldier replied, “Interesting,”

“Indeed.”

  Rat-at-at!

  The soldier screamed in pain before falling to the floor. Two more would follow, failing at their attempted ambush.

“This is Eagle five, we’re losing men at high rates!” another cried desperately from his room. “Send help, please!”

  He quickly grabbed his shotgun and ran out the room, “Die, freaks!”

  BLAM!

  Tw-tw-tw-tw-tw-tw-tw-twang!

“wha-wha-!”

  Whack!

  The soldier flew back with such force, slamming against the wall.

“Nice hit, Jackie.” Ivan complemented, shooting down two soldiers firing from their rooms.

“Uh… thanks… I guess.” she said, looking at the unconscious body.

“Now let’s go. The last barrack is just next door.”

“Got it.”

  They went into the last room which was the gateway to the outside.

  Rat-at-at-at-at-at…!

  Bullets teared through the window, deflecting off of Jacklyn’s shield. Ivan returned fire, finishing the soldier off. They each jumped through the window and went inside to an empty room.

  Rat-at-at-at-at-at-at-at-at-at-at-at-at…!

  Bullets flew through the door, making them get out of harm’s way. As time went by, the shooting became less and less audible, soon coming to a stop.

“Huh?” Ivan mumbled.

  Slowly, the two slowly crawled to the door. It was battered to the point where only the edges and the hinges were visible. Ivan would signal her to stay cautious, as they exited out the room and into the hallway.

“Odd.” Jacklyn whispered as they passed by room to room.

“You know I expected more from the US Army.” Ivan scoffed, looking into one of them to find a tape recording on a desk. He simply stuffed it in his pocket.

“We already got a lot, Ivan.” she stated, then her tone shifted when she saw Ivan do as such. “You seriously going to take that?”

“What?” Ivan wondered. “Just curious, that’s all. Not gonna use it as blackmail or anything.”

  Jacklyn only scowled. “Let’s just get out of here.”

“Su-”

  They heard the coils from the beds creak.

“What was that?” she cried, whipping her baton towards the direction of the noise.

“Grrr, don’t tell me that Maribelle wants a rematch.” Ivan said while taking a couple steps back. That’s where they heard a strong breeze behind him. Strong enough to snap Ivan into alert. “Jackie, shield up.”

  She obeyed said command, asking, “What for?”

  Ivan quickly ducked downward as a gunshot rang behind him.

  Twang!

  Ivan combined his hands and swung his arms at the attacker.

“Oomph!” The man flew back, crashing against the wall. He kept his fancy gun however, and fired another round.

  Rat-at-at!

  The Revolver flew off his hand, so he had to go into the alternatives. He got up before the next rounds could hit him. When he charged towards Ivan, he managed to even it out.

“Hey!” Ivan snarled, bothered by this sudden change.

  Head to head, the two threw as many blows as possible. Ivan managed to block most of his punches, while the attacker managed to do the same.

“Arrgh!” Ivan screeched when a punch to the stomach was what he got. He got payback with a backhand slap to his face. The man fought back with a kick, he managed to jump back… only to be punched in the face and knocked to the floor. Looking up, and watching him take out the knife, he squinted his eyes closed.

  Thwap!

  Whack!

“Ow!” The man shouted when the baton slapped him across the cheek. She attempted to make another blow to his face, but was denied thanks to the man’s wrist. The two struggled to gain control, but it would continue into a stalemate.

“Don’t you dare hurt him, mister.” she growled.

“Coming from ‘ze lady who hesitated to do anything.” he rebutted.

  Her mouth went agape, but she regained her composure. “Don’t play games with me!”

“Whatever you say.” he said with a ravenous smirk.

  On the floor, Ivan instantly recognized that voice. He only did the most logical of choices. “So Pierre, looks like you’re no longer wearing that mask, huh?”

“I believe so.” he answered. “You like my hair?”

“Pff, seen better. Not to mention” Ivan grunted, getting on his two feet. “that you got yourself a new uniform there.”

  Pierre’s firm hold loosened, watching Ivan look at his black trench coat that was adorned with gold buttons. “It was a gift from my boss.”

“Well, it explains what you’ve been doing for the past two years.” Ivan said. “So, how did it favor?”

“It’s been fine. Though, terminating my original contract with BLU wasn’t all that easy.” he said plainly, putting a hand on Jacklyn’s shoulder, causing Jacklyn to slowly pull back with her defensive stance in place. “But, I’m liking this job. Once we’ve completed our hunt, we can just go back home and call it a day.”

  Ivan snickered. “You see, that isn’t happening?”

  Pierre raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Why so?”

  He walked towards Pierre, only to be stopped by Jacklyn’s hand holding his arm. She gave him a shake of the head when he looked at her. He just responded with an eye roll. Standing in that spot, he answered. “Haven’t you noticed? We’re fighting in the Barracks thanks to your leader… H-How were you able to-”

“You don’t have to know.” Pierre interrupted.

“Why not?”

“You’re leaving this place, right?”

  Ivan crossed his arms together. “Ugh, true.”

“Oui, there was a reason why I ordered these men to withdraw.” he said, taking out a cigarette.

“Just so we can fight?” Ivan groaned.

  He smoked his cigarette, a puff of smoke leaving his mouth. He reached into one of his interior pockets and got out his second pistol. “Ivan, we knew each other for a week. By then, you should know how I fi-”

  Whack!

“Aaargh!” Pierre screeched, falling back on his back.

   With screams of rage, she beat his baton relentlessly at his head. “Don’t… you… dare… hurt…-Aaargh!”

  She held to her stomach, wincing at the blow. The next punch however, was blocked by her shield. “Ivan, run!”

“What?” Ivan said, mouth agape.

“Just go!” she’d shriek.

  With very little resistance, he ran down the hall. There wasn’t anything that would distract him as he ran towards the desired exit.

  Jacklyn held on to her position, using it as an opportunity to trip Pierre to the ground and kick him in the face. The best thing she could do after that, was run.

  Ivan reached the last room, which was a small office. He looked out the window to find the less defended road just past the green grass in between them. Past the road was the massive wall, We made it alright.

  He took out a bottle of rum he found, and took as much large gulps as possible until the glass was empty. He would let out a huge breath once he slammed it against the desk.

   Bam!

“Huh?” Turning around, he found Jacklyn slamming her body against the now closed door, huffing and puffing.

“Let’s… get the hell… out of here!”

“Agreed.” Ivan said flatly.

“Good, cause we got-” She grew quiet when she saw the glass in his hand.  Connecting that to the opened bottle next to it made her say, “What the hell are you doing?”

“Uh…” He looked at the glass, then back at her distraught face. “Um… You’ll see.”

  The reply only made her feelings turn sour. “I-I can’t believe you!”

“Grr, I use it to recharge those fire powers you saw earlier!” Ivan snarled. “Now let’s just go, before that guy comes back to try to give us another lec-”

“No!”

  He froze, turned around, and looked back at her glare.

“I wanna know, why the hell… are you drinking that?”

  Ivan facepalmed. “Grrr, why is that, of all things, so important right now? You do realize that we’re being chased, right? Not to mention that I already told you-”

“I’m surprised you still haven’t changed, Ivan!” she snapped.

  He was quiet for a while, then rolled his eyes before turning to face the window. “But I’m not surprised that you haven’t changed.”

  Her glare changed to a frown, as she held her arm. She began to make soft kicks in the ground, looking away. “I know Ivan… it’s just that… I’m tired of that place… that’s all.”

  Ivan kept looking at the troops outside, taking out a tear gas explosive. “Shoot… Now then, that’s our only way out. If we take it, we can quickly get out of here.”

  There was no response. “Jackie?”

  She looked up quickly. ”Uh…”

“Come on, get over here please.” he said with a hint of comfort.

  She only nodded, and began to walk towards him.

  Ccchhh!

“Uaaah!” She jumped forward and yelped upon hearing that.

  Ivan pointed his rifle at the door. “Get out of the way!”

  She complied. The bullets punched through the door before a groan of pain could be heard. “Let’s go, let’s go!”

  Ivan released the pin from the explosive and tossed it through the window.

  BOOM!

   Hearing the gunshots outside, Pierre only smoked his cigarette as he held his wounded stomach. He muttered, “Eh… Pourquoi veut-il pas écouter?”

  The two charged through the smoke.  Ivan blind fired as many shots as he could in front of him. Then he’d feel the metal slamming against his face. “Umph!”

  After a couple of random slaps against the metal, he finally felt the handle bar and opened it. With instinct, he found his way inside the vehicle. “Umph, hey!”

  Then he felt himself pull back and slam against the seat as the smoke cleared. When it completely did, he noticed the idle vehicles being passed by. “Damn!”

“Just be happy that I’m sticking by you!” Jacklyn yelled, sliding around two soldiers charging towards him. He stuck her baton out, letting one of them smack her head against it.

“You asshole!” The next soldier fired as many rounds as he could, but it wasn’t enough. “I’ve found the target, he’s fleeing in that jeep!”

  Jacklyn increased her speed once the bullets were starting to strike from the right and in front.

“I got it!” Ivan shouted, breaking the front window with his rifle.

  Rat-at-at-at-at-at-at-at-at-at…!

  The squad held the line, but would lose most of their troops in the failed attempt. The moment she reached their destination, they retreated while she pushed the breaks as hard as she could. The jeep would turn its tail at a perfect angle when she turned the wheel leftward with all her might. They were met with a giant metal black wall though.

“Celestia damn it!” Jacklyn glowered. “Now how are we going to-”

  Shwoom!

  BOOM!

“Whoa!” She then braced for the falling shrapnel.

“Come on, let’s go!”  Ivan screamed, reloading the grenade launcher.

“Oh, okay!”

  The vehicle instantly bolted through the broken gate without delay.

“Damn it!” Hernandez shouted, kicking his foot against the tank before reaching into his walkie-talkie. “Get every Javelin unit up here immediately!”

  Haystack only ran to the other side with urgency, rifle in his back.

“Grrr, fine! I’ll fire the TOW missile then!” Hernandez bitterly responded.

  Haystack listened nonchalantly though, but was insistent in taking out that Jeep. That’s when one of the passengers stood from the sunroof of the jeep, rifle in tow.

Foom!

BLAM!

  Both bullet and grenade collided, creating a mass explosion of white smoke.

“Ugh, Ponyfeathers.” Haystack mumbled, lowering his weapon.

“On second thought.” Hernandez muttered, hand over his eyes. “Nevermind.”

  Ivan could still see the walls from where he stood, but it would slowly fade with each inch passed. With the feeling of security, he sat back down. “So… off to Washington State, huh?”

  Jacklyn was quiet, still focusing on the land in front.

“Well then…” Ivan chuckled. “Looks like we’re off to a good start.”

  Again, nothing. The only difference was that she was biting her lip, and squeezing her hands against the wheel.

  Seeing this, Ivan had to do something. “Honestly, I’m glad we made it through. With all the stepped up security, it proved to be-”

“Ivan,” she austerely spoke. “What the… What the hell just came from your hands?”

  He looked back out the window. “Powers.”

“Where… did you get them?”

  Ivan kept that position intact. “It’s… it’s best that you don’t know.”

“Why not?”

  He sighed. “It’ll get more complicated than it already is.”

“Doesn’t look that complicated to me!”

  He was quiet for a couple seconds. “I was in a… in a strange place west from here… a place that lost its marbles thanks to some drink… I… drank those said drinks, and now I can burn, freeze, and mind-control anyone in my way.”

  With the same stance, she asked. “So… is that the reason why you’re on the run?”

“What, no.”

“So what is it then?”

  He remained quiet.

“Grrr… You know, I have been leaning towards thinking that you were just caught in the cross fire or just got involved with some local gang, but that little girl you just slashed with my knife should’ve been a wake-up call for me.” she said with a raised voice. "Not to mention that a good friend of mine is in on it too... I just... I just can't comprehend this!"

“So… does that mean that you don’t want me around?”

  She did her best to contain it, but she couldn’t anymore. "Hmm, Yes! That’s what I’m getting at!”

“Oh.” Ivan frowned. “Then that’s okay with me then.”

  He opened the door, and hopped out, rolling onto the grass. It wasn’t as rough as expected, so he simply got up and watched the jeep drive away. He wiped away what little grass was on his uniform and headed north. “Well then, that’s the end of this ride.”

  He placed his hands in his pockets. “I guess I can try to reach the NVR, getting a job there won’t be that hard…”

  Ivan looked back in the direction where she had driven off, revealing that she was gone. However, he could hear the engine rumbling though. He turned around to find the jeep going the opposite direction, making him frown again, mumbling, “Hmm, I always knew she couldn’t handle the journey.”

  Then the jeep was heading in his direction.  ”Huh?

  It would get closer and closer, until finally arriving at his position and turning to block his path.

“Uh…”

  The vehicle turned off, and Jacklyn went charging through the door.

“Wha-What are you-!” he tried asking as she grabbed onto his collar. “Umph!”

  With his back now against the car, and his collar held with an iron grip, he looked down to face her.

“Ivan…” she started, looking down towards his uniform. “Just… Just get back in the car.”

  Ivan chose to say nothing, still frowning at the sight before him.

“You know how I get in situations like this… don’t you?”

  Ivan just stared at her, letting nature’s silence take over.

“Well, I don’t care what the answer is.” She’d look at him with tears forming in her eyes. “Just don’t do that again… please.”

  They kept staring into each other’s eyes, until Ivan leaned away to walk around the vehicle.

“Ivan, please.” she begged.

  Once on the other side, he sat in the front seat and closed the door. Jacklyn only stood still as she watched. “Uh…”

  Ivan simply leaned back and said. “Well, we better hurry if you want to get to Washington State without being in a body bag.”

“Oh…” she nodded hastily. “Okay.”

  She rushed back towards the driver’s seat, and went inside. She’d turn on the vehicle, and get to driving.

  Ivan chose this as a perfect moment to play the recording. When it started up…

“Hmm, the top dogs at Fort Xavier want us to guard the gate from ‘expecting intruders’ today.” the man said nervously. “Heard that he killed six people when he escaped… well, all I got to say is that…  There was no point in resisting. The world is already cruel enough, gunning down your security won’t make things better. I mean, what the hell is he going to do here? We practically scared the people here into not messing with us. Does he really think that we’re going to kick their ass with just rocks and sticks…?”

  The man spoke again. “But even if he chooses to go outside these walls, what then? How the hell is he going to survive there? Does he-”

  Ivan stopped the recording, pushed the window down, and tossed it out into the plains. Pushing it back up, he turned to Jacklyn, who was eyeing the plains with quivering eyes. He only sighed as he looked back out the window. “Give her time, Ivan. Just give her time.”

Chapter 3

  Marianne was inspecting the drawer, only to find each of them filled with nothing but uniforms. “Damn it.”

  She closed it forcefully.

  Static!

“Marianne?”

  She picked up the walky-talky. “S"up Haystack, how’s it going?”

“Fine… um, where are you?”

“I’m at Ivan’s apartment.”

“What for?”

“Trying to see if there’s more evidence to prove that he planned this all along or something.” Marianne said. “What news do you have?”

“Well…” Marianne could already decipher the sadness in his voice.

  After his explanation…

“Oh, that’s unfortunate.” she lamented.

“Yeah, we were so close in finally takin’ him down too.” Haystack answered, feeling the same way. “What do we do now?”

“It’s okay Haystack, don’t worry.”

  His breath escaped at that. “What?”

“If we can’t get to them, then the outside will.” she reminded him.

“But what if they-”

“We’ll step in as always, Haystack. What is there to worry?”

  Big Mac kept quiet before talking. “Look, It’s been two years since ‘ah took this job and-”

  She interrupted again. “Don’t worry, Haystack. We’ll get the job done in no time.”

  He could only sigh. “Eeyup.”

“Plus, just because we failed the first time doesn’t mean that there won’t be any more opportunities, right?”

  Inaudibly, he grit his teeth; but quickly suppressed it. “Yeah, sure… Um, we’ll meet at the apartment?”

“Okay then.” she chirped before hanging up. Her mood would quickly drop though as she stared at the scene.

“Marianne, is something wrong?” asked a woman in black, turning on the TV.

“No Lily, I’m all right.” she groaned. “So what’s on?”

“Uh… just the government seal and a ‘Please stand by’ message. That’s all.”

“Interesting, now let's get back to work.” she said with a grin, standing up to head to the small kitchen close by.

“Um… Ma’am?” the lady asked, hesitantly. “About what happened to... you know.”

  Her mood then softened. “Just don’t worry about it, okay?”

  The lady was reluctant to say, “Okay then.”

“Good, now get to work.”

“Mmm Hmm.”

  And the two said nothing after that.

  Maribelle sat patiently on a metal bench, kicking her feet in the air with unison. She held a firm grip on her katana as her mind drifted back to last night.

  ”It’s okay, Maribelle.” Haystack cried, desperately searching in his pockets for a syringe. “You’re goin’ to be all right! ‘Ah promise!”

  It hurt her so much, but what hurt her the most was what Ivan asked her. It wasn’t worth mentioning, but it felt as if it was.

“Maribelle!”

“Huh?” she looked up, finding Haystack standing right in front of her.

“We’re leavin’.”

“Oh, okay.” she nodded, and hopped off the bench.

  The two would walk down the hallway, where there was no soldier in sight.

“What were you thinkin’ about?” Haystack asked her.

“Nothing much.” she answered, keeping a straightforward face unbroken.

“You can tell me you know.”

“N’ah.”

  They reached an elevator and went inside. The two kept quiet as the elevator kept its descent. Their sullen thoughts kept them from saying anything further.

  She only remembered how he looked so happy with that mare. The day looked bright and chipper as always, and her smile was equal to it. They had so much fun that day, but those smiles would quickly fall once the bullets began to fly at them.

  The doors would soon open to a wide room that was just as empty as the floors above. The only things that inhabited the place was a turret on the ceiling; along with shotguns and HMG’s mounted through the walls behind. Haystack could also see similar holes line up the walls beside him. The sight of this would make him quiver a bit as they continued to walk down the empty room before they exited out the double door.

  Outside, they were met with the black sedan.

“Marianne opted for me to give you a ride, sir.” the man in black said.

  The two only nodded and entered the vehicle. The man drove them down the lot, passing by carrier trucks that were unloading body bags by the dozens. The sight made Haystack glum. He couldn’t believe that Ivan and that girl would-

“Just don’t think about it.” Maribelle reminded. “It’s part of our job, anyways.”

“Yeah, but-”

“You killed too, so it isn't worth moping about.”

"But-" He looked back at the trucks, grimacing even more. “Hmm..., Eeyup.”

“Hmm, nearly a hundred dead in under twenty minutes.” said the driver in black. “That’s impressive.”

“Yeah, but, let’s not talk about that.” Maribelle told him.

  The man only looked at the mirror, finding a moping Haystack. “Agreed.”

  Marianne, exited out the building, standing against a Humvee.”

“So, we’re done here, right?” said the lady.

  Marianne looked down. “Tsk, nothing in there, might as well search someplace else?”

“Agree… What now then?”

“We wait, of course.” Marianne exhaled. “Those two just love to take their time.”

“Yeah.” the lady leaned against the Humvee also. “Oh, and Trevor informed me that he’s coming over from the Idaho front.”

“Oh, that’s nice.”

“I already informed him on the failure of this mission.”

“Okay.” she said casually.

  With concerned look,  she asked. “Uh… are you all right?”

“I’m fine, Lily. You don’t have to keep asking.”

“If it’s about what happened to-”

“I underestimated Ivan’s capabilities, I know.” Marianne grumbled. “He’s too powerful for-”

  The lady raised her voice, matching that of Marianne’s. “I’m not talking about Ivan, I’m talking about-”

  Marianne only rolled her eyes, leaving her to be. Only to realize…

“Just… don’t bring it up… all right?” she requested softly.

  The lady sighed. “Fine then. I’ll be in the building if you need me.”

“Yeah, sure.”

  Although the lady was cautious in leaving her, she’d obey nevertheless.

  Marianne watched as she went back inside. ”Don’t take it too personally, Lily.”

  She’d hear a car approach from the right, noticing that it was the black sedan she sent.

  They kept driving over the plains, the jeep casting a soft shadow thanks to the morning sun. Jacklyn’s only occupation was to keep driving. She’d sometimes glance at Ivan, finding him looking out the window, and not wanting to look away.  It only made the atmosphere more uneasy when she did. She decided to turn on the radio to make sure it doesn’t worsen. The first thing to come on was a rap, so she quickly changed it. She’d fly by every channel until she finally found the one she wanted.

“You are listening to the Free Press of Equestria, here on the Ponies’ front Ninety-Seven point three FM.” exclaimed the man with reticence. “I am Jack Gertrude, your host for this program. I am also joined by head Priestess of the Celestial Temple of Tulsa, Oklahoma: Esmeralda Dalton…”

  Jacklyn looked back at Ivan, who was still looking out the window. Then she returned back to the plains ahead.

“… and Blaze, the Californian musician known for her biggest hit: Stars of the Open Sky. So how’s everyone doing?”

  The guests all greeted each other, and such.

“So, first topic of the day.” he began. “An infantry division of their majesties' Fifty-second Regiment managed to capture a town outside Fort Worth, Texas. Sadly, they lost more than half of their fighting force and required troops in other occupied cities to loosen their defenses to reinforce the town.”

  Jacklyn placed a few fingers over her mouth, not sure what to think on the matter.

“This brings the number of casualties in our armed forces to thirty thousand in this year alone. So, I ask you, what are your thoughts on the matter?”

“I think the direction for those troops was pathetic!” said the musician, the others would express their agreements… well, most of them actually. “General Sutton contracted an inexperienced commander to lead them, and look what they got! Eight Hundred dead, two hundred gravely wounded, and less than fifty being told to help those guys out while they hold the line against the counteroffensive that came! And guess what only ten troops were left uninjured before reinforcements arrived. Grrr, Jackass!”

“Look, the commander was up against one of the CHM’s High Command.” the priestess reminded her. “Just be happy that we were finally able to break through the front!”

“So they get a guy who only oversaw security within our territory to do it?” the musician responded bitterly.

  The priestess responded in nearly the same attitude. “We’ve been on the defensive for nearly two decades! Aren’t you happy that we’ve finally took some action!”

  The musician yelled, “The Defense Ministry is telling him to stay there and defend, Esmeralda! That’s a recipe for disaster!”

“Look guys,” the host intervened. “You’re looking at it the wrong way. Commander Garcia isn’t as inexperienced as you think. He managed to put down three Guerrilla attacks in record timing-”

“Then send him off to London if you have high hopes for him then!” the musician said.

“Plus, what does that have anything to do with the topic at hand!” the priestess shouted. “The guy crushed guerillas, woo hoo, but that doesn’t matter! He failed horribly at keeping our troops safe, and Mister Grump over here doesn’t understand that he’ll learn soon enough!”

“Who are you calling Mister Grump here! I’m stating the freaking facts, you’re probably just here to sugarcoat that poor excuse of a commander!”

“I am not doing such a thing!” the priestess yelled. “He may have messed up, but if we give him further educa-”

“Oh don’t give me that ‘educate our military leaders’ bull crap!” the host interjected. “If you mess up, then you don’t deserve such a position yet, period! You can’t just give a dumbass like him the position of battlefront commander and throw him on the front lines when he or she’s not ready!”

“That stupid ass policy is getting more and more of our men and women killed!” the musician yelled angrily. “Can’t the Defense ministry get it straight to their heads?”

“They don’t have to!” the priestess said. “The policy at least kept us safe from-”

“Well it isn’t helping us win the war!” the musician rebutted. “We’re not here to fight a war of attrition, Esmaralda! We’re making sure that mad priestesses like yourself don’t get any free passes!”

“Who’re you calling mad, you hothead!”

“Uh, ladies?”

“Now who you calling-”

  Jacklyn quickly shut it off, praying with urgency. “Oh sweet Celestia, help them please.”

“We’re not going to them, right?”

“Huh?” She turned to Ivan.

“I said we’re not going to them, right?”

  She only frowned. “Right.”

“Good.”

  It was again quiet, the motor making the only sound. Jacklyn would soon break it however. “So, did they treat you well?”

“Hmm?”

“Uh… how was the work place like?”

  Ivan paused a little before saying. “It’s been tough, but I’ve managed.”

“How so?” she asked, her curiosity increasing.

“Well, you know how the DHHS operates nowadays.”

  The curiosity quickly sank. “Oh… I see.”

“You saw it there didn’t you?”

“I… yeah… it’s just like back in Chicago, right?”

  He sighed. “Kind of.”

“How so?”

“You just saw it.”

“Oh.. Uh…” Jacklyn stammered, scolding herself. “Right. Sorry that I’d ask such a-”

“Don’t worry Jackie, it’s all right.” Ivan silenced.

“I know, I know. It’s just that you’ve been gone for so long since that incident-”

“Do you think I care?” he interrupted. “I mean, we are going to Washington State, right?”

“Well, uh, yeah, but I… I… Look I’m sorry it’s that...”

Ivan just looked back at the plains.

   Jacklyn too kept quiet upon seeing that. Letting another round of silence go their way. As time went by, Ivan would go back to the past.

"To continue, I managed to find him seven years later, baring the Lunarist Flag.” he sighed softly, feeling a little pain from that memory. “… Only to be shot dead by a Celestianist sniper.”

“Oh…” He continued to stare down at Maribelle still feeling saddened that children like her were being forced to fight for her highness. “Well Ah’m sorry about that.”

“Don’t be… in this world, friends come and go, our society helps us remember that.”

“Ivan?”

“Hmm?” He turned to look at Jacklyn again.

“I asked what your job was.”

“Uh… You just-”

“No, not that one.” she rectified. “I mean… you know.”

“Oh…” his puzzled tone soured, looking back out the window. “Well… I was just a delivery boy for those guys.”

“Yeah, and?”

  Ivan sighed. “A couple things led to another… and now I’m here.”

“That explains a lot.” Jacklyn said. “So why try to hide it?”

  Ivan kept quiet for a moment. “There are some things in that job that are not worth telling, Jackie.”

“Like what?”

“You really want to know, don’t you?” Ivan looked back at her determined face.

“Mmm Hmm.”

“So I’m not saying.”

“Grrr.” She’d immediately cease her annoyance. “I understand.”

“The only thing I’ll say is that I now have fire, ice, and mind-control coming out of my hands. Impress~’d?” he joked.

“I…” Jacklyn blushed. “Just… don’t go overboard with it, alright?”

“Got it.”

  The two were quiet again. The vehicle kept going and going without further noise to accompany it besides the wind. Jacklyn kept her eyes on the road as usual while Ivan-

“Though, those powers of yours, scare me.”

  Ivan groaned. “Pointing out the obvious, huh?”

“Um...” she wined solemnly.

“I know, that’s probably what’s going to happen since word of this is already out.” he continued. “Hell, it's obvious the US Army won't be standing by and watch after that show.”

“That’s what scares me the most.”

“Hmm?”

“When we get to Washington State, do you think that we’ll have to change who we are for that?” Jacklyn asked.

“Well…” Ivan frowned. “It does sound likely…, but we’ll cross that bridge once we get there.”

“Yeah.” Again, it was quiet for a short moment. “So… Marianne is after us huh?”

  Ivan felt his stomach tie in knots, but was resilient. “Yep, that’s literally what happened.”

“That means…”

“Yeah, it applies to her too.”

  Jacklyn’s depressed mood was still on her shoulder even as Marianne became the topic. “Well, she always wanted to go to back to Canada, right?”

  Ivan sighed. “Well, I hope she finds another way… cause…”

  Jacklyn’s eyes watered.

“Um... Damn… anyway…”

“Do you know who she works for?” she asked, blinking her tears away.

  Ivan stepped out from his current state. “Uh… yeah, I’ve actually met him personally."

“Oh really?”

“Yeah.” Ivan took some time to explain.

  A green attack chopper flew across the plains, and would land over a helipad located on the wall. Stepping out were the same men in black, only they aligned beside US troops. Behind them was an elderly man in a white overcoat. They’d walk down the floor before they’d stop in front of a man with medals that patched his green uniform. “Good Day Trevor.”

  The man in white lifted his hands, and placed one over his chin, while the other was in midair. He then brought the top one down to slam against the other.

“Good...” said a voice, while he placed one elbow over the other the other arm, slamming it against it like a block. “Day.”

  The man looked with such puzzlement at what made that voice: a blue orb that hung from around his neck, flashing dimly with every word.

Trevor then took off his black hat, and added a gesture to his greeting.

“So that’s the kind of guy we’re dealing with, huh?” Jacklyn asked worryingly.

“Yep, it's not known whether he lost it during the war, or if he was like that since birth.” he pointed out. “But by all means, it doesn’t matter. Let’s just get to where we need to-”

“Uh, Ivan?’

“Yeah?”

  She pointed out the window in front. “Wh-what’s that?”

  He looked out in that direction to find a black dot in the distance. “Don’t know. Since we’re approaching it, we might-”

  The dot would get bigger as they got closer, revealing a crumpled and burned out armored vehicle. A crescent moon with wings at both sides, baring a star in the center, was visible over the worn out armor. Seeing this made troubled the two.

“Oh…” Jacklyn was feeling goosebumps as a destroyed Humvee entered into view; baring two yellow wings embracing a red circle, where more yellow and a red horizontal line were inside. "Those two just don't know when to stop, don't they?"

“Yeah, the Government just had to hire those two bozos to quell the unrest." Ivan said.

"And then those two came in." Jacklyn sighed. "... Hey, about that pony-"

"I told you that he was just an old partner." Ivan said. "He's married now. That's all I'm gonna say."

  "Okay..." Jacklyn said, frowning.

"So, do you know where we are?" Ivan asked, trying to ease the gloom.

“We just entered the Rosebud Reservation." she glanced back at Ivan. "Hmm, I never thought that we'd go through here. Hopefully-"

  There were sudden beeping sounds coming from the fuel gauge. The meter was glowing red at the E.

  Ivan, now losing peace of mind, was asking. "Uh... You didn’t check for fuel?”

“We were in a hurry, remember?” Jacklyn rebutted.

“Oh, right.”

  The vehicle began to rumble persistently before stopping alongside the engine. The two looked at each other with gaped mouths before looking back at the plains. The only thing they could say to each other was, "Shoot."

“So, that was a clever move you made there mister Mayor.” Trevor complimented with the motion of his hands.

“Thanks.” the medal adorned mayor smirked, watching the man from his desk.

“But that does not excuse the fact that they got away.” Trevor glared. “We’ve been searching for him for four years now, losing him at the heat of the moment was a blow to our morale.”

  He looked up at the mayor with stern blue eyes. “Not to mention the deal that we had.”

  Muttering was being heard all around as the mayor stood there frozen.

“I may have done wrong, but that doesn’t mean that it’ll prevent me from contributing to my country.”

  The mayor rubbed his eyes, calming down. “Look, I already did part of the deal. Your Equestrian friend doesn’t have to worry about the FBI grabbing him by the tail. However, I'm not letting a criminal control us just for a short hunt. So, I propose that we deny your request to grant us a loan to improve the living conditions of our citizens. We will however, support you in the capture and execution of the now escapee of the Den with the abidance of handing half of what we uncover from his body to BLU industries... deal?"

   There was silence for a moment, but it would end with Trevor giving a little smirk. "Deal... The least you can do is not shoot us as we try to help.”

  The Mayor frowned. “Not to mention that you have your 'loose partnership' with BLU, and... the Pony’s backstory was a very tragic in my opinion.”

“Agree.”

  Haystack, who sat calmly over a provided pillow, was met with mumbles towards him. His body only tensed as such happened. The thought of what Trevor did to let him free was only taking him back.

  ”I’m sorry for what happened to you, Mister Macintosh.” said the Mayor, looking out the vast plains.

“It’s all right.” Haystack answered.

“But during your two year career, you should’ve known that you were working with a criminal.”

“Eeyup.”

He sighed. “Look, I’m not a fan of this guy. But to his credit, he’s trying to help us win over these hard times. Not to mention that he isn’t posing a serious threat to national security.”

“Eeyup.”

  With a soft grin on his face, he continued. “Who would’ve thought that he used to be head of the First Legionary Regiment. Should've known that he'd find me here. Hell, he helped me get this position anyway... He also knew that the Director and I were good friends and..."

  He sighed, looking back at Haystack. “Look, what I’m getting at is that even though you have a guy like him, doesn’t mean that you’re going the right path… But hey, who am I to know?”

  Haystack kept looking at the mayor, worryingly.

  The mayor would look back out the plains. “I’ll call the Director tomorrow, making sure that his boys don’t go hunting for a red farm pony. In exchange, you hunt down your guy, and don’t come back, okay?”

He nodded.

          The Mayor would smile. "You know, you shouldn't've left those photos there for RED to find, right?"

  Haystack frowned again, ashamed for what had happened that day. "Eeyup."

"You do like saying that a lot, don't you?" the Mayor asked with intrigue.

"Eeyup."

"I guess you'll keep doing so, right?"

  There would be a brief pause before he'd say, "Eeyup."

“Haystack." Marianne called.

“Hmm?” He looked towards her.

“Something’s bothering you?”

“Um… Nope.” he said, looking back at the conference.

  Marianne could only look with uneasiness before facing the conference also.

“So, do you have a proposed plan for us?” asked the mayor.

“My men are too far away to reach their position, but…”

  The sun was now in the center of the sky.

“How long have we been walking?” Jacklyn breathed, trudging her feet against the ground.

“Don’t know.” Ivan answered, looking at a map. "But on the bright side, the map is telling us we're going in the right direction."

“Uh… don’t you have a watch or something?” she asked, wiping sweat from her forehead.

  Ivan raised an eyebrow. “Uh, no. I thought you had a cellphone.”

“Ivan, do you think I’d have contacts out in the red zone?”

  Ivan looked back in front. “Hmm, Touché.”

“But do you at least know where we’re heading?”

“Not a clue, we’re just going in the direction the map is telling us to go."

“You think it's the right way?”

"Probably, I don't know for sure." Ivan admitted. "This was an outdated trail from Idy's early years. So maybe it'll work."

"Oh... great." she said with a weak smile.

  The two kept walking for what seemed like hours, even though the sun had moved just slightly. Jacklyn now had her arm wrapped across Ivan’s shoulder as she panted despairingly.

“H-How the hell are you a mercenary?” Ivan asked, perturbed by her breathing. She just kept panting, before Ivan decided to put her down.

“Like I said Ivan, jobs are scarcer now.” she breathed.

“Well that doesn’t excuse the fact that you’re exhausted.” Ivan said. “Have you been drinking your water?”

  She nodded her head. “Ran out though.”

“That explains it.” Ivan reached for his water bottle and tilted it over her face. “Say aah.”

“Aah..” she sang, opening her mouth.

  He let the water flow down her tongue, swallowing it by ounce. She’d softly push it away once she had enough, swiping her mouth with her sleeve.

“Uh, thanks.” she said with a smile.

“No problem.” he replied while tossing the bottle to the side.

  Her smile diminished. “Wait, why’d you do that for?”

“We’re out.”

“What!”

“We’re out.”

“But didn’t we get supplies from that Bill-“ When she saw Ivan’s stroppy grin, it could only imply one thing. “Shoot.”

“Yeah, and we haven’t seen a single town for miles either.” Ivan stood up. “So I guess we’re going to have to hold out.”

"Aw damn it." she moaned.

  They looked in the direction they were going, noticing that there was nothing but junk out there.

  "I... I-"

“Can you get up now?” Ivan reached a hand out for her.

“Yep.” she said, feeling a bit solemn, but trying to ease it. “Ready to walk by old war vehicle number two hundred and fifty.”

  He laughed, causing Jacklyn to join. They’d get back up and continue their walk…

“Wait, you’ve been keeping count?”

  The sun moved a little more, while Jacklyn had her arm over Ivan’s shoulder again.

“Still couldn’t handle it, huh?” Ivan cooed. “No biggie.”

  He wasted no time and looked around. Speedily, he inspected every armored vehicle in the area. When he found one that interested him.

“Huh, an old Patton tank.” Ivan said.

“Huh?” Jacklyn slurred.

“The M60 Patton, a tank that fought alongside the first M1 Abrams during the third World War before being decommissioned. Now it’s fighting for the Sisterhood-”

“Uggh, not that Ivan!” Weakly, she pointed forward. “That.”

  He placed the light in that direction. “Huh, what’s that?”

  Passed the road was a massive parking lot, behind that was a large flat building. Ivan then noticed a tall silhouette above. He pointed the light at it to find a sign that displayed a blue T standing beside a red A. Underneath it displayed Logos from various restaurants.

“Oh, I heard of these.” Jacklyn uttered, a little smile on her face. “People would stop by these places to get some gas, eat something, or go to the bathroom.”

“Where’d ya here that?”

“Well, I had a friend who was from the green zone.” Jacklyn said. “Said that her bus stopped by one and ate in a diner. Told me she ate some delicious bacon and eggs and-”

“Hold on!” Ivan interrupted. “Why would she leave for Chicago?”

“To visit some relatives?”

“Well, good point.” Ivan stared at the building for a while. ‘Well, since you say that that’s the case, let’s see if we can find anything useful in there.”

  When entering…

“Only if whoever was in control of it didn’t raze it to the ground.” Ivan groaned loudly at the nonexistent interior.

  Jacklyn looked behind her to find the front wall still standing. “Now what?”

  Ivan sighed, looking out at the small buildings that was miles away. “We just keep going.”

“Oh…” she whined weakly.

“Let’s go.”

“Okay.” she moaned.

  The two kept treading down the roofless foundation and into the back before reaching the grassy area. Throughout the walk, Ivan could hear Jacklyn pant and whine as her legs began to shake. He rolled his eyes, stopping to kneel down beside her. “I’m surprised you’d join a mercenary group like that. I’m guessing that you barely passed by one point or something.”

  After regaining control of her speech, she’d say. “Why bring this up again?”

“You already know.”

  She clenched onto her chest with such agony, winded.

  He looked at the forest, before looking back at her. “Lie down.”

“What!” she said as her face reddened at the request.

“Just do it.”

  She looked away slightly as she held onto her chest. “But Ivan, we can’t, I mean… I’m not…”

  Ivan groaned. “Oh Jesus, get your mind out of the gutter and do as I say!”

  This surprised her into embarrassment. “Oh… uh… alright.”

"Can you give me your shield first."

"Uh, sure." She took the shield off her back and hand it over to him.

  In a couple seconds, her back was on the grass. She’d feel a slight pinch of pain in her head though. Something that would make her see four Ivans then one, then four again, then one, then four again, then back to one, and that was it. “Uhhh…”

  Suddenly, she was light as air. She slurred again before finding her head pressed against his shoulder, feeling his hand gripping underneath her legs. She was speechless, all she could do then was place a hand over his chest for support.

“Just be lucky that your legs aren’t hurting, okay?” Ivan said, agitated.

“Um… okay.” she cooed.

They were now in the city, finding it empty and looted. held the scope firmly in hand. On occasion, Ivan would look at Jacklyn to see if she was okay. At the very moment, she was unresponsive. Fortunately, she could tell by her breathing that it was nothing too serious.

The sight of this only made him worry. Most of all, it would annoy him to the point where both feelings were battling for control.

”On June thirteenth, Nineteen eighty five, the Socialist Viet-Laotian Republic agreed to make peace with India once it was heard that the Chinese Government had surrendered to the Soviets, and that thousands of PLA troops were resisting the unconditional surrender…”

Ivan looked back out the window, letting the teacher ramble on. On the concrete ground, students were running laps. He’d briefly glance at the dilapidated city before hearing the whistle blow. Now, the students were either stretching or sitting in exhaustion… except for one person.

“Come on Jackie!” he’d hear the coach shout. “Get a move on, you can do it!”

He looked back at the track to find her trudging her legs, heart clenched by her hand, and shirt stained with sweat. Ivan frowned, watching as she struggled to finish her lap. The coach would continue to encourage her before she’d reach the finish line.

“Good job Jackie, you did your best!” The coach pat her on the back before she’d fall to her knees, breathing heavily as a couple of guys and girls would go over to her for support. One would give her a water bottle, which she’d drink like a child. A couple seconds later, she’d look up over to his direction. Her eyes narrowed as she leaned forward. In a few seconds, she’d quickly smile and wave cheerfully.

Seeing this, Ivan gave a little wave himself, smiling all the while.

“Ivan.”

“Hmm?” He looked back at the teacher.

“You do realize that you’re in history class, right?” the teacher asked with suspicion.

Ivan raised an eyebrow. “Uh, yeah?”

“Good.” the teacher said, smiling. “So you know what to do.”

“Yep.” Ivan groaned, looking back at his textbook.

“Okay then, Ahem… The remaining PLA forces managed to hold out in Southeast China, letting the VLPA troops join them without problems…”

Ivan looked back out the window, to find them all gone.

“Ivan!”

“Yes?”

The teacher looked at him with narrowed eyes. “Pay, attention.”

“Ugh, fine.”

The teacher continued on as Ivan kept doing what a student does.

Then there was the sound of cracking

In breakneck speed, he shifted his sight over to the source. Which was a piece of concrete rolling down the street adjacent to him. He only looked back at the street in front of him. “Must’ve been some kind of animal.”

He sighed and just kept walking.

He’d find a suitable area for some rest: a traffic light in the corner of an intersection. She let Jacklyn rest on his shoulder again, not wanting her to get uncomfortable from the rough terrain. Looking around, the empty dust and shell filled streets were everywhere. The buildings reduced to rubble and dereliction. He could vaguely clarify some writing on one of the nearby walls, reading in what appeared to be blood, ’Sunbutt will bleed!!!’

“Damn it Jackie.” Ivan mumbled, looking down onto her. “You didn’t need to be here, you know.”

He looked back up at the sky, hoping that he’d relax in due time. “You shouldn’t’ve come out here if you were going to fall like this, right?”

There was no response. “Right…? Uh, Jackie?”

He looked over to her, finding that her eyes were closed shut.

“No, no, no, Jackie!” Ivan shook her softly, but no response. “Damn, damn it to-”

Tap!

“Shoot!” Frantically, he looked around upon hearing that. He searched and searched before looking away. Nothing. Nevertheless, he reached for his pocket to get out a small mirror. He turned it slightly to search behind him. He searched from left to right, and back. Then he put it away, took out a smoke bomb, and…

BOOM!

…

Blam!

There was the sound of a man screaming in pain.

“Charge!!”

“Son of a-”

It would be followed by the battle cries of many before relentless gunshots would ensue.

“Cease fire, cease fire!”

The group would stop shooting as the smoke clearing up. The only bodies they’d see were the ones from the shooters’ comrades.

“He’s gone, sir. Asshole was clever enough to deceive us.”

“Then keep looking.” ordered the Mayor. “The Legion is on its way to intercept, so do your best to find him. Oh, and by the Pony’s request, bring him alive. I heard you guys were going for the overkill there.”

“Sorry sir, the guy tried to hide, so we tried to-”

The Mayor sighed. “Just bring him alive, okay?”

“You got it, sir!”

Static!

“Alright boys, split up into squads and get to searching! You spot that guy, make sure he doesn’t die!”

“Yes sir!” the group chanted before doing as ordered.

Ivan on the other hand was hiding patiently inside what looked like an insurance office, with Jacklyn in his arms. He peeked around a table he was hiding behind to observe who they were. All of them wore either patriotic hunting outfits, patriotic Jerseys, et cetera. “Grrr, Damn Minutemen.”

He began to look around via his mirror, hoping to find a safe way out of here. Unfortunately, the enemy was ubiquitous. Everywhere he looked, there was a group of them somewhere, guns ready to bring him down. The only option he had was to fight them head on. The challenging part though, was that they came well prepared. Pickup trucks armed with HMG’s too were roaming the streets alongside the foot soldiers.

What made it worse was that one squad consisting of about eight of them, was already lining up outside the door. In urgency, he began to look around again, finding more tables and desks… and a door… or at least an entrance.

“One…” the Minuteman whispered.

Now Ivan had to think of a ploy. In an instant, he thought of one.

“Two…”

He took out his grenade, and got ready to pull the pin.

“Three!”

After pulling it out, he tossed the grenade over towards the front door.

Bam!

BOOM!

“The hell?” their boss shouted. He then found the sight of his subordinates bleeding on the ground while gunfire was being fired from inside the building.

Ivan crashed through the back door, leading him to an alleyway. Through his lowered arms, he fired his last two bullets at the three men, killing two.  With the shield on his back, he charged down the alley while the last man hopelessly fired his assault rifle at him.

Angry, the man slammed his rifle against the ground and radioed, “Sarge, he’s running down an alleyway. Heading for South Harper Street! Be advised, he has a riot shield strapped to his back.”

Ivan ran down the street, coincidentally for him though, an HMG pickup truck had already arrived at his position.

“Stop!” the driver shouted.

Ivan ignored him, and kept running past him.

“Fine… Snips!”

Rat-at-at…!

Ivan turned his body to the right, running sideways.

Tw-tw-tw-tw-tw-tw…!

Ivan then ran forward into another alleyway, kneeling down. He began to reload his pistol when the truck had returned.

“I said, put the guns down!” the driver demanded.

Still, no response.

Rat-at-at…!

Tw-tw-tw...!

The bullets nearly knocked him to the ground, granting him only one option left.

”Imperium!” With the quick thrust of the hand, a black mist soared towards the man firing the HMG. In an instant, he turned the gun around, and began firing it at passing by comrades.

Cl-click!

Ivan would hear the driver shout. “Snips, what the hell are you-”

Blam! Blam!

He said no more once Ivan had shot him dead.

Ivan then proceeded to pick up Jacklyn and ran towards the truck. Quickly placing Jacklyn in the front seat, using her shield as a metal blanket. He quickly shifted the lever to drive and got going. His hopes were crushed though, when another truck had arrived right in front of him.

“Snips, drop the gun!” The man holding the Machine gun shouted. “Please! Don’t do this to yoursel-”

Rat-at-at!

Three fatal shots to his head was what came to him.

“Nips you traitor!” The driver screamed, firing her submachine gun at him. She was met with a rain of bullets that ended her life.

Ivan, simply rammed through the truck, heading in the direction he needed to go. Not stopping for anything, he spotted the sign that announced he was at the city’s limits. “Hmm, easy does-”

The miniature celebration would be interrupted by sixteen minutemen joining together on the street. “Son of a bitch.”

On the Helicopter…

“I’van, don’t do this.” Big Mac thought.

“You all right, Haystack?”

He looked down, finding Maribelle looking at him with worry.

“Eeyup… Ah’m f’ahne.”

Maribelle frowned, looking out at the green below. ”I pity you, my friend.”

His eyes would water.

“Disable the truck!” one of the minutemen would shout.

“Why isn’t that guy shooting?” Ivan muttered, the enemy’s bullets already hitting his windshield. He temporarily looked behind him, finding that he had already left. “Well, you do it the old fashioned way.”

He used his rifle to break through the window, firing as many shots as possible. Five of them would be shot down from where they stood.

Crash!

The glass broke, following a man who jumped over the hood to finish him with his knife. “You’re not going anywhere, assho-”

Blam!

The man only hung limp before Ivan lightly pushed him off. He blew the smoke out of his pistol, muttering, “Sorry buddy, but I don't feel like being ‘rescued’, this time.”

He could already hear the bullets hit from behind while the sound of gunfire was becoming less and less capable of being heard. He took out another gas canister from his pocket. “Hmm, last one I guess.”

Ivan then tossed it out the window to explode.

“Well then, let’s find some water and-” When he saw the blood on her sleeve and vest, he only sighed. “God damn these people.”

Down the road, Ivan would park the car in the grass.

There, Ivan reached into her pockets to find that syringe.

“Come on, come on.” Ivan mumbled restlessly before finding one. “Yes.”

He injected it into her arm and watched as the wounds began to disappear from sight. “Good, now I don’t have to worry about her bleeding to death.”

Ivan looked back at her face, making him feel down. He then looked back at the smoke, which had been reduced to nothing thanks to how far he’s driven away from it. All he did then was place the lever back on drive and got going. The sun was still over the western horizon, and was barely shining brightly in front of his face. It was bright enough to blind him at some moments, forcing him to stop the car once more.  “Damn sun.”

He then pressed the gas pedal, hoping to balance eyesight and driving.

The sun’s luminosity and the road in front proved to be too difficult for Ivan to balance. Instead, he ended up out of the road, and forcing himself to brake. “Damn it.”

He banged both his fists against the steering wheel. “Damn it!”

He could only sit there, doing his best to not let the sun blind him.

“I-Ivan…”

He looked beside her, finding Jacklyn’s eyes had open, as the rest of her body hung limp.

Ivan could only smile weakly. “H-Hey. You’ve been out for a while.”

“Uh… yeah… I have, haven’t I?” she slurred, squinting her right eye as the sun forced her to do as such.

“Mmm Hmm.” He looked past her to find a cabin resting over the empty plains.

“So what happened while I was out?” Jacklyn asked curiously, sitting on a table.

“I ran into those Minutemen again.” Ivan said, bouncing a little ball he found against the wooden floor.

Jacklyn grimaced, “Oh, that’s unfortunate.”

Ivan aligned his poster, saying. “I say it’s more interesting actually.”

“Why say that?”

Ivan giggled. “Well to start, I had to carry you around.”

Jacklyn was thankful that the night was hiding her blushes. Her legs beginning to flail in unison.

“Second, it seems that they want me alive.”

She leaned over to him. “Why?”

“Probably just to kill us off, of course.” Ivan shrugged. “I resort to exhibit M.”

Jacklyn raised an eyebrow. “What?”

Ivan rolled his eyes. “Marianne.”

“Oh… right.” Jacklyn adjusted her dangling hair, frowning. “Her… what now?”

“Well, we’re heading out tomorrow.” Ivan said, looking at the pickup truck outside. It’s too dark to keep driving, and not to mention that if I continued, I’d be both in Washington, and blind by sunset.”

Jacklyn giggled. “Yeah, I agree.”

The two sat there, looking up at the florescent night sky.

“How the hell did you even get to Fort Xavier anyway?” Ivan asked inquisitively.

The question made her cease all leg movements, as her demeanor turned into sorrow. “I… I stowed away in a supply truck. Didn’t need any supplies myself though, the trip was rather short… Ivan?”

She found him, looking at the sky with a shocked expression. “Uh… Okay.”

She too looked back at the sky. “The ride was simple, no incidents occurred, and I managed to get in undetected.”

“I see.” Ivan uttered. “You don’t miss Chicago, at all? I’d expect you to be back there instead of here.”

“N’ah.” she giggled. “Life in Chicago and here seems about the same.”

“Yeah, you sort of got a point there.”

They were silent again, until, “But hey, there’s a bright side to this.”

“And what would that be?”

“Remember when they’d cut the power back in Chicago?” Jacklyn asked with a hint of bliss.

“Yeah.”

She placed her hands over the table. “Times like that were lovely, you know. I’d look out at the stars, and sometimes think about how Luna’s doing.”

Ivan could tell that she was probably grinning like an idiot at the moment.

“I mean, when she raised the moon, why would ponies turn away from her.”

“Pffft,” Ivan groaned, “It’s called sleep, Jackie. Maybe the reason Celestia banished her to the moon was so that she could stop being a spoiled brat.”

“No, no, no, Luna didn’t mean it like that.” she said defensively, but calm. “Just the thought of feeling abandoned must’ve been hard on her. To make matters worse, doing something like that only made her more hated… Hmm, life on the moon must be really lonely up there, right?”

Ivan paused for a moment, “Well… maybe.”

“Yeah…. I’d feel the same way.” she said, looking at the night sky in awe and pity. “Now a thousand years have gone by and I’m worried for how things will go once she comes back.”

“Honestly, I can’t believe that you believe in that stuff, especially when the astronauts couldn’t find her" Ivan sighed. "But hey, if the mare in the moon can only be seen in Equestria, then I’d rather digress... But in answer to your ‘worry’, I don’t know. I mean that’s how the Ideological wars started, right.”

“I guess so.” Jacklyn, though saddened by this fact, chose to cheer up a bit while asking, “Remember the time when I visited your house?"

“Ugh, let’s not remind ourselves of that.” Ivan said grumpily, blushing himself.

“Oh… but I thought the night sky felt.. Fitting…, to be honest.” Jacklyn sighed.

Ivan shrugged. “Sure, whatever you say.”

They kept quiet again for a little moment more.

“So what now?” Jacklyn asked.

“You only have one syringe left, don’t you?”

“Mmm Hmm.” Jacklyn sulked.

“Then let’s not get into any more trouble, okay?” Ivan stated. “Just be glad that syringe surprisingly cures dehydration.”

“Okay.”

Ivan smirked. “You had a lot of guts to come here, you know.”

She felt flattered at that. “Yeah.”

“So don’t mess this up, got it?”

“Mmm Hmm.”

After a short pause, Ivan would say, “Oh, and by the way, I forgive you.”

She looked back at him. “Huh?”

“We were in a hurry, remember?” Ivan said with a smile.

She could only do the same when she figured it out. “Oh, heh, right.”

Underneath the same night sky, Haystack lied on a soft bed beside his little companion, Maribelle. She was fast asleep, but not him. He looked out the broken window in front of him. His head hanging low, and his thoughts in gloom. ”Ivan… It doesn’t have to end this way.”

Chapter 4

The sound of her shoes would be heard across the wide hallway, as she strutted down like a shopper in Time’s Square. The hallway itself was as white as her robe, with paintings and pottery that could be compared to that of the finest artists. She went on to open the double door way in front of her, where two men and two women, wearing uniforms of the same color, were waiting. With medals adorned on them, and gold epaulets lining their shoulders.

“May Celestia bless you.” she said in a regal but stern tone, reaching her right arm out.

“And may Celestia bless you two.” they’d respond in a harmonious chorus, returning a simple salute with their right hand.

She’d walk past them, and was now standing in front of a large round hot tub. There, she took off her red stole that depicted Celestia’s sun on both sides, then handed it over to one of them. Then came off her robe, her undergarments, and then her silver tiara. She’d adjust her long blonde hair before merging her nude body into the soft, warm water.

She’d relax for a while before turning to the men and women in uniform. “So, what is there to report?”

One of the women raised her hand, letting the tiara hang on the other.

“Yes, General Cornelius?” she’d ask with an encouraging smile.

She spoke with a mouth filled with pride. “The commanders under my wing managed to capture an Oil Rig from the Sisterhood outside Krasnoyarsk. Hopefully, we’ll have it back up and running in a couple weeks. And have RED workers there just a couple of days also.”

“Good.” she’d chirp. “What about you, General Frederick?”

“The City-State of Port-Gentil has fallen, Madame.” he declared. “Successfully cutting off the HUE’s supply route to their African front… Hmm, serves them right for sympathizing with those rats.”

“Impressive.” she said, smirking. She stretched her tone arms, letting a groan escape from her mouth before dipping them back in the warm water. “With those burdens out of the way, we might be able to wipe the HUE off of Africa in just five years instead of ten. You know how persistent they get.”

“Indeed, your grace.”

She turned to the one holding her stole. “What about you, General Peterson?”

“We attempted another offensive on the Ozark Plateau.” Frowning, Peterson would go on to add, “We were forced out, ma’am. Fortunately, our sheer power was enough to scare them into not pursuing us.”

The mood started dying in her. She looked out the window, where the sunset was looming over the trees. “Oh, I see… Hopefully, they don’t dare step into our turf.”

  He turned to the last General with a face of discontent. “What about you, General Robb?”

  He too was frowning as he stepped forward. “I was visiting the small town of Harpington in Texas… the HUE came out of nowhere and attacked. Fortunately, I was able to flee back into the command post… But they were too much, your grace.”

  He clenched onto her stole tightly as he continued. “I attempted a counter offensive… but their fortification was quick and impenetrable… I… I don’t know how they did it… they looked outnumbered and...”

“That’s enough!” the leader avowed with a thundering voice. This made Robb jump, nearly dropping the stole on the floor. However, she quickly calmed down to his relief. “You’re showing your sign of weakness, General.”

“Oh…” Robb said, moping. “I am, am I.”

“Yes you are.” She leaned her head back against the concrete. “Just because you’re in the High Command, doesn’t mean that you’ll be looked down upon when you mess up, got it?”

Robb, still holding back his tears, nodded slowly before turning away to wipe the few he had. She then sighed,

“When will this war end? We’ve been in a stalemate for more than two decades.” She glanced at each and every General standing beside her. “However, all four of you did your best… our successes and failures here will long be remembered by our beloved Princess.”

They smiled a little before bowing with gratitude.

“Now then, you all remember Ivan Bentley?”

“Who?” asked General Peterson.

She rolled her eyes. “One of the Infiltrators.”

The Generals all reveled in the knowledge of Ivan. Letting out various ‘Oh’s and such.

“Yeah, turns out he’s still alive… and on the run.”

The Generals’ revelry then turned into sudden panic, all of them doing what they could to hide their dread.

“Redmond’s spies uncovered that he’s been hiding in a Government work camp in South Dakota before his employer ratted him out.” She ogled at her golden acrylics. “He’s said to wield the power to burn, freeze, and control minds. He also killed nearly a hundred men while escaping… or was it near fifty…? I don’t know.”

General Cornelius stepped forward. “Your grace, do you fear that this could endanger our cause? I-I mean…, he had loosened ties with BLU, didn’t he? And you said yourself that he killed several men before escaping.”

“Yes your grace,” General Frederick added. “He’s one of the most dangerous men in the country, don’t you think...”

She began to laugh facetiously. The Generals would only look at her with concerned gazes.

“Y-your grace, what’s the matter?” said General Frederick.

When she stopped laughing, she spoke. “I’m surprised that you’ve forgotten who his employers are, General.”

“Uh…”

Her happy face changed to a serious one with a gradual fade. “They’re just as big a threat as that boy, especially the pony and that abomination they call a human child.”

The Generals began to scold themselves in any way possible. Ranging from moping to grins of embarrassment.

“Remember also, he’s running away from them. He won’t be fighting alongside BLU or the Sisterhood any time soon. “

“But he does run the risk of fighting with the HUE.” asserted General Cornelius.

  She went quiet, frowning at the thought. Then she asked civilly, “Can you hand me my Tiara?”

She squatted down, giving her the silver tiara with her arms stretched out in reverence.

“Thank you.” Like with her nails, the tiara would be watched with the same manner. Observing the attached gems that were each a color of her majesty’s mane. “Celestia, is a beautiful, strong mare. Doing what she can to make sure her little subjects achieve a greater tomorrow… even if it means exiling that wench she had no choice but to call ‘sister’.”

The Generals paid close attention as usual.

“Which is why, we shall do the same in return. His will to fight for nonsense shan’t kill our will to fight for her majesty’s future. He may be dangerous my friends, but we have the might of Celestia by our side to smite him into flames!”

With their spirits lifted, the Generals made a modest cheer, clapping and smiling all the way.

“However…,”

The Generals’ celebration quickly ceased.

“That doesn’t mean that we can’t bring the battle to him.” she smirked devilishly.

“B-but your Grace,” General Cornelius said, hiding her trembles. “Don’t you think this proposal is absurd?”

“Nonsense, General Cornelius. What did I say about our will to fight?”

Cornelius backed away, standing beside the quartet.

“Besides, since you all fear that he'll join the HUE, might as well do the obvious." she handed the tiara back to Cornelius. "Also, my friend Redmond’s got it all under control.”

“What do you mean?” asked General Robb.

She laughed. “When you hear of her, you’ll see.”

“I’m sorry Haystack, it just came out of nowhere.” Marianne said, via her walky-talky. “Plus, he said it was urgent.”

“’Ah understand.” Haystack said. “Not mad actually, just confused.”

“Don’t worry, you’ll be back to hunting Ivan down in no time.” she retold optimistically. “Remember what I told you back in the Den.”

“Eeyup.”

“Okay, gotta go.”

He nodded. “Alright.”

She put the walky-talky away, turning back to the saddened boss. Her optimism quickly dropped upon seeing this.

“I’m… sorry, Captain.” Marianne said, berating herself behind his back.

“It’s all right.” the Captain eased. “The pony wasn’t here to witness this anyways. Not to mention that it could kill his morale too.”

“Don't worry about that. It bums him out, but he's grown used to it.” She looked at the lined bodies that filled the street. All of them covered in tarps. She’d look up to find two women hugging in grief. Another went out of his way to hug tightly his fallen loved one, sobbing over her now cold shoulder.  Another would place his hat over his chest, looking down in utter silence.

“Do you think this plan is working?” asked the Captain.

“What plan?”

The Captain, puzzled, asked, “Uh, don’t you know?”

“Oh, that…” Marianne kept quiet for a little while. Making the Captain more eager to hear it. She’d take her time to speak, and when she did. “I… I don’t know. Haystack’s plan may be absurd, but it’s possible. Though, Ivan is very stubborn. So it’s going to be difficult at best.”

Marianne kept looking at the bodies, sending chills up her spine. “It’s what brought him here in the first place… then again, we’re going to try.”

“Oh… but until how many tries then?” He gripped onto his hands.

“Don’t know.” Marianne said, disheartened at the thought. “But hey, someone’s gotta put these poor sods over there out of their misery, right?”

The Captain held back his anger, watching his grieving comrades. “I disagree… people like them don’t deserve such a loss… so if that bastard ever decides to attack us, then we’ll be one step ahead.”

“Well, good luck with that.” Marianne said flatly.

The Captain said nothing, his anger and his sadness would drive him to walk away from her, and never look back.

Marianne frowned, not wanting to look at those bodies again. “Oh Ivan, Jackie…, can’t you just listen for once.”

“Aaargh!” a blue uniformed soldier cried, falling back after a bullet pierced his heart.

“Jack!” his companion shouted, before being fatally shot in the head.

The perpetrators in red would shortly walk over them as if they were nothing.

Click!

“God Damn it!” another soldier mumbled, desperately searching for another round in his pockets. “Come on, Come o-”

He felt something circular hit his helmet, looking up would only prove fatal.

“Push towards the base!” a soldier in red ordered, with his squad and him advancing towards one of the two hallways.

Rat-at-at-at-at-at-at-at-at-at…!

“Phew!” he sighed, the relief would change to disappointment once he saw red coated bodies on the floor. He took out his walkie-talkie once more. “Commander, we’re meeting with heavy defenses from the hallways. Have Squad Five captured the Outer windows!”

“Yes, but they too are being pinned down!” said the Commander. “Sentry guns, right?”

“Yeah!”

“Try to toss a grenade there!”

He obeyed the order, tossing one down the hall. Time went by, but nothing came of it. “Damn… Nothing!”

“Shoot.” the commander mumbled, watching over a static screen.  “They really saved those short circuits, huh?”

The static screen would fade to display the current situation.

“Sir, you have a solution or something?” he shouted. “The enemy will be reinforcing this area soon, don’t you think you should hurry!”

“I’ve deployed a spy in the base. Hopefully he’ll come up with a solution!”

“Well, hopefully!” the soldier answered. “I hope he does the right thing and-Aaargh!”

The Commander gasped, watching as he flew out of the picture. “Ocelot two, Ocelot two!”

He got nothing, and could only sigh in sorrow. “Dear God… Focus on the spy’s camera!”

“Yes sir!” one of the men said, using the controls to bring the video feed.

The few sentries were being lined up all across the vast room. While soldiers were setting up as many garrisons as they could. Using riot shields, sand bags, sticky bombs, the works.

“They really are making their last stand, huh?” He pressed a button on his control pad. “Snake ten, get ready to push towards the hallway on the second floor! Try and take out that sentry and the troops that are guarding it!”

“But sir, isn’t that suicide?” he quietly objected.

“The sapper will be a great distraction tool.” the commander reminded. “Once you sapped the sentry, kill as many as you can and flee back to us.”

“Understood. Moving now.” The spy stood up and ran down the stairs and down the massive space that divided the- “Aaaarrgh!”

  In an instant, a long and bleeding blade was keeping the camera feed company as the spy collapsed onto the floor.

“No…” the commander gasped. “I-It can’t be.”

He heard the blade be pulled out with a quick but gut-wrenching squish, before seeing the body be flipped over to the sight of a blonde-haired girl and her callous grin. She’d switch from her katana to her pistol before firing a blast that would turn the screen to static once again.

“Uh… Thanks.” said the BLU commander, nearly speechless. “H-How did you know he was…”

“Just a hunch.” Maribelle said with a smile, cleaning the blade with a large handkerchief. “So what now…? Haystack?”

“Huh?” he turned to look at her, looking as if he was high as a kite.

“I said, what do we do now?”

Busy looking at every man and woman in the base, he didn’t know what to say. Even as many of them would look at him with mixed feelings. It made him feel anguished, having to look at these people. In that brief moment he had, he held onto that feeling before giving out his order.

“Commander, order all soldiers to stop preparations and head to the second floor. Bring the Sentries too.” he finally ordered.

“Commander, the Blue coats seem to have ceased fire!” contacted the head of the Squad. “What do we do now?”

“R-Retreat!” he screamed.

The soldier didn’t understand. “But we have the chance to push towards the base!”

“Never mind that, Sarge! They have a killer little girl on the loose!”

“Pfft, you don’t mean that Maribelle girl is-”

He only watched as she sliced his throat open with her katana.

“No…”

“Ocelot five! Come in Ocelot Five!” shouted the soldier. “Get your ass out of there! That Maribelle bitch just swooped in and murdered five of our guys! Can you-”

Another soldier picked up the walkie-talkie. “This is Private Richardson! Ocelot Five’s KIA, we’re trying to hold the line as-”

A bullet to the head silenced him for good, along with anyone who didn’t know that BLU soldiers were coming in from above. Landing on their feet with guns blazing.

“Ay!” one soldier shrieked, the blade tearing through his stomach.

His comrades tried desperately to put her down. Firing as many bullets as their magazines allowed. But it felt as if she could read their bullets’ minds, too bad they’d be cut down before they could think of that.

The last man standing would take out his knife. “Come at me you little turd!”

The two blades would clash against one another, but it would take a chest-jab of the Katana shortly after to finish him off.

On the floor, Maribelle stood up. Nonchalantly humming as she used a handkerchief to wipe the bloodstains away.

“You impudent little bitch!” she heard a soldier scream from behind. “You’re going to wish you stayed in Elementary sch-”

A second later, Haystack jumped in. Assault rifle in hand.

Rat-at-at-at-at-at-at…!

One by one the soldiers were mowed down.  Each of them with fatal blows to their bodies. By the time the magazine had run out of ammo. Every soldier he faced was now on the floor, immovable.

“Clear.” he’d declare. In no time, the BLU soldiers would arrive at his position. In an instant, they’d crouch, now invisible to the enemy snipers’ gaze.

“What now, sir?” asked one of them, carrying a sentry gun alongside his friend.

Haystack only had to hear the footsteps to find that they were trying to make another attempt at taking the base. He quickly turned to Maribelle, saying confidently, “You know what to do, right?”

“Yep.” she said merrily.

She’d jump through the window and land perfectly on the ground.

“It’s her!” a soldier would shout.

Maribelle sighed before jumping onto the air and making her kill.

“Kill ‘er!” another screamed. “Kill ‘er!”

The bullets began to fly towards her, but she would always be one step ahead. She focused on the troops over the metal bridge, jabbing the three with the speed of lightning.

“Damn you!”

She quickly pushed her katana back into the holster, and switched to her pistol. The next round of bullets came to her, but as always…

Blam! Blam! Blam! Blam! Blam! Blam!

Splash!

She swam deeper and deeper into the water, using what little vision she had to navigate.

Twang!

”Uh oh.” she thought. Seconds later, she was starting to hear more of them dart all around her. She pointed her pistol upwards, firing three shots back until she heard an unexpected click. This forced her to abandon it in frustration.

Despite her limited vision, she was able to swim to where she needed to go. She could only grin to make sure her giggles wouldn’t end the celebration too early. The tunnel was just enough to prevent anymore bullets from trying to kill her off. This gave her a little time to herself as she swam, and she used that time to reflect on…

The look he had…

Of those people…

He was looking at the battered Statue of Liberty. The gentle waves underneath a rainy sky felt greatly fitting to him, and Maribelle could tell. Sadly though, she couldn’t say the words. Even as tears were beginning to trickle down his eyes. The only thing she could do was just hold onto him, and keep doing so.

“You okay, Big Mac?”

They looked up to find Marianne looking back onto them, no doubt worried.

“Eeyup.”

Marianne rolled her eyes. “Well, to be honest, from the very start I thought what you were doing was a stupid idea.”

“Ain’t that a surpr’ahse.” he muttered with a hint of sarcasm.

“Well, you’re back here now. Just be thankful that your family forgave you for it.” She stretched her arms, letting them pop with every move. “Ugh~… you’re here ‘till you can pay off that debt. Won’t be easy, but that doesn’t mean that it’s impossible either.”

Splash!

She sucked in a huge ball of air upon leaving the water.

“Miss Maribelle, you okay?” a soldier asked while trying to get her out of the water.

“Yep.” Her feet landed on the floor. Though, she couldn’t move after that. She was busy looking up at the ceiling above. She’d look with a face of anxiety, holding onto her arm.

“Maribelle?”

“Huh?”

With an eyebrow raised, the soldier would ask. “Uh… you okay?”

“Uh, yeah.” she took out her katana back out. “Now let’s go.”

BLAM!

Haystack watched the flamethrower armed soldier fall to the ground, his mask baring a huge bloodstained hole.

“Pyro unit down!” an enemy soldier cried.

Cl-Click!

BLAM!

He sighed, still maintaining his focus on the scope. He didn’t know how many he killed, but he just didn’t care. ”Ah’m okay, Maribelle… don’t worry.”

A man, wearing a red suit, sat calmly in his chair. He took a few puffs of his cigar, letting the smoke fill the air. The doors located several yards away from him would open a few moments later.

“Hello Alice.” he greeted with a smile.

“Morning Redmond.” she said with a modest wave.

“How was your meeting in Israel?”

“They chose humanitarian aid over military protection, sir. Just as we hoped” she reported. “Even though the Arabian Republic is at Jerusalem’s doorstep, I don’t think they can afford additional reinforcements at the moment.”

“Well, the least they can do is let us help them evacuate their citizens and feed their poor. Let their battered and alienated government figure out the rest.” Redmond said, before taking in another puff of smoke. “So, how was it with the Central Union’s president?”

“It went well, sir.” she answered, smiling. “He agreed to let us set up shop in Mexico, saying that it won’t interfere with their future plans for the country.”

“Good.” He grinned. “What about in East Australia?”

“Their Militia managed to put down rebel forces hiding in multiple cells across western Queensland. Thus, the Prime Minister is renewing his contract with us in exchange for training more civilians into the Police force.”

“And in Brussels?”

“It was a success, sir.” She kicked the floor softly. “The remnants of the Italian Parliament have successfully fled the country. In exchange, the EU is allowing us to assist the Italian Military in Guerrilla tactics against the Revolutionaries.”

“Ha, those blokes underestimated the might of our special forces.” He leaned back on his chair, putting his cigar back in between his lips. “So… you’ve done a great job here, Alice. I’m glad that you fought so hard to get to this position.”

He took the cigar out, sighing. “Even if it was for different reasons.”

“Yeah.” She looked out the window feeling flustered. “I know.”

“You’ve done a lot for this corporation, I can certainly say that.” He placed his arms over the table before letting out an annoyed groan. “However… your husband seems... he seems to be lacking in your skills.”

She looked back at him with a face of discontent. “What?”

“I hate to say this Miss Gree…, I mean…”

“Uh… Missus… Missus Wesley, sir.”

“Right…” Quickly, he switched back to the issue at hand. “Anyway, your husband hasn’t been doing so well since he accepted that job offering four years back.”

“B-But sir, he’s-”

“I’m not saying that he’s doing a terrible job, Alice.” he interrupted. “I’m just saying that his skill on the battlefield seems to be very unsatisfactory. He’s bringing in more casualties with every battle won and lost.”

“But isn’t that with everyone in your command?”

“Sure… but it’s a sharp contrast from your accomplishments Missus Green. Seriously, if you were to switch sides with him I’d say that you’d win us the entire war in two weeks. While your hubby would’ve gotten us defunct at the same time!”

She bit her lip, doing her best to be quiet.

“That being said, though.” he continued calmly. “He’s at least keeping the stalemate going. It’s better than losing, right?”

There was still that awkward void of silence.

“I don’t blame him, though. Using what little he learned in that place is both intriguing and tragic.”

“Yeah… V-Vanessa wasn’t a very… great teacher, Mister Redmond.” She held her hands together.

“No she was not.” He looked back at her. “I mean, he didn’t do much there. The only job he probably had was to jump in her bed and enjoy the ride, am I right?”

She hardened the grip on her hands.

Seeing this, he stood up from his seat, walking to the large window. The buildings stretched across the skyline, making him feel relaxed. He exhaled. “That ‘country’ was in a really bad state even after the coup… and even after we came in. Then again, I don’t know what to say of him. Honestly, before you reunited with him, you were a great Personal assistant, but a terrible diplomat.”

“I know sir.” Her grip loosened.

“You let that poor man be used as a weapon against you. But hey, look where you are now.” He smirked. “You kept this company alive and you kept our relationship with the world intact.”

She stood there, not wanting to look up. “Right.”

“Your husband may have learned, but all war is based on luck you know. Keep that in mind, I’m confident I forgot when he lost his first battle.” He walked back to the table, the cigar still in his hands. “On the bright side though, he’s been doing fine in capturing a well in Northern Nebraska. Pushed the BLU forces back towards their base.”

She looked back at Redmond. “What?”

“Took far less casualties this time, meaning the battle for that well will be done in no time.”

“Well, there you go!” She smiled, trying to hide her tears. “He’s done something successfully and-”

“Until he reported having difficulty taking it.” he grumbled.

Her heart sank. “Uh… Why?”

“Well, do you remember that, ‘Marianne’ girl?”

Her growl was as audible as a kitten’s meow. “What is that bitch up to this time?”

“Well, she sent two of her finest to try and retake the well. And they’ve managed to push us out of their warehouse.” Redmond grumbled, putting the cigarette in his mouth. "Honestly, even though it's all luck based in the end, I expected more from your husband... Heh, that's what I was getting at."

“I see.” She lowered her head again.

Redmond would sit back in his chair, seeing a tear flow down her cheeks. “Alice, why do you worry?”

“Remember Danville, Redmond?”

Redmond let a scoff escape his mouth. “Hmm, you seem to forget about our newest weapon, do you?”

She looked at him, ignoring her tears. “Uh…w-what, weapon?”

“Focus your HMG fire on the windows in the Central building!” Thomas shouted, his shoulders tensed. “Make sure their special forces don’t exit out! Riflemen, shoot suppressing fire at the troops below!”

“You got it, sir!”

Static!

“Damn.” He muttered, slamming his fist against the large console.

“Haystack, do you think we should advance into the building! They seem to be ignoring us!” one of the soldiers asked, standing behind a boxcar.

“N~ope!”

“Right, they might set up an ambush!”

Haystack then added, “Yeah, and chargin’ while focusin’ your fire on the windows won’t do much either.”

“What about firing tear gas?”

“Nope. It’ll mostly blind us than them.”

Maribelle used her mirror, looking at each window in the building. “Damn, their commander surely knew how to set up their...”

Twang!

She gasped, watching the mirror break into pieces. The shock didn’t last long, and it would be replaced with a groan. “Defenses.”

Thwap!

Haystack looked up to find a punctured hole above him. ”Oh Celestia.”

Static!

“Sir, I was thinking that instead of tossing tear gas into the water, we can have you two use the canal to swim into the enemy warehouse.”

“But how?” Maribelle butted in. “The entrance is only to dive into the water, not leave it! Not to mention that I had Clarissa there to help me out.”

“Uh… yeah.” Hesitant to speak, the soldier would hint, “Hey, if we execute this plan…, do you think it’ll come out of my paycheck?”

“Remember, we don’t have enough time. The enemy must’ve called for reinforcements after this.”

“Roger that.” Maribelle answered.

Static!

Silently, the two kept swimming through the dim tunnel. Until they found the canal that separated the two fronts.

“So, looks like we’re in No man’s water, huh?” she giggled slightly.

Haystack just kept staring at the tunnel ahead. She could see the narrowed eyes through his mask.

“Big Mac, it’s okay, I’ll stop if you want.”

The narrowed eyes changed to loosened ones as they swam through the next tunnel.

“You know, people will do anything for someone, right?” Maribelle went on to state, grasping at the opportunity. “Even in times like now.”

Haystack was hesitant, but would go on to say, “’Ah know.”

They swam upwards, finding the metal door above. Quietly, they planted the C4 on the door before quickly swimming back the way they came. Haystack grabbed the detonator and did as such.

Boom!

The moment they heard the explosion, they swam back towards the now detonated entrance.

“Assault the upper floors, Ah’ll bring down the lower defenses!” Haystack would order.

“Got it!”

They jumped out of the newly made hole, landing onto the ground.

“Shoot, it’s-”

  Haystack, reached his arm out. ”Fulmen!”

“Whoa!” The soldiers flinched at the sight. What followed was the mixture of buzzing and static rolled into one.

Haystack would get out his sniper rifle.

BLAM!

BOOM!

They looked behind him to find that one of their sentries have blown into pieces. In that instant, he switched to his sub-machine gun.

Rat-at-at!

“Aargh!”

The sound of their comrade’s cry snapped them out of their shocked state. They instantly opened fire, hoping that something could be done.

Haystack jumped to the side, sliding against the floor before returning fire,

Thanks to the Sentry being disabled, Maribelle managed to run up the stairs safely. Looking to the side, she found a couple of soldiers charging towards her through a narrow hallway. It gave her the perfect opportunity to toss a grenade over, making sure they didn’t chase after her with their limbs blown off.

She’d then head to the doorway on her right, finding the…

“What the-” From her position all the way to the end, it was completely empty. Nothing but bullet casings have littered the floor. ‘That… that was quick.”

“Indeed it was.”

She jumped at the comment. “Who’s there?”

“Just someone who needs to complete his mission, miss Maribelle.”

A girl around her height would walk out into the hall from in front. She wore a long olive green dress, and was wielding a longsword that fit her grip. But that wasn’t what caught Maribelle’s attention, it was her face. She had short black hair, and a bow in the back that resembled the dress’s color. Maribelle could only cringe at her villainous face.

“Well then, Olivia.” She put away her sword. “I have to commend you. You did a great job with that… Well, aside from the bullet casings you left on the floor.”

Olivia leaned against the wall. “Hmm, just a nitpick in my opinion.”

“Agree.” She briefly glanced at the window. “So, you’ve been asleep for sixty six years. And only now do you wake up.”

“Indeed. The experiment was a success. The Australlium kept me young and alive, while the Pizazzium kept me in shape.” she scoffed. “In the end, we only uncovered how the Australians could’ve put up a fight against the Japanese if they hadn’t drown themselves in that stuff.”

“Neat.” Maribelle nodded. “So, why the hell are you fighting for Redmond?”

“Tsk, my piece of garbage father shouldn’t’ve left me behind back there. Might as well just join one of those two bozos.”

Maribelle’s demeanor loosened. “I see… I know how you feel, you know.”

“Indeed.” Olivia looked at her with the harshest stare. “So you’ve teamed up with an Equestrian pony haven’t you?”

Her eyes narrowed at the question. “You got a problem with that?”

“Kind of.” She leaned forward, standing face to face with Maribelle. “He’s just kind of a bother to be honest.”

“Which means you got a problem with him.” She grabbed the hilt of her katana.

“No, no, no. The pony is a nuisance at best. I can easily take care of him in an instant.” Olivia continued, grabbing onto the hilt of her longsword. “The only problem I have is that both of you together can cause a grave problem for RED. Something that I’m gonna have to take care of at this moment.”

“Fine then.” She took out her sword, placing it in front of her. “We’re both girls working for two different sides. It fits best that we just get it over it.”

“Agreed.” Olivia took out hers’ also, and the two would get closer and closer. Walking casually until they were side by side.

“You know what you gotta do, right?”

“Of course.” She took out her walky-talky. “Attention all remaining infantry personnel, retreat to the base and set up a garrison. Keep the pony pinned down, make sure he doesn’t reach the stairs.”

“Roger.”

Static!

Olivia then turned to Maribelle. “Do you?”

She too got out her walkie-talkie, but didn't turn it on. Sulking, she decided to put it away.

Olivia smirked. “My, my. You really got gloomy at that, didn’t...”

Clang!

Their swords were now clinging against each other. Both sides not wanting to make the next move.

“Well, that says a lot about you, doesn’t it?” Maribelle retorted, pulling back and striking at her stomach.

Olivia was quick to jump over her, somersaulting towards the floor before blocking Maribelle’s next swing. “About what? The fact that I’m siding with Redmond or the fact that I don’t like your partnership?”

Olivia would use Maribelle’s sudden drop of Morale to push her away. She’d swing her sword towards her hip, only for the shot to be blocked.

Maribelle used the opportunity to kick her in the stomach.

“Umph!” Olivia fell back as she clenched onto her pained abdomen.

Maribelle aimed her sword in that direction, preparing to finish her off.

Seeing this however, Olivia dropped on the ground and rolled away the moment she did. She stood up and charged at her with all her might. The result was the same as when the fight started. Both struggled for control of the battle, until…

Chrrrch!

“Whoa!” Maribelle jumped to the side, using the wall as a place to land. Looking behind her, she found that the brick used for that wall now had a somewhat large crater melted inside it. “The hell?”

She looked back, finding that Olivia was now wielding a copper-colored pistol. Which included a bulky looking barrel and a magazine that glowed green. Using the trigger guard to let it spin, Olivia smiled as she proudly announced, “The RB Mark 7. Used by RED’s elite such as I.”

“Hmmph.” Maribelle drew out her pistol. “Two can play at that game.”

Seeing the pistol only made Olivia eye’s widen at the sight. “Whoa, Maribelle. Do you know what this means? We’re not gonna resolve anything if you point-”

BLAM!

“Aaargh!” Olivia held onto her shoulder, feeling the wet blood that oozed from her wound. “Ow… what the hell?”

Maribelle smirked. “Well then. If you’re that confident, let’s put away our swords and have a little gunfight.”

“Maribelle, do you really believe that I’m brainwashed or something?”

“What?” Maribelle snapped. “What are you…”

The two were now silent, with Olivia struggling to balance both the wound and the task at hand. They now stood there with their pistols pointed directly at each other. And they stayed like that for a while, none of them making the first move. The only sound that was heard was the gunfire below.

“Is… Is your partner all right?”

Maribelle nodded. “If your men get any closer, he’ll just put a bullet in between their eyes.”

“Well, I made sure that wouldn’t happen.”

“Good.”

The two kept a close eye on each other, looking through their iron sights as they waited patiently.

“It’s been five years Olivia.” Maribelle said. “Five years since we last saw each other.”

“Yeah. At that time, you were busy being the guinea pig while I was fast asleep in that refrigerator they called a cryo-sustainer.”

“Yep.” Maribelle giggled awkwardly.

“Redmond told me you wreaked havoc in that lab. Which got all of the other subjects to escape… and die.” Olivia added, putting her pistol away to tend to her wound. “Hmmph, what happened after that?”

Maribelle kept her stance. “Didn’t Redmond tell you? Danville fell into complete chaos, both companies are siding-”

“I’m not talking about what happened to those twats back in Danville, Maribelle.” She sighed. “I’m talking about you… How have you been?”

Maribelle lowered her pistol, leaning her back against the wall. “We’ve… we’ve been doing okay. Been awhile since that eventful week back there.”

“And I see by your demeanor that times haven’t been in your favor, hasn’t it?”

Maribelle nodded.

Olivia chose to lean beside her. “You seem to be very close with that stallion, huh?”

She nodded again.

“Do you know why?”

She shook her head. “Overtime, it just didn’t matter. I just needed to experience… well, his experiences just to figure it out.”

“And what would that be?”

She giggled awkwardly. “I have no idea.”

Olivia groaned. “Utterly clueless, aren’t you?”

Maribelle nodded again, with the frown on her face returning.

“You know it’s worrying that you’d befriend him.” She didn’t care if she agreed or not when she continued. “Especially where he’s-”

“I went there, you know.”

Still retaining her calm demeanor, she asked. “And what was it like then?”

“No better than this crapshoot.” Maribelle stated. “They’re just like the people back here, only they walk on four legs.”

“I see.” Olivia looked back at the sky. “Now that you’re out, do you still believe that your father is still out there?”

Maribelle eyes widened. Softly she shook as tears began to well up in her eyes.

“Hmm, I’m surprised you forgot about him.”

“Yeah.” Maribelle looked away, wiping the few tears she had on her cheeks.

“Are you going to still follow him?”

Maribelle said nothing, which forced Olivia to change the topic before the old wound would worsen. “Oh… But hey, does the pony at least treat you well?”

She only nodded.

“That’s a good thing, though.” Olivia sighed, giving a little smile in the process.

The two stood there in silence again. Letting out indifferent sighs as time went by.

“So, do you think we should continue this another day?” asked Maribelle, her shoulders tensing.

“Hmm, I guess so. This was just an awkward reunion to be honest… And will you look at that.”

“Huh?” Maribelle looked to find that a mass amount of soldiers were going towards the building.

“Now then, you know what to do.” Olivia leaned away, which put more strain on her wounded shoulder. “Tss~, and I know… what I must… do.”

She walked towards the hallway adjacent to the one they were in, and run down.

Maribelle watched as she did such, unwilling to say anything. She only held her hands together and sighed. However, there was something she had to ask. “H-Hey Oliva!”

She stopped to look at her. “Yeah?”

“Why are you fighting for Redmond!”

Olivia would roll her eyes, before answering, “For Mint Green Paper, Maribelle! Or at least, numbers on a machine!”

“Oh, I see!”

Olivia was about to leave before she’d say something else. “By the way, don’t expect me to go easy on you the next time we meet! Redmond’s orders!”

“Oh, got it!” Maribelle would respond with urgency.

  Olivia only smiled warmly. Then she jumped over to the other side, running down the next hallway. Her footsteps would fade away as the gunfire kept going.

"Her name's Olivia." Maribelle said.

"Olivia, huh?" Haystack looked down at the cleared base. “So, is she an' old friend?” .

“I guess you can say that.”

“Hmm.” Haystack grumbled. “When do you think Ah’ll meet her myself?”

Maribelle exhaled. “I don’t know honestly. The only thing I do know is that it’s not going to be a decent meeting.”

“’Ah see.”

A soldier ran up to them. “Haystack, the sniper teams are already in position.”

He only nodded. “Hmm, now tell the artillery men set up with them. We’re using the sentry guns for ambushes.”

“Yes sir.” The soldier gave a slight bow before running off to find his subordinates.

As he left however, Haystack frowned. And began to look at the floor below.

“Four years after that incident, and you’re still worried huh?”

“Eeyup.”

“They just came out of nowhere, you know.” Maribelle reminded. “There was nothing we could’ve done.”

He grounded his hooves on the platform.

“So don’t you think it’s best that we manage with what we have?”

He said nothing, his eyes narrowing.

“You know, I never understood why that mare mattered so much to you.” Maribelle let her feet swing in the air. “Even with the powers I’m… I have.”

Maribelle looked at the vast room, watching the soldiers do as ordered. “Your reasons were very… abstract in my opinion.”

“And?”

“You don’t think it would’ve been best if you stayed with your family at least?” Maribelle said quizzically. She turn to face his glum face. “Maybe introduce that mare of yours to-”

“That wouldn’t happen…! Hmph, not after what ‘ah did?” Then he had to ask, “And wh’ah do you call her ‘that mare’, anyways?”

She only frowned, looking away from his bothered demeanor. “You just don’t want to forget her, don’t you?”

The only thing he’d say was, “Jus’ l’ahke you don’t want to forget about him?”

Maribelle’s shoulders tensed yet again. “You don’t understand… I… I… I just want to find him. Never having to deal with that incident ever again.”

“But… do you still believe they’re out there?”

“Maybe… sometimes I… I…”

They sat there quietly, the noise coming from the soldiers being the only thing audible. However, Haystack would come up with something else moments later. It would start by him gently grabbing her hand with her hoof. She somewhat jolted at the feel before watching him raise it up into the air and look straight into her eyes. “Maribelle, promise me that we’ll tr’ah again.  That we’ll meet up with Fluttersh’ah at the orchard… and run away once more.”

She said nothing, her eyes widening out of uncertainty.  ”But I…”

“That we’ll end this once and for all.”

She recalled those happier days back there. ”I still…

“Even though we failed the first time, doesn’t mean we’ll fail the second time.”

Her smile, their fun, his smile, their new life. ”I…”

“So, will you make me this promise?”

Though the reasons were abstract, she knew how she made him feel.

“Please.” Tears began to pile up in his eyes.

Maribelle looked away again, feeling uneasy by this plea. However, looking back, she knew that there was no other choice to be made. She smiled with a mixture of reluctance and empathy. “Promise.”

Timidly, they let go of the embrace before looking out at the vast room. Not saying a word for another while.

“Another day another dollar, huh?” Maribelle would go on to ask, easing up the tension. "Or in your case another bit."

“Eeyup.” was what he’d answer with.

“So, the mission was a failure?” Redmond asked, watching the moonlight.

“Yes.” Thomas and Olivia answered in unison, looking at their boss with stern looks.

“We had no choice, sir.” Olivia explained. “We were outnumbered and forced to flee.”

“I understand.” He looked at them. “Did you encounter Subject A'One and Haystack?’

“I did.” Olivia said. “But we were unable to defeat them, sir."

“Understood.” Redmond nodded. “You are dismissed. I expect better from you two, alright?”

“Understood.” They’d say before walking away.

“Oh, and Olivia?”

She turned around, looking at his concerned face.

“The death of your father may’ve fractured your will to fight.” He exhaled. “And conditioning you into fighting for me may’ve failed…,”

  She curled her hands into fists, hiding her discomfort.

“But I hope the deal we made will improve your fighting.” His eyes narrowed. “In order to achieve your ‘dream’, you have to do as told… understand?”

She wanted to leave without answering him, sadly, she knew that would only make her dig a much deeper hole. With a sigh, she could only say. “Indeed.”

“Doctor Mitsuya, his team, and I worked really hard to bring you back from unconsciousness, so be grateful... you're dismissed.”

With a turn of the head, she hid her disgusted attitude as she walked towards the door.

Bam!

Redmond was now alone, looking at the moon. He’d mumble. “This is a business, after all.”

Chapter 5

So do not despair my little one

For you are as sweet as the stars’ song.

You gave us all more reason to love

Something that loved us all along.

Jacklyn smiled at him, clapping her hands with such cheer.

“Thank you, thank you.” Ivan made a slight bow, making sure that he didn’t take his eyes off the road. “You’re too kind.”

Jacklyn would stop clapping to say, “Been awhile since I heard you sing, so I’m glad you said yes.”

Ivan scoffed. “Mainly because you wouldn’t shut up about it.”

Jacklyn scoffed also. “I was just trying to lighten the mood.”

“Well… I thought it would be best that we kept quiet. You know, lightening the mood like that.”

She looked back at him, the smile still on her face. “Heh, I don’t think that’s going to cut it.”

“I think it can.”

Jacklyn leaned over to the radio to check the time. “So we’ve been driving for a while, huh?”

“Yep. We should be driving over the state line by now.”

“That’s good to hear.” She was about to turn on the radio before Ivan would say.

“Or you could’ve done that, you know.”

She stopped just inches away from the button before saying glumly, “I just, liked your singing, that’s all. Does it run in the family or something?”

Ivan grit his teeth, while hoping she wouldn’t see.

Jacklyn on the other hand, only needed to see his eyes just to know what he wants to say. “Oh… Okay… Do you mind me turning on the radio?”

“Not at all.”

She turned on the radio. First song being one that talked about wine being the ultimate consultation.

Ivan felt like cringing at this song, even despite actually being easy to listen to. It played onto the end as they drove along, watching the endless trees that covered each side of the road. Nothing came of it though, except for that it was leading him back to his memories. "Hmm, it was a good song Big Mac."

“Huh?” Ivan quickly glanced at the radio upon hearing a voice.

“And that was ‘Red Red Wine’ by UB-Forty.” The DJ would announce casually.

“Oh, so it wasn’t from Bob Marley then.” Jacklyn kidded.

Ivan only muddled a brief, ‘Hmmph’ and a smile.

“And now here are your morning news… Italian Prime Minister, Elsa Bonacelli, along with a quarter of the Parliament have managed to flee to Monaco with the help of RED mercenaries and Italian Special Forces…”

Jacklyn groaned. “You know, I wonder when they’ll show something positive that has nothing to do with war.”

Ivan chuckled, rolling his eyes slightly. "That’s never going to happen, Jackie.”  “Do you think the news does this only in times like this?”

“No, I know they never had. I heard that before the riots, the news would go ballistic over one event, that they’d devote an entire day just to cover it all. Press conferences, Journalists’ opinions, anything you can imagine just to get their stupid point across.” Jacklyn leaned against her seat. “I know that they’d report some positive stuff, but I wish they’d do that more often, you know.”

“Yeah… but I don’t think now’s the time to report on something like that if people are dying wherever you turn.”

Jacklyn kept quiet, watching the radio with a hint of sentiment. “I guess.”

“Princess Celestia is calling for action…”

Ivan could hear her gasp, but not her heart beat.

The volume on the radio was now increasing. “… against the Soviet Empire after the Red Army murdered over thirty protestors in Lhasa. Princess Celestia claims that they were peacefully protesting against the increased Layoffs occurring across the Tibetan SSR…”

Jacklyn frowned. “Aw.”

“However, the Soviet government, along with Chairman Ren Cedain deny that claim. Stating that they were the ones using violence first, provoking them to fire at will. Violently attempting to raid the-”

Click!

“What the-” Jacklyn gasped, watching Ivan change the station. “What did you do that for?”

“You said that you didn’t like bad news.” Ivan then lowered the volume of the radio. "So~."

“But…” She stopped herself from going any further. Then she leaned against the window. “Okay.”

The music on the radio was just a complex piano composition. It gave Ivan an opportunity to talk while not having something creep in the back of his head. “You really need to get your priorities straight.”

She says nothing.

“I mean, news around the world is a bad thing. But when Celestia comes in,” He’d say with sarcasm, “Oh~ man, turn up the volume and stop with what you’re doing. The world’s most condescending goddess is going to bitch at us again.”

Jacklyn, curling her hands into fists, would go on to say, “But, can you blame her? I mean, don’t you remember the October Revolution?”

Ivan sighed. “The Czar didn’t give a crap about his people, and the Princess was too blind to see that. To put it simply, they had it coming.”

“But… you don’t understand how much she felt for th-”

“You’re not making a good point here.”

Jacklyn wanted to say something, but accepted the fact that she couldn’t. “I see.”

“She’s just another story for the tabloids to exploit. Probably till’ we go extinct or something.” Ivan would loosen up. “Got it?”

He heard nothing, but didn’t care.

The Piano composition continued to play on, gently weaving into the scene like a quilt. It would play each quarter note, half-note, full note, and eighth note with ease. The harmonious tone was potent enough to ease the two. For Jacklyn though…

”So, it runs in the family, huh?” she’d ask.

Ivan remained silent.

“Oh, I see.” Jacklyn frowned.

Ivan chose this time to stare at the battered school. Specifically the glass window that was no longer there.

“Another gunfight, huh?”

“Yep.” Ivan sighed, drinking a sip from his can of soda.

The two stared at the broken glass. Jacklyn would grip a tighter hug on her book as the scene sent chills down her spine. “Ivan?”

“Yeah?”

Jacklyn took a second to ask it, but when she did, she’d be wary. “Does this place scare you?”

Ivan was hesitant, but spoke. “N-Not really.”

“Why not?”

The sky was a barely beginning to brighten when he looked onto it. “Do you really think that life outside this place is any better?”

“Um, no.” She loosened the grip on her book. “Well, Celestia said that if you’re ever scared, you just have to remember that you’re not alone.”

“Where, in that book of yours?”

Jacklyn pouted. “You mean the Book of Harmony.”  

She’d take out the book from her clutched arms and opened it to the last couple pages. “In Chapter One-twenty, it reads…”

She took a deep breath before continuing. “Even though the Princess regretted her choice, she understood that it was a necessary punishment for her jealousy and entitlement. But even though it was a necessary punishment, it did not mean that the fear of her return was what embroiled our hearts the most.”

“Hmm.” Ivan took a sip from his soda. “Interesting.”

Jacklyn smiled a bit before continuing. “The Next morning however, was a different story. She’d say, ‘My little ponies, I want to ask that you take the time right now to look into the eyes of your fellow brethren.’ They did, and each and every one of them all had what her majesty was looking for. ‘As you can see, you all feel the same way as I do about yesterday’s events… Keep this in mind my little ponies, for this is what will drive us forth into the future. We all share many traits, especially in response to times like these. So, learn from it, and use this knowledge to break away. Don’t ever let it bind you from reaching your potential.’

“It is with that, that we moved on from that incident and move towards the future… willing to face what is to come.”

  Jacklyn closed the book, clutching it in her arms once again. “You know, there are times when I feel like… like this is hell. Like we’re trapped forever.”

Ivan stopped himself from drinking his soda. “Hmm…. Yeah.”

“But when I read this, I feel a bit better. I guess you can say that Celestia and Luna’s been my little therapy in a way.” She’d smile, making a little chuckle also.

Ivan raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

“Yep… To be honest, it’s a very nice feeling.” She began hugging the book. “To know that I’m not alone. That there are people out there who feel the same. It just makes me feel… great.”

He simply sat there, unable to say anything. Jacklyn would immediately frown upon seeing this. Fortunately, with time, he’d have the courage to share his thoughts. “Well… that’s all you. But the reality is, even with that knowledge, you really can’t do anything about it. Just accept that the world sucks and it’ll be fine.”

Jacklyn had to object. “I disagree… we just have to hope Ivan. Even if that day never comes, it’s what drives us through the day you know.”

Ivan was silent again, taking time before speaking. “Do you think we can stop talking about this, before we weigh each other down?”

Jacklyn sighed, looking back at the brightening sky. “Yeah, for the best right?”

“Mmm Hmm.”

There was a short pause before Jacklyn would say. “Well, the day looks nice though.”

Ivan smiled. “I have to agree.”

Jacklyn felt sorrow as the memory went by. The only option left was to look back at the forest, hoping that would ease her down.  

Then her body would fling forward as the seatbelt held her back. Along with that, a loud screech was heard as the truck came sliding to a stop.

She was able to regain her seating as she asked. “Ivan, what are you-”

“You see that?” Ivan said, pointing out onto the road.

“See what?” She’d find a dozen green circular objects that blocked the road. “Oh no they wouldn’t.”

“Yes, they would.”

Jacklyn’s shoulders would tense up. “What do we do then?”

“Blowing them up will immediately alert them, deactivating them will take forever, and going into the forest will get us nowhere.”

“Basically, we only have one option to choose from.”

“Exactly.” Ivan proclaimed. “We head into the forest.”

“Deactivate them.”

“Wait, why deactivate them?” Ivan asked.

“Think about it Ivan,” she started. “Deactivating them may take a while, but it won’t get the attention of the enemy.”

“Yeah, until the whole thing backfires thanks to scouts, and the possibility that they contain mini-radar systems.”

“Don’t worry.” she said with an encouraging fist to his shoulder. “We have each other. You know, like Wallace and Gromit.”

Ivan, baffled, asked, “Okay then, do you know the passwords to all of them?”

Her smile struggled to stay in place. “Uh… who said anything about…  a-a password?”

Click!

“Well, that’s another one cut.” Ivan whispered.

Jacklyn stood up from her crouch. “Yep.”

“Stay down, Jackie. You don’t want to step in on another trap.”

“Sure.” She crouched to his level, pouting. “I can’t believe they’d put mines on their own route.”

“And I can’t believe that you still don’t know the reason why.”

Jacklyn groaned. “So that jerk offs like us get caught in these things, there.”

“Exactly.”

The birds chirped endlessly as the sun was now looming through the trees. It’s what kept them distracted, making them intentionally oblivious to the fact that this might take an entire day.

“Your turn.” Ivan said, pointing at yet another tightened string.

“Fine.” She was handed the scissors, and proceeded to cut it.

Click!

“Clear.”

“Hmm.” Ivan then joined her, and continued onwards into the empty woods.

Jacklyn, looked out into trees. A soft smile on her face. “It’s nice to be out here, isn’t it?”

“What, out in-”

“You know what I mean, right?”

Ivan too smiled a bit. “Yeah, I do.”

“Aren’t you the least bit glad that you get to be out here for once?” Her smile was being challenged at that moment. “Even if it’s for something different?”

Ivan was about to open his mouth, however, he decided against it. In a few seconds though, he’d say, “Come on… If we want to reach the state line by sunset, then we have to keep moving.”

He crawled forward, slowly and warily as usual. Jacklyn though, stayed there. Jacklyn reached a hand out, wanting to say something. But, like Ivan, she decided against it. She looked down at the dirt below, sighing.

“You coming or what?’

She looked up, finding Ivan looking back at her with that face. Her eyes wanted to fill with water right then and there. She shook her head a bit, blushing in the process. “Uh yeah, just caught up in thought, that’s all.”

She then followed along, joining Ivan in their continuation across the woods. Ivan was still looking ahead, his eyes narrowed and his mouth closed shut, refusing to even glance at her.

“Brother, where do you think you’re going?”

Ivan yanked Jacklyn against one of the thick trees.

“I thought I heard something sister!”

Jacklyn stood frozen in place. Trembling from each word they’d say. “W-we’re... mmph!”

Her mouth was now muffled by his hand. He vigorously shook his head at her. With her cheeks reddening, she’d nod without any unwillingness. Her shoulders loosened and relaxed as she felt her body pressed up against his’. Slowly, she closed her eyes, resting her head above his chest, and placing her hands over the one holding her waist. The birds and the leaves crunching was all she could hear as everything began to vacate her mind.

“Who goes there?” the soldier would shout.

She didn’t care at the moment, as long as she had-

“Sir, we know you’re hiding behind that tree! So please surrender!”

They couldn’t’ve-

“There’s no use in hiding, travelers! Come out with your hands up!”

His hands were no longer holding her.

“Madame, the Jig is up! Hands in the air!”

She groaned silently, putting her hands in the air as well. She found that the enemy had multiplied by four and surrounded them. Their indigo colored greatcoats was all that distinguished them from the forest.

“You know, Children…” the soldier began, making a mischievous smirk. “If you were both Minutemen, I would’ve let you free. Since most of those hooligans just love to get lost.”

“But, seeing that you’re not…,”

“We get the drill, sir." Ivan refuted. "We’re your slaves until we die.”

Jacklyn gasped, beginning to tremble. "What?”

The soldier smiled, adjusting the black service cap on his head. “Well, looks like you know your stuff, lost one.”

Softly, he grabbed onto Jacklyn’s arm, specifically the one holding the shield. “It’s obvious information, something that you people are used to doing behind the Army’s back.”

They’d hear nothing from them, until the man spoke. “Oh, so you’re comforting your little friend there, how sweet.”

“Uh…” Jacklyn muttered. She’d hear the soldiers laugh sporadically, making her legs shiver.

“And look, she’s turning red too.” the soldier in front continued. “I’m sure Luna will bless you both with eternal happiness.”

The laughing would die down as the soldiers voice grew serious. “But, since you both wouldn’t give a damn to her majesty like the strumpet who claimed to be her sister, I think it’s safe to say that we’ll do our best to… enlighten you about her blessings to the world.”

Ivan saw him lift his brow, making a slight nod in the meantime. With that, he violently yanked Jacklyn to his left.

“Aah!” she yelped.

Twang!

Thwap!

Ivan would witness the soldier fall onto his back with a dart impaled into his forehead. At the same moment, he took out his pistol and aimed it to his right. The pistol let out three burst rounds, one of them would hit the targeted soldier in her throat.

“Jackie, push!”

Jacklyn turned around, holding onto her shield like a mast during a storm. “H-huh?”

“I said push!”

With her body shaking, she nodded. She ran towards the closest soldier and took her baton out with ease.

Rat-at-at-at-at-at-at-Click!

She pushed the rifle aside with her shield, and knocked the soldier out in the next move. Ivan would shoot another that tried to flank him from his left. The soldier would drop his rifle as he held his arm in pain. Then there was a raging scream coming from behind.

  Bl-bl-blam!

The soldier didn’t even come close to stabbing him. Jacklyn would use this as a reason to stand in front of him and pull him down. “Wha-Hey!”

Bullets deflected off her shield for her shield. And Ivan would see them fly above him in such a rapid rate. “Uh… thanks!”

The gunshots would cease.

“Go!” Jacklyn whispered.

“Got it!” He switched to his rifle, mounting it over the shield.

Rat-at-at-at-at-at-at…!

The charging soldiers weren’t great strategists when it came to this unexpected turn. The three of them dropped dead before they could even hide.

Twang!

“Huh?” Ivan looked in the direction of the gunshots.

Blam! Blam! Blam!

“What the-” the soldier uttered, his shaking diminishing his aim

The three bullets deflected off his body. Jacklyn would quickly point her shield in that direction.

Rat-at-at-at-at!

  The soldier collapsed to the ground, holding onto the wounds in his stomach. Without a sense of remorse, Ivan walked to him. With his rifle pointed to his head, he’d begin. “Well then, looks like the table’s turned, mister. Your captain is knocked out, and Luna seems to have run away with her tail in between her legs.”

Jacklyn would walk slowly towards the man, hand over mouth as she tried not to throw up at the bloody scene.

“What… what are you?” he said with a choked voice,

“Not important. Mostly because I want to ask you this: Where can we find the safest route to Washington State?”

The wounded man was in a loss for words. “What?”

Jacklyn’s disgust eased, approaching the man with saddened eyes.

“You heard me, I’m not going to put up with this crap.” Ivan put bluntly. “So, where can I find the safest route.”

“Uh…”

“Please mister.” Jacklyn said with modesty. “We didn’t intend to fight you. We’re being chased by strange people, and we need to get out of here. So if you know where we can find one, tell us.”

The soldier would be quiet for a little while, looking up at the morning sky in thought. In a couple of seconds, he came up with the answer. “I’m sorry… Mister… I really… I really don’t kno-Aargh!”

  Jacklyn gasped.“Sweet Celestia.”

With a stomp on the stomach wound, Ivan would remind him of the obvious. “You know you don’t have to lie to us. I don’t intend to fight your clan, unless you wanna bring the shooting to us of course. Also, isn’t one of the elements called honesty? You should really stay true to that.”

“Grrr, that’s something Celestia values, ignorant o-Aaargh!”

Giving his foot a twist, he’d say, “Pff, should’ve reminded you that that was a rhetorical question there, asshole! So, answer me now, or Luna will be wondering how to give you a new stomach from the moon!”

Jacklyn grabbed onto Ivan’s arm. “Ivan pleas-Ay!”

Falling to the ground, she could only watch and hold a firm grip on her baton.

“Please, mister, do it for-Aaarrgh~!”

He twisted his foot back to its original position. “I told you, where the hell can we find in a safe route to Washington St-”

Whack!

The Soldier didn’t move after that, his eyes closed, and his body limp. Ivan would quickly see a baton on his forehead, before feeling two hands push him to the ground. “Umph, hey!”

He looked up to find Jacklyn glaring down on him, breathing heavily and audibly. Her hands shook with velocity. Her mouth lifted, but no words came out.

“Jackie…” he’d utter, aghast by what he’s seeing.

“Alright Phillippe, cover the right flank!”

“Yes, sister!”

“Shoot.” Ivan then lunged over to Jacklyn, grabbing her arm and pulling her down.

“If you find them, make sure they don’t move!”

“Yes, sister!” A united group would chant.

“Damn it.”

There was a buzzing sound coming from above.

“Get ready Jackie, we’re going in for another g-”

Tw-wich!

A drone above them would turn to look in their direction, then it hovered off into another. Seeing this gave Ivan a chance to see what caused it. Jacklyn was holding onto a long silver tube that was oozing smoke from the top. Jacklyn would look at the smoke with grimacing eyes.

“Uh… let’s get moving.”

Jacklyn took a little while to answer. When she did, she could only manage a little nod. She’d look up to find Ivan’s hand reaching for her. She was hesitant at first, but she couldn’t resist the gesture as usual. But even then, her anguish would still cling onto her like gentle bird.

Slam!

The two men in black joggled at the sudden noise. They found Trevor staring at them with an angered face. They looked back at him in dread.

“Well, yeah, about that.” one of them giggled awkwardly, scratching the back of her neck. “Turns out they chose otherwise instead.”

She didn’t get a response, watching Trevor’s closed eyes and grumbling character.

“Uh, sir?”

He’d pull his fist away from the desk.

“… It’s all right. We make mistakes, don’t we?” He opened his eyes, “On the bright side, it shows that our predictions were correct. Kurt, order the minutemen to mop up the mines.”

He saluted. "Yes sir.”

“Annika, contact the city council of that town. Tell them to withdraw their men back into the town immediately.”

She saluted. “Uh, Yes sir.”

Then she exited out the room.

With them gone, Trevor reached for the slightly large tablet at the top-right of his desk. Pulling it over to him, he woke it from its sleep and went for one of the apps. When he opened it, he began typing.

But before that, he decided to turn on the TV for accompaniment. On screen, was a woman wearing a long blue robe. Violet stoles beckoned over it, with the symbol of the Lunar Princess on each of them. She was singing an old song with such beauty, that it nearly distracted him from typing. It would take a while before he began pressing his fingers against the keyboard again. Even then, her voice, combined with the piano playing made it difficult nonetheless.

And even though she hath gone,

We will always love her until we die.

Her loving embrace lives on

In the beauty of her night sky.

The massive audience clapped with awe at the performance. The lady would walk to her large podium and rested her arms over it. The claps would cease in a graceful manner. When it was quiet, she reached towards the microphone close by.

“In the first eight chapters of our Princess’s book, the ponies were in utter despair for a millennia after the fall of the Equine council. The oppressor only known as Discord lead them astray, crushed their spirits, and forced their weakened bodies to remain divided and battered as he ruled over them with an iron claw!”

The audience remained quiet.

“However, little did that monster know that his age of chaos would soon crumble to the might of our Princess; the Princess of the night!” She opened the book in front of her, searching for the right page. Upon finding it, “Chapter Six, page four hundred and two: The Lord of Chaos asked the beautiful mare if she’d like to stay in his castle. The mare said that as long as she was able to raise the moon peacefully, she’d stay. The beast agreed, letting the mare stay with him for as long as he wanted.”

“Raise the moon, my ass.” one man in the audience mumbled. “I don’t think the Greek Philosophers saw that when-”

“Shh! Don’t let them hear you, you Jackass.” His colleague whispered to him. “They don’t care if we’re News cameramen, they’ll-”

“I know, I know.”

She looked up to the audience, taking off the silver crown from her head. She placed it in front of her sights while showing its blue jewels to the audience. “It was a clever strategy by our holy Princess in order to vanquish the beast into stone. A noble sacrifice to sell her body to the barbarian. All while that filthy wench she was forced to call sister would just sell her body to please him, rather than to dethrone him!”

Those last words would send chills down every non-follower’s spine.

“It is why we must do the same. To create a new world, Humanity must do away with what is holding us back. Our Goddess accepted the ways of Discord, sacrificing her reputation with the ponies to one day bring him down…”

The crown warmed her heart, but her mouth would form a slight frown. “Passing it on from pony to pony, and eventually, from human to human. Her heroism proved that the world can’t be changed without sacrifice.”

  One by one, the people in front of her was beginning to glance away from her. While many began to whisper briefly amongst themselves. She groaned softly, letting that slide before she continued. “When Selene was given that opportunity more than fifty years ago, the world was against her, but they weren’t the real problem. As our following grew, so did our rival’s. Which is why…”

She felt a finger touch her. Though reluctant, she pulled away from the mic to consult the person. “General Gomez, this better be important.”

He reached into the pocket of his greatcoat, taking out a small tablet. “It’s from the Legion, your grace.”

“You mean…”

As she took the tablet from his hand, he’d cut her off with a nod.

“Oh, okay.” she nodded back, beginning to read what it had to say.

   The Escapees have infiltrated the BLU-SNE Territory. Specifically in the Central South Dakota-Wyoming State line. Prepare for the worst.

                                                                                          -Trevor

She frowned before handing the tablet back to her subordinate. “Order a thousand Batwings into the area reported. One in each building, understand?”

“Yes, your grace.”

She placed one hand over her chest, then made a slight bow. “May Luna bless you.”

The General did the same to her. “And may she bless you too, your grace.”

After that, he walked off the stage. She turned back to her podium, reaching for her mic. “Which is why we took up arms to begin with. From then on, we faced many risks, risks that lead us to unite and conquer those who threaten us. However, new dangers will always be lying ahead… Even after Luna returns.”

She adjusted her long brown hair. “Humanity grows more and more advanced with every year passing. But they grow colder and colder just to create so-called ‘Progress’. They make irreparable mistakes and can only wallow in their despair as everything crumbles around them. Which is why her return will signal a new era for humans and ponies alike. An era where greed will be replaced with peace. By that goal, we must risk everything to achieve it… even our lives.”

BOOM!

“Whoa!” Jacklyn gasped, watching the tank’s canon collapse onto the ground in flames.

“Whoa indeed.” Ivan said, “I mean, that just came out of nowhere!”

“It’s the terrorists!” One cried. “God damn it, now of all times!”

Gunfire erupted shortly after.

“Didn’t see that coming either.” Ivan checked his magazine for ammo. “Well looks like it’s time for my favorite game.”

“What is it?” she said with a faint smile.

"Jumping from house to house." He inserted the magazine back in his rifle. “Heh, back in ‘Doofania’ as they called it, we’d…”

He looked back at the streets around their cover, ignoring her sudden frown. “Ugh, you know what I mean, now lets go.”

“B-But I-”

“Just do it and follow me… okay?”

Jacklyn sighed. “Of course, what else is there to do?”

Ivan looked ahead, finding that the troops were mostly concentrating on the three houses down the road. Bullets from both sides were being fired by each side. Ivan would catch some of the Lunar soldiers lose their lives as they attempted to gain a foothold on the enemy.

“Bill!” one screamed.

Jacklyn placed a hand over her mouth, closing her eyes and looking away. All while the sound of a oud engine was close by.

“Damn, reinforce-”

  A loud swish was heard, before Ivan found the houses filling themselves with smoke. Ivan, with his eyes turning to pinpricks could only say, “… ments.”

Once he recuperated from his shock, he turned to Jackie. “Come with me.”

She accepted, and he’d take her to the other side of the house. Where…

“The Hell?”

Although the Personnel carrier found sported the blue coloring of the SNE’s armor, the men beside it wore bullet proof vests of black. Their clothes being of any variety.

Surprised, Jacklyn would say, “But… those aren’t-”

There would be explosions coming from their right.

“Oh Celesita.”

“Hey!” one of the men shouted.

“Over here!” he’d wave speedily.

“Uh… He can’t be talking about us, right?” Ivan asked uncomfortably.

“Both of you by the house, get over here!”

Then he noticed Jackie now beside him… Then he noticed that he was walking past him. “Jackie, what the hell are you-”

“What other choice do we have, Ivan!” she shouted back.

“But you could be… Uh, you might, you know… uh… Ugh~!” With that, he stormed over there with a hurry.

They ended up entering the personnel carrier before the door would close behind them. There, Jackie felt Ivan’s breath brush into her ear. Her legs shook softly as he’d whisper in her ear. “If we suddenly get backstabbed by these people, you owe me a soda or two… If we survive, and if they have soda.”

Cautiously, she only nodded.

“You don’t have to worry about getting backstabbed, you know that right.”

Looking behind them, they found one of the men staring back at them concernedly. “In time, the sisterhood’s going to discover that this carrier’s been stolen.”

“Uh, they already did, sir.” Ivan addressed.

The news snapped the man out of it. “Huh?”

“Yeah, I just saw five Humvees drive up towards the intersection.”

The man grew furious. “Er… you can’t be serious! How come you didn’t…”

“Look, just get your boys to ambush them and it’ll be fine.”

“I…” He could only put his lifted finger down. “Fine…”

He then reached for his walkie-talky and sent out the orders.

“Ivan?”

“You better be right on this.” Ivan would put simply.

“Oh… Okay.” On the verge of biting her nails, she could only stay as such. ”Please Ivan....”

“For only five dollars, you too can own a piece of history, as well as honor our veterans. Order the World War Three commemorative coin today.”

Click!

“So, Jack, for fifty dollars and five ration cards, here is your question…”

Click!

“Your head will be in bloom when you drink all new Chi-”

Click!

Cl-clack!

Blutarch turned around, finding Marianne entering. “Hello Marianne. You’re back early.”

“Yeah.” she said formally.

“So what brings you here then?”

She sat in one of the chairs. “Well, Trevor informed me to tell you that…”

“Ivan has infiltrated the BLU-Lunar territory?”

Marianne looked at him, dumbfounded, “Uh…”

“He sent me the message, Marianne.” He showed her the message on his tablet. “Turns out the plan with killing Ivan didn’t go so well, didn’t it?”

Marianne sneered, “Obviously.”

The thought of it though, made her lose the smile. “But…”

“He has a friend with him, I know.” Blutarch informed. “We were told that the moment he fled Fort Xavier.”

“Oh…”

“It’s obvious that this is going to be a difficult process, isn’t it?”

“Of course.”

He turned to look at the TV. “So… with that out of the way, what brings you here?”

“Huh…? Oh, right, I was on my way to ask you for your assistance in bringing down Ivan.”

“Oh, that.” Blutarch took a sip from his tea. “Of course we will.”

“Really?”

“Yes, from the beginning we knew that you and the policemen couldn’t handle it. So, I was thinking of helping out.”

“The US Army also pitched in, sir.” Marianne sighed. “They weren’t as lucky… They even deployed a squad of Delta Operatives to stop them…, but they were wiped out while engaging them.”

“Damn…. that bad, huh?”

“Yep.”

"Well that's great." He poured himself a small cup of tea. “Would you like some tea, Miss Petit?”

Marianne turned to find a woman in a classic business outfit, a cup of tea in her hand. “Yes sir.”

She took the teacup in her hands. “Thank you.”

Then she took a sip.

“In Canada today…”

Marianne was on the verge of choking before swallowing it safely. She looked to the TV afterwards.

“… the newly formed Federal States of Quebec are now recruiting soldiers from the defunct CAF into the Militia. President Lee de Pointer stated that all soldiers who fought for the old Parliament are welcome to fight alongside the new army…”

Marianne pouted at the news, rolling her eyes.

“They called that day ‘Bloody Leaf’, right?” asked Blutarch. “The day that Ottawa was razed to the ground?”

Marianne was silent, drinking another sip of tea.

“Hmm, they shouldn’t’ve left the Nunavut mainland nearly undefended then, am I right?” Blutarch then noticed her frown. “Marianne, it’s been three years since that battle. Shouldn’t you be…, I don’t know, over it?”

“I’m not thinking about that, Blutarch.” Marianne scoffed.

“It sure looks like you were.”

“Well I’m not.” She took another sip of her tea. “You can put those worries to bed if you like.”

“Okay then.” He took another sip of his tea.

She did the same thing, only she did until she ran out. After letting out a breath of air, she reached for the teapot close by.

“…, marking the first escape ever by a worker within military grounds.”

Marianne looked at the screen as she poured herself some more tea.

“This incident happened at Fort. Xavier in eastern South Dakota. Base officials state that they managed to stow away in one of the Minutemen’s vehicles before escaping from them unseen.”

The news was making her worry. ”Of course they wouldn’t…”

Then she felt her hands begin to sear.

Crash!

She wiggled her hand violently as it oozed steam. “Hot, hot, hot, hot!”

She blew her hand as hard as she could. “Ow... ow… ow…”

“You all right there?” asked Blutarch worryingly.

“Oh, so now you ask.” Marianne said flagrantly. She grabbed a napkin close by, wiping the tea from her hand. “Ouch.”

“You really got worked up there.”

“You think?” Marianne groaned, holding onto her hand.

“Hmm.” Blutarch simpered. “It seems that you’re worked up over him, this time?”

Marianne didn’t say a word. Instead, she reached over to the plate of scones and took one.

“Not talking, aren’t you?”

Bit by bit, she ate it. Chewing as slow as she could.

Blutarch reached for his tea. After a sip, he’d say, “Well, in order to quell the escapees, I’ve arranged for my scoutsmen to join the patrols, just to make sure the Sisterhood doesn’t try anything funny.”

Marianne hastily swallowed the piece of scone in her mouth. “Agreed.”

“Trevor didn’t actually tell us in what city they had run off to, but we’ll get the location in no time.” Blutarch took his teapot for a refill. “He was smarter than we predicted, wasn’t he?”

“Mmm Hmm.” She took another scone from the plate, and began to eat it the moment she sat down. “Wait, who?”

“I’m referring to Trevor this time.”

She rolled her eyes. “Oh…, him.”

“I’m serious, the man’s creeped me out since the day I got him to sign the contract.” Blutarch commented. “For a guy who can’t speak, he surely knows how to strategize.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Blutarch took the time to ponder a bit, but quickly came up with, “Well, we’ve been alerted about this the moment you lost him in the first attempt. And now, a joint task force has been assembled to bring him down… get a piece of the pie, you know. Trevor’s been very shady about what he does. I find it surprising that he’d turn to us for his problems.”

Marianne smiled casually. “Hmm, kind of contradicts the whole statement there?”

“I’m sorry?”

“You just said earlier he was a great strategist. Then you follow that up with reasons why he isn’t.”

Disconcerted, he scrambled for a rebuttal. “Well... I…”

“Same old Blutarch.” Marianne chuckled. “Two hundred and sixteen years alive, and you haven’t changed a bit.”

“Well, to be fair, I’ve not the dull turd I was back.” Blutarch said. “Thank my new life extension machine for that.”

“I might. Still though, Trevor isn’t the best, but he does his best.”

“Agree.” The next statement though, made him frown before it was said. “Though, his background gave me high hopes.”

“I guess that’s how you came up with the ‘great strategist’ argument.”

He nodded. “Yes, you can say that?”

“Sad when things don’t go as hoped, right?”

“Mmm Hmm.”

The two sat there quietly, the fancy-suited people on TV still reporting yet another story after another. Marianne was on the verge of taking another scone, but was quickly deciding against it. She leaned against her chair, sighing softly as she held her hands together. “Yeah, it’s always been like that.”

The Lunarist soldiers looked to the sky, finding a massive fleet of silver colored helicopters flying above them.

“Are they…”

“Yes Brother, it’s them.”

In time, they’d all land atop the many buildings and empty roads of the town. In each chopper, half a dozen troops would exit out. The only thing that distinguished them from the troops below, were their shorter coats, and the black berets on their heads. One of them would walk up to the two soldiers close by.

“Status report, sister.” she’d say.

“Were we expecting you?” was the first thing the soldier would ask.

“This is urgent, sister. That’s why we were ordered to come here.”

“Oh… uh… terrorist forces attacked us while we were investigating gunfire out in the woods.” She then pointed at the Personnel carrier down the street. “They managed to steal that, but then left it.”

Static!

“This is Brother Nakamura, there’s no one in the-”

BOOM!

“Whoa!”

The soldiers scrambled to assist the wounded, while the three stood there in shock.

“So, where do you think they are now?” the soldier asked.

“Uh…”

The choppers could still be heard from underground, to the point where the ceilings were now rumbling in a discordant pattern.

Ivan looked at the man’s blue arm band. Specifically at the red cog lying underneath a white bird.

“We are the American Liberation Movement.” The man said. “And I am in charge of this region’s resistance group.”

“Uh… Thanks for the info?” Ivan remarked.

“Heh, you’re welcome.” he laughed quietly. ‘But knowing is only half the battle.”

Ivan shrugged. “I guess.”

“So, you’re wondering why I brought you to my humble abode?”

Ivan answered in an instant. “Aside from the fact that I just now-”

Bam!

“We’re heading to the western green zone, sir!”

The two looked to Jackie, her hand now against the desk as she stood on her two feet.

Taken aback by this, the man would cautiously say. “Uh…, that was uncalled for… but okay.”

She sat back down, bowing her head down. “Uh, I’m sorry sir. I was just very...”

He raised his hand. “It’s all right, ma’am. Also, call me Dave.”

“Okay… Dave. My name’s Jacklyn.” She said modestly, reaching out her hand. “But call me Jackie.”

“Makes sense for me, Jackie.” Dave would do the same, shaking each other’s hand. “Should’ve introduced ourselves before… But hey, war never waits.”

He then turned to Ivan. “Oh, and your name?”

“Ivan.” he’d say.

“Okay then. Nice to meet you Ivan.” He nodded. And then they’d sit back down. “Introductions aside, I’m just gonna go out on a limb here and say that you’re the people that escaped from Fort Xavier.”

Ivan held a firm grip onto his rifle. Jacklyn would slightly lift her fingers at the same moment.

Dave lifted his fingers too. “Please Ivan…, think of who you’re dealing with.”

Ivan briefly faced the door behind them. He then looked at Jackie, who was already eyeing him with that face from before. He then turned back to Dave. “Fine, but only because she’s here.”

Jacklyn briefly looked down to take in the air.

“Okay then.” Dave leaned down towards one of the cabinets, taking out two sheets of paper. Attached to it were photos, photos of them. Ignoring their reactions, he went on to say, “Now, escaping from a maximum security zone must’ve been difficult. Hell, maybe impossible. According to these files you both were once mercenaries. Then your bosses…, laid you off I guess.”

“You can say that.” Ivan commented, much to the dismay of Jacklyn.

“I knew the moment when you fled that place, you were going somewhere else and live the rest of your lives there. But… then I noticed a catch.” He looked at Ivan. “Can you really afford living…”

“I have relatives in the Green zone, sir.” Jacklyn interrupted. “There’s no need to worry.”

Dave frowned. “It’s very naïve of you to think that, ma’am.”

“Huh?”

“The US Army will be looking for you, even there. You know how they can be when it’s up to hunting down two people.”

Jacklyn’s shoulders tensed.

“Especially in a time like this.” Dave continued. “By now, word of your escape has probably gotten to Washington by now.”

She began to shake.

Slam!

Jacklyn nearly fell off her chair at the sound. She now found Ivan with his hands against the desk.

“Fine, what’s your solution then!” he shouted. “We’ll do it, just as long as you don’t feed us the obvious.”

Dave rolled his eyes. “Well…, that’s the reason why I brought you two here.”

Ivan sat back on his chair. “And what would that be?”

“Well, I’m leaving for another resistance sector in Northern Colorado, so I can reorganize the resistance groups in the area. They’ve been dealing with heavy losses, and it won’t be a matter of time before they start finding cells in the area.”

“So, you want us” Ivan was pointing at Jacklyn and himself. “to transport you to Colorado then?”

Dave nodded.

“All the way to Colorado?”

“No, can I explain…”

Ivan slammed his fists against the desk. “Ugh, you do realize that we’re not at all mercenaries, right?”

Dave pointed at Jacklyn’s uniform, making her blush in shame.

Ivan rolled his eyes. “We’re fugitives dressed as a Base worker, and a mercenary. We don’t fight for a cause, we’re just trying to get on with our lives.”

“Well then, your friend here seemed to have contradicted your statement when she ran into our carrier.”

“That’s because… that’s… Oh screw it, why do you need our help anyway, isn’t there an ALM member in that sector thing?”

Dave sighed. “He has his hands full and his fighters aren’t as productive as this sector. You saw these people take out that tank didn’t you?”

Ivan was silent.

“Fighters over there can’t even take out a Humvee without losing five people in under thirty seconds.” He sighed. “The fighters there are even too scared to actually…”

“Oh why are we talking about this!”

“Huh?”

The two looked to Jacklyn, who was standing there with a scowl on her face. “We’ll do it.”

Ivan couldn’t believe it, as Dave smiled.

“We’ll take you to Colorado.”

“But Jackie, didn’t you say you wanted to…”

“How do we do it?”

Dave reached for his tablet, displaying them a map of the state. “We’re heading to an outpost controlled by the Lunarists in the west, several miles outside this town. If we take that outpost, we can signal our arrival and…”

  Dave looked at Ivan. “Are you listening?”

  Ivan looked at Jaclyn, who’d look back at him with that scowl. He shook his head and sighed. He leaned over, and listened to the rest of his assignment.

“I’m glad we’re in agreement.” Dave walked over to the door. “I’ll go alert the others. I recommend that you stay here, though.”

“Why so?” asked Jacklyn.

Dave frowned. “You’ll under-”

Ivan interrupted. “You know what a doctor shouldn’t do with their Patients, Jackie?”

Jacklyn’s heart sank. “Oh, right.”

“Exactly.”

Dave grinned awkwardly. “Okay then, I’ll be back.”

He closed the door behind him.

“What happened, sir?”

“They’ve agreed to fight…”

Ivan ignored their conversation, looking at a fraught Jacklyn.

It took a moment, but she’d utter. “I’m sorry.”

Ivan just sighed, “You know you made a pretty damn risky deal there.”

“But what other choice did we have Ivan?” she objected.

Ivan rolled his eyes. “I don’t mind crippling this ‘sector’ to get to Washington State. We can start right now.”

Jacklyn grit her teeth. “You can’t just go around killing people just to get what you want!”

“You’re not making sense again, Jackie. We’re gonna do that tonight, aren't we” Ivan moaned. In response, she could only shiver once again.

“By the way, isn’t that something the Peace Corp taught you?”

“Obviously not!” she rebutted aggressively, “Why do you think I get all of my ideals from there, anyway?”

“Well with a name like that, it seems likely.” Ivan scoffed. “I mean, you were from the slightly better part of Chicago. Where none of you didn’t have to worry about getting shot.”

Jacklyn faced him without hesitance. “Ivan, I’ve seen just as much as you have. I’ve told you this several times. Especially when I was with the Peace Corp! I mean, do you even remember what I did there?”

“Yeah, you were the Police’s first option when people rioted in the street.”

Her eyes narrowed. “So what makes you think I don’t know what I’m doing?”

Ivan was quiet, looking at the picture frame of a woman and three teenage children.

Jacklyn loosened her rage. “I saw people in my street get shot over the most pointless things. They’ve gone crazy Ivan. Unable to leave a crumbling city and forced to survive with what they have. You wouldn’t know because people like you aren’t allowed there.”

He’d stay quiet.

“My time in the Peace corp and my home was never different. They’d do anything for some dose of happiness… Sacrifice their families, their sanity…, anything. So if you want go and do that, then that’s fine by me…, I may be doing the same…, b-but I at least know who I’ll be fighting.”

He said nothing

Jacklyn sighed. Then she told him in a softer tone, “We’re going to do this, and then we’ll be on our way. They know how we work, and I know how they work. It’s a win-win for both of us. So…”

“Relax?” Ivan shrugged. “Got it.”

“Heh, that’s the spirit!” Jacklyn said with a smile.

Ivan then looked to Jacklyn. “Does that mean you should be doing the same?”

“What?” Then she looked at her shoulders. “Eek! Heh, yeah, you’re right.”

Cheerfully, she motioned her hand from left to right and back. Breathing in and out at the same time. Ivan frowned upon this sight, making Jacklyn’s situation worse.

“Attention Citizens of Wilson Creek, your Government’s nine o’ clock curfew is now in effect for the entire city.” announced the woman behind the speaker. “You will be under the watchful eye of the Sisterhood, as always. Violation of this law will result in punishment through lethal force. Thank you, and may dear Luna bless and watch over you on this beautiful night.”

Cl-click!

“Ugh, the start of Idy really changed everything.” Dave whispered. “One minute I was fighting the Soviet Empire in Japan, the second I’m quitting the army to help these people.”

“Hmm, must’ve been rough then.” Ivan remarked.

“Yep, things will never be the same again, courtesy of World War three.”

“Hmm, that’s a given.”

Dave quickly closed the blinds. “Alright, they’re gone. Let’s get moving.”

“Got it.” Ivan lifted his rifle away from the terrified family in front of him, their hands and legs tied up and their mouths covered. “Just thank Luna that we didn’t kill you or something.”

He then left.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” Jacklyn stammered, bowing her head repeatedly before dashing off. The anguish was still resonating, but she had to let it slide. "May both Luna and Celestia bless you on this night."

The three, and a squad of ten followed them across the street and into another alleyway. They stood against the wall as another platoon of troops passed by.

But Ivan had to ask. “Dave, do you ever wonder why they don’t look into the alleyways for us?”

“Just be happy that they didn’t.” he whispered back. “Now follow me.”

“Fine.” Ivan groaned.

They’d run past another street, where they reached a building that was reduced to become nothing but abandoned. Bullet holes riddled it, and the windows were smashed, the usual. It took little effort to open the doors, and the group went in without delay…

Until they found a soldier in one of the rooms.

“Ivan, take out that guy on the…”

“No,” Jacklyn cut in between the two; “I got it.”

“Jackie, wh-”

Slowly, she opened the door and entered with a casual walk. The soldier in front of her was writing on his notepad. Regardless, she still kept going. It would only take a couple of seconds before the soldier would look up.

“Oh hey, are you the mercenary from-”

Whack!

He was now lying motionless on his chair, his arms dangling. “Now go.”

Reluctantly, they nodded before proceeding down the hall. In front of them was a double door, which Dave quickly peeked through. “Yep, these bastards truly got the perimeter surrounded…, until now.”

“Dave, you do realize that…”

Dave reached for his walkie-talkie and with his fingers...,

Snap!

Thwap!

Thwap!

Thwap!

“What the…”

“Go!”

Quickly, they opened the doors and rushed in. Their silenced rifles quickly took out any remaining troops in the chapel. All of which were unable to even react in time to the sudden gunfire.

“Clear!” Dave declared. “Fun fact though.”

“What would that be?”

Dave looked down at the body of one soldier. “Blackwings are said to be the toughest of the Sisterhood. Pfft, morons are so disorganized, we didn’t even come across one on the way here.”

Then the rasping of the floor would get their attention. Looking at the source, they found Jacklyn pulling the unconscious body into the chapel. With a groan, she let the body slam itself onto the floor. She then turned to the puzzled fighters and said simply, “A little help?”

“Alright, grrr, put ‘em down!” Ivan ordered with a grunt.

The two let go of the body, letting it slam against the bench.

“Okay boys and girls. You may take a break, We’ll receive the signal soon enough, so make it count.” Dave announced.

“Yes sir.” Then they separated to do what they can in the time range.

In the meantime, Dave chose this as an opportunity to head to the altar. All while asking Jacklyn, “So, you a pacifist?”

“Hmm, what gave it away?” Jacklyn replied sarcastically.

He pointed at the body, which was leaning against the bench.

Ivan groaned. “Not a good reason to be out here in the first place, but letting it fly is better than forcing her to go back.”

Jacklyn hid her frown from Ivan, the best she could. “So, what are we going to do with…”

Thwap!

Everyone in the chapel fell mute at the gunshot, finding that the unconscious hostage was now bleeding from his forehead. Jacklyn didn’t look at it, then the others would do the same.

Dave would say glumly, “I’m sorry, Jackie… It’s not worth it.”

And she kept looking down, saying nothing.

Ivan in the meantime, began to look at the altar. Which was one that was devoid of anything. Even the cross was gone.

“Man, the place just doesn’t seem right without it.” Dave sighed, changing the subject also.

“That’s all you. Me? Doesn’t really matter.” Ivan spoke.

Dave grew curious. “I gotta ask you then, where are you from?”

“Chicago.” he answered.

“Bingo.” Dave walked up to the altar. “And judging by your age, you have no idea how the Ideological wars began.”

“Not a clue.” Ivan admitted.

“That’s why I’m here….” Dave paused as he mesmerized the past. Then he’d speak. “I remember going to church and see how the place filled with song. Seeing this though; you wonder how much will time do to something.”

Ivan looked at where the cross should be. “Back in Chicago, this was a rare sight. Makes sense that you’d feel that way for your church.”

“Yeah, and you wouldn’t know how much of a bunch of Pacifists we were back then when the Sisterhood and Celestia’s hoof said screw you, we’re ‘declaring war’.” Dave sighed. “I swear, if those leaders never found those books back then, we’d just be putting up with two morons fighting for control of the land rather than fighting a succession of bimbos fighting for which pony is right!”

Ivan rolled his eyes. “I think you had enough there Dave, just relax.”

“Heh, you’re right.” He sat down on one of the steps. “I’ve just been living too long, that’s all.”

“Heck, who doesn’t feel that way?” Ivan chuckled sitting on one of the front benches.

“I don’t.” Jacklyn interrupted, sitting next to him.

“Again, that’s all you.” Ivan repeated. “But hey, it’s obvious that you’d feel that way.”

Immediately she’d pipe up and say. “Well, I’m positive that it doesn’t apply to just us, you know.”

“Well, whatever you say.” Ivan conceded, placing one leg over the other. “I mean, some people like to think that, some don’t. Drum and base you know, whatever works.”

“Hmph.” Jacklyn said with a frown. “You both just don’t understand, don’t you?”

Ivan rolled his eyes. “We don’t know and we don’t care, right Dave?”

Frowning also, Dave would say, “Well, sometimes I wish I can agree with you…, but, that’s something I know might not be true.”

Ivan joined them in their disappointment. “Why say that?”

“Look at this armband kid.”

He did just that. “Alright, what about it?”

“I told you moments ago that I quit the army to fight for this country.” Dave began, glancing at the empty wall. “You remember why?”

“Yep. Those Idiots and their ‘Treaty’.”

“Exactly. Doesn’t end until two of the four win.” Dave sighed. “God wanted us to defend him in exchange for his protection. But, seeing that those two showed no mercy to anyone who opposed them…, I just, I just had to act.”

Jacklyn looked down to her hands, her sadness carrying weight. "But, what about the Ten Commandments."

"Huh?" asked Dave.

Jacklyn made her question known. "But, wasn't one of the commandments called, 'Thou shall not kill'?"

Dave leaned back to face the ceiling for a bit. “If both sides aren't going to play fair, then the factions caught in the middle can't do it either. Besides, God never abandon us when we’re in our time of need. So why am I going to abandon him in his time of need?”

Jacklyn said nothing in response. Instead, she faced down at the floor with gloom.

“Hmm.” Ivan shrugged. “So why say that you’ve been living too long then?”

“Because he’s seen more than you, Ivan.”

Ivan looked at Jacklyn, finding her looking back at him with a glare. But she immediately looked away in a timid fashion. “You know, because he was in Japan during World war three…, and, saw when the Ideological wars started. You know.”

Dave looked straight at Ivan after the outburst. “I don’t blame you both though. Chicago was basically just a safe haven during the recession. Held on ever since.”

“Hey dude, you don’t know how life was like back in Chicago.” He leaned down. “I may not know more than you, but I know for certain that this is the exact same thing. People fighting for the role of mayor. Conflicts between the authority and the small. It was just that every day.”

“Yeah.” Jacklyn added, “None of it would end. No one would just get the idea that we can sort it out with open dialogue and not with guns and torches. People dying was just the norm, I suppose.”

Ivan felt glum at this, but the thought would fade when Dave would say, “So… I gotta ask you…”

“How did I end up in Fort Xavier?” Ivan said. “Hmm, remember when I said that we weren’t mercenaries?”

Dave nodded.

“I lied.”

Dave raised a fist halfway and-

“Kind of.” Ivan finished. “See, I use to be one… for a week.”

“Oh.” Dave said. “And what did you do?”

“I worked alongside this Earth pony from Equestria and…”

“Wait.” Dave interrupted, standing up on his feet. “You fought alongside a…”

Ivan groaned. “Let me finish.”

Sighing, he sat back down. “Sorry, just got over-curious, that’s all.”

“Hmm, anyway, I was working with this pony from Equestria.” he continued. “We were sent to deliver a package into a country named ‘Doofania’ and then get the hell out to collect our payments.”

“Oh, that place?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Heard that things are still in chaos after the coup. It just came out of nowhere, and the place is still in shambles to this day.”

“Interesting.” Ivan stated. “Continuing on, we fought alongside one another…, didn’t know much about each other…, but I didn’t care. He ended up being friends with this little girl we met there, out of nowhere, he just took her under his wing.”

Jacklyn’s eyes widened.

“And?” Dave asked.

Ivan took in a moment of silence before speaking. “After that, he said he was running away from his home. So that he and the girl could be with his fillyfriend. Saw a picture of her. Judging by her looks though, I knew that that plan was a train wreck waiting to happen.”

“And why say that?” Jacklyn asked, her eyes nearly watering.

Ivan breathed in and out as he rested against the bench. “It’s best to keep it a secret.”

“Oh… Okay.” Jacklyn said, leaning down.

“Anyways, we ended up in jail…, and were released before the early hours of the coup. Well, he was…, not me. I ended up escaping when the prison was under attack.” he continued. “Then I walked for several hours before fainting, then the Minutemen came in, and that’s the story.”

Ivan then looked out the broken window. “Doofania looked just about the same, and so did the Fort. They all had their pluses and minuses, but they were the same no less. Nothing but False hopes in a place where there really is no hope.”

Ivan then looked back at the two. “And Chicago? None the wiser. No matter what we do from this point on, we’re only adding fuel to the fire.”

They were quiet again. The three only hearing the conversation of the others.

Static!

“Dave, this is Alpha, we’re in position.”

“Good, you know what to do.”

“Yes sir.”

Static!

Explosives were being set off in the distance, popping out like kernels.

Jacklyn gasped. “Dear Luna.”

Dave raised his voice. “Alright, grab your weapons boys and girls. We’re moving out!”

“Yes sir!” they chanted.

The troops followed him out.

“Ivan.” She grabbed onto his arm.

Then he turned around. “Yeah?”

She smiled lightly. “Thanks for your insights.”

Ivan’s cheeks reddened, looking away from her as she gently let go of her grip. “Fine, you got something out of me… Just don’t ask for more.”

Jacklyn frowned.

“Now let’s go.” He began to run.

Jacklyn sighed, muttering, “Alright.”

Then she followed too.

Haystack sat over one of the empty desks. Choosing the time to take out a piece of paper from one of his pockets. He placed the paper onto the desk, reading from word to word. Each one would only contribute to the somberness that was welling up in his eyes. Up until the closing statement, where a little pink colored heart would be drawn.

“From Applejack right?”

At the door, he found Maribelle standing solemnly, holding onto her katana.

He quickly wiped the tears with his hooves. “Uh… Ee-Eeyup.”

“Hmm.” Maribelle walked calmly over to him. “Still holding on after the incident.”

“Eeyup.”

She hopped onto the desk, letting her feet sway in the air as always. “I remembered how she was after that gig in the Badlands half a year back.”

“Eeyup.” The mention of that could only take him back. Back to the day she galloped up to him, hugged him dearly, clearly doing her best to hide those tears. She looked so happy, so happy that he was okay…

“Big Mac.”

He immediately looked back up, finding that she was whispering in his ear. “What?”

“I took the letter away from you.” she’d say with the letter in one hand. “Tears were starting to get on it.”

“Oh… Thanks.” he said, his cheeks turning red.

She skimmed through the letter.  “Don’t know what it reads, but hey, I’m sure the heart means it’s a good sign.”

“Eeyup.” He smiled slowly. “Said that things are doing better than ever now…, but, still not back to how it was.”

“I know. Sales low, people slandering the family, all that stuff.” She smiled too. “Well, at least it isn’t like back then.”

“Eeyup.” Then he’d frown, tears starting to form once again. “But when Ivan dies, Ah’m sure things will be a lot better.”

“Probably.” Maribelle kept swinging her legs. “But we agreed to do this, there’s no turning back now.”

“Eeyup.”

“Haystack, sir!” One of his subordinates called while entering the room.

“Yes?” he’d say.

“It seems that we’ve found Ivan.”

“What?”

Maribelle deadpanned. “Oh, how coincidental.”

“They’ve entered the BLU-Lunar area while we were in combat with RED.”

“Well that’s perfect.” Haystack continued. “The more reinforcements the better.”

The man grinned awkwardly. “Uh…, yeah. There’s… a catch though.”

“And what would that be?”

The man lost his smile. “He’s backed up… by the local resistance.”

“What!” he shouted; making the man jump.

“I don’t know, the Lunar forces were engaging them and somehow they slipped past the radar and…”

He slammed his hoof against the floor. “Damn it! C’mon Maribelle, we’re…”

“What do you mean, ‘We’re going’?” the man interrupted concernedly. “We’re too far away to reach them!”

Haystack ignored him, grabbing the rifle that laid on the wall.

“But Haystack, Trevor is over there!” he went on to advise. “When Ivan’s dead, the bounty will be collected and you’ll get to go home forever! There’s no point in...”

“’Ah don’t care!” Haystack snarled, “C’mon Maribelle, we’re goin’!”

“Got it!” She then hopped off the desk and followed along.

The man could only place a hand on his face and groan. “Damn it all.”

And with reluctance, he followed too.

BOOM!

“That’s the last one!” a fighter cried, watching the APC burst in flames.

“Good, now push forward!” Dave yelled, reloading his rifle.

“Yes sir!”

Dave then grabbed his walkie-talkie. “Squad Alpha and Squad Bravo, head to the outpost immediately!”

“Yes sir!”

“Squad Charlie, Squad Delta, and Squad Eddie, return to base! Make sure the Mooners don’t follow you!”

“Got it!”

Static!

“Wow, that distraction was super-effective!” Ivan said, running alongside Dave.

“Yep, enough to leave the outpost vulnerable of course!” he shouted back. “And there it is!”

The lights out in the distance confirmed his observation, they’d get brighter with every step. And they knew what that meant. “Fire!”

Fighters armed with explosives were the first to go. Volleying several rounds of grenades and rockets out towards their targets. The explosions were enough to give them a little pat on the back.

Witnessing that provoked Dave to take out a metal piece of equipment which he’d insert on his hand. The twin barrels would create an electrical current that headed towards the ground. With lightning speed, bright orbs would begin to ascend from the ground.

“Explosives away!” Dave shouted.

They’d obey.

“Umph!” Ivan grunted, flinching slightly at the sudden strike on his chest.

“Aaagh!”

“Kate’s down!”

Upon seeing more bullets head their way, Dave proceeded to the next order. “Fire!”

They quickly ducked, opening fire.

Hiding behind sandbags, the Lunarist troops would fire relentlessly too. Though the sudden move was too much for them to handle. All five soldiers in each of the sandbags were each brought down easily and without issue. The fact that they’d quickly split up to take each of them wouldn’t make it better.

“Now what?” Ivan yelled amidst the gunfire.

“We hold out of course!” Dave peeked out of cover, finding that reinforcements had already arrived. Using the damaged building as a garrison.

“Shoot!” he shrieked, getting back behind cover. “If we survive of course!”

Ivan peeked out of cover also, finding that troops were already coming out, and closing in. He went back down, putting it simply, “Come with me, I got a solution.”

“What is it?”

He picked one hand up. “Trust me, it’s going to get cold out there.”

“Aside from that being a terrible pun, I’ll trust you.” Dave replied.

Three of the soldiers were engulfed in ice, frozen in place. The three quickly jumped out of cover, firing as many shots as they could before standing next to their new cover.

“Heck! This is better than what’s on paper!” Dave said with awe. He then reached to his walky-talky.

The other fighters would be shaken at the sight. Questions would fly across each of their minds, but what got into mind the most was, ”Dave wasn’t kidding!”

“Explosives, fire!”

The thoughts would be put aside after that order.

Dave and Ivan fired as many rounds as they could against the windows. Making sure they didn’t stick their rifles out.

“Jackie, take out the bottom units!” Ivan ordered.

“Uh…, Of course!” she shouted back. She’d leap out of cover, the enemy’s bullets deflecting off her shield. The first soldier she reached would attempt to take her out with his knife, but she was quick to notice. Pulling away the shield to knock him out with her baton. Then it was on to the next one, who was either oblivious to her presence, or making a futile attempt at taking her down.

With the plan in motion, it was now the other fighters’ turn to shine once again.

“You can’t be serious!” the woman shouted, slamming her hands against the desk.

“’Ah know, Miss Esther.” Haystack said, his hooves grinding against the floorboards. “Ah’m mad too. It just came out of nowhere. Not to mention that he’s fightin’ alongside them.”

“Damn, has Trevor arrived though?”

“’Ah don’t know, Ma’am.” Haystack told her. “Ah’m worried for his safety though.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Well, he’s an old man…, uh, Ma’am.”

She only smiled, staring at the portrait of her beloved Princess, who stood ascending in front of the moon. “You haven’t lived long enough to see what he can do, haven't you?”

"Uh, no?"

Rat-at-at!

The soldier quickly collapsed, twitching his last movements.

“How many lost?” asked a leader from one of the squads.

Dave answered, “One…”

“So, what now?” Jacklyn whispered to Ivan.

“Wait for the stealth chopper, obviously.” Ivan muttered back.

“Then what?” Jacklyn asked, bothered.

Amidst the goodbyes and farewells, Ivan was able to say, “Take that combat truck over there and get the hell out of here.”

At that moment, a bright orange flair would be fired in the sky.

They then saw Dave walk up to them. “Well you two, I wish you the best of luck on your journey.”

“Uh…, thanks.” Halfheartedly, he reached his hand out, shaking Dave’s. “We hope that your movement becomes a…”

Buzzing noises were heard, they looked to their lefts. Finding a massive fleet of helicopters heading their way.

“Is that your-”

He then contacted the squads on location. “Garrison the buildings, now!”

Static!

Dave then turned to Ivan and a shaking Jackie. “I don’t think that they’re gonna make it. Once my ride is gone, get the hell out of here.”

Ivan sighed. “Yes.”

“Mmm Hmm.” Jacklyn nodded.

Dave grabbed his walky-talky. “All riflemen, arm your grenade launchers take out the choppers once the soldiers are being dropped off. They’re going to be the biggest nuisance if they’re not. All rocketmen, stand by. Further orders will be given later.”

“Yes sir!”

Static!

He then turned to the two. “So, you’re still going to Washington?”

“Of course, sir.” Jacklyn assured. “We’re not stopping until we do.”

Dave sighed. “The road ahead is still as risky as before. You sure you’re going to…”

“We’re certain, sir!”

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom…!

“Eek!” she shrieked.

Dave could only laugh as Ivan rolled his eyes.

“Sir, the majority of our transports have been wiped out! Only three remain, including me!”

Boom!

“Shoot, they’ve got me! They’ve got-Aaargh!”

Static!

Trevor could see three more explosions arise in the distance. He closed his eyes and groaned. “Dear God, the Batwings are terrible.”

“Do you want us to help, sir?” asked Marianne.

They looked up, finding that another fleet of choppers were flying overhead.

Trevor took out a telescope. “Not yet.”

“Uh, Dave? There’s another wave of choppers heading our way!”

“Rocketmen, get out of cover and take out the choppers!”

Again, he’d see another wave of explosions ahead.

“All of you, prepare your rockets and grenade launchers”

“Yes sir.”

“Now then, here are your orders.”

They then heard a chopper coming in from the west.

“Well, that’s my ride.”  Dave smiled.

Static!

“All squads retreat back down the same route. Contact Squad Charlie, Delta, and Eddie to engage the patrolling enemy once more.”

There was no response.

“The hell..?”

They heard explosions coming from the buildings.

Dave was in shock. “You need to go, now!”

The chopper landed, and he quickly went in. “Drive off, and don’t come back!”

“Obviously!” Ivan retorted.

“Oh, and Ivan?”

He stopped, “Yeah?”

“A quick question, You know what a doctor should do with his patients, right?”

Ivan lifted a brow. “Isn’t it also obvious?”

Dave giggled, rolling his eyes before closing the door. As the chopper began to ascend, Ivan would notice that Jacklyn had already driven up beside him. He then hopped onto the back of the truck and banged on it, causing Jacklyn to quickly push the gas pedal and drive away.

He found that flashes of light were already visible on the windows. So he took out the smoke bomb and tossed it into the ground.

BOOM!

With the outpost no longer there, Ivan simply sat down, and looked up into the empty night sky. It was nothing but stars this time, the moon nowhere to be found. “Man, what the hell?”

BLAM!

“Aargh!” a fighter cried, grabbing onto his fractured neck.

“Son of a bi-”

BLAM!

“Come on, come on!” muttered another, taking out her pistol.

The clicking noise from the scattergun proved to be a perfect sign that-

Slcccch!

Trevor put the blade up his sleeve. Then grabbing the woman as blood leaked from her neck to his hat. Gently, he placed her against the wall before reloading.

Blam, Blam, Blam, Blam, Blam, Blam…!

One by one, each fighter dropped dead. Unable to react in time to the barrage of bullets coming from Marianne’s revolvers.

“Clear!”

“Clear!”

Static

“Trevor, Marianne, we’ve taken building two without any problem. You?”

“Same here!” Marianne responded. “But…, it’s best that we stay here.”

“I know. That big puff of smoke’s our Big Fat F there.”

Marianne placed a hand on her forehead. “Ugh, yep.”

Trevor, meanwhile, just stood watching it. ”Damn, damn…, Damn!”

“Damn, Damn…, Damn!” Haystack pound a hoof against the metal floor. Making every one in the chopper jump. “Ah’van, just give up…, please!”

Tears began to flow from his eyes. Four years of searchin’ and fightin’…, I don’t want it to be for nothin’…! Even after all Ah’ve been through.”

With caution, Maribelle would place a hand on his back. She then heard his soft sobs, as everyone else went silent.

Once the engine was turned off, Jacklyn opened the door and got out. “Ivan, do you think we drove far enough?”

He turned to her, and nodded. “Yeah, we’ve driven long enough. The outpost is nowhere in sight, and it’ll take for them to reach us.”

“So…”

“What now?” Ivan guessed preemptively. “We relax a bit, we wake up tomorrow, and get going.”

“Actually I was gonna ask what you two did in…, ‘Doofania’.”

Ivan rested his hand over his knee, looking out into the HMG’s direction. “Well, now that you got the gist of what I did, I was supposed to deliver a package to someone named Silver Fox.”

Jacklyn’s interests were at its peak.

“Forgot about it at the end though, I don’t care either.” Ivan chuckled. “Whatever it was, must’ve been just a waste of time if anything.”

Jacklyn smiled. “And…, how was the pony like?”

“His real name is Big Macintosh, needed to dye his body and have the word, ‘Haystack’ as his Alias to avoid the FBI getting involved.”

“What else?”

Ivan sighed. “That’s all I’m gonna say.”

This made Jacklyn’s smile fade. “Uh.., why?”

“What he did back in Equestria is what obviously brought him here…. You don’t want to know what he did.”

“Oh…, okay.”

There were quiet a bit more.

“So…, do you wanna come inside?”

Ivan stood up. “Ech, of course. I got nothing better to do.”

“Good.” She was about to go inside also, but, “Oh, and Ivan?”

“Yeah?”

“Why would Dave talk about that stuff back at the church?”

Ivan looked up at the stars. “He’s a resistance fighter, Jackie. Maybe his little policy of his has a loophole or something…, or maybe he thinks a few doses wouldn’t hurt.”

“Right.” She too was about to go back inside.

“And Jackie?”

She peeked her head out. “Yes?”

Ivan took a deep breath. “Some things are better left untold. You know that right?”

Jacklyn nodded. “Yeah.”

“Good.”

As Ivan hopped off the back, Jacklyn grew tense. Even as she went inside.

A man sat calmly over his chair, reading a book as he sipped a cup of water. “Hmm, it was disappointing of them to reject our little proposal.”

…

“Indeed…, not to mention that even the RED and BLU Alliances are going after them.”

…

“Well, hopefully we’ll have luck there.”

…

“Good luck in Colorado.”

…

The man put his phone away. Then turned to look at the American flag behind him. He then turned to face his book, “Ugh.., why don’t the powerful feel like doing anything?”

Chapter 6

Smoke kept ascending from the damaged buildings. The bodies were still being accounted for as the morning sun was barely arriving. Big Mac stood atop one of the buildings. His dyed mane swaying in the wind. The sun was beautiful, he’d think. Even though there could’ve been beauty, if they’d have done their job right.

He trotted forward, observing what was below. Where the countless bodies of the resistance fighters were being lined up, covered in tarps. He’d seen their faces, it made his stomach revolt every time he thought of them. All he could do then was sit on his belly and look out into the sky.  He briefly gazed over his sniper rifle, and instantly he felt as if he had died a little inside. It only made him imagine that both his rifle and his alias didn’t exist in the first place. But he knew that that would be futile nonetheless.

The last time he remembered not having to see that rifle was when he went home after the badlands incident. It felt great to not have to have it by his side at the moment. His sister was happy too, remembering her gallop over to him and hug him greatly to the point of actually knocking him to the ground. She’d plant a solid kiss on his lips, making his heart… “Grrrr!”

He felt happy then, even though the sight of that only made him feel more pain than ever. It had been a long while since… since…

“Since the Marriage was canceled?”

He turned around, finding that Maribelle was there. Leaning against her katana. He only looked back at the ground below, sulking. He then found Maribelle sitting right next to him.

“I’ve already told you that it was in the past, Big Mac.” she said softly.

“’Ah know.” he said. “It just popped in out of-”

Maribelle was leaning her head up to the sky. “I get it. Had to bring it up in front of Ivan, right?

Big Mac sighed. “Eeyup.”

She clasped to fingers together. “I knew it. I think it’s best that he doesn’t know what happened you two. Or he’ll end up hating you even more… I think.”

“Eeyup.”

“Hmm, and poor Applejack too.” Maribelle added. “Must’ve devastated her when she made that choice.”

He nodded.

“Yeah.” Maribelle frowned. “You really don’t know what to do, don’t you?”

He was quiet.

“Don’t worry, down the line, you’ll figure something out.”

“It seems likely though.”

“Hmm?”

He pointed his hoof at the bodies “Those people, Ivan and his friend are working with them.”

Maribelle frowned. “And that scares you?”

“Eeyup.”

Maribelle gripped the scabbard of her katana.

“You two don’t have to worry about that, either.” They found Pierre standing there, with one of his hands in his pocket. Holding a cigarette in the other. “We all know Ivan very well. He wouldn’t join a cause, even if it bit him in le cul.”

Their heads tilted.

He rolled his eyes. “Ugh, in his ass.”

“Oh~!” they’d say.

“Hmm, Ivan probably split with ‘ze ALM once they left. So we simply have another chance.”

“Still though.” Pierre would find Marianne behind him. “The ALM is a very persistent group. Which is why we have to be quick, and careful.”

“I do not want to cause more damage than I already have.” Now Trevor was joining them also. “So expect for this chase to be a difficult one.”

“Got it.” said the others.

But Big Mac was quiet.

“Uh, Big Mac.” Marianne whispered aggressively. “G-”

“Don’t worry about it, Marianne.” Trevor assured. “He doesn’t have to.”

He walked towards him. Big Mac looked back up at him, his height, combined with his demeanor, and his way of speaking made him want to curl up into a ball.

“But I expect to see you up and running again. I never guaranteed that this would be a quick and easy job. Understand?”

With a little hesitance, he nodded.

“Good.” He then smiled. “Now get up, we still have work to do.”

“Uh… E-Eeyup.” He got on his four legs.

Marianne too smiled. “Great, now then, let’s get going.”

They were about to leave when… “Hold on.”

They all stopped to pay attention.

He took a deep breath. “You’ve all been with me for a long while now…. By now, I hope you all know what my organization does.”

Marianne would comment on this also. “We do, sir.”

“Good,” He began to walk past them. “Now let’s get going.”

“Yes sir.” They’d respond in unison.

The four were quiet for a bit. But Pierre would be the first to speak up. “Let’s just hope that we don’t take part what they do. Once this hunt is over.”

Marianne grimaced at this. “Hopefully.”

The two began to walk towards the stairs. Leaving Big Mac and Maribelle behind.

“Big Mac?” she whispered.

“Mmm?”

“Can I…” Blushing, she pointed towards his back.

He instantly got the message. “Oh, that.”

He bent down, giving Maribelle the chance to hop on. She instantly beamed with joy. “Yeah, like the good old days. Am I right?”

“Eeyup.”

They followed the two down the stairs. But Big Mac couldn’t help but bring Ivan back into his mind. ”But still, he’s in more danger than ever. Especially since he’s out there, somewhere…”

“Then why do you care then?” she asked.

Big Mac didn’t know what to say.

“That boy is just a lost cause, so don’t worry about it.” However, she too couldn’t help it either. “Or… at least that’s what I want to believe.”

“Recording, complete!” the clunky android declared, its glowing red eyes growing dim underneath its metallic hat.  Connected to its ear was a wire that was connected to a recorder. Which was being held by a man about the robot’s height, hiding alongside the robot underneath a blanket of the same color as the dirt.

“Is there anything of interest sir?” he asked in a burly voice.

“Nothing at all, damn it!” said the person on the other line. “Withdraw immediately, both of you.”

“Yes sir.”

Static!

“Just nothing but personal stories from the group, huh?“ said the woman beside him.

“Yes, Emma.” Redmond said, a hand over his face. “We won’t be any closer to ending our war with that information. It’s the Danville incident all over again!”

Alice, sitting to his left, would add, “Well, to be honest, your plan was kind of all over the place and…”

“Ugh, I know Alice, I know!” He took a deep breath.

Emma interjected. “Mister Redmond sir, don’t you think it would be easier if we forged a task force to find Ivan ourselves?”

He uncovered his face. “What?”

“My Generals have approved of a plan to take the fighting to the wanderers, sir.”

Thomas looked up at the two of them, who were standing behind her with their war faces. His shoulders tensed as he looked away from them, hoping they didn’t see him.

“Buck up, Thomas!” Olivia whispered to him. “I expect more from a commander like you.”

He nodded, hesistantly.

“And how do we do that?”

Emma raised his eyebrow. “I just said it, our own task force.”

Redmond giggled. “Heh, oh, right.”

“It should be a joint task force also, combining some of my best and some of your best to find him.”

“Excellent!” Redmond complimented. “So… I’ll get… um…”

Her smile was fading. “Let me guess, your best are either on the front, or behind the enemy’s.”

He nodded.

She groaned. “Well then, do you have a plan of your own?”

He didn’t say anything for a little while, but when he did, “I got it. Thomas, Alice?”

The rest were dumbfounded. Even as he stood up to find and ask, “Olivia?”

The two looked down, finding an irritated Olivia standing there with fists clenched. “Yes, sir?”

“I’m contracting the three of you in the capture of Mister Ivan Bentley.”

“What?” Alice said with a gasp. “Redmond, you can’t be serious!”

“I agree with Alice on here, sir.” Thomas said. “There’s no way we can do such a thing.”

“I third that emotion, Redmond! Out of all the people you pick, you pick them?”

Redmond raised his voice to say, “Didn’t you just hear what I said?”

They were silent.

“My Military is stretched thin. And not to mention that Blutarch has an elite group that has been hunting for him long before we have. Or at least that’s what I heard.” He then added, “Now, there’s an even better reason to choosing them…, Alice has improved since the Danville incident. No longer a personal assistant but my top diplomat.”

“I’m sorry?”

Alice could only give an angry stare.

“Think about it. She practically secured my relationship with the world. Also…, Thomas over there.” He’d point at him. “That poor man was blatantly used as a bargaining chip by the Legion’s top lady, Marianne.”

Thomas only looked down, visibly clenching his fists over the table.

“Now that the regime is gone, I’m just happy that he quickly joined once I asked.” He laughed again. “Which is why I’m appointing them to the post.”

Emma raised her hand. “Sorry to ruin your celebration, Redmond. But don’t you think they’ll do the same here?”

Redmond only groaned. “As long as Alice doesn’t break, then this operation will go flawlessly.”

Alice did the same as Thomas.

He sighed. “Personally I would do it myself, but we don’t live in the medieval era… so, what do you say?”

The three looked down, finding that he was holding onto his high-tech pistol.

“Yes sir.” the two said.

“Olivia?” He looked down to the hesitant girl, who in return, gave a reluctant salute of her own. “Good, now get going. Your new jobs begin tomorrow.”

They nodded before making their way towards the door. When the door closed, Redmond only took out a cigar and sighed.

“Wow, that was quick. Didn’t take much to convince them.” Emma said, filing her nails. “Anyway, it’s kind of risky to put a couple like them into a job like that.”

“Madame, if we had Celestia’s magic in our hands, we wouldn’t need them.” Redmond blew some smoke. “But hey, war is all about luck. Isn’t it?”

Outside, they walked down the hall. Olivia would look up, finding that Alice and Thomas were walking hand in hand. Their upset faces saying a lot.

“Looks like I’m with you guys then.” Olivia pointed out. “Hopefully, this’ll be a worthwhile endeavor.”

“Yes.” Alice said.

They kept walking down the hall, both Alice and Thomas disregarding the others who stared at them with their own reactions.  

“So, where do you think they’d run off?” muttered Olivia.

They all faced her.

“I said where do you think they’d run off.”

By the time she repeated her question, they had already entered the elevator.

“I don’t know.” Alice said stressfully.

Olivia groaned. “I guess you’ll be second in command then.”

The two chose to hold each other as the elevator descended. Seeing this made Olivia cringe. “Well then, to get things started, I know the first place to look for him.”

“And where would that be?” asked Thomas.

Olivia smiled. “Simple, have you heard of retracing your steps?”

The two were shying away at the implication. Olivia would groan, “Not back there, you idiots.... Nngh, you both really need to take advantage of the treaty more often.”

Ivan was looking out the window, thinking back.

”A quick question, you know what a doctor should do to his patients, right?”

Ivan muttered, “Why am I on this again?”

“Our top story at this hour, Princess Celestia is coming to visit Washington as of tomorrow. Where she and the president will discuss various issues revolving around the world.” The volume would increase with every word said. “One being the recent evacuation of the Italian Parliament to Monaco. Which the Princess still holds a firm belief that the Soviet Empire’s intelligence agency: the KGB, was behind it. Something that the Soviet Premier persistently denies.”

Ivan was about to change the channel, but…, “In other news, the city-council at Fort Xavier has released the identity of one of the escapees.”

The two briefly froze at this.

“Her name is Madelyn Fuentes, a twenty-three year old resident from the California yellow zone. Authorities say that she has the possibility of being armed and dangerous. Which will easily raise the bounty up to twenty-thousand for anyone who catches her dead or alive… Meanwhile, more than twenty nine people were killed in London today…”

The channel was quickly changed, to some more instrumental music.

“They really know how to bring us down, don’t they?” Ivan groaned.

“Mmm Hmm.”

They were silent again. Letting the music play as they kept looking out into what the outside had to offer.

“Heh.” Jacklyn chuckled. “I never knew that Wyoming was that empty. Am I right?”

“Uh, we’re in Montana now. Don’t you remember?”

Blushing, she’d answer. “Oh, heh, clumsy me.”

“Also we’re not going to any of the populated areas. So don’t expect to see anything else.”

“True…” Jacklyn sighed, “It… it looks nice though… Untouched by anyone, no fires, no bodies, no debris. It’s just lovely.”

“Whatever you say, Jackie… Whatever you say.”

Jacklyn kept her eye on the road, catching every neat sight she had the chance to see. “Hey Ivan, do you ever wonder what life was like before the war?”

“Uh, no, why ask?”

Her heart sank a bit. “Oh, well, after seeing all of this… I was wondering how life was like if this war never happened.”

“Well now that you mention it, if you want my honest opinion, it wouldn’t be any different.”

“Why so?”

Ivan looked out at the empty plains. Nothing but dirt and shrubs was what he saw. “To be honest, your question was rather vague there. I mean, which war are you talking about? There are several ones that happened in recent decades and…”

“Well..,” she gripped the wheel. “I don’t see that! I just see… I just…”

Ivan could see it coming.

“I just see a world where there’s no such thing as a yellow and red zone, where those two…” she instantly stopped to take a deep breath.

Ivan leaned back against his chair. “Well then, do you know what life was like before Idy came in and screwed us over?”

Jacklyn was had an idea formed in her head.

“Keep in mind that there was also a third world war before that. Not to mention the brief cold war and a second world war.”

The idea was beginning to vanish. “Honestly Ivan, I don’t know… That’s why I’m asking you.”

Ivan grimaced at her answer. “Well, what answer is there? Except that it was all the same.”

Jacklyn waited for another remark to come out. None came, and got something put together at that moment. “Well, I sometimes think that life would be a lot different if this war never existed. People safe and happy, no one being conscripted to fight, just all that stuff you know.”

“So, why ask what life would be like then?” Ivan chuckled. “You just figured out what…”

“Not like that Ivan.” Jacklyn affirmed. “I just wonder how it would feel if it never happened. Being there, seeing everyone alive and well. Putting down the guns for once and not make anyone suffer. Get it?”

Ivan kept looking out at the plains. “Personally, it’s kind of impossible. Even if there was no war, both sides still wanted to scare each other into submission. It would’ve led to some kind of war at some point. I mean, we all know it started in Berlin. But no one really knows who tore through…”

Jacklyn groaned. “You still don’t get it, do you?”

“I’m sorry?”

“You yourself aren’t making any sense right now.”

Ivan rolled his eyes. “Well what do you want me to say? You just told me what life would’ve been like if this damn war didn’t exist.”

It was Jacklyn’s turn to grimace. “I… I was hoping your thoughts would’ve been a bit more positive than…, it’ll be the same. With the whole, life in Chicago stuff and all.”

“Well, you got a point there.” Ivan scratched his head as he continued. “Honestly, I never gave it that much thought. But hey, if I subtracted all that, nothing would be different.”

“Well, I say it would’ve been a bit better for us.” Jacklyn would smile. “More opportunities would’ve made it much easier, right?”

Ivan sighed. “I guess.”

“Can’t wait for that day, you know.”

“Hmm, sure.”

Their seats began to shake underneath them, as they heard the engine go into a coughing fit. Moments later, the vehicle stood still, not making a sound. Jacklyn tensed up as she briefly glanced at Ivan’s shocked face. Hiding once he looked at her.

Seeing this, Ivan groaned. “Do you really think I’m going to get mad at you for this?”

Timidly, she nodded her head. Making him roll his eyes again. “C’mon, you know the drill.”

The walk eventually lead them to another forest close by. At that point…

“Ivan, my feet are tired again.” Jacklyn complained.

“Fine, hold on.” Ivan took hold of her right arm, and placed it over his shoulder.

“Hmm, thanks.” Jacklyn said, a hint of disappointment in the back of her head.

“No prob.”

The two walked in silence, listening to the gentle breeze that culminated through the many trees around them. ”Life without war, huh?”

Ivan looked down at the heaving Jacklyn. The sight of this still served as a little reminder in his eyes.

”Well, there’s the checkpoint.” Ivan said, pointing at the large gate in front of them. “I guess I’ll be seeing you…”

He felt her grab until his hand, pulling him down the sidewalk and towards the gate. “Um, hey, what…”

“Where’s your ID, sir?” the heavily armed officer in front of them spoke. The deep and firm tone of that voice was enough to make them jump.

“Uh…” He reached into one of his pockets, finding the card and taking it out. “Here.”

The officer quickly skimmed through it, finding the information he needed. “Sorry sir, this area is off limits for the working and poor class. Having a good day.”

“But sir, can’t we work this out?”

“Not a chance, ma’am.”

She was already putting a hand in the pocket of her uniform. Taking out a wallet.

“You do realize that I can arrest you for bribery, right?” Jacklyn found him glaring back down at her. “I suggest that you put that away.”

She lowered her head in defeat, sliding the wallet back inside. With her discontent visible through her eyes, she turned around and told Ivan, “Well, I guess this is goodbye then.”

“I guess so.”

Jacklyn placed a hand on her arm. “You know, I really did wanted you to come.”

Ivan smiled a bit. “Heh, I knew that.”

She began to hold a firm grasp on her arm.

“Heh, life must be swanky where you live.” Ivan said, looking past the gate to find the well-groomed buildings and homes that lined each and every street. All of which having their color all shiny and new.

“Well, not really. But still, I wish you could’ve come.”

“Hmm.” Ivan smiled. “Alright, see ya.”

“Yeah, see ya.” She chirped with a flamboyant wave.

They then went their separate ways. Ivan would briefly glance behind him to find that Jacklyn had already walked past the gate. Which made him relieved. He’d look back in front, though. Finding the run down, tarnished buildings in front of him. He took in a breath of somewhat fresh air and began walking down the sidewalk.

He instantly flinched at the sound of a gunshot coming from down the road. Which would be followed by even more. Ivan sighed, walking across the empty streets to the sidewalk adjacent to him.

He looked up at the road, still feeling her arm above her shoulders. “How’s your family doing?”

“Huh?”

“Since the last time you saw them, how were they doing?”

“Well, my uncle and aunt are still doing their best to not get out of the middle-class. Last time I checked, they were denied raises down at the insurance company they work at. Meaning that we’re struggling to keep our head above water.., while our hand is stuck in the filter.”

Ivan was aghast, but quickly repressed it. “Hmm, how creative.”

“Well, that’s how it feels.., no, felt like.” Jacklyn chuckled. “But hey, relations between me and them wasn’t as… great as you thought.”

“Really?”

“Nah, time to time things would deteriorate. It’s one of the reasons why I left.” Jacklyn looked past the guardrail. “I think it would be best if I wasn’t around, you know?”

“Well, you and me both.”

Jacklyn took in the fresh air. “They probably don’t care about me leaving, anyway. I mean, with all the laws and all.”

With nothing else to talk about, Ivan would say. “They probably do. I mean, we all fight, don’t we?”

“I guess. But you don’t know what it’s like, though.”

Ivan shrugged. “Hmm, touché. People like you were allowed to go anywhere you wanted. Kind of envious if you asked me.”

“Yeah.” Jacklyn grimaced at this. “… Hey, do you feel like we had this conversation before?”

Ivan looked up to the clouds. “Yeah, I think I remember. Good times, huh?”

She smiled. “Yep.”

“I guess, I mean…”

He felt his feet stumble over the road, before feeling his back crash against the rock.

“Ow…! What the…”

“Shhh.” Jacklyn looked above them. “You hear that?”

“What do you mean, ‘lost’?” someone yelled.

“Quit denying it, sister!” another screamed. “The HUE have forced us to retreat!”

“Damn, call for reinforcements, we need to fortify this outpost!”

“Roger!”

“The HUE?” Jacklyn mumbled, her hand over her mouth.

“C’mon, let’s find an alternate route.” Ivan said, getting up.

“Ivan, what’s worse, clearing an outpost or fighting a hell ton of reinforcements?”

Ivan stood still. Making Jacklyn make the finisher. “Come on, follow me.”

Where the slope began, they ran into the nearby forest, observing what was down the road. “Two soldiers at the checkpoint.”

“Hmm, not going to be easy. Trying to bypass the enemy will make us dead on arrival.”

“But look at where the troops are at?” she used what little she could move of her arm to point at the outpost.

“Uh… they’re nowhere.”

“Busy defending themselves from the Harmonists. Take out those guards, and we might have enough time to get in and hide before they arrive.”

“But look up there.” He pointed up at the sniper tower.

“Oh shoot.” Jacklyn muttered.

“Yeah, we’re gonna have to do more killing if we want to get to reach the base.”

Jacklyn sighed. “Do it then.”

“My pleasure.” he aimed his rifle at the soldier standing in front of the checkpoint.

Pff-f-f-f-f-f-f-f-f-f-f-f-f!

Blood spewed from his head and chest as he collapsed onto his back.

“Shoot, man down!” the soldier cried, ducking in her booth.

He then switched to the grenade launcher.

Foom!

  The booth was obliterated to pieces, replaced by a blaze of fire and a cloud of dark smoke.

“Oh Celestia!” Jacklyn gasped, her hand on her mouth.

“Go, go, go!”

They ran down the road and past the entrance.

Foom!

The grenade flew all the way towards the center of the outpost. Striking the support beams of the tower. With that explosion, it was enough to break them into pieces and topple the tower onto the ground. With that out of the way, they’d make it past the entrance and towards the nearest tent.

Ivan looked back towards Jacklyn. “Follow me.”

“They’re attacking from the rear?” one soldier cried. “Celestia damn it! Secure the check point, check if the snipers are all right, and I need squad three to search for the enemy!”

“Yes, brother!” they’d chant.

Ivan peek around the tent, finding the white and gold greatcoat wearing troops brandishing their pointed rifles for their enemy. At that moment, he took out a knife.

“Ivan, you’re not really going to…”

He did. The force of the stab was enough to make her burgundy Tricorn fly off.

With his hand covering her mouth, he pulled her to their positon, placing her corpse onto the ground. “Ugh, quit your sulking and let’s get going.”

Shwwoooom!

BOOM!

They looked up, finding a puff of smoke ascend.

“Shoot, they’re here!” a soldier cried.

“Heh, right on time.” Ivan said with a smirk. “C’mon, the less soldiers the better.”

As they ran towards the next tent, Jacklyn would find another tower firing a barrage of rockets at the enemy front.

“Take out that tank!” another soldier cried.

She saw the tower fire another barrage. She gasped as she witnessed the distant explosions that followed.

“Jackie, what the hell are you doing? Let’s get…”

She switched to her rifle and armed the grenade launcher, then pulled the trigger. The bomb would volley through the air and crash onto the tower, enveloping it with smoke. Ivan would be left in shock. The trails of smoke quickly led the soldiers to find their location. She was out in the open, walking casually towards the outside, switching to her shield.

The soldiers, both shocked and enraged, were already pointing their rifles at her. With swift moves, she instantly switched to her shield and expanded it to its triple-protection. Once that was activated, she bolted towards the ones in front of her.

“You bitch!” One would say in rage before a bullet would be punched into his brain thanks to Ivan. This gave Jacklyn the chance to knock out the remaining two with one blow.

“God damn it, Jackie.” Ivan mumbled, before shooting two more soldiers to his right.

At that moment, Jacklyn began to go further ahead. Taking out every soldier in her sights.

“God damn it!” Ivan muttered, choosing to take out the soldiers in the opposite direction. Quickly, the strategy worked…, until he felt bullets being punched his back.

Thwap!

With a grunt of pain, he collapsed onto the ground. However, he managed to take it his pistol. Instantly killing the perpetrator with one shot to the head. He felt the warm blood ooze from his belly, creating a large pool of blood underneath him. He struggled to get back on his feet, but it was too much. The noise of gunfire would become hollower with time, even the sound of an explosion felt muffled.

”This is it then.” he thought, gradually closing his eyes. The sound of war became less and less with every second. He felt numb, as if he were flying in the air. All of that was accomplished before blue faded to black.

”Ivan, have you ever wondered what Snowdrop’s life was like after that ceremony?” asked Marianne.

Ivan was looking at the sky. It was grey, steadily dropping snow onto the ground, but at that moment, he could care less. Even when his cheeks were reddening. “Uh… yeah, she must’ve had a really freaking wonderful life after that. What with no one bothering her anymore. S-something like that.”

“Well, I think her life was all the same.”

Ivan shrugged. “Maybe.”

“Because, c’mon. Do you think just because she showed them how much value winter had, meant that the world is now a better place?”

“Hmm.” Ivan shrugged again.

She sighed. “Not much is said in the story, but I believe life just went on after that. The only difference being that they learned something new about the world.”

“I guess so.”

“Snowdrop made something out of her life, but she had other things to worry about also.” she sighed. “Don’t you think so, Ivan?”

“Kind of.., but…, do you think she pulled through?”

“Just to stay on the positive side, I believe she did.”

His eyes were opening. “Uggh~.”

The first person he’d see was Jacklyn, who was looking back at him with tears in her eyes.

“Oh thank Celest-”

“Careful, he’s still recovering.”

She looked up wiping away the tears. “Oh…heh, s-sorry.”

“It’s all right, ma’am.”

She looked back at Ivan with a shy look. “Heh, sorry. Just happy, that’s all.”

Ivan sighed. “Oh… well, what happened?”

“The HUE took the base.”

Ivan was quiet, his eyes narrowing. He quickly felt his body move, and slid out of bed.

“Uh… Ivan, I don’t think you should…”

“Grrr.” Ivan grumbled, the pain making him flinch. “I’ll be fine.”

He stood up, looking at the bandages that covered his torso. “Ugh, God damn it. What else?”

She let go of him. “Well, there’s something odd about them.”

“What makes you say that?” he deadpanned.

She led him out the tent. “Well, they say they’re militia.”

“Militia?” He felt credibility to her claim. For many of them wore regular civilian clothing. With a blue bullet proof vest as protection.

“I don’t know what got the HUE to form a militia though.” Jacklyn questioned, a hand over her chin. “They’ve actually told me they’ve been active for months now.”

His kept glancing at each of them. “Hmm, probably just a publicity stunt.”

“Uh, not really, sir.”

Ivan found one of them standing right next to him, a nurse to be specific. “Well what do you want?”

“Well…” the lady flinched back. “U-um…, I was…”

“Can’t ya see that… Ow!”

Jacklyn giggled, muttering. “Heh, sorry Ivan.”

She then turned to the lady. “What were you about to say, ma’am?”

“What the hell was that…”

“Shhh!”

Ivan rolled his eyes, politely standing behind her.

“Well, uh, I was saying that this isn’t a publicity stunt or anything.” she said modestly. “It’s just that… this was all voluntary.”

“Oh really?” Ivan scowled.

“Yeah,” another person said, walking towards them; “We’re tired of being on the defensive the whole time. Which is why we’re taking action.”

  The man then stood beside them. “Oh, and thank you two for saving our asses there. If that rocket launcher wasn’t blown to bits, who knows what would’ve happened.”

Jacklyn smiled. “You’re welcome.”

“The name’s Will, by the way.” he said, reaching his hand to Ivan.

Ivan only glared back, standing as still as possible. Will kept his smile, though awkwardness was rearing in the back of his head.

“Hey.” Ivan muttered, feeling his hand bump straight towards his.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you mister…,”

“Simon Hel-” He felt her elbow bump his hip. “Ow…! Grr, Ivan, sir.”

After the rest of the greetings were out of the way, the four sat next to the old tank. Which was already weakened by the barrage.

“We call it the Rainboom.” said Will enthusiastically.

“Oh, like the Sonic Rainboom incident, right?” Jacklyn asked.

“Yep.” the nurse said beamingly. “After that! Boy, I wonder what was going through the filmmakers’ minds when they witnessed such a marvel.”

“Me too, Leila.” Will said, taking out a soda from the cooler nearby. “Soda?”

“Sure!” Jacklyn conplied.

Leila too would ask for one.

“Hey Ivan, want one?”

Ivan wanted to say, ‘no’. But…,

“C’mon Ivan.” Jacklyn said, handing him one. “We’ve been out here for a while, don’t you think you deserved something to drink.”

“Pff!” Ivan rolled his eyes. “Soda’s not exactly a…”

Rolling her eyes also, she shoved the soda right into his hands. “Just drink some.”

Ivan groaned. “Fine.”

Before going any further, he decided to check the label. “Huh, ‘Megaspell Fiz’.Never heard of it.”

“Well, try it!” Will encouraged.

“Alright.” When opened, he was hesitant at first. But knowing that they were watching no-less, was all he needed to drink it. After taking one large gulp, he pondered a bit. Before looking at the label once more. Underneath the green mushroom cloud logo and the cartoony brand name, it read, “Rainboom Cola.”

“Ha, a mix between Fruit punch and Cola!” he proclaimed. “Do you like it?”

He took another second to ponder it. Not knowing that Jacklyn’s face had more worry than it did encouragement. After a few seconds, he came to a conclusion. With a sigh, he’d say, “Meh, it’s all right.”

The others were in silence a bit, either with an awkward smile or a disappointing frown. Instead of Will, Leila would go on to say, “Well, so far, things have been looking up for us. Ever since the Militia was formed, we were able to make a huge difference in the war against Celestia’s hoof and the Sisterhood.”

“Really?” asked Jacklyn.

Leila stood up on her two legs, reaching her arms. “Yeah, I mean, we just took this outpost, didn’t we…?”

As she sat down, Ivan had a comment. “Don’t you have a job to do, lady?”

“Well, not really. We had some casualties, but they were easily treated.”

With sarcasm, he’d say. “Oh, perfect.”

“Mmm Hmm.” Leila smiled. “Thanks to you guys.”

“Will, sir!”

Will stood up. “Yes, Hugo?”

Hugo stood in front of them, a walkie-talkie in hand. “You dropped this…, again.”

“Oh, heh, sorry about that.” he said with a cheeky grin.

“It’s all right. Oh, and Roxanne called, she’s telling you guys to report back to the town!”

“Oh, okay. We’ll be on our way!” Will hopped off the tank. “C’mon Leila, let’s head back!”

“Well then, that’ll do then.” Ivan said, stretching his arms. “Guess we’ll be on our way too.”

“Oh yeah, and Will?” Hugo called.

“What is it?”

“She told me to bring them two with you!”

Ivan was left aghast, completely oblivious to Jacklyn’s more excited reaction.

“Uh… are you sure?” Will got ahold of the walkie-talkie. “Roxanne, this is Will….”

Ivan was looking down at the tank’s sky blue armor. Clearly gripping onto his rifle.

“Oh, okay…, out! Alright then!” Will answered with a salute. Then turned to the two. “So it looks like you’ll be getting to know our commander and chief here! I’ll go get the jeep!”

“Okay!” Leila and Jacklyn shouted cheerfully.

Jacklyn then turned to Ivan. “C’mon Ivan!”

Realizing what she was saying, her tone decreased. Doing so to say, “Please.”

He loosened the grip of his rifle.

“C’mon you guys!” Leila shouted with a wave, making Ivan snap out of it. “Let’s go!”

Jacklyn turned around, smiling. “Coming!”

And with that smile, she faced Ivan. “Just cheer up, okay?”

Ivan scoffed. “As usual right?”

He hopped off the tank, and a befuddled Jacklyn would follow. She held her hands together, briefly looking at Ivan’s harsh manner. She began to fiddle with her fingers, and continued even when they were entering the jeep. The same thing applied to Ivan’s face.

“People are becoming more divided as the bodies from the battle for Harpington return to their loved ones.” said the radio DJ.

“Oh really?” the female guest replied with interest.

“Yeah, heard that they were up against a massive fortification when fighting them off. Now we’re at a loss here, just check out the thoughts of these people. This guy’s from Sioux Falls.”

The recording played.

“Man, they weren’t prepared. I knew we shouldn’t start strolling into a town like that. Now hundreds of soldiers are dead.” There was a sniffle, “Including my daughter.”

“Ouch.”

“And this lady from Denver says otherwise.”

And that recording played.

“It may not be the best offensive. But I believe that it was worth the chance.” Another sniffle. “My boyfriend was brave enough to fight off those monsters. His death won’t be left unavenged.”

When the recording ended, the lady started to speak. “Well…”

“You don’t have to say anything there. It’s fine. But for now, the united council’s gonna questioning why a security commander was in charge of the operation that cost the lives of eight hundred soldiers." the DJ interrupted with. "Not to mention the fact that the town doesn’t even hold any strategic advantage over Celestia’s hoof.”

“Well, that’s all you my friend. I don’t wanna start a fight, but let’s just say that I disagree.”

“Alright then, we’ll be taking a break and be back in ten minutes. So let’s ease you worried mind with some music.”

As the music played, Jacklyn leaned forward and said, “Wow that must’ve been a hard hitter for them.”

“Yep,” Will agreed; “and were you tuning in when those three morons were dumb enough to expose the proceeding tactics?”

She nodded.

“Let’s just say they’re careers are on the line now. At least judging by the fact that Mister Gertrude wasn’t on, so who knows.”

“Hmm.” she mused, a hint of sadness being inserted. After a moment of silence, she chose to change the topic. “Oh and by the way, thank you for lending Ivan a new shirt. It means so much to him.”

Ivan glanced at it for a bit.

“No problem Jackie.” Will said with a grin. “After all, Generosity is one of the six elements. It’s just natural for us to take such action.”

Jacklyn too smiled. “Mmm Hmm.”

“So Ivan, you were with the Worker’s Corps?” Leila asked, looking at the torn and bloodied uniform.

“Yep.” he answered flatly.

Leila took a good long look at the logo: a hammer in between two wings. "In what part?"

"Chicago." Ivan answered tersely.

This peaked her interest. "Oh, they now have one over there?"

He nodded. "Indeed they do."

“Heard the US Department of labor and of Health and Human Services are involved in the making of this project.” Will commented.

“Mmm Hmm.”

It was quiet again. Will, though tentative, would say, “And all just to keep the crowd in check, making sure they don’t recreate the O’Eight riots.”

“Yep.”

“Heard one lady and some other person managed to escape from one of the bases.”

Their hearts were racing at the news, doing their best to keep it hidden.

“The city council of that area was baffled as to how they managed to escape.” Will laughed. “But hey, I’d feel the same if that happened, right?”

“Uh, yeah.” Jacklyn said, using her laugh as a guise. “So, about the whole Militia thing, why haven’t I heard about you guys?”

  Ivan leaned away from the window, facing the two. While Leila was the first to answer. “If we’re not in the regular army, then we’re not going to be featured on the Top Stories… Or in any part of the news.”

“Yeah, they want to keep their image afloat. So doing so meant not mentioning us.” Will added.

“Makes sense.” said Jacklyn.

“I came all the way from Montreal to fight for the Princesses, and to put an end to Idy.” he spat. “Not lie around all day and just hope that those two bitches will throw in the towel someday.”

He didn’t realize that Ivan’s heart was aching as he spoke. When he finished, Ivan sat up to ask. “Hey, do you know what’s happening in Canada now? You know, after Bloody Leaf?”

“Um, have you been paying attention to the news as of late?” asked Will.

“Kind of, they never really mentioned what was happening there.”

Will immediately grew melancholic. “The New Canad-I’m sorry, the 'Federal States of Quebec' has no interest in conquering the NVR. They just want them out of Ontario, that’s all.”

Ivan frowned. “Oh.”

“They must’ve mentioned it where you were from.”

“Well, that’s where my answer of ‘kind of’ came from.”

It was awkwardly quiet.

This gave Jacklyn the opportunity to say something. “That’s some neat cover of ‘Beat it’ there?”

“I know, right?” Leila said next. “The guy really did a good job…”

Ivan simply ignored their conversation, choosing to look out the absolute green landscape.

A near terrified Ivan asked, “What, but why?”

“Life in Chicago is… decent and all.” Marianne said, looking out into the lake. “But, I still want to go back nonetheless.”

She looked at him, smiling modestly. “I believe life back there was… better.”

His mind going in every direction, he stammered to say something. “Um… d-do you think I can come with you then?”

Marianne giggled. “Why would you wanna go there?”

“Well..., uh, that home of yours sounds too good to be true, obviously.”

She laughed again. “There’s more to that than you think, Ivan.”

“And what would that be?”

She leaned over, placing her arms over the railing. Making Ivan do the same. “I didn’t want to come here, none of us did. We needed to get away from the Canadian government, so we did.”

Ivan’s lips quivering. “That’s…”

“Unfortunate, I know. And now I’m here trying to make the most of what is Chicago.” She looked at Ivan. “The war in Canada’s been going on for too long, but that isn’t going to make me lose hope.”

Ivan gulped discretely before looking at her.

With determination, she’d say, “When the war finally ends, I’m going back… No matter what.”

When it eased, they looked back out into the lake. That’s when Ivan would mention, “Oh… so… about me going…”

“Don’t worry, Ivan.” She leaned away from the railing, that warm smile still remaining on her face. “I’ll think about it.”

“Ivan?”

He jumped, quickly looking at a now worried Jacklyn. He then asked, “What is it?”

“Uh… you look a bit off there. What’s up?”

He looked back out the window. “Nothing. Everything’s all right.”

“Oh…” she said disappointedly. “Well, why not?”

He looked at the two in front, eventually pointing at them. “Those two are there… I don’t think they want to listen.”

“I’m sure they’ll want to…”

Annoyed Ivan told her bluntly, “Ugh, I don’t want to talk about it. Please.”

She looks at them, and only pouts when she looks back. “Alright then… I’ll let it slide.”

Crossing her arms, she looked back at the front.

A little more time would go by before Will would announce. “You see that?”

Jacklyn looked towards the town in front. “Yeah.”

“Took the town just an hour ago.” Leila pointed out. With that information given out, her mood turned to one of optimism as she announced, “Which means it’s time for a wartime wrap up, let's finish our victory cheer!”

The three laughed.

Upon reaching the entrance of the town, they went through the usual. An armed comrade of theirs verified who they were. It was a simple and quick process, which granted them into the city in no time. Once they were in, Ivan and Jacklyn chose this opportunity to have a look around.

The first thing they’d see was two militiamen at a flagpole, raising the American flag.

“This town was abandoned during the O’Eight riots.” Will explained. “Hopefully, the townspeople will make a safe return.”

“Yeah, hopefully.” Jacklyn cheered calmly.

The Militiamen were everywhere. Walking up and down the streets, helping each other rebuild many of the buildings that were damaged during the battle, etc. Sick of seeing this loop, Ivan leaned back against his seat and watch the road ahead.

It took a couple more minutes before the Jeep would finally slow down to a stop. Ivan looked to where Leila was seated to find that they were beside a large set of stone colored stairs. Will would turn off the engine before stepping out of the vehicle. Then the others would follow.

Outside, Ivan would look up at the brick building.

“Alright you two, let’s get going.”

They complied, Ivan being the reluctant of them all. Ivan chose to have another look around though. Finding the Clock tower in front of them be a sharp contrast to what was below that. Near the entrance, stood a massive pile of flags, posters, and what not. All of which glorified Princess Celestia in one way or another. Ivan only groaned at the sight.

They soon entered the building, where it was as empty as the common desert. After a while, they were now in what looked like the Mayor’s office, where a woman in a blue short-sleeved uniform was waiting. She immediately turned around once the door opened.

“Oh, hey guys!” she greeted excitedly. “You brought the two?”

“They’re right here.” Will said, he and Leila stepping out of the way to introduce them. Jacklyn would wave back with the same enthusiasm, Ivan standing still with a stoic look.

“Good. Hello you two, the name’s Roxanne. That’s all I’m gonna say.” She sat over the desk. “Well, not really. I’m the head of the Militia and the one who found it.”

“And what does that have to with us?” Ivan asked.

She reached for a magazine close by. “Nothing much, I just need to know where you guys came from.”

“What I want to ask is why then?”

She put the magazine down. “Hmm, you’re a very quizzical person. But first you have to answer my question. I can’t move further from-”

“We’re from Chicago!” Jacklyn shouted.

Astonished by her sudden outburst, Roxanne could laugh. “The Bloodied uniform says otherwise. Leila hand the exhibit over.”

She did. Roxanne would then place her fingers through the holes. “The Workers’ Corp doesn’t exist in Chicago.”

“Really?” Will and Leila blurted.

Jacklyn sulked in her defeat. “Oh, heh, right.”

Roxanne would laugh again. Making them feel perplexed with every second. “Heh, the moment I was told that the guy who was shot was wearing a Workers’ Corp uniform, I immediately knew it had to be them.”

She immediately calmed down to report the following, “While Will's squad were taking the outpost, our squad discovered a US chopper dump a body in a nearby forest. According to the radio, it probably was Madelyn’s.”

She took out a photo and handed them over to Ivan. “Is that them?”

Jacklyn nearly fainted at the naked body. Most notably the fact that her throat was slit, and her chest punctured.

“Yep, that’s her.” Ivan answered.

“Hmm.” Roxanne then continued. “However, we were at a dead end with that body. Any mistake and the US Army will easily assume it was us. Worst yet, they left it next to a route that some of the convoys go by. “

Ivan sighed while she was looking at a calendar close by. “Well, I wish we could help. But, we’re also at a deadlock.”

Roxanne crossed her arms. “I see. Since they only released one of the fugitives, so hope they won’t release another.”

“Mmm Hmm.” they agreed.

“Anyways, where are you going?”

“Anywhere but…”

“We’re going to Washington State, ma’am!” Jacklyn shouted. She ignored their surprised expression to regain her breath and ask. “Do you think you can help?”

Once the shock settled down, Roxanne kept her smile in place as she hopped off the desk. “You really need to relax there, honey.”

She looked away, feeling perturbed. “Um, sorry.”

“Don’t be, my friend.” She pat her head. “Anyway, I’m sorry, we can’t help you guys with that.”

“Damn.” Jacklyn muttered, fiddling with her fingers.

She walked towards the window. “If you haven’t realized yet, we’re militia, not regular army. Worst yet, the HUE in general isn’t recognized by the treaty. If we end up at the borders of the Green zone, we’re automatically dead. Not to mention it’ll burn our reputation if we harbor in fugitives.”

This left Ivan free to ask, “So, can we leave then?”

She looked at Ivan, the smile still plastered on her face. “Nice try, bub, but not yet. You wanna know why?”

In a deadpanned manner, he’d say, “Please, tell me.”

“Well then, you know where we are?”

Ivan rolled his eyes. “Obviously.”

“You wanna know how we got here?”

“Let me guess, ripping off the Nazis’ plan to take it in just a couple weeks?”

“Heh, kind of. The new plan was an astounding success. And you know what happens during that time?”

He remained quiet for a moment. “The enemy pulls themselves together?”

“Exactly.”

With his eyes narrowing, he stared at her with scrutiny. “What do you want, ma’am?”

Her expression quickly dropped. “What? Nothing really. Since you don’t want to be here, I thought relaying you this information would be useful.”

His expression dropped also. “Fine then, can we get going then?”

She took out a nail file. “Nope, because I’m offering you a room in the city-hall. Just so you can relax for the night.”

Hearing this worried both Will and Leila.

Ivan wasted no time in objecting. “There’s no way I’m going to-”

“Fine, I can’t force you. Neither of you are my subordinates, after all.”

Ivan sighed. “Thank you.”

“But out there, no back up equals a likely chance of getting caught.”

Ivan was once again quiet.

“And Remember, one wrong move and…”

“I know, I know.” He turned around and headed for the door.

“The Celestianist forces will be attempting to distract us with a small battalion coming in from the west. I suggest you find a way to deal with that.”

“Alrighty then, I’ll think about it. C’mon Jackie.”

“Uh, okay.” she complied, but not before turning back to Roxanne and giving a little wave. Roxanne herself didn’t hesitate to do the same.

When she finished with her goodbyes, and the door closed behind them, Leila had her own question. “Roxanne, do you really think that’s a good idea?”

She sighed. “Leila…, remember.”

“Huh?” It only took her a short time, but she figured it out. “Oh.”

“So are we going to stay?”

“Pff, of course not.” Ivan scoffed. “The bitch forgot the key element in the phrase, ‘Early bird gets the worm’. Which is what the bird is when he got the worm.”

Jacklyn sighed. “Okay then. When are we going?”

“Are you up for a car-” He immediately stopped.

“Huh?” she asked curiously.

Ivan blew a short raspberry. “Nothing, nothing.”

Soon enough, they were out at the entrance, where the pile of solar regalia has increased tenfold.

“Um, so what then?”

Ivan looked at the sky. “We’ll walk I guess? I got nothing, to be honest.”

Jacklyn smiled. “I don’t mind at all, Ivan.”

“Alright boys and girls, this is your new stop!”

They looked to where the shouting was coming from.

“Oh, looks like they’re rounding up the POW’s.” Ivan remarked. “Shall we get going?”

“Mmm Hmm.” she nodded.

As they walked down the stairs, Ivan couldn’t hold the smile much longer. As Jacklyn looked onward, the dread he felt was too much to carry.

“Well, it was nice knowing them though.”

“Mmm Hmm.” he managed to utter as they walked past the jeep.

“I mean, they were really nice to us and all.”

“Really?” he grumbled, one of his hands twitching to form a fist. “So what are you getting at?”

He stopped walking the moment he found that she wasn’t by his side. “Uh…, Jackie?’

Finding her wasn’t hard. She was just a couple feet away, standing with an upset expression. Her grip on her baton was near nonexistent. Turning to where she was looking at, he’d see one of the Celestianist soldiers looking back at her with the same feeling.

“Move along, man!” A militiaman yelled, pushing him with his rifle. Jacklyn’s eyes would follow along to his movement. Not knowing that a now baffled Ivan was walking up to her.

He reached a hand towards Jacklyn’s shoulders. “Jackie, is…”

She immediately moved away. The further Ivan walked, the further she backed off. At this, Ivan only groaned. “Jackie, just tell me what’s-”

Without a word, she darted off towards the road next to them.

“Ugh, Jackie!” While Ivan gave chase.

It would be continuous. Each Militiamen they’d pass would give their inevitable reactions. But despite all the places they’d pass, Ivan wasn’t too worried. She was already seeing her stumble as she approached an incoming bridge. Her speed was reducing drastically as Ivan had already switched to walking.

On top of the bridge, Jacklyn collapsed, grabbing onto the railing as she exhaled repeatedly. Completely oblivious to the fact that Ivan was standing beside her.

“Gee, you got a bit dramatic there.”

As she panted, she let go of the railing and placed her back against it. Ivan did the same.

“Tell me, who was that guy?”

Her body was shaking.

“Was he your friend or something?”

Her eyes were watering.

“Or was he…” Ivan was as still as a statue, quietly gasping as he heard her sniffle. “Don’t tell me…”

She slapped her hands against her face to cover the tears that were streaming from her eyes. She wailed in anguish, unable to control it. Ivan was unable to do anything, he could only stare blankly at the bridge. His mind in such gloom.

“Uh… hello sir, is something…”

“Nothing’s wrong, now piss off!” Ivan yelled.

The Militiaman that was walking by jumped at his outburst, walking away from the scene. When he was gone, Ivan looked to the sky. Watching the clouds whisk away.

It felt like forever, but everything would be quiet after that. The place was filled with an awkward silence combined with the wind. Jacklyn’s tears had dried up according to what Ivan was seeing.

“Done?”

She was quiet for a bit, but slowly, she nodded.

“Geez, you’re such a drama queen sometimes.”

She was quiet, unable to cry anymore. “I’m… I’m sorry… I really…”

“Don’t be… Anyways, I want you to stay here.”

Astonished by what he said, he faced him with that same expression. “Huh?”

Ivan stood on his two feet. “But first, can you ask me what his name was?”

She stared at him with widened eyes. “Uh…”

“We won’t be making any progress if you just look at me like that.”

She looked to the road, fiddling with her fingers. “Um…, Bradford… Bradford Taylor.”

“Thanks.” He began walking down the bridge.

He was walking past countless blocks, hardened and willing.

“Um… Roxanne, was it?”

“Oh Ivan, didn’t know you’d be back.” she said with a smile. “What’s up?”

“Where are the prisoners?”

She lifted an eyebrow. “Uh, why? You’re going to massac-”

“Don’t play games with me or I’ll make sure your Militia will be in total-”

“Alright, geez!” she dropped her feet to the floor. “No need to get serious all of a sudden, Damn! Anyway, they’re being rounded up at the park. We’re planning on isolating them there before taking them to the state prison ten miles north from here. Why?”

“Can I arrange a meeting with one of them?”

Though a bit shocked, she’d say, “Oh, of course. My men and women will see that go accordingly.”

“Alright.” After giving a slight nod, he went towards the door.

“Oh, and kid?”

He turned around. “Hmm?”

She mounted her chin over her hands, making a smile with her mouth. “A bunch of people can really put in a lot of pressure on a girl like her.”

Ivan rolled his eyes while heading out the door. “Whatever you say.”

The park was rather torn and haggard. Its sidewalks filled with cracks, it’s playgrounds battered and rusted. The burned grass barely visible because of the prisoners that lined the place.

“Hello sir, what can I do for you?” a militiaman at the entrance asked.

“I need Bradford Taylor. He’s a Celestianist prisoner.”

His chirpy tone fell at this. “Um, sir, you do realize that none of these soldiers have any sort of ID, right?”

“Grr, just get me any soldier named Bradford, got it?”

The militiaman sighed. “Alrighty then.”

He took out his megaphone, asking for any ‘Bradford’s within the crowd, while the others looked into the iron sights of their rifles. With time, five showed up and were lined up in front of Ivan.

“Hey four eyes,” he said, pointing at a tense and visibly shaking man. “You got some explaining to do!”

The two sat in front from each other in what looked like a restaurant, located across from the park. The man had both his tricorne and glasses off, rubbing his eyes profusely. Ivan’s rifle rested on the table, with him holding it like a Mounted Machine gun.

“Look dude, I’m not going to scold you or anything.” Ivan said. “That whole coincidence was enough to do the job.”

“I was… I was just serving her majesty… that’s all.” he said somberly.

“Well I don’t care. I just want to ask how you got here.”

But he had a question of his own, with hands clenched, he spoke. “What I want to ask is why you and my niece are out here in the Celestia damn red zone?”

Ivan rolled his eyes. “Isn’t it obvious, dude? I just told you.”

He took a moment to think it over. “Ugh, fine. Guess my questions were answered.”

“Yeah, and as for why I’m going there? I don’t know, I just went along with it. I too am being hunted by the authorities, so staying in one place would guarantee death.”

Bradford jeered. “Hmm, I would suspect that it’s because your bad boy charm swept her off her feet.”

Ivan too scoffed at his claim. “Buddy, I’m no bad boy, just a guy who has a job now.”

“Sounds-”

“Now then, can you tell me how you escaped?”

Bradford sighed, placing his arms over the table. “I can’t.”

“Why not?”

“I took a flight to the yellow zone in Alaska. Where my first deployment was. Then I was reassigned to this place, so I was provided a flight by her grace.”

Ivan slapped his hand on his forehead. “Ugh. So you’re not going to tell us, aren’t you? I don’t mind tearing you a new one in front of these people.”

The Militiamen inside gripped to their rifles.

Bradford became panicked at this threat. “Wha… Believe me, I’m telling the truth!”

“Well coming from a guy like you, that has no meaning.”

“Of course it has a meaning! It’s the element of honesty!”

“Element of honesty my ass!” Ivan retorted. “You gave me countless proof to show how much I shouldn’t trust you!”

Bradford hung his head low for a sigh, before looking back at him. “You’re insane. But hey, if you’re not going to believe me…, then I’ll ask this…, where will you go now, since I’m here?”

“Possibly Canada.”

“Well then, good luck trying to get past the border. Not to mention avoid getting hunted down by either side.” he smiled. “They’re very persistent.”

Ivan held a firm grip on his rifle as he bit his lip.

“Which is why I wanna strike a proposal with you.”

Ivan grit his teeth. “Grr, look bub, I don’t want to get involved in any of your silly affairs! We just want to…”

He was digging into one of his pockets, taking out a little card. “And to a new life you’ll go.”

Ivan took the card from him. Reading what it contained.

And he did the same thing on his way back. The card read on the top, Viktor Yolkov in bold black letters. Underneath was a red outline of a star, a red hammer and sickle within it. And underneath that, it read in red, ‘Soviet consul, Salt Lake city’. As he looked at the card, he took some time to reflect…

“I didn’t mean to hurt Jackie, you know.” Bradford admitted, in the same gloomy tone as before.

“Well, she’s a harmonist herself.” Ivan said. “So obviously there’d be some pain to that.”

“I knew that, right?”

Ivan scoffed a bit. “Huh, odd.”

“But…, now that this happened, do your best to keep her safe, okay?”

He stood up, feeling a sense of relief from that. “I can’t guarantee it, but we’ll see.”

Putting it away, he approached to find Jacklyn sitting calmly against the railing.

“Oh no.” Ivan grumbled. “Why now?”

“Well, I came from Sweden.” said one of the three militiamen. “Life there is… okay I guess. But it isn’t as lively as fighting for their majesties, right.”

“Oh, I see.” Jacklyn said, modestly.

“Yeah, I’m not standing by while the Princesses’ good name gets squandered. And…” he found Ivan standing right beside them. With a blank expression on his face. The man immediately looked to his watch. “Oh, I gotta go. Some friends of mine need me now.”

“Us too.” the others replied.

Then after they said their goodbyes, the two of them were alone. Jacklyn’s cheerful attitude dropping with every second. “So…, what did he say?”

“First off,” He handed her the card. “We’re going to Salt Lake to meet some Rooskie there. Your uncle says that he knows a way into the green zone.”

She grabbed it, letting it rest by her side. “But…”

“He’s sorry for what he did, and that we’re on our own. Simple as that.”

“Oh, I understand.” She held her hands together. Ivan could tell by the gritting of her teeth that she wanted to cry again. “So… what now?”

“Honestly, I had a plan to actually get us into the Green zone… But since you don’t have a way in, guess our little road trip’s going to be extended.” He saw another tear flow down her cheek. “Ugh, chin up and wipe those tears already. We still have some chance.”

She used her arm to wipe them away. A smile was forming on her face as a laugh escaped it. “Yeah, you’re right.”

“We’ll leave first thing tomorrow.” He looked out into the sunset, which somewhat toned down his mood a bit. “As much as I hate to say it of course.”

“So are you inclined to our offer?”

“Eek!” Ivan shrieked, quickly shifted to what was behind him. His eyes narrowed again. “Oh it’s you guys.”

“Yep!” Leila responded merrily. “So, you wanna stay a bit?”

Jacklyn nodded immediately. Ivan was reluctant, but complied.

“Great. Just follow us, we already repaired the hotel in the downtown area for you guys.” Will said with a wave.

“What about City hall?” Ivan asked scrupulously.

“I said we repaired it, man. Plus, why stay in City-hall of all places?”

“Touché.” Ivan groaned.

The two caught up to them as they walked down the bridge. While doing so, Ivan was seeing that Jacklyn had a little smile on her face.

“Hmm, that was fast.”

“What?” Asked Jacklyn.

“You’re suddenly all happy now.”

With a modest smile, she’d say, “I’m doing my best… Plus, you know me, Ivan.”

“Then does that mean you wanna confront Uncle Bradford then?”

Jacklyn’s little cheer went for a nosedive with that question. “I… I’d rather not. I mean, we’re finding another way, aren’t we?”

“Well, I guess you’re right.”

Then her soft smile came back. “Yep.”

“Madame, it’s him all right.” whispered someone in the distance, watching them leave the bridge.

“I agree, but do not engage.” said a woman on the other end of the line. “I don’t want to stir troubles with the Militia.”

“So what then?”

“Just let him be. Given what we’re hearing, I say that our paths will cross again someday.”

“Agreed.”

“Good, now return to base.”

“Understood, out.”

Static!

Chapter 7

Ivan was sitting down on his bed, looking out the window. It was dark and quiet outside, save for a few Militiamen patrolling the streets.

”I see. Since they only released one of the fugitives, so hope they won’t release another.”

He decided to check on Jacklyn next, who was fast asleep, snoring like a kitten. With that before him, he’d grow tense with the sight.

The red colored chopper landed on the Helicopter pad below. Three men stood in front of it, waiting for the doors to open. When it did, one of them stepped forward as the visitors exited. “Good to meet you. Mister and Missus Wesley.”

Alice was able to recognize that voice in an instant. When she shook his hand, she asked, “Were you a spy during the Danville incident?”

He smiled. “Hmm, I didn’t know you’d recognize me after that.”

“Uh, you know each other?” intervened Thomas.

“MmHmm, this is Derek. He was a subordinate of mine while I was in Danville.”

“And now that we got introductions out of the way, Derek, what’s the sitch?” Olivia interrupted, walking in between the two.

“Pointless reference aside, it seems we ran into some trouble.”

Olivia pouted.

“Trouble?” Alice questioned.

“Trouble.”

“And what would that be?”

His tone of voice went low. “It seems our enemy used a cheat sheet.”

Her expression was now of worry. “What do you mean?”

“During the shootout two days ago, the Legion was here.” His eyes narrowed. “Worst yet, they allied with the Police.”

Their eyes widened. Alice uttered, “You… You don’t mean…”

“Yes they are.” Olivia confirmed. “Any details?”

“Walk with me and I’ll give you the details.” Derek said, motioning for them to walk with him.

“Can’t you just tell us n-Ow!” She began rubbing her rump, turning to look at a smiling Alice. “Is there something wrong with…”

Smack!

She began grabbing her head to ease the pain. “You’ll make a great parent, Grrr!”

Staring at them awkwardly, he felt relieved that the scuffle was over. “Anyway…, I managed to acquire some more Intel when I was spying on the City-council and…”

“Hello there visitors!”

They jumped at the voices.

“Uh… Mister Mayor, good to see you again.” Derek greeted. “What are you doing here?”

“We just came by to make sure things were going smoothly.”

Alice noticed the well-armed guards that stood beside him, their eyes covered by their glowing goggles.

“Make sure you don’t do anything fishy, got it?” the mayor continued.

“Yes sir. We promise.”

“Good, see you at City-Hall. I’ve arranged a meeting with you all there, so don’t be late.”

“Got it.”

The mayor then winked, along with making finger guns before walking away. His bodyguards were following along. But none of them weren’t aware of their rile-showing eyes though.

Derek leaned back to them, whispering, “Not a single word.”

They complied, and the two would go on to head straight towards the bottom where a small van was waiting for them.

“Take us to Motel Tranquility.” Derek said to the driver, displaying his ID alongside his companions.

He complied. The base was nearly empty as they drove by.

“They look sad.” Alice said, looking at the few soldiers that patrolled the streets.

“Well whaddaya think? After a crazed gunman goes killing their friends and loved ones, what else would you expect?” the driver noted.

“Nothing at all.”

“So why point it out then?”

Alice sighed. “I thought it was worth addressing.”

The driver was quiet, driving them towards the battered exit. After being cleared from inspection, they were now passing through the wheat fields. At that point, the burden was too difficult for Alice to keep carrying. Imagining those civilians hack away at the stalks for hours upon hours upon hours….

She looked at Thomas, and immediately noticed that he was shaking. His hand was clenching onto his lap, and his trance made it easy for her to hold onto.

“Uh…” He immediately lost all tension at the touch. “Thanks, sweetie.”

She gently placed her head on his shoulder. “Don’t mention it.”

Olivia just sat there and watched. She’d tighten the grip on her longsword when she looked away.

“We’ve uncovered that there was a second person behind the escape.” the Detective exposited via the recorder. “If you remember the city ordinances of each base? Each of them have one law in common: No guns allowed for the workers. So, it’s likely that the armed culprit was someone from the outside.”

Derek displayed to them the photos he uncovered. One of which was Ivan, sitting calmly as he looked out into the rain.

“The target is an arms dealer, most likely to supply some aspiring terrorists ‘round here.” the detective continued before Derek stopped the recording.

“Definitely not buying it?”

They shook their heads vigorously.

“Thought so.” He crossed his arms. “Hmm, something’s not right with this damn base. We, along with our enemy knows who that guy is.”

“So why didn’t you confront them about it?” asked Alice.

“And risk getting shot at by the authorities?”

Alice breathed in defeat. “Makes sense."

“So it’s official, we’re in a deadlock.” Olivia stated. “So the question is how this happened.”

He scrolled down to another recording. “Look, I already did part of the deal. Your Equestrian friend doesn’t have to worry about the FBI grabbing him by the tail. However, I’m not letting a criminal control us for a short hunt. So, I propose that we deny your request to grant us a loan to improve the living conditions of our citizens. We will however, support you in the capture and execution of the now escapee of the Den with the abidance of handing half of what we uncover from his body to BLU industries… deal?”

He dragged the marker back to the moment he said, “I’m not letting a criminal control us for a short hunt. So, I propose that we deny your request to grant us a loan to improve the live conditions of our citizens.”

He paused it.

“Bribery then?” Olivia suggested.

“But the mayor denied it.”

It was Alice’s turn. “Maybe he was appointed by them?”

“Bingo.”

Knock, Knock, Knock!

“Shoot.” Olivia muttered, sliding out the longsword from its sheath. “Grab your guns, we’re going to go for a ride or something.”

Alice and Thomas hid under the beds as they wielded out their pistols. The two men armed their pistols ducking underneath the window. Meanwhile, Derek pressed himself against the door before grabbing onto the knob. He pulled the door open, revealing the barrel of a rifle sticking out. For seconds on end it swayed from left to right.

“Show yourselves, Mister and Missus Wesley!” the soldier shouted.

“Hello Mister Walters.”

The barrel pulled away, making a snapping noise.

Derek walked away from the door and allowed them in. In front of them now were three men in light green vests, armed with some high-tech gadgetry on their rifles.

“Now what the hell are you doing here?” Derek asked.

Walters walked up to where the TV was at, picking up a small little candlestick. There, he separated the two, revealing an earpiece in between them.

The four froze in astonishment.

“You both really need to inspect where you’ll be carrying out these conversations.”

They felt flustered at this. Walters would ignore it to say, “I’m here to support your little investigation… Mostly because we have a new lead.”

Ivan couldn’t sleep. He was tossing and turning since he laid in bed. Finally, he sat up and got out. He walked over to the conveniently placed water cooler next to the door. It made him giggle just watching it. “Heh, they take that element crap a bit too far, don’t they?”

He dispensed some cool water into a plastic cup. At the same time, he took a look at Jacklyn’s uniform, which was scattered over the floor.

“Shoot.” Ivan flinched back, feeling the cold water rushing over his hand. He let the rest of the water splash to the floor. Then he heard Jacklyn’s bed rustle, making him stand still. The rustling kept going… "Shoot!”

But then it slowed down.

“Nngh… Oooh.” Jacklyn cooed, shifting position in bed. “Hmm~.”

Hearing her snore gave him the okay to sigh, “Phew.”

Quickly, he drank all the water before tossing it in the nearby garbage can. He looked at the uniform once again. That, combined with briefly glancing at the sleeping Jacklyn felt cringe worthy, for many reasons. He shook his head a bit before lying back down on his bed.

“Damn Jackie.” he’d mutter.

“One of my mercs was reported missing one night prior to the incident.”

They each retained their surprise at the new info.

“And?” Derek asked.

“That’s it.”

Alice asked. “So what does that have to do with the incident?”

“You just said the answer, lady.”

“Uh…”

“Anyway, Derek, do you have any photos of the second culprit?”

“No sir,” he took out the other photos. “None of them display him or her.”

“Any surveillance footage of him or her?” Walters asked. “There’s gotta be some. Especially in an area like that.”

He took his phone out again, pressing play on one of the recording files. “We would have surveillance footage for you. But it seems the second culprit took it out before his or her face could’ve been revealed.”

He then stopped the recording, handing him a photo of the broken computers used to monitor the area. “And I didn’t need to infiltrate the building for that photo. The detective was the one who showed me the monitors himself.”

“Shoot.”

“What was his or her name anyway?” asked Olivia.

“Glad you asked.” Walters slipped out a photo of his own, placing it in between them. “Her name is Jacklyn Taylor. She joined Nova two years ago. Then she disappeared, and thus we’re here.”

Olivia pondered this for a bit. Then, after snapping her fingers, asking, “Sir, what‘s the standard armament issued to your men and women?”

“Uh, the Xm-8?”

“And what cartridge do those rifles use?”

“A Five point Fifty-Six by Forty-Five Millimeter.”

“Derek, did the ones found at the crime scene match that description?”

He took out another photo, putting the cartridges on full display. “I guess it does.”

“But then how does this confirm that she’s the one responsible?” Derek added.

“I doesn’t...”

They were about to give their own ghastly reactions to this, before Olivia stopped them dead in their tracks. “Completely.”

“Then why bring that up to begin with?” Walters, now annoyed, asked.

“Since it’s just a coincidence.” she crossed her legs; “Other rifles at the time of that one used it also. That’s why we need to take drastic measures in order to find out.”

“What are you…” Walters immediately figured it out. “No, we’re not doing that! We’re up against the freaking US Army! They run everything in this damn safe zone, including the Police force!”

She placed Jacklyn’s photo in front of him. “So you’re saying that she’s not the one?”

Walters was quiet, but had reason to speak again. “We’re solving this case with all the resources we have. We violate the treaty, then it’s all over for the both of us.”

“BLU is already playing dirty this time. They know who’s who, so they’re not going to hand it to us on a silver platter.”

Alice looked at Jacklyn’s smiling face. With a hint of vindictiveness, she asked. “Also, what will you do with her once she’s captured?”

Walters couldn’t speak, tapping his feet sporadically amidst the silence.

“Hmm, because I believe she can be an extremely viable asset.”

Nothing.

“Mister Walters, do you even know how they operate?”

He shook his head.

“Then tell me, when they confirmed he was quote on quote, dead, who went to his quote on quote funeral?”

He thought of it for a moment. “Jacklyn Taylor… She told me she was going to take a day off to attend it.”

She smiled.

The theory was making his feet thump with more velocity, before finally stopping. “But that doesn’t confirm that she’s the one responsible for getting him out of this damn place.”

“Which is why I completely agree with Olivia on the matter.”

“What?” the others said in an outcry.

“If you absolutely want to be sure Mister Walters, then I suggest we come up with the best strategy to acquire it.”

Walters rested his head over his hand. “Ugh, Miss Wesley, why do you want to even do this?”

“Because…, there’s something I want to find out for myself.”

“And what would that be?”

Marianne kept flipping from one side to another. “Grrr, damn it.”

She sat up, resting her head over her knees. She held that position for a while, unable to do anything. Anything but look out into the evening sky, where only the stars were glowing. Beneath those stars, she could see him, lying flat on his belly, sniper rifle in hoof. With a reluctant moan, she got up, put on her clothes, and headed over there.

Big Mac battled to keep his eyes open, and it seemed as if he was losing already. His hooves kept shaking, unable to hold onto the rifle for that long.

“Want a drink?”

“Huh?”

He heard a clasp next him, where he then found a can of cola sitting there. He faced up, seeing Marianne holding a can of her own.

He looked down to inspect the can. “Pepsi with... Cappuccino?"

“Interested? It's from the Soviets. Don't know why the west doesn't have them though.” Marianne said, opening her own can before drinking it. But when she was done, she saw that Big Mac hadn't drank his. Instead, he only gave it a heartless stare.

“Oh come on, the soviets aren't gonna poison you or anything. So give it a try.” She took another sip from her can.

“Ugh... Okay.” Without holding back, he opened it, and drank one full gulp of it. Placing it back on the concrete, he gave a brief review. “It’s… It’s all right.”

She smiled. “That’s good to hear.”

Then she sat down herself, letting her arms support her as she leaned back. "Still can't believe that the..."

“So why are you here?” he asked, looking back into his scope.

“Ugh, I couldn’t sleep.” Marianne groaned.

“So why are you drinkin’ soda then?”

“Thought you needed some company, so I voluntarily gave myself a dosage of caffeine to fulfill that.”

“Oh…" he said indifferently. "Thanks, I guess.”

“No Problemo, buddy.”

There were silent a bit, but it soon ceased.

“Man, this hunt is tough, isn’t it?”

Big Mac grimaced at the mention. “Eeyup.”

“But, do you wish things weren’t like this before?”

“Eeyup.”

“I do too.” She took out a little dim flashlight, reaching into one of her pockets to take out a photo.

Big Mac, seeing this, leaned over to check it out. “Is that…?”

“Yep, Jackie, Ivan, and I.” she said with a consoling smile. “Back in the old days.”

Jacklyn held onto Ivan’s arm with a cheery smile, while Ivan and Marianne looked towards the camera with the modest of smiles. It made Big Mac feel, sad. “It must’ve been great back then.”

“N’ah. Chicago was a huge crap hole back then also. But we held on, or at least, that’s what I want to believe. I didn’t know things would get this bad after…, you know.”

Big Mac faced the sky also, reluctant to say it, but he did. “Ivan told me… he told me that it was far worse than what I did.”

“Really?”

"Yeah, he told me that he killed people back there." he explained.

  Marianne frowned. "Oh, he told you then."

“Eeyup, did Ivan ever tell you of the pocket knife he carried?”

“Actually no. Not that I remember of.” Marianne said.

Big Mac felt baffled at this, but shook it away speedily. “Well, he said that he used to carry one around. Because… of what was happening in Chicago.”

“Like what?”

“Something about kids being kidnapped by various people.”

“Oh, that. Heard about those incidents, but since the cops had everyone by their ass, it seemed unlikely.”

He sighed. “But…, Ivan said the sisterhood kidnapped one of his friends.”

“Oh…, that.”

“Said that he-”

“Big Mac.”

He looked back at her, realizing that she was now leaning forward. Her head hanging low, as a visible frown could be seen through the night.

“I sometimes wish this’d never happen…, But what am I to do, right?” Marianne giggled. “There’s more to it than that.”

Big Mac was silent, choosing to take another sip of his soda.

“Do you often wish the stuff that happened to you, never happened?”

“Eeyup…” he admitted. “I wish my parents never died. That way I’d never touch that bottle of wine.”

“But what about Fluttershy? You never would’ve-”

“I‘d probably meet her some other way. Destiny doesn’t lie.”

With a smile, she exclaimed. “I’d beg to differ.”

Big Mac didn’t say anything for a moment, looking back into his scope. “Can we… Can we not talk about this anymore, for our own sakes?”

She took another sip. “Alright then, didn’t want to talk about it to begin with?”

“Then why’d ya ask?”

She looked out into the plains. “I said I didn't want to, that doesn't mean I didn't need to.”

“Oh…, Well, you just did."

“Yep.”

The two of them took another sip of their sodas. “But Marianne?”

“Mmm?”

“One more thing…, uh…, do you ever wonder how you’d make things right?”

After a little pause, she’d answer, “Sometimes.”

The streets were absolutely empty, only streetlights were on. Which left the buildings to be nearly pitch black.

“Thomas?”

He turned away from the outside, facing Alice. “Yeah?”

“You were very quiet at the hotel room, what’s wrong?”

He looked back at the streets before sighing. ‘Um, nothing’s wrong. It’s all right, sweetie.”

She pouted. “Just tell me.”

She could feel him tense up, before breathing out eased it. “You seemed to have got it, so I said nothing. That’s all.”

“And is that a bad thing?” she persisted.

He smiled. “Nope, it was okay.”

“Thomas, we can’t work this out if you’re going to be like that.”

“I’m fine, sweet-”

“No. You’re not.”

“We’re here.” said Derek, while the vehicle slowly halted.

“C’mon, we don’t want to cause a stir, don’t we?” he said before opening the door.

She immediately dropped it. “Alright then, let’s go.”

He smiled, before walking away.

“Alice.” asked Olivia.

She turned around. “What is it?”

“One minute you’re nearly pissing yourself, the next you’re acting like George S. Patton. What’s up?”

Alice took a deep breath. “It just happens, nothing I can do.”

“Then you better know what you’re doing. Got it? You can’t just lead with a bipolar attitude, you know.”

“So does that mean that I’m…”

“Why not?” Olivia shrugged. “It’s better for a six year old to be the subordinate, rather than the leader. It doesn’t seem right image wise.”

“Um, okay then. Your first order of business is… uh, follow me.” Then she left the car, and caught up to him.

Following her, Olivia only rolled her eyes. “Ay ay commander.”

In a few seconds’ tops, the group would meet in the middle of the stairway. Where the mayor was waiting.

“Mister and Missus Wesley, glad to see you guys!” called the Mayor.

“Hello there Mister Mayor, fancy you seeing-”

Thomas felt a sharp pain in his abdomen. “Aaargh~!”

“Thomas!” Alice would scream, watching him collapse onto the ground. A pool of blood forming from underneath him.

The two guards turned took their pistols out and turned around. That’s when more bullets began coming in.

“Get inside, now!” the mayor screamed, and the others did as instructed.

Thwap!

One of the guards collapsed immediately after being struck with a bullet to the face.

Blam! Blam! Blam!

Thwap!

The second guard suffered the same fate. At that time, the others were able to make it inside as a squad of infantrymen started storming out with rifles in hand.

“Please help, he’s hurt!” Alice screamed before one of the soldiers was quick to take him in.

“We’ll do our best!” the soldier ensured her before the exchange happened.

“Good Luck, sweetie.” Thomas uttered through the pain.  “Go… get ‘em.”

Those words made her world stand still for a bit.

“Whoa, Ma’am!”

And then her world was moving again. She grabbed onto him in the nick of time before handing him to the soldier.

“C’mon Missus Wesley, we’ll be discussing the issue at hand in my office.” the Mayor ordered, but no response. “Missus Wesley?”

“Yeah?” she stammered, turning to look at him. “Oh, right, let’s get to it.”

And eventually, they’d reach his office. After getting themselves comfortable, the Mayor would begin.

“So the red team is here to investigate the Ivan Bentley case, right?”

They were left in shock, but nonetheless answered yes to the question with a nod. Derek however, would go on to state, “We’re just as concerned as you are on what he’s capable of.”

“Understood. It seems that we’re in the same playing field.” He lifted his hand and made a snapping noise. In no time, the doors opened, where three soldiers would enter with guns at their hips. This left all of them in absolute disbelief.

“Uh…” Alice recomposed herself, shouting, “Hey, what is the meaning of this?”

“We already know what he’s capable of, but the real issue at hand is what he’ll do with that kind of power.”

Then he smiled. “However, this isn’t up for RED to find out. Which is why you’ll be… Well you know.”

The three soldiers marched in, followed by three more behind them, and another behind them. Ignoring the mayor’s flummoxed reaction they lined up in a semi-circle, creating a barrier across the large office.

“Uh, men, I only asked for…”

With that, Alice too lifted a hand, Snap!

Red smoke burst from the soldiers. Once it flew off, men in brown tuxes appeared. Their revolvers quickly pointed at the mayor.

Though distraught, it wasn’t going to dissuade him from going with plan B.

Twwch!

The com link on his desk exploded into pieces.

“Shoot.” the Mayor muttered.

“Now, with that out of the way,” Alice started. “If you don’t want to die for blatantly violating the Treaty’s terms, then do the obvious.”

He pouted. “I’ve known Trevor for a long while. He and his group of fighters struck fear into my heart.” the mayor looked at a picture frame beside him. Which depicted a soldier standing proudly over a rock alongside two others. “But it’s in the past now, and now I’m here running Fort Xavier, all thanks to him.”

“With those beans spilled,” Alice said, “This means you are under arrest by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation for violating the terms of agreement granted by the Treaty of Two thousand-Nine.”

She stood up to point her pistol at him.

“What… what the hell do you mean? I didn’t say that he was the reason for me in office, not to mention saying only one thing so far!” After a brief laugh he rebutted. “You’ll be the ones going to the slammer for such slanderous accusations!”

Another set of thumping boots were heard. In time, US soldiers were now at the front door.

“You people are foolish for such a plan.” he stated confidently, before it would be lost once the soldiers joined the spies in their standoff.

“Uh…”

“I don’t think that’s the case sir, sir.” said the squad’s leader.

“But… Why would you…”

“It seems that our PA systems were hacked, along with our surveillance and defense systems.” he explained. “We apprehended the spies, but it turns out they led us to you.”

“And how long have…”

“Since the moment you were about to execute them.”

He held onto his grudging mood until he finally sighed in defeat.

“You have the right to remain silent, anything you say-”

“I say will be used against me, yadayadayada, I get it Sarge.” He groaned again, standing up from his seat. “You people are just too stubborn.”

“And I guess it paid off.” Alice said with Triumph in her heart.

They were all silent.

“So I order you, drop your guns.” he shouted. “You seriously believe that I’m some puppet man for BLU?”

After a brief pause, the Sargent spoke. “Yes, we do. For now, you’re guilty until proven innocent and vice versa, or whichever you associate yourself with. Weaver, Reyes, take him away.”

Two of the soldiers immediately walked over to him and cuffed him.

“Grrr.” he grumbled. “I repeat, you people are downright stubborn.”

“And I repeat, it paid off.” Alice and the others watched as he was hauled out of his office. With a wide grin on his face, she reached to her com link. “Good job, boys.”

“Heh, the dead ringers did half of the work, ma’am. But thanks anyway.”

“Alright then, whatever you say. But you’re welcome no matter what. Alice out.”

Static!

“Clever work there missus Wesley.” commended the Sargent.

“Uh, thanks.” she said, blushing.

“Now then, we want to know what’s been going on.”

Her smile became an awkward one thanks to the seriousness in the Sargent’s tone. “Uh… Okay. We’ll be at the police wing.”

“Alright then.” then the Sargent left.

Her smile instantly vanished to give out a sigh. “And I’ll make sure of that.”

Knock! Knock! Knock!

“Who is it?”

“They’re associates of Missus Wesley, sir.” the visitor called. “They request to speak with her at once.”

“Alright, let ‘em in.”

The door would open, and after a brief scan of the wrists via a special rectangular device, Mister Walters and his guards would enter.

“Alice, I…”

“Missus Wesley.” Walters said. “We have something to…”

Slap!

Everyone in the room was aghast at what she did. Grabbing a hold of his cheek, he spat, “Hey, what the hell was…”

“You nearly killed my husband, that’s why!”

“What?”

“Don’t play dumb, asshole! You think you’re going to outright cover that up? The jig is-”

With a push of the button, the barrel of his rifle turned to the left. The camera was now right in front of her. With that, he pressed ‘play’.

Rat-at-at!

The uniformed man collapsed upon receiving bullets to the face.

“God damn it, now of all times!” Walters shouted angrily. “Hopefully they’ve managed to get inside!”

Rat-at-at!

“Get down!”

A barrage of bullets bashed against the concrete like woodpeckers banging their beaks. At that moment, he pressed ‘pause’.

“Believe me now?”

  And that stance quickly loosened. ‘Ugh…, looks like we were an open target. The mayor probably lured us out to make sure we get disposed of.”

“And how does that make sense?”

They turned around, where the Mayor was seated, his cuffed hands tied around the chair.

“Why the hell would I get caught in the crossfire just to kill you guys?”

“So…”

“Exactly!”

“Even if you were do the ‘right thing’ Mister Mayor,” Olivia said; “You failed to acknowledge that doing what you were about to do and covering it up is a violation of the Treaty.”

“And how would you know?” he asked. “You’re just a guinea pig in Redmond’s cage.”

“It may not look like it, but I lived long enough to know what’s going on.”

The Mayor hissed.

“Both the Allies and the Empire agreed to the Treaty for a reason, you violating it wasn’t the right move there.” Olivia said. “It doesn’t matter if you were funded by a criminal or not. You calling for our immediate execution was proof to show who you’re loyal to.”

There was an awkward silence. Then Alice would break it. “Uh… Olivia, what did you find?”

She said nothing, choosing to show the answer instead.

“First off, I’m surprised that you’ve been hiding here all along… And I’m also surprised that you decided to go after him… It was hopeless to begin with, you know.”

The second culprit, Jacklyn, would say. “Why Marianne?”

“Huh?”

“We were friends since the first day we met…, why would you do this?”

“Pfft, look who’s…” Olivia rewound the footage.

“We were friends since the first day we met.” Then pressed pause.

“Just as you hoped Alice, just as you hoped.” Olivia commended.

“Indeed.” she beamed. Then she looked at Walters. “So, are you inclined to our offer?”

The proof was right in front of him, no doubt it was her. He immediately calmed down and sighed. “It’s a deal.”

Ivan sat up on his bed. He felt like checking on Jacklyn again. Still fast asleep, clenching onto her blanket like a baby. He couldn’t help but watch a bit, even though the thought of it was making him mope again. He looked back out at the window, where the moon, combined with the night sky, was beaming down on them. He could still hear her snore, that typical snore she always had. Hearing this, made him smile a bit. But, thoughts in his mind wanted him to do otherwise.

It was overbearing to say the least.

Thomas was asleep, unable to wake up anytime soon. With that, Alice gently got ahold of his hand. Gripping it tightly. “So with me in charge, what then?”

“Where do you want to take it then?”

“That’s why I’m asking you.”

She crossed her arms. “Well you’re not getting anything from me.”

Alice  sighed. “Olivia, I’m scared.”

Olivia quickly loosened her tension. “Well, that came out of nowhere.”

“We’re just doing this all over again.”

“Yeah, so what?”

“Huh?”

“Look at you, we’ve already got the information we need to hunt that man down, don’t we?”

She nodded.

“Plus, you seem to have your rubbish together… kind of. So that’s another benefit.” Olivia mentioned.

She nodded again, tears visible in her eyes.

“Now quit crying there, nothing’s going to get better if you do.”

“Yeah.” she said, wiping away her tears. “You’re right.”

“But.., I guess it does make sense for the two of you to worry though.” Olivia admitted, clenching onto her longsword again. “That ‘Ivan’ person looks like someone you shouldn’t mess with… at all.”

“Well, there’s more to it than that you know.” Alice then laughed gently.

“I guess there is… I guess there is.”

Another wave of silence passed, nothing but the heart monitor could be heard.

"Did I... Did I do a good job?" Alice asked timidly.

With a raised brow and a laugh, Olivia answered, "Obviously."

Chapter 8

A set of four hooves were trotting down a smooth sidewalk. Beside them, a set of two feet, doing the same thing.

“Been awhile since we came here, right Madame President?”

“Indeed, Princess.” she replied.

She unfurled her wings a bit, letting them adjust to the heat that was spreading through the air. “Though, it saddens me that it’s been five years since that fateful day.”

“Celestia, there’s no need to worry. He was a good man, and now I’ve taken his place as Commander in chief. End of story.”

“I see.” Celestia looked to her right, finding another path disconnected from where they were. “Um… Can we, go this way?”

She saw her hoof pointing in that direction, “Why not?”

And so they did, walking until they reached a statue in the middle of an intersection. Celestia looked woefully at the three silver soldiers that were firing their rifles. From what she gathered the first time she visited here, they all had a mixture of panic and bravery on their faces. She looked down at the commemorative plaque underneath. Which read in gold capitalized letters,

“The Premier swore his country didn’t do anything to Italy.” the President said solemnly.

She grounded her hooves against the pavement, the agents behind them quickly noticed.

“And I know what you’re thinking, does that mean I believe him?” she said, before letting out a soft sigh. “I don’t…, but… it’s not like our countries didn’t do the same thing.”

Celestia frowned.

“And we did it, to prevent all this.”

Following the President, Celestia looked out into the vast hills were nothing but countless stone crosses lining over each of them.

“But, we failed nonetheless. Don’t you agree?”

Celestia sat on her rump, letting the warm air flow through her white fur. “What’s your point then?”

“The point is that you shouldn’t assume. It’s obvious that you and the Soviets aren’t on good terms,” Her shoulders were tensing, saying briskly. “but we have more important matters on hand, and so do they.”

Hearing these words got Celestia to worry. “Is something bothering you, Madame president?”

“It’s classified, Princess.”

“I see.”

No one would say a word for a while. The agents themselves were becoming more unsettled with every second passing.

“Madame President?”

The President took in a breath of air. "My name's Ada, Celestia. Just call me that."

“Okay, Ada." she started. "Do you know about the great trot?”

“The tale about a couple of men and women who went on a pilgrimage to Equestria?”

“Right.”

Ada let a hand pass through her short dark hair. “What about it?”

“I think you recall me meeting with one of them before their last moments of life, right?”

“Indeed I do.”

Her horn glowed a yellow aura, casually tearing one of the flowers nearby from its stem. She levitated up to where she can see it, taking a gentle sniff of its scent. “It was too late for us to save him…, but the look in his eyes yearned to see me more.”

“Had all of his pals be hauled in a wagon…, A wagon they stole from a family in the Griffon Kingdom.” Ada filled in. “He did some terrible things along the way, his posse was no better.”

A tear began trickling down Celestia’s eye, as she gently picked apart every petal from the flower. Letting each of them fly off into the zephyr. “And they did it all for me.”

“Your ponies were to blame though.”

She was wiping her tears away. “I know.”

“So…, why bring this up?”

“The wagon they stole… How far were they willing to go to see me?”

She sighed. “I knew they meant no harm, especially in an occupied territory where their superiors treat them like…”

Celestia shot her a suspicious, but tepid of looks.

“Uh…” After a pause she reiterated, “I knew they meant no harm… but they had to survive, you know. What else can we as humans do? Grow wings and fly?”

Celestia looked back at the flower, where nothing but the nectar stuck to the stem. “But didn’t they have any compassion for them?”

“They probably did, Princess.” she knelt down and picked up a flower also. She held it in the air, where a bee would stop by. The moment it landed, she immediately snapped away. The bee quickly zipped towards it.

Celestia, just as concerned as the guards, stammered to warn her. “Uh… Madame President? Y-You shouldn’t be…”

Once it caught up, the flower zipped into another location. When it flew over there, the exact same thing happened. Again, and again, and again, and again.  Then at the next, the bee instead zipped towards the Ada’s neck.

“Madame President!” Celestia cried, her horn glowing again.

In contrast though, Ada immediately got a hold of the bee, placing it on the flower. “What?”

“That bee was going to…”

“Relax, I was just messing with it. Besides, it wanted its nectar.”

Celestia eyed the bee with sympathy, watching it do its job.

“After all, it’s what they do.” Ada joined also. “Sorry, by the way.”

“Don’t mention it.” Celestia forgave.

“Anyway, the bee will do whatever it takes to get what it wants. No doubt it’s the only thing it can do…, and it’s fine with that.”

“But doesn’t the bee die when it stings you?”

“Hmm?” the bee flew off. “Well at least it did something for that flower’s nectar.”

Ivan and Jacklyn watched the road as Ivan drove further and further through yet another forest. Jacklyn, specifically, was looking at the window in a daze.

The area outside city-hall was packed with militiamen. The music was blaring loudly through the speakers. The pile of Celestianist regalia was in flames. Too them, it was a marvelous sight to behold.

“Wonderful sight, isn’t it?” asked Leila, giving Jacklyn a firm pat on the back.

“Yep!” she replied happily. “Hopefully this won’t be the only thing going down in flames.”

“Alright!”  After that cheer, she looked around a bit. “Hey, where’s your friend?”

“At that fountain.” Then she lifted her finger in the fountain’s direction. There Ivan was, sitting over the concrete, rifle held inflexibly in his hands. Beside him, a bottle of beer.

Leila gave him a huge wave hello, but Ivan did nothing back. “Oh…, why is he like that?”

Swinging her foot against the floor, she looked towards Leila. “I guess he just wants to get going.”

“Hmm, did something happen to you two along the way?” Leila quickly used caution. “Um, aside from the whole…”

“Kind of…” she looked back at Ivan, who was starting to redden from this situation alone. “We just had some differences we needed to resolve.”

“Want to tell me what they are?”

She faced Leila again. “I’m sorry, but I can’t.”

“Oh, hmm.” Leila was forming a devilish grin on her face. “Something sensual?”

“Uh…” she quickly ducked her head. “No, no, no!”

She’d laugh.

Jacklyn blinked a couple times before looking back to Ivan in a near daze. Ivan quickly took note of this. “Uh… yeah?”

“Nothing!” she spurted before turning on the radio.

“At the top of this hour, Princess Celestia has arrived in Washington DC to meet with President Nicholson, arrived without delay.” The volume was increasing. “They are currently on a-”

Click!

More music was now playing.

“Sorry.” Jacklyn muttered.

“Don’t be.”

“Oh.” Another pause, “I’m sorry.”

“Uh… I just told you to…”

“About what happened back with the militia.”

Ivan rolled his eyes. “You weren’t at fault. He wanted to join Celestia’s Hoof, and he did. He didn’t know both of us would be crossing paths.”

“Why do they have to be that way though?”

“I dunno. They started a Battle Royale, and they got one.”

“No, I mean…, you know.” She pointed at the rising sun.

“Oh, oh, them.” Ivan groaned. “Just don’t listen to the whole, ‘they can predict the future’ garbage and you’ll be fine. Just because they have stained glass of world events from the moment we discovered them to today, doesn’t mean they know what’ll happen next.”

“So…, was it fate then?”

“Huh?”

“Do you think we’re meant to do something before heading to Washington?”

Ivan sighed. “I think that’s the case.”

She looked out the window. “Yeah…, who knows what we’ll come across.”

“Well, I hope nothing. The less people we confront, the more likely this’ll compare to waiting at the DMV.”

“Yeah, I guess… Hey, what’s the DMV?”

“I don’t know, heard it had to do with cars or something. Also heard people waited there a lot with nothing interesting to do.”

“Hmm, wow.”

BOOM!

“What the…?” They shot their eyes towards the trees, seeing smoke arise into the air.

“Aw shoot.” Ivan mumbled, then pressed the gas.

BOOM!

Both screamed as Ivan desperately steered around the smoke and debris. With that, Ivan had something else to shout, “Damn you, Militiamen!”

Will and Leila were in front of City-Hall. Finding countless men and women in green coats and Blue berets joining their comrades in the area.

“This can’t be good.” Leila whispered to Will.

“Of course not.”

They’d enter, noticing that the interior was all empty.

“You don’t say…” And reaching the second floor didn't make a difference.

“Don’t worry about it. Just hope that she’s okay.” Will comforted.

“Indeed.” she opened the door in front of her. Finding Roxanne…, and a woman sitting across from her. They only needed to see her brown overcoat and red scarf to lose more joy.

The lady turned around, giving the two a little smile and wave.

“What is she doing here?” asked Will, gripping his rifle.

“Anya’s just on a visit, you two.” Roxanne addressed. “Plus, since she has no guards, you just add two and two and you got your answer.”

They stood their ground.

“Please, you two.” Anya said in her regal accent. “I need to address something.”

“And what would that be?” Leila said.

She held onto her heaving chest, letting out the last of her tension. “You two were harboring them, weren’t you?”

Will gasped, pointing his rifle at her.

“Will, stand down!” Roxanne ordered, but easily composed herself upon the next order. “But keep your guard up.”

“I’m not going to arrest you, Roxanne.” she said clearly. “I just came here to ask of you for something. Well, a couple of things.”

They were all quiet, letting her ask without delay. “First off, what were they like?”

“Huh?”

“The fugitives, what were they like?”

They looked at each other a bit. Roxanne was the first to say something. “Anya, I’m not going to say. What with the commotion going on as of late, I doubt I’d want to release such sensitive information to you.”

“First off, Roxanne. I’ve been the head of this organization for nearly a decade now. I think you’ve forgotten what the head does… Not to mention… Not to mention that you were one of my best commanders.”

“Look Anya, I may’ve been one. But you knew full well that we couldn’t be on the-”

“I get it, I get it.”

“Then why ask this question to begin with?” Leila asked aggressively.

“Because… I need your help.”

Astonished, Roxanne and the others had to ask, “Why?”

“With them…, we might win this war.”

Ivan began unbuckling his seatbelt. “Ugh~.”

Then two hands began grabbing onto his chest like claws from a tiger. “Ivan, wake up!”

“Hey, hey!” Ivan reached towards her shoulder, pushing her away. “Calm down there. I’m not knocked out or anything.”

Jacklyn immediately let go of him, blushing. “Heh, sorry.”

“Don’t be. Anyway, let’s see if we…” He looked up, where the hood was blocking his line of sight. And white smoke could be seen. “Aw, damn it! We’ve sent another car to its freaking death!”

“Doesn’t matter, we need to get the hell out of here!”

“Ugh, obviously!” He hopped out of his seat and into the grass. “Where to?”

She pointed at the trees in front of them.

“Grrr, again?”

She nodded.

And so they did, running down a seemingly endless bulk of trees once again. Out in the distance, gunshots were rampant in every direction, accompanying the explosions.

“Can’t we just continue down the road?” Ivan asked.

“Ivan, remember what happened last time?”

“Touché.” He looked around a bit. “But since we’re here, do you have any idea where we’re going?”

“Uh… Kind of?”

“We’ve been in the woods since forever, don’t tell me we got lost while walking next to…”

BOOM!

Debris was falling over them at a rapid rate. Their hearing was nothing but a dog scurrying ring. Ivan felt his hand being squeezed by Jacklyn’s before being pulled like a noose. His feet uncontrollably moving on their own as another explosion was pounding against the muffled hearing.

Eventually, he could see Jacklyn slow down before using one of the trees as cover. He could see her mouths move, but couldn’t hear words.

“What?” Ivan shouted.

Then it seemed as if the ocean in his ears had disappeared. “Do you think they found us?”

“Grrr…” Ivan shook his head briefly. “I don’t think so!”

“Yeah, the artillery doesn’t seem to be aimed at us.” Jacklyn looked around some more. “So who do you think they’re targeting.”

“I think they’d like to answer that.”

Jacklyn found Ivan pointing at something behind them. When she looked in that direction…

“Uh… Who the hell are-”

“If you take a single step, you know what’ll happen.” said the man, looking through the iron sight of his Sub-Machine gun. “So you yobbos should kindly stand down!”

“Are you the one they’re targeting?” asked Ivan, glancing and glaring at his red uniform.

He nodded.

“I-Is there anyone else?” Jacklyn asked also, feeling the complete opposite.

He shook his head. “They’re using artillery to rat me out. I guess they assumed that I wasn’t the only one alive.”

Jacklyn was the first to say, “Wait, your entire squad’s…”

With a frown on his face, and a sudden look out into the woods, he nodded.

“Bummer.”

“Sniper.” Ivan went on to say.

“Was that an attempt to turn the tables mate?” the man asked, firmly grasping his SMG.

Ivan sighed. “It was to get you off my back.”

“Well it failed.”

Ivan scowled at his remark.

“If you haven’t noticed, there hasn’t been any artillery shelling in a while. Which only means one thing: they’ll be calling in Air support. That also means the more we bicker, the more we-”

“Sniper!”

“I told you mate, that’s not going to-!”

“Get down!” Jacklyn screamed.

“Whoa, what the…” the man retorted, before being knocked to the ground as a bullet whisked past the two.

Then she quickly planted the shield against the ground, letting it expand at the push of a button.

The moment Ivan ducked to their level, he muttered, “Jackie, why did you-”

She placed a finger on his lips. With the sorrow of voices, she whispered to him. “Please Ivan.”

He opened his mouth again, but no words came out. Instead, it was a sigh, and later a, “Fine.”

After giving him a little smile, she turned to look at the little window on his shield.

Ivan, chose to say something also. “It seems that they deployed the opposite, huh?”

“I guess so.” the man took out the rifle holstered on his back.

Surprised at this, Jacklyn had to ask. “Uh…, you’re a sniper?”

He nodded, pressing and holding onto the trigger. “Just let me take care of ‘em.”

She was left speechless, watching him lower his rifle and peek around the shield.

“I’m surprised you didn’t notice.” Ivan muttered to her.

She looked down in embarrassment. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be.”

“Hmm.” She looked back at the little window. There he was, in his blue uniform, looking through the scope of his rifle with a dedicated glare on his…

Kchrrrug!!

Jacklyn’s eyes were widened, feeling as if she was gasping for air. Slowly, she turned to the sniper, who was giving a celebratory smirk.

“Heh, bullseye.” he mumbled.

“What… the hell… was that?”

“Huh?” he was now facing the distraught Jacklyn. “But I thought…”

“I wanted him shot down, not blown to nothing but blood and guts!”

“Hey, calm down Jackie!” Ivan said, holding onto her shoulder.

“No, no! You do not just callously blow a person to bits and celebrate like it’s the freaking fourth of July.”

“But…”

“Is this your life or something, do you think that’s the proper way to-!”

“Jackie!”

“What?” she shouted at him.

He saw the tears culminating in her eyes. “Uh… we… we need to go.”

“What for?”

His voice was sterner for the next thing he had to say. “You know why.”

Kchrrrug!

“Man down!” a soldier cried in anguish. “A Freaking man’s down!”

Tw-Tw-Twang!

She jolted at the bullets, “Fine… c’mon sir! We’re leaving!”

“Alright.” He said with a little salute. “And please, call me Lance.”

“Okay, Lance.” Ivan answered indifferently. “We’re off. Follow me.”

The shield went back into its original form, while the three stood up and got going. During that moment, Ivan took a look at her. His heart felt like breaking then and there, so he looked back at what was in front of him.

“Get down!” Lance screamed, and without thinking, the three were on the dirt, bullets flying over them. They immediately crawled to nearby trees, choosing to return fire.

“What now?” shouted Ivan.

“I don’t know! I thought you were the one with the plan!” Lance screamed back.

“You were the one here before me! You should’ve thought of something while you were in here!”

“Guys, look out!” Jacklyn screamed.

They immediately found two soldiers behind them, jumping out of the trees to make their move.

Lance quickly took action, pounding around five shots into his target’s torso. Ivan however…,

”Frigidus!” With a thrust forward of the hand, a blast of nitrogen shot out. The soldier couldn’t even react to it, especially when it was engulfing him. And Lance…,

“Uh… uh… uh…” There was now a human sized glacier in front of Lance, and there were no words to express it. But finally, he settled on. “It can’t… It can’t be.”

“Huh?” He, as well as the others, could hear it too. It was nothing but the winds breezing by. Making him mutter. “Oh no.”

“I-It’s him! It’s really him!” one would cry.

“It’s one of the infiltrators!” cried another.

“Get ‘em!”

“Make sure he doesn’t escape!”

“Crap.” he added. He stuck his rifle out of cover.

Jacklyn in the meantime, stood there and watched him fire another round of bullets. ”Infiltrator?”

Rat-at-at-at-at-at-at-at-at!

Two soldiers dropped dead.

“Umph!” The object that hit him in the face was flipping violently before Ivan could catch it. In front of him was a dart the size of his hand. “Aw shoot, they’re smart… Jackie, cover us!”

She snapped out of it. “What for?”

“I got an idea!” He then focused his attention on Lance. “Yo, let’s go!”

He shook off the dizziness in his mind. “Uh… sure!”

He’d follow him through the woods.

“Cover us!” Ivan shouted to him.

“You got it!” And so he did, making sure the enemy wasn’t the dominant one in this fight.

A squad of five men were in front, firing relentlessly as they closed in on them. Ivan had to act quick, so he quickly thrust his hand out again.

D-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r!

A soldier clutched to his chest as he collapsed from the pain. Then Lance felt something cold and circular bump the back of his head.

“Don’t move, asshole!”

He was stuck in place, wanting to shiver at the…. Swipe

“Ouch, what the-”

Rat-at-at!

He heard a scream of agony.

“Lloyd, what the hell are you-”

Rat-at-at!

“Heh, nice to see you’re a defector!” Lance shouted. “Watch my…”

Then he immediately bolted away from him. “Uh… huh?”

Then he saw Ivan was running back to him, seeming to ignore the reaction he had at the moment. He was suddenly pulled by the wrist, forcing to watch what little he could of what just happened. He turned around, seeing nothing but the back of Ivan’s head.

“I didn’t just…”

“You serious?” the three called out.

“I’m dead serious.” Anya sipped a small amount of soda from her can.

“That was… that was him the whole time?” said Leila.

“Indeed.”

“So why do you want our help then?” asked Roxanne. “We’re not hunting the guy down. It’s not the main focus.”

“Not hunt, Roxanne…” She took another sip before speaking. “Recruit.”

They were left befuddled.

“Wh-Why would you do that?”

“First off, how long do you think your little Militia group will last?”

“Until the red and blue coats are annihilated.” Roxanne said proudly.

“I doubt that.”

“Eh?”

“According to one of my spies, each of the three ministries have agreed to cut your salary entirely. They know full well that that’s your only dependency at the moment.” She adjusted her scarf. “Besides, if we can’t do anything to stop you, then the outside will.”

Anya looked around, noting that the two were unsettlingly silent. So, she had to address it. “I don’t care if the Militia or the Regular Army gets ahold of him. What matters is that we win this bloody war. Also…, let’s not forget that I was never against your cause to begin with.”

They said nothing.

“So, is it a deal?”

Roxanne would say, “Does that mean… this is some sort race?”

Anya sighed, reaching into her purse. “No… I’m helping you, am I not?”

Roxanne chuckled a bit. “Heh, touché.”

She smiled. “Good to hear.”

Five soldiers stood in their way. “Fire at will!”

Rat-at-at-at-at-at-at-at-at-at-at-at-at…!

Jacklyn took out his baton, charging towards the soldiers with a battle cry. “Get out of my… uh!”

She nearly fell onto the ground once she felt Ivan pull her from the shoulder.

With a thrust of the hand, a ball of fire exploded in the middle of their group. The three were dancing as the fire seared through their skin.

“Oh Celestia.” Jacklyn gasped.

“Just go!”

Lance passed by the collapsing men, watching them kick and squirm at the inescapable flames. “It’s him alright.”

“What the…?” Ivan noticed Jacklyn beginning to lose speed, stumbling with every step. “Aw geez.”

He slowed down, helping the heaving Jacklyn onto her back. Supporting her by using his arms, he began running down the forest. “Wish I were a wolf or something, then this would end faster.”

Though tired, she managed to see the fleeing Lance stay right beside him. The look on his face told her immediately to frown in pity, but mostly in fear.

Around two minutes later, they could see the sky in a much clearer light. After exiting the trees, and running up and down a hill, they were out of sight.

“Whoa.” Lance commented, watching the smoke from where he stood.

“Yeah, Impressive huh?”

“Uh…” he nodded.

“Neat…, ‘cause you won’t be seeing more any time soon.”

He turned around. “Whaddaya…”

The end of the rifle barrel was in front of him.

Lance put his hands in the air. He even heard Jacklyn gasp at this sudden move. “Y-You can’t be serious, mate!”

“I’m sorry man, but we’re on the run. And we can’t have people like you following us around.”

Lance let his frown say the rest, watching Ivan press the trigger.

But then something in his mind made him open his eyes and shout, “Wait!”

Rat-at-at!

Ivan looked up, the rifle pointing in another direction. “Uh…. Grrr, what is it?”

Lance sighed, losing all tension he held seconds ago. “Are you two leaving for the green zone?”

The two were in utter disbelief.

“Uh…” Jacklyn spoke. “How’d you…?”

“That’s the obvious choice for fugitives like you two.”

Ivan groaned. “Ugh, what do you suggest?”

He smirked. “A consulate down in Salt Lake.”

Ivan was still for a moment. However with time, he lowered the rifle, letting the man breathe. “You know us very well, so how are we going to get there?”

“Freeze, dirtbags!” a soldier shouted. He and his squad of soldiers pointed their guns at them from their jeep, ready to fire.

“Well, that was easy… Jackie, take cover!”

She immediately complied.

Rat-at-at-at-at-at-at-at-at-at-at-at…!

Marianne sat up on her bed. The bright blue sky was enough to make her shy away from the window. “Ugh, damn mornings.”

She exited out her room, wiping the muck from her eyes with her hand. Her coat was hanging from her shoulders, the sleeves blowing in the wind as she walked down the hall. She checked her revolver for ammo. When she noticed that there was, she let out a yawn as she walked down the stairs.

“One more thing…, um…, do you ever wonder how you’d make things right?”

After a little pause, she’d answer, “Sometimes.”

Marianne stopped halfway down the stairs. She rested her arm on the railing before placing her hand over her arm. She took a deep breath before she got moving. Down the hall, there was a little kitchen. In there, Big Mac and Maribelle sat peacefully next to a table.

“Ah, good afternoon!” Maribelle said with a wave.

She was baffled. “Afternoon?”

“Yeah, Trevor let you and Big Mac here sleep.” She used her knife to spread some jelly on her toast. “We were wondering why you’d stay up that late.”

“Oh, just needed some company. That’s all.”

“A conventional answer.”

“Yep.” she walked over to the counter, pouring herself a mug of coffee. “So where did Pierre and Trevor go?”

“He and Pierre are going for another supply run.”

“Oh, why didn’t you go?” She then took a sip of her warm coffee.

“Well, you know.”

She looked to where she was eyeing. There, Big Mac was already laying low with a hoof covering his face.

“Big Mac, you okay?” Marianne asked.

“Uh…” He lowered the hoof from his face. “Eeyup.”

“He’s just not in the mood now.” Maribelle took a huge chunk off of her jellied toast. “It seems the existential rollercoaster you two were on made him a bit nauseous.”

Marianne could see Big Mac’s gloom gaze at her for a moment. Then he was back to staring blankly. With that, she rolled her eyes and drank another sip of her coffee. Taking out the smartphone from her pants pocket.

“I won’t press on the matter though.” Maribelle said after drinking a small dose of milk from her cup. “In the end, it’s just cultural differences right?”

“Right.” Another sip of coffee passed through her tongue. After swallowing, “Uh… Hey Maribelle, when you went to Equestria… um…,”

Big Mac hid his gasp as best as he could.

“Went to Equestria…, and?”

“Well, you said that you went to Canterlot for a moment.”

“Yeah, what about it?”

“Did any of you pass by any embassies while you were there?”

“Well, we were just on the train. So no, why ask?”

She was quiet, but Maribelle was able to interpret her expression quickly. “I swear to god, that no one saw me there. I did as told like a good girl.”

“Whatever you say.” the remaining coffee was warm enough for her to swallow it all in a couple gulps.

“So why ask then?” Maribelle asked with a pseudo-death stare.

“First off tell me this: From when you first landed on Equestrian soil to when you arrived in Canterlot, how long did that take?”

“Two days and a half.”

She was inserting her arms into the sleeves. “Now, with that in place. How long did it take for you two to get caught?”

Maribelle looked onto Big Mac. He was trembling visibly.

She sighed. “In two weeks.”

“Did the train make a stop at Canterlot?”

“Obviously.” Her suspicion kept rising. “So…, can you get to the point?”

“Certainly…. This just happened.” She was halfway done with buttoning up her coat when she handed a smartphone over to Maribelle. On the screen, was a headliner, that read…,

“Mayor of Fort Xavier arrested for violating his terms of service.” she pouted, before looking at the less bolded text underneath. “US authorities to commend RED high command for exposing such conditions to the public.”

“Yep, they got ‘em.” Marianne reiterated. “Courtesy of the same people that got you two busted, got him busted also.”

Maribelle’s eyes narrowed. “Those rats!”

“And you know what that means?”

“Those prissy ass hats are gonna get it?”

“Close, but not what I was going for.” She finished buttoning her coat, getting ahold of her revolvers. “It means that we better get moving before the competition gets a step ahead of us.”

“I agree, right Big Mac…? Big Mac?”

He was still trembling, facing the table with such gloom.

Maribelle sighed. “C’mon buddy, you can’t be like this all the time.”

“Eeyup.”

“So you’re gonna get on your feet?”

After a pause, he’d say, “Not yet.”

“Big Mac,” Marianne intervened. “Let’s put what we talked about last night aside, alright? If you want that debt wiped clean off your slate, then we have to get it together.”

“Eeyup.”

She took out her walky-talky. “So, as Trevor’s third in command, I’m ordering all Legion personnel to evacuate!”

“Yeah!” Maribelle cheered.

Then Marianne was on the move to give out the order. This gave time for Maribelle to turn to Big Mac. “You’re not sad because of what Marianne told you, aren’t you?”

“Hmm, not anymore.” He answered.

Bothered, she asked, “It’s Ivan, right?”

“Eeyup.”

“I guess it isn’t easy for you, huh?”

He nodded.

“Well, I can’t help you with that.”

“What?”

“It all comes down to choice, I guess.” She hopped off her chair. “You either let it in or let it go. But it seems there’s no latter for you.”

“Eeyup.”

“At least cheer up, okay?”

He smiled a bit. “Okay.”

“That’s what I want to hear.” she giggled. “Anyway, let’s get going. Marianne probably told the entire outpost by now.”

“Eeyup.” He got on his four legs and trotted behind the eager Maribelle.

Maribelle however, felt this ominous feeling in her head. In that moment, she held tightly onto to hilt of her katana. “And Big Mac?”

“Mmm?”

She stopped to get a good look at him. “Please…, just try.”

Although a bit cagey at first, he’d say, “Eeyup…, hopefully.”

After a little smile of her own, she continued walking. Still wary of what Big Mac was saying,

“Ivan…,”

The three were driving down an empty but filthy road, music completing the scene.

The road ahead looked rather peaceful, Jacklyn would think. It was the least she could do after all. For each time she remembered that poor soldier…

She leaned her head against the window, ignoring the vibrations that were reverberating through her head. Or at least, she tried. She’d choose to plant her head against the seat… However, “Aargh, my neck.”

“You okay there, Jackie?” Ivan asked her.

“Yeah,” she replied. “It’s just been, the wildest of days.”

“Heh, you and me both.”

The two laughed a bit, before looking back out into the road. She was tapping her fingers against her lap. Deep down though, she couldn’t hold it in. “Hey…, Lance, was it?”

“Yeah?”

“Can I ask where you’re from?”

Ivan grumbled, looking straight out into the road.

“Australia.”

“East or West.”

“Who cares, they’re both the same.”

“C’mon, just tell me.”

He rolled his eyes, but gave a little smile. “Ugh, I’m from the east.”

“Which state?”

Ivan refrained himself from slapping his face.

“Are you planning on stalking me or something?”

“No, and even if you didn’t believe me, do you really think I’m in a position to leave the country?”

He thought of it for a moment, but then sighed. “I’m from Sydney.”

“Really?” she immediately beamed with excitement. “You must be living the good life-”

“If you believe in those damn legends…, then good for you.” he said bluntly. “Ever since the Soviets annexed the west, the allies have been… worse.”

Her excitement faded. “So you’re from the poorer section of the city?”

He’d nod.

Jacklyn sighed. “Oh… Sorry to hear that.”

“Heh, if you thought for a moment that Aussies like me were doing A-Okay…, then you’re dead wrong.” He watched the vast hills and trees pass by. “Say, where are you guys from?”

“That doesn’t matter, dude.” Ivan said. “We’re fugitives, so don’t think-”

“Ugh, we’re from Chicago.”

“Jackie!”

“Chicago? Heard they were the last stable city within the American red zone.”

“Well, you’re not wrong. It really does feel like it.”

“Food shortages?”

She nodded.

“Gunfights?”

She nodded.

“Civilians expendable?”

She nodded.

“Well then, you probably saw a lot when you lived there.”

She sighed, looking away to rest her neck. “I guess you can say that…, do you have a reason to become a mercenary?”

He held onto his SMG. “It’s… It’s something I want to keep to myself.”

“Oh come on.” Jacklyn groaned. “You’re just like this guy.”

When Ivan saw her finger pointing directly at him, he cringed.

“He doesn’t want to say anything about what he’s been doing!”

He loosened the grip. “Hmm.”

He picked through his pockets, taking out a little photo. Jacklyn would take it in her hand. “Are they your family?”

“Yeah, my wife and I have been holding on…, but, this was my last resort.”

“Huh…, they look cute, by the way.”

“Thanks.”

After being handed back the photo, he put it away. “The Authorities just love to crack down on people in the slums.”

“Well… I’m sorry to hear this, sir.”

“It’s alright. When you’re born into it, you’re easily used to it.”

“So, where was the photo taken?”

“On the way for rations, we stopped by the QVB…”

As they talked, Ivan could hear the music ending.

“… And that was ‘When the Moon goes down in the valley of time’ by the Jubalaries everybody. Thank you for listening to Sunset radio, Reliable Excavation Demolition’s only radio source!” the DJ proclaimed. “To all our fellow mercs on each and every front, here’s your one o’clock news!”

Nothing else to do, Ivan paid attention.

“Our Top story, the US Government is up in arms due to a sudden scandal rocking them today.” the DJ announced. “In Fort Xavier…”

“Huh?” Jacklyn immediately, turned around and leaning towards the radio.

“… was arrested early this morning by a joint operation conducted by US and RED forces. The reason, he admitted to sympathizing with a criminal organization for personal gains. Though what those personal gains are remains unknown, it seems that it no doubt proves that something ominous lurks within our governments.”

“You can’t be serious.” Jacklyn struggled to smile.

“I guess so.”

“This just comes on the same day that Princess Celestia of Equestria arrived on a diplomatic trip to the States. However, reports are suggesting that further events won’t be halted as a result. But with the Mayor gone, what will be of the fugitives?”

Their hearts were racing.

“Here’s Alice Wesley and General Jason Rudolph with the news.”

“With both fugitives on the run…”

Ivan’s felt as if it was going to explode.

“We believe that in the name of justice and order, the US government should continue pursuing such delinquents, even after this scandal.”

“I agree.” said the General. “They are in clear violation of our agreement, and must be brought to…”

Click!

Both of them were feeling their organs lose all sense of reason.

Jacklyn pulled away from the On/Off button. “What in Celestia was that?”

“Well whaddaya think?”

“It seems you two have a lot on your hands.”

Ivan and Jacklyn simply kept those feelings close. “Agree.”

“So don’t think for a minute that I’m cool with all this.”

“We know.” said Ivan.

“Good.”

Thomas held onto Alice’s hand, watching her sleep peacefully over his shoulder.

“You two seem to get along well.” said Walters.

“Well, we’ve been married for a year now-”

“No, no, not with her.” He was rubbing his forehead. “I mean, about what happened with you and Redmond.”

“What about that?”

“You mean you don’t know what this means?”

“Eh?”

“You’re telling me that with you here, this means-”

“Oh.” He sighed. “That.”

“Hmm…, I didn’t mean to rain on your parade, but, that’s a fact.”

“No doubt about it.”

“You’ve been doing your best since the day you joined… But I guess in the eyes of Redmond, it doesn’t seem enough.”

“I know.”

“Look, I don’t think he means it.” Walters would see Thomas look out the window for a brief moment. “He was just hoping for… more from a military officer like yourself.”

“Speaking of which, weren’t you one at some point?”

Walters smirked. “Heh, no doubt about it, friend.”

“Which front?’

“A ton of 'em.”

He kept staring at the plains.

“Look, it’s understandable for you to get this way, Thomas.”

He sighed. “I don’t care.”

“And I’m not surprised.”

“Huh?”

“Heard you were the Dictatress’s, Toy back there.” He laughed a bit. “Heard that was actually your only job.”

His cheeks were flaring red. “Please stop.”

Annoyed, he’d say, “Well, you should’ve been over it by now.”

“I know, I know… But, looking back still hurts.”

“Does it still hurt a lot?”

Thomas gently squeezed Alice’s hand. “Kind of does.”

“And that’s sad, really.”

“Hmph.” he grouched.

“The fact that you were nothing but a toy to a woman like her feels… off.”

Thomas said nothing.

“And now that you’re with her,” he said, briefly pointing at Alice. “I thought you’d put that behind you.”

“Yeah but…, there’s still more that needs to be done.”

Walters grew quiet also, nothing but the rotors were making sound. He took off his sunglasses, letting his eyes relax. “I get it, yet some more unfinished business with your lady, I assume.”

“Yeah... That… That sounds right.”

“Indeed, but you’re treading on a scary road, you know.”

“What do you mean?”

“Redmond’s been at war with his brother for nearly two centuries; who knows if it’ll ever let up.”

“It will.”  Thomas proclaimed. “Once Ivan is caught, we’ll be sure to-”

“But what if the opposing side gets to them first?”

They looked towards Olivia, who was wide awake.

“If you haven’t noticed, there’s one advantage that our enemy possesses, and it’s called attachment.”

Walters complied. “She’s right Thomas, these people know more about him than we do.”

He was quiet yet again.

“Tell me, Thomas.” Olivia started. “Don’t you think this is a little absurd?”

“You’re up against a man capable of mind-control, man.” Derek jumped in. “Isn’t that something you need to be a bit careful with?”

Thomas reached into one of Alice’s pockets.

“He’s a rather dangerous man.” Derek added. “And our competition is just as dangerous.”

In his hand now, was a locket in the shape of a heart. The three were silent at this. With the locket in front of him, he’d say, “Remember, both of us were assigned this role. Neither of us want to go back to the Danville incident… But, knowing Redmond, it seems that we either do this or end up in the streets.”

Olivia found one of Walters’s subordinates grip his rifle. His shaking visible to her eye.  She’s sigh. “Not to mention that this applies to most of us too.”

Walters’s eyes slanted, and he was quick to put his glasses back on. “Ugh, what do you want from us then?”

He stuffed the locket in his shirt pocket. “All I want is that all of you trust her.”

“That’s it?”

“You know you can always opt out, right?” Thomas said bothered, “I mean, you do have a loose alliance with RED, don’t you?”

He smiled, slackening the glare. “I’m sorry, I was just hoping for a better leader for this operation.”

“Tsk!” Thomas hissed. “Well too bad, you’re not getting one. Like the old saying goes, what you see is what you get.”

“Huh, even though I can quit, I doubt it’s likely.” Managing with the seat belt strapped on him, he leaned forward. “You know why? Because we all have our reasons to want him on a platter.”

He took a brief glance at every person in the chopper. “I see.”

“This is a scary road you’re treading on, might as well throw away my doubts and join you.”

Thomas smiled too. “Thanks.”

The others did the same, kind of.

Ivan let the jeep swerve to the right, before pushing the brakes, placing the lever on park, and shutting it off.

Jacklyn wasn’t pleased by this move. “Ivan, why’d you-”

Ivan was leaning his head against the steering wheel.

“Are you even…”

He reached his hand out into the road ahead. Straightaway, they could hear it.

“Oh no.”

“Yep.”

Jacklyn then asked, “So you’re suggesting that we actually head towards the front?”

“I’m not the one who suggested it.”

“Gah…!” She placed her hand over her chest, “Uh… uh…”

“Can’t we just find another route?” asked Lance in a somewhat similar state.

“If we did that, then we’ll be running into either side’s reinforcements.” Ivan sighed. “So Jackie, congrats. It’s a rather good idea, you know.”

“Um…” she quickly shot her gaze towards the glove compartment, resting a hand over her cheek. “Uh… yeah.”

“Ugh…. Honestly, it doesn’t sound like a bad idea.” Lance was taking out the magazine from his rifle, looking at the bullets within. “But here’s the problem.., we are in here.”

Jacklyn let her hand slide from her cheek. She then, slowly, faced Ivan; who in turn looked back at her.

“You know, Lance.” said Jacklyn, jogging along with the others. “This is the fourth vehicle we had to ditch. And this one we did in record time.”

Lance guffawed. “Really?”

“Mmm Hmm.”

“Heh, Impressive.” he commended. “If you’re not a merc, then you’ll notice quickly that cars are an oddity around here. Working cars mind you.”

“Heh, maybe you’re right.”

“Yep. So Ivan, how do you expect to enter Salt Lake?” Lance asked.

Ivan answered. “I don’t think that now is the time to discuss this.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

Ivan found a billboard to the right.

“Man,” Lance said with awe. “Billboard must’ve been clearer before the wars.”

“Follow me.” Ivan ordered.

“Uh… what was that?”

He bolted towards the billboard, causing the others to follow. They stood against the support beams.

“Lance, can you scout the area for us?”

“Uh…? Heh, glad you asked.” He stuck his rifle out before placing his eye into the scope. “Eh… most of the action is happening in the city.”

He pulled away. “Which means we’re in an extremely vulnerable state. If a flanking force comes in, we won’t be living for that much longer.”

“So shall we get moving?”

“Obviously.” he was standing on his feet.

‘Hold it!” Acquiring their attention, Jacklyn would say, “C-Can I… see your rifle?”

He was taken aback. “You want to take it away from me, don’t you?”

Modestly, she’d say. “Yes.”

“Jackie, just let it go.” Ivan said.

“I agree.” Lance said coldly. “We need to move quickly if we don’t want spark any attention.”

“But…”

“Jackie, that’s enough.” Ivan too stood up, and began walking. “Now let’s go.”

Lance would do the same. Without hesitating, Jacklyn too would follow. Her hand was gripping tightly onto the baton as she struggled to keep up with the group.

“Oh, and Jackie, was it?”

“What?” she asked with a virulent tone.

“I was assigned this weapon.”

The grip on her baton loosened. Her stare being reduced. “Oh…, I see.”

She picked up speed, and was now joining the two in the typical side by side manner.

“Yeah, my superiors told me that this was the weapon of choice for me.” He switched to his SMG. “I didn’t complain, I had a wife and kids back home obviously.”

“I understand.” Jacklyn held onto her arm.

“So, you were planning on taking drastic measures weren’t you?”

She shot up to him. “Uh…”

“You were, weren’t you?”

She was looking at the asphalt now.

Seeing this made Lance comment with, “Welcome to the red zone, pal. Well, not really. Consider this your first experience on the battlefield.”

“I already have.”

“I’m sorry?”

“I… I’ve already seen enough.”

He checked the magazine for ammo. “Well, alrighty then. Hope your stomach can handle more.”

Click!

“Of course.”

BOOM!

The streets were being filled with blasts of smoke and fire. Each one getting closer and closer.

“Over there!” Panicking, Ivan pointed at the first building they came across. They’d sprint to that location in an instant, with Ivan kicking the door open. “Scout the area, search for any hostiles and eliminate them.”

“Oi!” Lance nodded, charging into the building.

“And Jackie?” Ivan asked, getting ahold of Jacklyn.

“Yes?”

Aversely, he told her. “I hate it too.”

Jacklyn was still, a hand resting on her cheek as she watched him join Lance.

"Jackie, you coming or what?" Ivan called.

To which, Jacklyn quickly snapped out of it to join the others.

Chapter 9

Blutarch walked down the hallway, his bodyguards staying close. The sunlight beaming from the windows to his right were a nuisance, but manageable. Once at the door, he opened it.

“Ah, mister Blutarch! Thank Luna you’re here.” said the Lady in front of her. In the meantime, she was adjusting the stoles on her robes.

He walked over to the table. After sitting across from her, she slid to him a plate with some cake. “Want some milk?”

“Let’s just cut to the chase, Esther.” He grabbed a fork. “Boys, you may leave. Make sure you watch your backs.”

They complied.

While his bodyguards closed the doors behind him, Blutarch would observe her pour some milk into the glass cup.

After putting the pitcher down, she asked, “So what chase do you want to cut to?”

“That our plan to bring down Mister Bentley was a complete failure.”

“Ah~. That’s what you were getting at.” She reached for her fork.

“We’ve been too light on that guy.”

She was chewing a piece of her cake. “Well… he was allied with the local resistance group. Those debauchers can put up a huge fight.”

“In retrospect, my top mercs managed to put them down in record time.”

She swallowed. “That’s because they’re your top mercs.”

“Of course, forget the fact that your top infantrymen were obliterated before they could even land a hit.”

She slammed her fork against the table. “Look, the point is that there’s a high possibility that they could have something to do with it.”

“Obviously.” He cut a piece from his cake. “And who may that be?”

She rested her head on her hand. “Ugh, the ALM?”

“Oh, them.” He stuffed the piece in his mouth.

“Well, do you think so?”

  He stopped chewing. “I’m sorry?”

“Do you, think they have something to do with it?”

After swallowing, “Well, it seems likely. With the powers he has, I think it’s safe to say that they too will want a piece of the pie.”

“Let’s also not forget that they command under the shadows.”

“Obviously.”

Esther drank a bit of her milk. “So how do you expect to beat them?”

“What?”

“Since they command under the shadows, I think it’s safe to say we should come to a battle plan.”

He drank a bit of his milk before saying, “I don’t think we need to worry about that.”

“Hmm?”

“I said, there’s no need to worry.”

“What do you mean?”

“I may not know a lot about the boy, but my associates do.”

“Hmm.” She picked up her fork, “I guess I should’ve remembered that from the beginning.”

“What matters is that we get there first, by any means.”

“Okay… What are those means?”

He drank his milk, swallowing every ounce.

She sighed. “You don’t know what they are, don’t you?”

He put down the cup. “Not a single clue.”

She cut out another piece. “So… do you want me to come up with something?”

He reached for the pitcher of milk. “Please…, go on ahead.”

She let go of her fork. “First off…, the weakest need to go.”

“So Basically…”

She smiled. “Yes, because your plan was stupid.”

A train was moving rapidly over the tracks. On one of the cars, two men holding onto HMG’s, were standing through the Ring mounts on the roof. As they headed through a range of hills, one of them swore to have seen someone in the distance.

“Hey Jamie, I think I spotted…”

Shooting a look at him was the worst decision. Where blood was splotched over the roof, and his hand was sliding down.

Thwap!

Two men and two women in black latched onto the car like magnets.

“We’re under attack!”

Then through the square holes attached at the sides of the cars, assault rifles were sticking out before firing.

“Jump!” yelled one of them.

They’d hop onto the ceiling with a loud clang.

Inside though…,

Foom! Foom! Foom!

The guard put down the large bulky gun and prepared the detonator, narrowing his eyes.

Then he heard the door swipe behind him.

Rat-at-at!

He yelled through the pain.

His partner was quick to discover this. “Damn it, you son of a-!”

Rat-at-at!

The woman in black watched her comrade do the same thing before shouting. “Clear!”

Rat-at-at…!

She’d gasp before sliding to the side of the car. The bullets were racing in and banging at the walls.

“Phew.” she sighed.

Blam! Blam! Blam!

She looked outside, where Trevor was landing on the platform. He placed his hand on the digital keypad, which instantly opened the door for him once it powered off.

The guards quickly made their move. Hiding behind a seat, Trevor whipped out a little blue pistol. He aimed up once a drone was already hovering in front of him.

Tw-wch!

A bright blue orb crashed onto the drone’s long metallic body before the machine gun underneath can fire.

D-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r….!

“Aaargh!”

“Shoot, it’s turned!” the horrified guard screamed. “Kill it! Kill-!”

BLAM!

  He exited out the car a couple seconds later, the drone next to his shoulder and a large group of bodies lie around with pools of blood underneath them. The drone didn’t last long though, being ambushed by five troops the moment they entered into the next car.

“Pin him-!”

BLAM!

Two drones came in.

BLAM!

BLAM!

He hopped onto the next seat, firing each round as he hopped over each of the following.

“You’re not get-”

Slash!

He let the guard rest on his shoulder.

“Assho-”

The knife was buried deep in his chest, he could only choke softly as his eyes violently closed. Trevor released the knife after letting him rest against the wall. He then let the guard he was carrying kneel down before putting him on his back. He frowned before getting up, reloading, and exiting out the door.

In the next room, he was met with a guard trembling from head to toe.

B-beep!

Rat-at-at…!

He danced as red was appearing on his blue uniform. With that, Trevor jumped to the side.

BLAM!

It was followed by an explosion that was powerful enough to break the glass on each side. The train would come to a stop, nothing but the gentle breeze could be heard. He walked into the car, finding the sentry gun be surrounded with static before popping like a balloon, making him wince. He stood there for a little while.

Getting the cue, Pierre stood up from his cover. “How was your end Trevor?”

Trevor was loading his scattergun with more bullets, looking up to give him a depressing look.

Pierre then saw the blood that stained his white coat. “Oh, I see.”

He then looked at the bodies that littered the floor. “You know since they’ve been around for more than two decades, they would’ve fortified their supply lines a bit better.”

Trevor put his rifle away. “I agree.”

He walked over to the broken window, where countless hills stood still. “Damn war’s been going on for a while now. Do you think Marianne will get over it?”

Pierre crossed his arms. “Ugh, both countries are very persistent. So she’s going to have to get over it by force.”

“After what happened during Bloody Leaf, I don’t think she’s going to.”

“Hmm, good point.” He walked past him, hopping off of the train.

This made Trevor follow. “That home meant so much for her.”

Pierre looked at the battered car, where the faction’s respective flag hung. “I agree, it’s best that we don’t pain her like this.”

Trevor nodded.

Boom!

Boom!

“Well well, they made good use of those mines.”

Moments later, a couple trucks filled with several wooden crates sped towards their position, sliding to a stop.

“Get in!” the driver screamed.

They did, and then the driver sped off.

Trevor turned around when a large mass of white smoke burst into view.

“Do you think Marianne is doing okay?” Pierre asked.

He looked back at the front. “She’ll manage.”

“There it is!” she shouted.

“We see it Marianne!” Maribelle shouted back. “Right Haystack?”

“Yep!” he responded. “I’m glad that we got that call, though.”

Marianne blushed. “Heh, yeah, would’ve been a disorderly mishmash, right?”

The fire had spread across acre after acre. Sending an urge of tension through Marianne’s shoulders. Her chest felt stiffened to the point where she’d grab onto it to exhale. The chopper would land. In that moment, her chest ameliorated, letting her do as such. But the dismay she felt was still lurking. She and the others walked off the chopper, while a soldier was heading towards them.

“Marianne, how have you been doing?” he welcomed with a brief wave.

“Commander Metzger, can you explain why you’re here?” she said with a modest wave.

“Well, being a mercenary during World War Three, you have to put your skills out in the field from time to time, right?”

“Touché, I guess.” she shrugged. The fire in front of her kept her shoulders tensed, but she was able to ask, “So… you believe he was here?”

“I’m confident.” he answered. “We sent ten reconnaissance squads to scout the forest.”

He’d frown, kicking the grass. “But, when they called back…, they were claiming to have seen him. And they seem to be right. Follow me.”

“To where?”

“To the forest.” Realizing that she wasn’t going to lose that baffled face, he’d explain, “Hmmph, we’re not going directly into the fire of course.”

“Oh.” She held onto her arm. “Heh, alrighty then, show us the way.”

With a smirk and a nod, he began walking. “Put on gas masks then follow me.”

“Alright.” Marianne turned to the others. “Come along Haystack, Maribelle!”

“Uh, really?” Big Mac said, a hoof raised in the air.

“Yes really, now let’s get going.”

They were confused at first, but after shrugging to each other, they were right behind them.

“Umph!” Big Mac’s body pressed downward, looking up to find Maribelle sitting on his back. “Maribelle!”

She laughed awkwardly. “We’re in a bit of a hurry, aren’t we?”

“Hmm…, ‘Ah guess.”

They heard sirens coming from the road behind them. There, he’d find three battered and rusty fire trucks screech to a stop like nails over a chalkboard. Opening the front doors, were two BLU soldiers.

“Go, get going, you have a fire to put out!” the soldier shouted, pointing his pistol at the doors next to him. “Move, move, move!”

Big Mac watched as the men and women all hurried out.

“You’re not going to slack off when a forest like that is on fire! So get going; move, move, move!”

  Big Mac was looking at the panicked look on their faces, watching them get all the equipment needed to douse it. He’d turn away to find Marianne’s shoulders still tensed. The fact that troops were scattered everywhere wasn’t helping, it seemed. It all ended when he felt a warm brush of air pressing over his ear. His heart nearly stopped at that.

“Let’s just not bring it up, okay?” Maribelle whispered.

His ears pulled back, sulking. “Alright then.”

“That’s good to hear.” she pat him on his mane. She then leaned away and sat on his back.

The walk lasted for a while. With the fire already far away from them, they could rest assure that burning alive wouldn’t be an issue.

“Here it is!”

“Oh Jesus!” Marianne gasped at what they were witnessing.

Big Mac galloped to their side, and nearly fainted at what they saw.

“Yep, we pulled him out, but it was too late.” Metzger said. “Severe Frostbite from head to toe. Don’t know how he did it…, but he did.”

He took off his helmet, shaking his head. “At this rate, it’ll drop our morale to an even new low once more damage is done.”

“So what then?” Marianne asked.

“I don’t know, but the obvious needs to be done.” he reminded them. “I mean, you all have your motives for wanting him dead, right?”

She kept staring at the multi-colored body. “Of course, but that’s the problem. How long will it take?”

Metzger was in thought.

“Only a couple days.”

They turned to find Big Mac with the sternest of looks.

“What do you mean?” Marianne asked.

“Just look at where we are. Looks like the intended route was scrapped.”

She got up, resting her chin over a hand. “Huh, now that you think about, you’re right.”

“So, it’s likely that they’ll be heading towards a major city after this.”

Metzger got up too. “And the closest one is Salt Lake.”

Big Mac added. “And if that’s the case, then we can wait for him there.”

“Only one problem.” stated Metzger. “Salt Lake is under RED control.”

“Not to mention that’s just a guess.” Maribelle said.

“Which is why we do the obvious.” He reminded them, ignoring their reactions. “We start by getting in contact with Blutarch for a little request.”

“He’s at a meeting with the Sisterhood, Haystack.” Marianne told him.

“Oh…” Wondering what next, he tapped his hoof.

“But… Let’s start from another point.” Marianne placed her hands in her pockets, eyeing the clear blue sky. “Something must’ve went wrong when they were heading north. So they’ll have to find something of value in order to go back. Thus, they’ll be going someplace specific in order to acquire it.”

“And it’ll obviously be in a major city.” Maribelle concluded.

“Exactly.” said Marianne.

“Now that question is, what exactly went wrong. More importantly, where?”

Bothered, Big Mac would ask, “But what does that have to do with actually finding them there?”

Marianne looked at him with her sternest look. “If we’re going to go behind enemy lines, in a major city mind you, we’ll have to execute this mission as efficiently as possible. We find the source, then we can fulfil the operation before RED can even lift a finger.”

“And how are we going to do that?” asked Maribelle.

“Simple, I…” she wrapped her hands behind her back. “I know someone back in another front.

She faced the frostbitten body. “Remember the body we dumped?”

  With their stomachs churning, they nodded.

“Well, no doubt she’s heading out there to poke it with a stick or something.” she laughed cheekily. “So what do you say, we roll out for some answers?”

Big Mac kicked the grass softly, facing Maribelle for a reply. Maribelle did the same. Looking back at Marianne the two would sigh and nod.

“Well alright.” she gave a thumbs up. “Let’s get going. Thanks Metzger!”

“Uh, yeah…, no problem, I guess.” He said with the most obdurate of waves, and the smallest of smiles.

After the others waved goodbye, Marianne stopped her walk to say, “Oh, and Haystack…, nice to see that you used past experiences for that strategy. You just needed to know how it was made up.”

Big Mac stopped his trotting, facing the grass below. His lips quivered, his legs felt like imitating that.

“Haystack.”

He looked up at Maribelle.

With a smile on her face, she told him. “Don’t worry, it’ll be okay.”

He faced back at Marianne, who was yards ahead of him. He took a deep breath before lifting his head up. He exhaled, and began trotting again. “’Ah guess.”

They were quiet after that. Maribelle would go on to pet his mane, something that relaxed the two during rides like this.

“Thanks.” he’d say to her.

“Don’t mention it, B-Haystack.” She smiled awkwardly. “You have a choice, you know. Good thing you’re making the right one.”

“Yep.”

She looked around the forest, seeing the blue sky past the ubiquitous trees. She’d smile. “I know it.”

Marianne’s smiled warmly at this too.

“What’s on your end, Ivan?” Lance shouted.

“I’m clear also. Find anything interesting though?”

“Blimey, I was going to ask you the same thing. Anyway, no. This is probably some old drugstore or something.”

Ivan and Jacklyn were walking down the hall, arriving to his position.

“Whaddaya…” They were in front of vast space. Which Ivan commented with…, “Wow, looks like you’re right.”

He walked out of the room they were in. Atop, he could barely make out the word ‘Pharmacy’ through the faded paint. “Ugh, looks like we stumbled upon yet another ghost town.”

“Agree.” Lance said. “I’m just surprised that this city is still standing after more than two decades.”

“Guys, you better look at this!” Jacklyn called.

They retreated back into the room. Quickly, they’d find her location.

“Did we, check this room before?” Ivan asked.

“No, it was locked.” Jacklyn had her hand rest over her agape mouth. “Didn’t know it lead me to this.”

“Bloody hell.” Lance walked over to the skeleton, squatting down for a face to face observation. “Judging by that hole, it must’ve been suicide.”

“And judging by that armband, I think he’s ALM.”

Lance looked at Ivan as if he were an alert Deer. “The, who?”

“Uh… you don’t know who they are?”

“No, huh, but I guess I have to.”

“Hmm, odd.” Ivan rummaged through each piece of paper on the desk. “Well, there’s nothing of interest on the desk. Just a bunch of blank papers and calendars. Must’ve been tough on this guy.”

“And the rest is just burned to ash.” Jacklyn said.

Ivan looked to where she was looking, where literally a pile of ash was in the corner. “Great. This makes the trek even more difficult.”

“Guys, I found something in the cabinet.” Lance announced.

“And what would that be?”

He stood up. “Must be the guy’s phone.”

“Yeah, I’m checking for… Huh, looks like there is.” Lance pressed play on the recording app.

“Grrr, damn this place.” It started. “Hmm, Double F thought that this would be the best staging area… God damn was he wrong… Ugh…, If you’re dumb enough to find this place. I want you to check on someone just ten blocks south from here. They’re residing in Lavender Court, at the Loving sky apartments. I don’t know if they’re still around though. Both Armies are practically wiping us off the map.

“Just five hours ago, BLU forces raided in one of our cells in far-east end of town. It won’t be long before they find me… Which is why I’m locking myself in… Hopefully…, hopefully they’ll know what to do… Hell, it doesn’t matter anyway… This whole campaign was a lost cause honestly. But hey…, they all seem like cool people… It’s just unfortunate that I had to join.”

They heard a loud click before it ended. Ivan leaned away, sighing. “It’s possibly another cell. Do you think we should go?”

“Of course.” said Lance. “It’s not interfering with this plan, not to mention the good stuff we could find.”

“I agree. And you Jackie?” He turned to her as he received no response.

She was looking at the phone, in mourning.

“Jackie.”

She jumped slightly. “Uh… yeah, right. I think… I think it’s best that we go there.”

“Alrighty then.” Ivan walked out of the room. “Hopefully we didn’t lose track of time.”

“Yeah.” Lance did the same.

“Jackie, let’s get going.”

She jumped again. “Uggh! Yeah, sure, I’m going.”

Jacklyn would run over to him. She’d give her best smile.

Ivan, feeling as awkward as the others, pointed out the door. “C’mon, hopefully the infantry haven’t arrived to this position.”

And so they were off.

Ka-boom!

Boom!

The tank pushed forward, the Mounted Machine gun firing as many rounds as the soldier firing could do so. It would be followed by a dozen of soldiers on foot.

“Let’s go.” Ivan ordered, surveying the soldiers engaging the enemy.

Jacklyn was the last to leave the rubble. Looking back at the bodies behind her made her want to vomit, it would be even worse when the tank was blown to bits like a cracker. “Celestia save them.”

They jogged across the street.

“Whoa!” Jacklyn shouted as she witnessed three explosions tear at the front of a building like punching through Styrofoam. “Oh Celestia.”

“So, is that the place?” asked Lance.

Ivan was viewing a two story apartment down the road. Beside it: was a sign.

“Yep… that’s the place alright.” Ivan said after reading it. “So does anyone remember where in the apartment are they located?”  

Lance shook his head.

“According to the phone,” Jacklyn said while checking it. “It doesn’t say.”

Ivan looked at the heavily damaged apartment, before groaning. “Shoot.”

Bam!

Ivan brandished his rifle as he entered the dust filled room.

“Nothing here!” he shouted.

“Just like every room we checked, huh?” shouted Lance.

“Yep!” He then left.

The three would rendezvous at the empty kitchen residing next to the living room.

“Hmm, the civvies were pretty quick to evacuate.”

“I guess so.” Jacklyn said, looking at the bullet riddled furniture. “I hope they’re doing all right though.”

“I wouldn’t say that if I were you.” Ivan sighed. “I mean what do you expect from Idy?”

Jacklyn faced the kitchen table as she tapped her fingers.

To break the ice, Lance said, “Do you think they could be in some sort of basement?”

Ivan answered. “Probably. I think it’s best that we check the front office.”

“Yeah, we should’ve done that in the first place.”

“Uh…” Ivan was scratching his head. “Heh, heh… silly me. Well, let’s go then.”

The two exited out the door, but Jacklyn would delay such action. The bullet holes that riddled each part of the room….

Jacklyn’s eyes were tearing up a bit. She could even swore to have seen droplets of blood…

“Jackie, come on.” Ivan ordered.

She immediately nodded, and got going.

“Anything?” Ivan asked.

“Nothing here!” Jacklyn shouted. “Just… nothing!”

“Oh, what about you Lance?”

“Found this little button in the fuse box.” And then he went on to press it.

There was a sound right after. Which felt like two rocks grinding against one another. His feet were wobbling as the floor moved underneath him. But once the floor was all gone, “Whoa! Upmh!”

He landed on another floor. “Ow…! Huh?”

The man in front of him stood still, mouth open, and a pill in his hand.

“Sweet Celestia!”

The man lowered the pill. “Wait, what?”

Whack!

“Ow!”

Ivan heard her baton clanging against the wall behind the man.

“Ow… Hey, watch it Lady!”

“Um, s-sorry!” Jacklyn shrieked, running to kick the pill to the side.

Ivan was now on his two feet, and was now rubbing his eyes. “Ugh, and for lady who can shoot people in the arms and legs, she sure is a terrible thrower.”

The man in front of him now was baffled, so it seemed appropriate for Ivan to address the situation. “Ugh...! Look dude, you’re with the resistance, right?”

“Uh… First, yes.” He answered directly. “Secondly, you both aren’t-”

“Nope, we’re just wanderers.”

“Yo Ivan, what did you find?” Lance was walking down the stairs.

Upon seeing his uniform, “Aw shoot, where’s that pill!”

“Whoa, Whoa!” Lance jogged over to him, grabbing the stammering man from the arm. “Calm yourself mate!”

He was squirming frantically.

“C’mon Mate! I’m not with the red coats!”

He stopped, using that to loosen Lance’s grip. “Then why are you…”

“Consider me their little hostage.”

He was baffled again. “Uh… how?”

“Hmm?” His rifle came to mind. “Oh…, it had something to do with a little debt I owe them.”

“Uh… that doesn’t…”

“It’ll make sense soon enough.”

“Um… Okay?”

The four of them were standing still for a bit.

“So…” Jacklyn asked. “You’re the only one left?”

He groaned. “Well what do you think?”

She jolted back. “No as in… in…”

However, she was able to take out the smartphone and head to the recording app. When the recording ended…,

“So…” the man gloomed. “It’s true then?”

They nodded.

“Damn it.” He sat against the nearby couch. He leaned onto his hands. “He… He was the last contact I had.”

Jacklyn sat next to him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

“He… told me to stay here…, and then he never called me again.”

Ivan would go on to inform him, “We found him with a s-”

Jacklyn zapped up a finger at him.

The man leaned away from his hands. “Huh?”

“We found him with a slit throat.” Jacklyn explained. “A squad of RED soldiers had the place surrounded, so even though he had enough with this cause, he was going to die like a soldier.”

He smiled. “At least he put up a fight…, right?”

She assured him. “He was the last man standing. When we came across him, he had shot ten more men with the last of his ammo before engaging in a knife fight with the last soldier.”

“Thank god.”

Ivan looked back at the entrance. He was still hearing the gunfire echo throughout. “So, with that news out…, what now?”

His relief changed to worry. “What do you mean?”

“You’re the last man in this city. So, what are you going to do now?”

He was now tapping his left foot.

“C’mon man, anything?”

“Anything but this?” Ivan complained, as the three sat underneath the nearest window.

“I’m serious Mister Ivan, sir.” said the man. “I want to do this.”

“You know, we were actually heading someplace.” He groaned. “I don’t think we have time to…”

Jacklyn gave him the same look from before. “It’ll be okay Leon. Hopefully we can find the others before the battle gets worse.”

“Yeah, I know we can.” He was now arming his rifle.

“Jackie,” Ivan whispered to her. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

Jacklyn sighed. “Chapter 12, page Six-hundred and ninety: Even the littlest of contributions can make a big difference.”

Ivan made a bothered stare at her. One which Jacklyn was quick to shake off. “So where to, Leon?”

“The nearest cell is just five blocks east from here. Follow me!”

In the meantime, Lance ran alongside Ivan to whisper to him. “Just roll with it, mate. Hopefully this’ll boost her morale a bit. Besides, you have all the power you need.”

Grimacing a bit, Ivan responded with, “Hmm, I hope so.”

“Remember boys, wipe out the soldiers in the… Hey, Alice what the hell are you-Umph!”

She’d grunt the moment she tumbled onto the rooftop.

BLAM!

The first soldier she confronted was short met as she ran towards the door. Inside was hallway that lead to a pitch black hole at the end. Running towards it showed her how impossible it was to reach it. Despite that, she could see countless bullets race out of there.

“Don’t worry Thomas, I’m coming!” she screamed, firing countless rounds into the void.

Thwap!

A sharp sting struck her stomach, but it only made her stumble rather than collapse.

BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! Click!

Thwap!

Both her pistol and her hand was gone. She held back her scream as her eyes watered. She’d take a pocket knife out of her pocket. Right before her legs were punctured like glass. She struggled to push forward after that. Blood spat out when she coughed, and then a bullet ran straight through her breast.

“Alice…”

She softly opened her eyes. With Thomas being the first she’d see.

“Wake up.” he repeated.

“Hmm?” she moaned. “We’re back at-?”

“No, we’ve got a report that they’re in this city.”

Her grogginess was wiped clean in that instant. “Really! Let’s… Whoa!”

Her rump crashed against her seat. “Ow…!”

“Ugh, calm yourself Alice.” Derek groaned, “We haven’t even landed yet.”

“Oh…, sorry.” Alice sighed.

They felt the chopper bump onto the concrete surface, so they unbuckled their seatbelts and exited the chopper. From where they were standing, they could see explosions and gunfire rattle in the distance.

“Sir, what’s the report?” asked Thomas.”

“Sir, our forces have claimed to have seen the fugitive you’re looking for… but, BLU fighters were quick to push us back.” the soldier nearby reported. “You’re going to have to find another way into their lines.”

“Heh, you do realize that we’re engaging them on every front right?” Derek told him.

“That is why we’ll be needing a little help.” Alice said, watching the fire like the others. “You’re a scout, aren’t you?”

“Yes, but I’m in reserve now. So is my squad.”

She face palmed. “Ugh, who’s the head of command here?”

“That’s a good question.” he said with intrigue. “I don’t know.”

“Well, tell him or her that I’m getting you people out of reserve.” Alice ordered.

“Uh, you serious?”

“Do you want to make your family back home proud or not?”

“Uh, yeah but, shouldn’t you be doing that?”

Her toughness warred down at this. “Oh, heh, right?”

She was given the walky-talky, then she went to place the orders. “Yes sir, we want to put… what’s your squad’s number?”

“Two-fifty.”

“Scout squad Two-Fifty out of reserve.”

“Who is calling?”

“Missus Alice Wesley.”

“Alice Wesley, seriously? Um…”

“Yes, I’m getting squad two-fifty out of reserve. Also…”

“Yes ma’am?”

Her mouth creased into a smile.

Meanwhile, three soldiers were screaming in horrid agony before collapsing to the rubble filled ground. The fire that ignited was still drilling into their bones.

“Does it make sense now?” Lance asked Leon with a smug look.

“Uh…, yeah… i-it makes sense k-kind of.”

Bullets pounded against the large chunk of rubble next to them. They quickly hid.

“Come on you guys!” Ivan shouted. “Over here!”

“Go, I’ll cover you!” Lance said.

“Okay!” Leon then leaped out and charged towards their position, firing as much rounds as he could at the enemy line. Ivan would scoot back as he slid towards the car.

“Is everyone accounted for?” Jacklyn asked, pointing her shield at the other end of the vehicle.

“Hold it.” Ivan answered.

Fwo-fwo-fwo-fwo-fwo-fwo-fwo-fwo…!

Green bolts were firing through the air as the sound of Lance’s SMG was echoing across the alley. He then slid into cover also.

Shee!

Fwo-fwo-fwo-fwo-fwo-fwo-

“Grena-!”

Boom!

Jacklyn leaned towards the edge of the car, hearing nothing.

“Clear!” Leon screamed.

“Heh, Impressive.” Ivan complimented.

“Just my job of course.” Lance said, reloading his SMG.

They’d walk over to the now obliterated levee.

“So are we there yet?” Ivan asked, kneeling towards one of the bodies.

“We’re close by! Just down the street ahead!” Leon answered while pointing out into the street.

Ivan slid out the magazines from the pockets. “You sure they’re there?”

“I’m confident, mister.” Leon said, checking his rifle. “A toy soldier once said that a good soldier never leaves a fellow soldier behind.”

He looked at him with a raised eyebrow. “What?”

“Sorry, sir.” He scratched the back of his head. “I must’ve been there for months on end.”

“Ugh, apology accepted I guess.” He resumed to taking the corpse’s grenades. “Just say ‘A wise man’, okay?”

“I will.”

He stood up, walking over to a rifle that was glowing green from the ejection port.  He then dropped the magazine it had for a new one. With a minor glare, he told him, “I sure hope so.”

Jacklyn smiled. “So, we’re gonna get going right?”

“Sure.” Ivan was about to scout the street ahead when,

“But, Ivan…, what are you exactly?” asked Leon.

He stopped walking, stood still, and pulled back the cocking handle. “Let’s just say that I had a job to do, and ended up with this on my hands.”

Leon and Lance looked at each other, both possessing the same reactions of grimace. However,

“Actually, he was-”

“Shh!”

She immediately jumped at this, noticing his glare.

“Now come on, we don’t want to keep them waiting of course.” Then he kept walking.

“O-Okay sir.” Leon was quick to follow.

The others did the same, but weren’t as quick.

“Heh, what other choice do I have right?” Lance chuckled uncomfortably.

Jacklyn was gripping her baton again, doing her best not to look down.

“This way!” Ivan screamed.

They were nearly caught off guard by the gunfire headed their way.

“Shoot!” Jacklyn raised her shield in the air. She then held onto Lance’s hand, and pulled him in the direction Ivan was going.

Across the street, Ivan pushed the nearly battered door open.

Fwo-fwo-fwo-fwo-fwo…!

A quartet of soldiers running towards said door feel silent as bullets were searing through their bodies. Leon kicked the door next to him open, mowing down the squad of soldiers about to go through it. He then ordered them to follow him.

Leon broke through the window at the edge of the building. “Into the next one, now!”

Ivan stuck his rifle out the window.

Ka-Thwop!

BOOM!

Ignoring their shock, he disarmed the attached grenade launcher and hopped through the broken window. He ran into the huge hole, firing the remaining rounds into five soldiers before they can even acquire a hiding spot.

Rat-at-at-at…!

Bullets pounded against his chest as he was reloading. He kicked him back as he took out the magazine, this lead Leon to continue the job. The soldier had bullets punctured in his torso before falling back. Ivan nodded at him before bolting through the doorway. The others were right behind him.

They reached what appeared to be a massive dining area, only to be pinned down by outer forces.

“The cell’s across the street!” Leon shouted.

“Alrighty then!” Ivan screamed, blind firing over the window. “Let’s just hope-”

He stopped the moment a buzzing sound was heard. “Shoot!”

D-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r…!

Tw-tw-tw-tw-tw-tw-tw-tw-twang!

  Ivan was already aiming at the drone, blowing it to bits.

“Heh, where have you been?” Lance asked her, but flinched back when a muffled explosion could be heard. “Whoa, never mind th-Whoa!”

“Jackie, what the hell!” Ivan screamed, “I can’t see any-Hey!”

His eyes were burning, as his feet were moving uncontrollably. After hearing a loud click, he felt the floor slap him. “Ow…”

Wiping the tears from his eyes, he stood up. “Jackie, why did you drag us-”

BOOM!

It was as if an earthquake had suddenly struck the city. He was nearly knocked to the ground as he witnessed small splotches of fire appear through the white smoke. It was succeeded by screams of despair.

Through the smoke, soldiers would appear with flames crawling all over their bodies. They hopelessly banged against the damaged windows in a attempt for some help. After a while their fisting grew weaker, and so did their screams. Each of them would collapse onto the burning streets as the fire replaced the white smoke.

“Geez.” Ivan exhaled. Then he noticed that Jacklyn hadn’t said a word. She was a still as a tree, but was shivering as if it was shedding its leaves. “Uh, Jackie, you okay?”

There was no answer. The others were just as worried.

“Come on Jackie, I think it’s best that you look away from that.” Lance suggested.

She looked down, placing a hand over her eyes. “Heh, you’re right. Silly me.”

She turned around, finding Leon still on the floor, so she quickly helped him up. Seizing the opportunity, Leon asked, “How’d you know that was going to happen?”

“Um…, I saw a laser in the sky. While we were…”

Her arms were shaking.

“Jackie.”

“Uh…!”

“Whoa, Umph!” Leon fell on his rump. “Ow!”

“Oh, sorry Leon!” she pleaded, quickly grabbing onto his arm. “So, we’re here already.”

“Yep.”

Ivan and Lance flipped around, pointing their guns.

“Whoa boys, put the guns down and let’s sort this out.”

“We’ll do proposal two.” Ivan placed his gun against his hip. Lance did the same.

“Jenna!” Leon shrieked. He ran to her with open arms.

She placed her hand on his forehead. “Don’t touch me man, I’m not in the mood.”

“Aw.” His arms went limp at that.

“Anyway, come on out you guys!”

Dozens of taps against the floor could be heard. On the top balcony and right behind her; men, women, and children were lining up. All of them carrying some weapon in particular.

Leon looked baffled. “Is this-”

“Mmm Hmm? Got your text, then came up with the plan to get us all in here…, that’s all.”

Leon frowned. “Oh… I see.”

“Wait, you contacted them to come over here?” Ivan said with a raised voice.

He nodded.

“Hmm, saves us the running time.” Ivan rested his face over a hand. “So with that information out of the way, what next?”

Jenna would say something to that. “Well, I want to start by asking who in god’s name are you people?”

The point at him made him want to flinch. “Uh…”

“So, I expect for you to explain along the way.”

“Uh… Okay then?” Ivan raised an eyebrow.

“Come along then.” she led them to a door at the far right. She was the first top open it, and the last to enter.

  Ivan groaned. “Here we go again.”

“What was that, Ivan?” asked Lance.

“Nothing you should be worried about of course.” Ivan retorted.

“Fine then.” Despite his annoyed reaction, he couldn’t help but frown once he looked away.

“Salt Lake, huh?”

“Yep, we were supposed to be heading to Washington State when something happened along the way.” Jacklyn said. “That’s how we ended up here.”

“So what happened?”

She looked to Ivan, who quickly shook his head the moment she saw him.

“Sorry, I think it’s best that we keep that to ourselves.”

“Heh, you shouldn’t be ganging up on her like that.” Jenna told her.

“Uh… why?”

“Oh no.” Leon mumbled.

“She’s not your little toy you know.”

Ivan was aghast. “Whoa, lady! Let’s not cause any trouble here!”

“Yeah, it’s best that we don’t.” Jacklyn intervened. “It was rather… personal to me.”

“Oh…, you sure?”

Jacklyn nodded furiously.

“Uh...” She was blushing. “Sorry.”

“Don’t mind her.” Leon groaned. “She’s just your typical-”

“Oh can it, Leon! At least I care about our rights!”

“Well you can’t just slander people with stuff like that.”

“Ugh, I know.”

They were quiet again, nothing but the tapping of Jacklyn’s fingers could be heard.

“She just looked worried, is all.” Jenna added in further. “And a person like me would be quick to assume, you know?”

“Heh, isn’t that the truth?” Ivan said. “Not to mention she’s new around here.”

“Oh really?” Jenna queried.

She nodded.

“I understand.” Jenna laid a hand on her shoulder. “It’s not easy, isn’t it?”

She nodded again.

“Well, who says you have to get used to war anyway?”

“Let’s just get to focusing on getting out of here, okay?” Leon inquired.

“Oh fine.” She pulled her hand away and reached for a map in her backpack.

The others would keep talking, but Jacklyn was looking away from them for a moment. The window was still displaying the flames that covered the entire area from top to bottom. Her free hand curled into a fist.

“Jackie.”

  She looked back to Ivan.

“You paying attention?” he asked.

She immediately faced floor, sighing.

“Ugh, well you should.”

“Oh, okay.” Her eyes focused on the map, while Jenna continued talking about her plan.

Through her peripherals, Jacklyn could see Ivan’s hand resting on the table. Her hand was aching to hold it, but it was too far away to reach it.

Her hand lifted up a bit, but her hesitance held it down. However, she let it slide a bit to his’. Despite not touching, she smiled nonetheless.

center]This Burden of Mine

The red beam flickered off as the fire raged through the city blocks.

“Alice, what now?” asked the scout.

“We go in obviously.” Alice answered contentedly. “Olivia, Derek, Walters, let’s go!”

“Wait, you’re going?” Thomas questioned.

She nodded. “And I need you to stay behind.”

“Uh…”

“Shouldn’t he be joining along?” asked Walters, checking his rifle for ammo. “I mean-”

“I need him to command from above.” she reached for the tablet in her purse. “Since this is our operation, we’ll need someone to be our eyes. The scouts can’t see everything, right?”

The tablet was now in his hands. “Hmm…, you have a point there.”

“Good!” With a grin, she slid her hand over his cheek. “We can totally count on you to keep the enemy on our sights!”

He was blushing when he looked down onto the tablet. “I will sweetie.”

“Come on boys, we have to go into enemy lines before they can reorganize!”

“Yes Madame!”

“Start the engines, pilot!” Alice ordered, and the pilot did as ordered.

The others wished Thomas good luck as they boarded the chopper again. All except for Olivia, who chose to stand still a bit. She faced him, making him do the same thing back.

“It’s as easy as sitting back.” she said with a calmed laugh. She’d board the chopper soon after.

Alice watched him, waving good-bye with excitement. His wave though, was filled with nervousness. The sight made Olivia frown. She only sighed before she chose to look out into the beaten city below.

Big Mac too was looking out of the chopper. Bullets were being fired, but it happened within his mind.

“You’re thinking of that again?” Maribelle groaned.

He nodded.

Her legs swung in the air as she gripped tightly onto the hilt of her katana. “You know what to do.”

“Eeyup.”

Marianne, couldn’t bear to see him. She was only able to sigh as she rested her head back. When her head leaned forward, Big Mac was still moping.

“Is that them?” asked one of her subordinates.

“Yeah, that’s them.” She witnessed the yellow pony giggle with such cheer. Big Mac was laughing too. “They seem to be having a good time, huh?”

“Yeah, just like the innocent old days.” He picked up the sniper rifle set on the couch. “Too bad those days don’t last forever.”

Her frown felt so heavy. “The snake’s head gets cut, so take aim.”

“Yes Ma’am.”

Marianne turned around, looking back at the two corpses that were lying next to the dinner table. The blood was already expanding, but that didn’t matter to them.

“Alex, when do the foals come out of school?” she groaned. “I’m curious.”

“They come out just like back in the States Ma’am.”

“Oh, good.”

“Why ask?”

“No reason.” She got a hold a large sack of coins that was on the table. She then blew into the air. “You got it?”

He answered, “Yes Ma’am. Just give me the orders.”

“Roger.” Only the sound of the clopping hooves outside was heard now. She turned away from the bodies. On the other side, a picture frame over the baby blue wall was there to greet her. It displayed a couple above two colts and a filly, smiles on each of their faces.

She felt as if she was entering into a haze.

“Ma’am?”

She shot back to the diligent Alex. “Oh, right.”

Then walked over to his position, looking down onto the happy couple. “Fire.”

Alex then pulled the Trigger.

“Marianne, this is Metzger!”

She jumped, nearly screaming also. She noticed the others were eager for her to respond, their opened eyes showed it.

“Come in, Marianne!”

She took her walky-talky out and placed it over her mouth. “What’s up?”

“I’m patching you to Commander Wulandari from ‘ze Idaho front, says that he found ‘ze two runaways!”

Big Mac’s heart felt like working overtime. He lifted his hoof a tad bit as he struggled to open his mouth. The words were coming to him. When they were at the tip of his tongue, he lunged as fast as he could.

Slap!

“Uh…” He saw that the katana’s sheath was against his hoof. Maribelle was holding onto its hilt, giving him a determined glare. With that, she shook her head.

“But…” No matter how hard he pressed forward, her hold was more powerful.

“I’m ordering you to keep an eye on them. If they stop, you pull in and pick them off one by one.”

“Uh, are you sure ma’am?”

“With a force that massive, they’re going to be watching every side aren’t they?”

“Uh, of course.”

“So get on to it!”

“Yes Madame.” There was a brief pause in the radio feed.

“So what happened?” asked Metzger.

Softly, Maribelle used the sheath to lower his hoof. Simultaneously, she was aware that his other hoof was grinding over the metal floor.

“Yeah, thank you.”

“No Problem, Mein Freund.”

She then put the walky-talky away.

“Marianne, why couldn’t we-”

She lifted her hand, making him shut up. “You don’t want to repeat what happened at the badlands, do you?”

“I… I…” He hooves loosened as his head faced them. “No, Marianne…., I don’t.”

“Thought so.” She crossed her arms and placed one leg over the other.

“Madame, we’ll be arriving to the destination in twenty-minutes.” the pilot announced.

“Oh, okay.” Marianne then loosened her stance to take out her pistols. “Alright guys, prepare your weapons.”

“Yes sir.” The other men and women in black said as they complied.

Big Mac put one hoof over the other leg, struggling to control the quivering of his lips. Even as Maribelle gave him a gentle pat on the back. It was something that even Marianne herself couldn’t avoid looking at, thanks to pity.

“Don’t cry…, please.” Maribelle begged softly. “Just-”

She was checking the ammo in their chamber when she found him in that demeanor. “And that means you too, Haystack.”

He wiped the tears from his eyes as he went for his rifle. “Y-Yes Madame.”

Maribelle could only sigh at the stammered expression he was displaying. “It’ll be okay, remember that.”

BOOM!

“Tank’s down!” Jenna screamed. “Go, go, go!”

Each and every one was now mounting their rifles over their cover. Opening fire caught the enemy off guard. They soon exited cover, pushing forward as they finished off the remaining soldiers that were in their way.

“Oh Celestia!” Jacklyn muttered as she witnessed two fighters get fatally shot during the push.

Static!

“This is Falcon Five, the enemy has us surrounded in every direction, send… Aargh!”

Jacklyn’s fear was multiplying as nothing but an endless ocean of static was heard.

“Unpin u-”

Static!

Now that the walky-talky wasn’t sounding off, Jacklyn was urgent to ask. “Uh, Jenna shouldn’t-”

“We can’t waste any time!” Jenna said, bothered. “The enemy’s closing in on us, so there’s no time to waste!”

Jacklyn was only disappointed at the response given, but pressed forward.

“Just do as they say and we’ll be fine, got it?” Ivan mumbled to her ear.

With sadness, she nodded.

Thwap!

A fighter flew a couple feet to his left after a bullet punched through his head.

She gasped, then another fighter met the same fate just nanoseconds later. Her fingers was now clutching in between her teeth.

“Are you sure?”

She nodded weakly.

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

Thwap!

Blood was spewing out of the woman’s forehead. She was unable to scream once Jenna ordered them to run towards the many foxholes that were right beside them.

“Shoot!” Jenna screamed while she and the others were running towards the gunfire now in front of them.

Three bullets were impaled into a resistance fighter’s abdomen, making him collapse. Jacklyn gasped, stopping herself as if she were stepping on brakes.

“Damn it, Jackie! There’s no time!”

“Aah!” she screamed. Then she turned around to notice that it was Ivan pulling at her arm. Then she screamed again when she felt nothing underneath her.

Thud!

Although she fell face first, it wasn’t going to faze her from….

“I wouldn’t go out there if I were you.” Lance said after grabbing her from the shoulder.

“Uh…” she looked up, she could see the fiery bullets race over her from both sides. But after a couple seconds it was only coming from one. She faced down, slowly sitting against the dirt wall.

He let go, feeling faint hearted, “At least make the effort to help us here, okay?”

Though a little tentative, she nodded before taking out her shield.

“Ivan!” Leon called.

Ivan was quick to give them his attention.

“Troops will be garrisoning that building behind us!” Jenna explained. “We’re going to have to take that building or they’ll cut off any chance for us to get out of here alive.”

“So how do we do that?” Ivan asked, gesturing his hand out beyond the foxholes.

“Hmm.” She rubbed her chin a bit, until she figured it out. She reached into her pockets and got a grenade out. “Who’s up for a mini-barrage?”

After some planning…,

“Grenade!”

“Get down!”

“Take co-!”

Explosions were heard all around as the three jumped out of the foxhole. They darted towards the bricked building’s entrance.

“Open fire!” Jenna screamed.

The soldiers that were about to enter the rooms heard this. But they didn’t have the time to react to her automatic pistol fire.

“Men, women, prepare your dissent!” the squad leader ordered.

The scouts stood from their seats, holding onto their scatterguns. Alice and the others were doing the same thing.

“All units, roll out!”

“Sir, yes sir!” They jumped out into the air.

“Whoa!” Alice felt her body being yanked like a fish on a hook. And like that, she was screaming helplessly as she descended several feet towards the ground.

“Uh, Alice, Madame?” the scout holding her asked.

She stopped screaming. “Yeah?”

“We’re on the ground.”

“Oh!” she let go of his grip and dusted herself off. ”Heh, sorry about that.”

“Don’t mention it.”

“Seriously Alice.” Olivia groaned. “You should’ve noticed by now.”

“Heh.”

Static!

“Alice, I’m patching you in to Squad ten. They seem to be…”

“Got it!”

Seconds later, “Anyone? This is Squad ten! We’re garrisoned at the west end of town! Our position’s being compromised as we speak!”

“This is Scout Squadron Two-Fifty! We’ll get there as fast as we can!”

“Aw, thank you Missy! We’re not doing too hot right now, your assistance will be of great help!”

“And why do you say that?”

His tone was bleak. “Well…”

“I’m falling-Aaah!” a soldier screamed as he clutched onto his chest, but it was short lived when he was fatally shot in the head.

“Let’s go!” she ordered, charging up the stairs.

Rat-at-at-at-at! Rat-at-at-at-at…!

Two soldiers using the concrete railing as cover were shot dead.

Rat-at-at… Click!

“Damn it!” Jenna muttered, letting the clip fall to the stairs. “Shoot!”

She avoided grabbing another from her pocket. Then she grabbed onto the barrel that was rearing out of the corner.

“Crap!” the soldier shouted as she struggled to hold onto the LMG, before it was taken clean off his hands.

“Oh no!” She kicked the armored soldier in the stomach.

”Imperium!”

The soldier stood in place, and this got Ivan to snatch the LMG from Jenna’s hands and toss it back to the soldier.

“What are you-”

The armored soldier turned to the hallway, and fired countless rounds.

“Amy, what the hell are you doing!” the soldier cried while two of her comrades were killed right in front of her. She quickly hid before the green bolts could reach her.

“What the hell are you?” Jenna asked him directly.

He checked his weapon for ammo. “I get that question a lot.”

“So if you’re not going to say what you are, then tell me how.”

He sighed, before answering. “I don’t want to remember.”

She only rolled her eyes.

“We surrender!”

“Huh?”

The armored soldier’s gunfire ceased.

They ran into the hall, weapons at the ready. Across the hall, they found nine soldiers exiting out of the rooms with their hands in the air.

Jenna only smiled, “That’s nice to here.”

Daintily, she turned to her walky-talky. “Alright boys and girls, fall back to the building. We have the enemy subdued!”

“Roger that!”

Static!

With a smug look on her face, she looked at Ivan. And Ivan was quick to figure it out. “Fire.”

“C’mon, let’s get going!” Lance said.

“Understood!” she placed her shield behind her back and followed him out. She witnessed the others doing the same. Only to gasp at one who was shot in the back of the head.

“C’mon, this is like Sodom and Gomora Jackie! So get going!”

She nodded.

“Whoa!” a kid screamed. He crashed onto the ground, and struggled to get up.

Jacklyn put the brakes on her run…,

“I said there’s no time!” she felt her hand being pulled away.

“Uh…” she looked back at the hindered child, just in time to watch five bullets punch through his entire back. The anguish that was running through her body would be short lived by a barrage of explosions that rocked the enemies on the other side. “Alright then.”

A line of nine corpses were sprawled across the hallway.

“Hmm, just making sure right?” Ivan laughed lightly.

“Of course.” Jenna admitted with her little smug look.

A clasp against the floor broke them from the conversation. In between them, the woman under the suit looked shaken with tears streaming from her eyes. She was struggling to form a coherent sentence, but that didn’t matter once the barrel of her weapon was pressing against her chin.

F-F-F-Fwah!

She fell back onto the floor, smoke ascending from her punctured face.

Ivan was looking at the corpses with a frown on his face.

“Huh.” Leon said. “Don’t worry buddy, we fought long enough to get used to it.”

“Oh.” was all he could say.

“Hello? Squad ten, come in!” said someone through radio chatter. “Can anyone listen to this?”

“Di-”

Olivia took the walky-talky away from her. She shook her head vigorously. “We don’t want them to find out!”

She complied. “Yep.”

“Yo Ivan!” Lance called. “We’re here!”

He turned around, a deadpanned expression on his face. “Oh nice, and Jackie?”

“Uh…” Lance turned to the stairs, the relaxed attitude changed for a worried one.

Jacklyn was already on Ivan’s sight. Her tensed shoulders was already giving away a lot.

“You okay, Jackie?” asked Jenna.

She shook her head.

Jenna sighed. “Still getting used to it right?”

She nodded.

“Well this is why we shouldn’t be helping these guys to begin with.” Ivan shrugged.

“Heh, thanks for the honesty there pal.” Leon scoffed.

“Just telling it like it is, buddy.” Ivan retorted. “Heh, anyway, you guys can wander off and do whatever you resistance fighters do. I need a little talk with these two.”

Jenna had to say something. “But-”

“Go!”

“But sir, we can’t leave you-”

“I said get the hell-!”

“You’re not going to last-”

His rifle was now pointing directly at them. “What else?”

The two briefly looked at each other before nodding at him. Leon was to say, “Nothing sir…, we’ll do as told.”

Slowly they turned around, walking past them towards the stairs. Not a second passed without his eyes grouting at them, so was the rifle.

“Lance, watch the stairs.” Ivan ordered once they were gone. “If they come back, make them piss their pants.”

Unsettled, he obeyed, and pointed his SMG down the stairs.

Jacklyn had her hands several inches away from her face. Tears were visible in her eyes.

At this, Ivan blew some air and placing his rifle over his shoulder. “Once we get out of here, we’re not getting involved with these kind of people.”

She rested her elbow over one hand, letting the other hand rest against her cheek.

“We should’ve been in Salt Lake by sundown.” He began pacing back and forth. “Instead, we’re stuck here helping a bunch of morons-”

“We couldn’t’ve made it by then anyway.” Lance commented.

“What?”

“Look where we are Ivan! We couldn’t make it through this area without ditching the damn car. What the hell would it look like if we did this on our own?”

He was silent.

“We’re literally on the front lines, Ivan! Do you even know what we’re dealing with?”

He sighed. “Yeah, the quicker we rush through here, the less we stealth we-”

“This was suicide from the beginning, mate!” Lance said with a raised voice. “You should be happy that we’re not Swiss cheese!”

“Hey, at least we’re not actually facing the enemy head on!” he rebutted, raising his rifle up to his hips. “Besides, your wife and kids don’t want to hear that their family died a traitor, don’t they?”

His body was in neutral, but his hands and lips were shivering. Jacklyn, seeing all this unfold, was gradually pushing away from the wall.  “Lance…, ah… are you o-”

BLAM!

BLAM!

BLAM!

“The hell?” Ivan muttered.

Rat-at-at-at-at-at-at-at-at…!

“Incoming!” a fighter screamed.

“Oh no, don’t tell me that-” Jacklyn lunged and bolted for the stairs.

“Jackie wait!” Ivan said in a panic.

“Not now!” Lance mumbled.

Ivan raced to her and got ahold of her arm. This prevented her from going down the next set of stairs, but from there she could see enough.

“Sweet Celestia!” she uttered, watching one of the fighters crash onto the wall with blood creating a great splotch over it.

Ivan fired his rifle down the stairs. The incoming soldier was clueless to the bullets heading his way. Looking at the now lifeless body, noticing its slender form alarmed him.

“Fall back guys, fall back!” Ivan pulled Jacklyn back up the stairs. Lance was providing suppressing fire as they headed to the hallway.

The resistance fighters in the hallway were firing in the opposite directions.

“Oh no.” Ivan saw a bright blade fly around next to the shadow that held it. The fighters fired relentlessly at it, but it was no use. One by one they’d be picked off, an excess amount of blood spewing out of their fatal wounds. “Hmm, looks like a rematch then.”

He dropped his rifle and took out a combat knife. By then, the last of the resistance fighters were being finished off. Once they were gone…,

Clang!

They pulled back, swinging again to make another loud one. She dropped to the ground before swinging her sword again.

Clang!

They put as much pressure as they could, but none of them would back down. This only made Ivan smile, despite being unable to see his opponent through the shadows. “Hmm, just like back at the den right?”

“The Den?” He heard her giggle menacingly. “I never fought someone like you back then.”

“Oh come on, don’t tell me the scientists made you retarded on cloudy days or something.”

“About that-”

“Cease fire!” he heard a voice call out.

His heart felt as if it stopped. He did his best to not freeze his place. With that will, he was able to ask, “Who the hell are you?”

Jacklyn screamed, but it would go from audible to muffled, in nanoseconds. Briefly turning around revealed a man in a red tuxedo. He was clutching onto a knife that was aiming at her throat. And Lance had an oddly shaped rifle pointing at his head.

“Stand down Olivia, it’s not worth it.”

She pulled her sword away from the knife, hearing it slide through the hilt. Though slowly, Ivan lowered his weapon also. Behind him, he could see Jacklyn shaking again. Now, he felt his shoulders tensing up. “Alice, is that you?”

“I’m surprised you even remember that name.” In front of him, a woman in a casual red business suit was walking through the crowd. Her auburn hair was already creating Déjà vu. “Hell, you only saw me once I think. But oh how you’ve grown.”

“Quit being cocky missy.” Ivan snarled.

“Wow, weak retort.”  Alice smirked.

Ivan rolled his eyes. “This isn’t a rap battle you know.”

“Didn’t expect it to be.” Alice placed her hand against the wall.

“So, let’s get to the point.” He lowered his knife. “Do it.”

“Huh?”

“You got me pinned down, my travel buddies hostage, all so that I can die and give you what you want.” He dropped the knife to the floor then raised his hands in the air. “So get to it.”

Alice sighed, “You really want to do this?”

Ivan twisted his hands a bit. “What choice do I have?”

Alice shook her head. “You’re coming with us.”

He was bamboozled at this statement. “What?”

“When we captured the Department of Labor, we learned a few things about how your powers work.” Alice explained. “If we kill you, all the GABE affected DNA might go with it also. Lose that, and this war will keep dragging on.”

“An-”

“How do I know this? The Starfox commandos we combatted were brought in. We investigated them and figured out that all of it was gone… You may be an interesting subject, but that doesn’t mean we’ll be taking risks.”

“I see. So why not use the GABE that’s lying around?”

“They’re called gene altering body enhancers for a reason, Ivan.” she groaned. “You drank possibly one of the most powerful that were ever created, and withstood! Those poor people drank far more just to lose it all!”

She was pacing back and forth. “And now, we have a chance to finally win this war and run away!”

“Oh don’t tell me you’re going to cry.” Ivan moaned.

“I’m not!” she said bitterly. “But please, just trust me on this… you want to go home yourself?”

He rolled his eyes. “I’m already marked a dead person back home.”

“N-”

“Not exactly.”

He looked past Alice, noticing a tall wrinkled man with silver hair. But through his peripherals, he could see Jacklyn shutter. Both of them wore the same uniform, and had the same logo plastered on their sleeve.

“It’s obvious that the legion faked that whole you’re dead trope.” said he. “But since we apprehended the mayor at Fort Xavier after we learned that he had ties with them, we want to make a little proposition for you.”

“But first, who the hell are you?” Ivan asked virulently.

He closed his eyes a bit to sigh, after doing so, he opened them. “I personally knew him. Fought under him during the Third World War. The name’s Walters, by the way.”

Ivan was silent.

“So, about that proposition.”

“What do you want?”

“Join us.” said Alice.

“Or at least, let us research you. Then, if possible, we’ll let you go.” Walters added. “We'll do our best to get you back to Chicago in no time.”

“What about the Legion?”

“We say that you were killed in combat, and they’ll leave you alone.”

Ivan was still quiet, putting his hands in his pocket. For a while nothing but gunfire and explosions were heard.

“Also, what do you think that pony’s done for you? Nothing. What he and his sister was downright awful. So it’s best that you-”

“I’m not thinking about that.”

“Then what are you thinking of?’

Ivan was quiet again.

“You’re lying, aren’t you?” asked Alice.

“No…, I-I was thinking about this proposal of yours.”

“Really, so what’s your choice.”

He sighed. “Those two… what are you going to do with them?”

“We’ll bring them in, and let them return-”

“They’re going to die, aren’t they?”

He could see the distress through Jacklyn’s eyes and through her trembling body.

Alice scratched her head in irritancy. “Glad you guessed it. I wanted to be very subtle about it, but hey, it’s throwing the dice right there.”

Walters was quick to call her out. “What? But Alice, didn’t you say-”

Alice let out a grunt. “These people violated international law! This lady escaped from an area she can never leave from, not to mention she abandoned her post! And this guy-”

Ivan would answer this. “was supposed to die on said mission because he’s cannon fodder, I know.”

Lance was facing the floor, visibly shaking. Jacklyn, although restrained, was able to see this. She was already feeling the sorrow flow through her.

“The point is, she fulfilled her purpose, and now we finally put an end to all this!” she reached her hand out. “So what do you say Ivan?”

It was quiet, but it would break when Ivan had his answer. “I’m sorry Alice, but I’m not going with you. I got my own job to complete, and then we might talk.”

Jacklyn could feel her heart heating slowly upwards, her urge to resist decreasing. All the while, Lance’s shaking slowly ceased.

“Fine then” She took her pistol out, pulling back the slide.

  After the click reverberated across the hall, Olivia felt a strong strike to her left hip before hitting the wall with the force of a baseball.

“The hell?” Then words would be replaced by a blood curdling cry as she felt a blade push through her left breast.

“Umph!” It was clear to Ivan that Lance had managed to use his distraction to turn around, and punch the beige uniformed soldier’s rifle away; then catch it in midair, and shoot at the scouts down the hall, then finish the soldier off as he fell into the closest room.

Whack!

Fw-fw-fw-fwo!

Walters collapsed onto the floor, clutching into his searing stomach.

Whack!

Dereck was against the wall, his head dangling as he sat on the floor. She was panting heavily as she held onto her baton.

Ivan then reunited with the group. “Let’s go!”

“Right!” she grabbed onto Ivan’s arm and they got going.

They would reach the bottom of the stairs, discovering it empty.

“Shoot! Where the hell are-”

“Doesn’t matter, let’s go!” Ivan interrupted Lance with. Then the three immediately darted out the door and into the burning city.

“W-Walters?” Alice choked up, looking at the blur that was the grey ceiling.

“Yeah?” He too choked out. He was struggling to get back up while the burning holes that were over his body made it a difficult climb.

"Well, there goes our bargaining chip." Alice laughed through the pain, only for a violent cough to instantly kill it off. “At least… Thomas wasn’t here.”

Walters deadpanned through his pain. "Ugh, why say that she's a viable... asset... I-If she's gonna die, anyway."

Alice smile a bit. “What I wanna know is... You don’t want her to die… d-don’t you?”

He was silent.

“Just needed you to be on board… that’s all.”

“This is command, what’s your situation?” asked the man on the other end of Walters’s walky-talky.

Alice smiled a bit clutching onto the bottom pocket on her suit. “Yep.”

Marianne sat quietly on the chopper, the sun was already a dim orange. She was able to see it without blinding herself.

Roxanne was pacing back and forth. Next to her: was the body. She scratched her head, unsure of what to do next.

“I might be able to help.”

Her squad drew out their guns. A couple yards down the forest, they noticed a women in a purple coat standing on a green hill with arms in the air. Behind her: were men and women in black.

“Shoot! Take cover!”

“Roxanne, I’m not here to fight you!” she shouted before they can even pull the trigger.

Roxanne was quite impressed by this. “Huh, so you come to-”

“And I’m not surrendering!” Marianne said assertively.

“Oh.” Roxanne’s confidence was dwindling. “I see. You know I was hoping-”

“That’s never going to happen. We both did a lot of damage that day, but just like you, we’re not giving up.” She was smiling too.

“Speaking of which, where is your boss?”

“Doing a supply run.” Marianne answered. “Anyway, we’re looking for someone and we need answers!”

Roxanne hoped that her shock wasn’t being released. “Continue!”

“About three days ago, someone escaped from Fort Xavier in South Dakota! We expected him to drive north to Washington State, but instead we ended up finding traces of his presence in the Idaho front!” Roxanne could see her eyelids slanting downwards. “And don’t expect me to believe that he never crossed through here… or ignored your help!”

“That’s absurd! He could’ve never-”

She placed her hands behind her back, kicking her foot back and forth. “Huh… So what’s one of the elements called again?”

In defeat, she confessed. “And you want to know where they’ll be heading next, right?”

She nodded.

“To tell you the truth, I don’t know!”

“What?” Marianne said.

“They never told us where they’ll be heading!” she explained. “They left this morning, but never told us anything about that!”

Marianne dropped her hands to slap them against her hips. “So that’s how it’s going to be right?”

Roxanne gripped onto her rifle. “That’s not-!”

“Let’s make a deal! You show me some clues as to where they’ve went, and I’ll help you dispose of the body!”

She looked down onto the body, which was still showing no signs of decay.

“You know the US Army put you in check with that body! If they find that it’s gone, burned, etc, the HUE’s going to be in more-”

“I know, I know!” she sighed. “Deal! Let me go back and see if I can-”

“And I’m going with you!”

Roxanne bit her lip, making a fist with one of her hands.

She stuffed her hands into her pockets. “You can already guess what’ll happen if you don’t.”

Admitting defeat again, she ordered, “Stand down you guys! I don’t want another one!”

They all obeyed.

Marianne smiled, before turning around and putting two fingers into her mouth. A loud whistle came next. In the hills far from them, Roxanne and her Militiamen would find a tan pony galloping towards them. A little girl riding her back.

Roxanne only sighed while the others stood in surprise. She’d go on to mutter, “I can only imagine what brought him here.”

“Hello there.” she said with her hand reaching out to his hoof.

In silence, he let her grab a hold of his hoof and shake it.

Roxanne briefly looked up to see Maribelle, but she quickly hid behind his mane. She laughed a little. “C’mon, let’s get going.”

Marianne’s gloom was heavier than ever.

“Marianne?”

“Yes?”

“Salt Lake, right?”

“Yep, you were right Haystack. You seem to have a keen eye there.” Marianne remarked. She took out a card, displaying their next location. “I’m just worried about what they’ll be doing there.”

“Which is why I recommend that we ambush them before they can even enter!” Maribelle suggested. “If we attack them from the outside, they won’t be able to fight back! Let’s also not forget that the soviets can’t do anything about it unless they want to start another world war in the process!”

“Agree.” Marianne said. “But keep in mind how he managed to get himself out of said strategy.”

Maribelle sighed. “Right. That’s why it’s only an ambush.”

Marianne looked uneasy by this.

“The guy’s too stubborn to die. That’s why we must make it quick.”

“But there are a couple of problems to that. One, how will they be heading in? We take a big risk if we get the wrong person. Two-”

“Fine, what do you plan?” Maribelle asked modestly.

“We get someone else to do the job for us.”

“But Marianne!” Haystack objected. “If they take him, then that means-”

“Who said anything about telling them?”

Knowing the dainty grin on her face, he backed down. “Oh, I get it.”

A man’s head was against the tabletop, bleeding from the mouth. His breathing was slow, but healthy. The people on the other side of the window could tell that he was out cold.

“Don’t you think she was a bit rough on him?” Leila asked Roxanne with worry.

“Of course, but what other option did we have?” She stood up from her seat and walked out the door.

Eventually they were outside, stars were illuminating above. While a crescent moon was visible in the east. Leila and Will were deep in though during that walk, but not for long.

Will would say, “Bu-”

Only for Roxanne to interrupt him. “Go send squad five to dump the Celestianist bodies around the body. We’ll tell the authorities that she must’ve been raped before a bullet was put in her head. We managed to intercept them, but we were too late.”

Will sighed. “You know they’ll just ignore us, right?”

“Yeah.” Leila put her hands over her hips. “To them, we’re all just bad people. Surely they’ll find a way to-”

She lifted a finger. “That’s the Parliament's problem. They’re not recognized by the treaty, but we don’t exist.”

Will raised his voice. “But Roxanne-!”

“Why are you here then?”

Will and Leila looked away in pity.

“Do you hate her?” asked Leila.

“Do…”

“I’m asking you first.” she said with courage.

Roxanne looked up towards the sky. “No…, I’m just mad at her. That’s all.”

“So do you hate the system or something?”

She then faced the moon, staring at it for the time being as she conjured up an answer. After a while, her answer would be, “I shouldn’t…, but I do.”

The three sat calmly against tree in the middle of an open field. Well, it would’ve been if broken military vehicles weren’t everywhere. They were clearly exhausted from the walking. However, none of them spoke for a while ever since they left the warring city. Until…,

“Ivan, remember when I said that I’m not cool with all this?” asked Lance.

“Yeah.” Ivan answered.

“I’m still not.”

“Who would’ve thought?” He lied down on the cold soil.

“So don’t go pulling another jab at me like that. Because I swear I’ll-”

“Your family was told where you’ll be heading.”

Jacklyn, curled into a ball, hugged her legs with more force. She couldn’t stand hearing his fear coming out of his sniffled, but she had no choice.

“I… I-”

“So don’t mess this up. You couldn’t die a noble death, so don’t die a cowardly one.”

He looked down at the near black void that enveloped the ground. “Yeah, I won’t.”

“I can tell that none of you wanted to be here to begin with, but that isn’t gonna stop me from getting you guys out of here.” Ivan sat up for a moment, to grab his assault rifle and place it beside him. “Now, forget any of this ever happened, and get some sleep. We wake up early in the morning to journey our way to there, got it?”

They were silent.

“Are you people okay?"

They didn't say a word.

"Oh, well you'll get over it once we get there..., good night."

No one said anything after that. They only did as he suggested. They were already feeling the cool soil underneath them as the night dragged on. The two wondered the same thing at the moment, but the regret that was mixed with it made it difficult to let go. Even as their eyes weakened, and even after they were shut.

“Double F, this is Leon and Jenna.” Jenna called via her phone. “They fell for the fake skeleton, sir.”

“Perfect. Did you get any intel from them?”

“Yes sir, we managed to get something crucial.”

“And what’s that?”

“They’ll be heading to Salt Lake.”

There was a brief pause. “Ah, I’ll get the Utah branch to deal with that. So return to base for some R and R.”

“Yes sir.”

“Also, pat Leon on the back. His acting was stellar with that recording.”

“I will.” Then she hanged up with a cheery smile on her face.

Chapter 10

“Hey Ivan, I’m going to the temple for tonight’s services.” Jacklyn said excitedly. “Wanna come?”

“No, I can’t.” Ivan admitted. “I’m going to church with my parents tonight.”

“Oh… I see.”

Ivan kept looking around at the near vacant streets, where only armored cars and police personnel were out.

“But, can you at least come for just one night? I’m confident your parents will say yes.”

He could see her pleading eyes looking up to him like that of a sad puppy’s. “… Ugh, I’ll see what I can do.”

“Yay!” she chirped, briefly hugging him.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa! I said I’ll see what I can do. You know what that means, right?”

“Oh, alright.” She let go before crossing her arms in defeat. But after that brief moment, she realized something. Then began digging into her backpack. “In that case…, if you change your mind…, here!”

Ivan then took what was being handed to him. It was a flyer, a rather creative one with both Celestia and Luna in in silhouettes of their respective fur colors, their manes creating a unique pattern around the cursive font in the middle.

“Now, good sir, shall I… walk you home?” she said with a flamboyant gesture.

“You’re going to ask them yourself aren’t you?”

The pose quickly broke as she looked away blushing. “Maybe.”

He looked out into the sunset. “Well, we still got a little more time, so c’mon.”

He turned back to her. “Let’s find out.”

She smiled, the sunset making it all fit. "Okay."

His eyes were weak, but he was able to open them. He’d see his lap. “Hmm?”

He could hear humming coming from in front, as well as the sound of a guitar playing music appropriate for it. He lifted his head to find a tan woman in a green uniform filing her nails. But in that instant, her eyes would meet his’. Thus, the singing stopped. “Мой Бог!”

She dropped the book from her hand and immediately grabbed her rifle. Then she bolted out of the room in a hurry. “Виктор! Они Пробудитесьь…! Виктор!”

Both the music, and the singing that accompanied stopped. “Да, Варма?”

“What happened?”

Ivan faced Jacklyn, who in turn did the same to him. Then she pulled away with reddened cheeks. “Wh… What happened?”

“Yes Ivan.”

He saw Lance stare back at him with a stare as cold as his tone of voice. His eyes gestured to his right. “What in god’s name happened?”

  They heard the door open, where a man in the same green uniform, and a service cap with the iconic red lining on the front walked in. He sat behind the desk, a modest smile on his face.

“So you’re Viktor Yolkov?” Ivan said unsurprisingly.

“Da, my friends!” he said with mirth. “Welcome to the Soviet Consulate in good ol’ Salt Lake City, Utah, U, S of A! Варма, вы можете развязатьь руки?”

The guardswoman nodded, taking out a combat knife.

Jacklyn gasped.

“Shoot!” Ivan muttered.

“Don’t worry, she’s not going to bite.” Viktor said as he was reaching under his desk. “She’s just going to cut off the rope that’s tied around your hands.”

“Rope? Hands?” He felt them now, and tried to move them, but without success. “The Hell?”

Viktor was already mounting a rifle over the desk. “And it looks like the drug is finally wearing off. Happy to see that.”

“Wait, what drug?” Lance called.

“I cannot tell you, it’s confidential.” he assured. “Anyway, how was your sleep?”

“Umph!” Jacklyn squeaked, much like a kitten meowing for the first time. It caught Ivan’s attention, and he could see with clarity the little glare that was forming on her eyebrows. It stayed plastered on her, even after she was rubbing off the pressure on her wrists.

“Ugh, it was fine I guess. Didn’t understand… Mmph!” Then the rope on his hands was cut. He began rubbing his wrists also. “Ugh, anyway, I don’t get why you couldn’t just wake us up or something.”

“Well, we didn’t want any resistance, so we resorted to the obvious.” Viktor explained briefly.

“Touché.” He rested his hands against his lap. “So, why bring us here like this anyway?”

“You’re going to the gulags in Siberia!”

“What?” they screamed.

“Just kidding you guys, relax!” he laughed. “Is it me or is the red scare still strong in you people.”

“Uh… Grrr!” Ivan who stood up from his seat in protest, was quick to sit and simmer down once he got a good view of his hands. But after he did, he swore he heard Jacklyn growl under her breath. “Um… Continue then.”

“Thank you. So, to continue, we took you in because we want to help.” Viktor placed his legs on the desk as he watched their expected reactions. “But obviously seeing Soviet troops will immediately trigger you three to fight us, so knocking you out was the only solution.”

“Okay then, now how did you know about us then?” Lance said, standing up from his chair.

“Well, let’s just say that certain spies of ours’ have been following you around since you entered the Idaho front.”

“Uh…” Lance sat back down, unsure of what to think.

“Rumors were flying around about a man with the power to freeze, burn, and control was running around the Midwest.” He took the mug off the table. “So the KGB ordered both our consulate and the one in Saint Louis to set out and search for the culprit.”

“Grrr, this is just great.” Lance rested his face over his hand, and then stood up again. “I was supposed to die for my family, ‘cept this asshole decided to take me as his ‘hostage’ just to get knocked out by you bloody reds and…!”

“Hey don’t blame me, buddy!” Ivan snarled, standing up to face him.

“Ivan, Lance, don’t do this!” Jacklyn begged while pulling at Ivan’s arm.

“I at least tried to make it count!”

He leaned his hand over the desk. “Oh yeah, you and your rubbish speech about how I’ll die trying to head home sure did help a lot, didn’t it!”

Ivan crossed his arms. “You do realize that Salt Lake has an airport, right?”

“Sorry, but public ones don’t exist in the red zone.” Yolkov clarified. Ignoring their reactions made him say casually, “Just stating the facts.”

“See!” Lance shouted, pointing at Yolkov.

“Come on, you two. Please stop-Uuaah!” she screamed as Ivan pushed her away. Thankfully, the guardswoman was quick to catch her, only for her to squeak in panic and run away from her arms. The guardswoman watched in pity as she sat down.

He reached his arms out. “That doesn’t mean you can’t find another way!”

“Where, how?”

In a cocky manner, he answered, “Uh, disguising?”

Lance rolled his eyes. “Oh sure, the bloody TSA’s going to let an unidentified man like me on board! Yeah, the next thing you know, they’re going to let me shout ‘For Socialism’ or ‘allahu akbar’ free of charge!”

Ivan approached him. “I don’t think you know what stowing away means?”

Lance leaned away from the desk, making fists. “And I don’t think you know what the inside of your-!”

Viktor slapped his hand against his face. “Guys, guys!”

“What?” they shouted virulently at him.

“Geez, comrades.” he said after flinching at their sudden bark. “Anyway, as you westerners say, take a chill pill, and as everyone on this planet says, sit down!”

“B-”

“Do it or I’ll make the Russian Sleep Experiment a reality!”

They immediately sat down. When they did, they only shot each other hostile glances and aggressive grunts.

“Heh, god bless the red scare.” He laughed. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to play a little music.”

Ivan crossed his arms. “How? Your guitar man’s like-”

“You Americans never heard of CD’s haven’t you?” He said displaying a red CD with the iconic hammer, sickle, and star printed on it.

Ivan rolled his eyes. The others would watch as he slid the CD into the stereo. After a while, the first song played.

“Also, don’t underestimate my guitar skills.”

“Oh that was you?”

He fiddled his teeth with a toothpick nearby. “Of course. In fact, the song playing now was the song I was playing.”

Baffled, he could managed to say, “Uh… good to know?”

“Right.” He tossed the toothpick at the nearby trash bin. “Now I wanna ask you something: Are you familiar with the Battle at Svalbard?”

They nodded, but Ivan swore she heard Jacklyn growl.

“The song playing is titled, Katyusha.” He put his legs on the desk again. “And my grandfather and his comrades played this song as they stormed through the island, mowing down Celestia’s royal forces like dominoes. In only two days, the island was ours. Playing this song brought back great memories of that battle for them, there was no need to hire Japanese voice actresses and draw anime characters for it. The song was fine on its-”

“Yes, they lost and that ‘music’ was great.” Jacklyn asked, “But what does this have anything to do with what’s happening now?”

“Simple, Celestia was too brash, and that’s the perfect word I’d use for you three. Celestia was staying true to the Romanov’s ways, not knowing that her ‘enemy’ was miles ahead. Thinking that magic alone will crush us. And what was the result, only ten percent of her forces deployed were fleeing the island, without her consent, mind you.”

Her demurred expression didn’t change. “And?”

He groaned, “This is exactly what I mean by brash.”

Static!

“This is Spear Two, where the hell are they?”

The call was directed at a woman, who was armed with an assault rifle. She was steadily opening the blinds. “They said that they’d be arriving around this time… I’ll call.”

“Do that.”

Static!

She then made the call.

“Hello?”

“Where the hell are they?”

“What?”

“You said that they’d be arriving today!” The building in front of her was heavily protected, with towers spread on all four corners of the vast courtyard. Her body was almost trembling at the red flag that was plastered over the door, displaying the yellow hammer and sickle being surrounded by yellow stars.

“I’m as baffled as you are, ma’am.” On the other end of the line, Marianne was pouring herself a cup of coffee, “We were hoping that they’d arrive by now. Turns out-”

“Well, just keep watch. I doubt that they’ll be arriving at the embassy, anyway.”

“Of course.” She hung up.

“So what did she say?” asked Big Mac. He too was looking through the blinds, watching the red coated military vehicles, infantry, and workers walking around town. He then turned his attention towards the gate, where five brown coated guards stood guard.

“She told us to keep watch?” she poured some sugar into the coffee before mixing them with a spoon. “Of course they’d get impatient after a while.”

“As all resistance groups do.” Maribelle added, who was standing next to the door while clutching her katana. “So what do you think’s taking those two so long?”

Marianne drank a little of her coffee before letting out a gasp. “Probably conjuring up a strategy right now. No way Jacklyn would let him go head first into battle.”

“Well, you know her more than we do. So carry on.”

“Speakin’ of which, I never got to ask how Jacklyn was like.” Big Mac mentioned.

Marianne smiled. “Oh, right.”

“Yeah, I’ve been wondering myself also. I mean, knowing is half the battle.” Maribelle admitted. “So how is she like?”

“Hmm, she’s your typical goody-good girl. That’s it.” Marianne put the mug down. “I mean, what else is there to say?”

“So…, does that mean you didn’t like her?” asked Big Mac.

“What, no!” she answered with sincerity. “We were good friends since the day we met. For that matter, where the hell did you get such an idea?”

He looked away for a moment. “From… past issues.”

“Clearly Ivan wasn’t too fond of meeting Fluttershy for the first time.”

“Grr…” he nearly blew his fuse as he faced Maribelle. But seeing her worried face made him think otherwise. “Eeyup.”

“I don’t blame you, man.” Marianne contemplated. “With the world we all live in, what else could he say?”

She could see Big Mac’s head hang low, her lips were quivering. “Uh, about Jacklyn-”

He immediately looked back at her. His face was telling her to continue. So, she picked up her mug and did as told. “She was also one of those girls that didn’t mind the stench of the muck we were digging out, knowing that one day it would all be gone.”

“Oh really.”

She took another gulp of the coffee. She pulled away, feeling the warm smoke that ascended from it. “But… deep down…,”

Jacklyn felt as if her eyes would pop out of their sockets, her shoulders tensing as her legs were shaking.

“You can’t be serious!” Ivan exclaimed after standing on his two feet.

“I’m dead serious.” Viktor confirmed.

He put his hands on his head. “No, you can’t be! Grrr, why even bother, I-I shouldn’t believe a soviet anyway!”

“If you want me to prove it, then I will!” Viktor then opened his laptop. “No propaganda, and all Ideologies aside.”

He squeezed his fists as hard as he could. “Show me.”

“Thank you very much.”

As he looked to his sides, Ivan noticed that Jacklyn was shaking. Lance on the other hand was facing the floor. Thus his battle to keep his own stress at bay only intensified. “Alright then.”

He immediately turned the laptop around so that it was looking at them. On the screen at that moment were brick colored buildings. “What do you see?”

“Buildings, duh! Do you think we’re that stupid?”

With a straight-face, he answered, “Probably.”

“Huh?”

He then pressed a few buttons on the screen. The screen faded into a crisp blue background. “You see that? Those red blotches are people, armed to the teeth to get you. They’ve been waiting out there for nearly six hours now, at this point, impatience is swelling up within them.”

“So do they expect us to-”

“They were hoping that you arrived at the embassy either in disguise or charging straight towards us.”

“But that doesn’t seem to be the case, Double F.” the woman called.

“You don’t think-”

“There’s a high chance, sir.” the woman confirmed with ease. “Which is why I’ve ordered my troops to prepare for an offensive.”

“You can’t be serious, up against-”

“We have no other choice, sir. Either this, or our key to Liberation’s gone.”

“The ALM knows how the treaty operates, so we can’t expect for the motherland to avenge us once we’re wiped out.” the guardswoman added. They were shocked at her sudden speech, her modesty adding to it.

“I agree,” Viktor said to break the conversation. “our past comrades suffered a brutal beating in the West American front, and fighting resistance forces was only half of the casualties. So I doubt this would be easy too.”

“So, what do you suggest we do?” Lance asked, looking back up.

“Sit back.”

“What?” he said ominously.

He snapped the tablet back on the laptop. “If we fire first, the US will assume that this is an act of war… This may be a red zone, but it’s still US territory. So we’ll wait until they attack.”

Ivan leaned against the wall, chuckling a bit. “Heh, a bit surprising. Honestly I was expecting more on the lines of World Revolution or something.”

Viktor too laughed a bit. “Well you shouldn’t listen to those commies on the streets then. Heh, always promoting hatred and cluelessness I tell you.”

But then his cheery attitude diminished to a tiring one. “Their words are useless now, all we want is to sit back and do what we can to manage you know.”

He crossed his arms. “Surprising.”

“Do you think we Soviets wanted war?” he continued. “No one knows who fired that nuclear missile back when it all began, the only thing we do know is that Berlin is nothing but ash because of it.”

“So what gave you the bright idea to betray your allies then?”

He turned to Jacklyn. It made him feel uneasy once he found that she was clutching onto her pants. “Um…, I’m sorry?”

“Oh boy.” Ivan mumbled.

She looked up with a determined glare, but her tone of speech was the complete opposite of determined. “They trusted you, and then you all steamrolled into their land like… like-”

“You worship the Princesses, don’t you?”

Her glare was gone in an instant. “Um… H-how did you-?”

“Just a guess, she’s still not over the Romanovs’ death. So it’s only natural that her words get passed on to her followers.”

Her anger was beginning to lose ground against her ease.

“Now, about the motherland betraying our allies…, I don’t know. That was the premier, the Red Army, and parliament’s idea back then. Do you think I know all the details?”

She looked down. “I was hoping that-”

“My grandfather died holding out against them in Bangalore.” said the guardswoman, leaning down to her. “But you don’t see me asking why?”

Jacklyn’s now sudden glare was something she can handle. “But-”

“Just let it go, Jackie. They’re the only ones who can get us out of course.”

At that point, she conceded seconds later. ”Alright then.”

The Guardswoman smiled.

“Good.” Viktor smiled too. “Moving on, I know a way for you to get away scot free.”

They immediately were struck with joy. “Ah, thanks sir. I was hoping that-”

“If you’re hoping for Washington State, then you’re wrong.”

“What?” they all asked in unison, the joy wearing off.

He sighed, “It’s impossible to head to the American Green zone now. The moment they get the word that the soviets approved of this, you’re done.”

They were disappointed at the news.

“Well, I’m guessing that someone recommended that you come to me for help.”

Ivan let his arms hand limp. “Well it’s about time you got to that.”

Viktor began showing off the card by tapping it against the desk. “Well I thought there was no need, but hey, your excited faces made me bring it up. Anyway, both CH on M and the SNE consult us for travel through the Green and Yellow zones. But Civilians like you two, and the merc, that’s a no-no.”

Jacklyn squeezed the cloth over her lap a bit more. “Just get to the Celestia damn point!”

Viktor smiled. “Certainly… I know of an alternative that will get you far away from the hunt.”

Ivan rolled his eyes. “The Central Union?”

“Right on point.” He said while making finger guns.

“Why not go to California or something?” asked Jacklyn doubtfully.

“If you haven’t noticed, every airport in the red and yellow zones are run by either the Military, or each respective faction. “ He sighed. “The Central Union is the only region that’s neutral in the conflict. Though, I don’t know for how long though.”

He stood up from his chair to stretch. “But, since they’re regulations will prevent them from fighting… outside their respective arenas, not to mention that RED hasn’t even set up shop in Mexico yet…, I doubt they’d be looking for you.”

“I guess you’re right.” Ivan said.

With a saddened look, Jacklyn too admitted, “No doubt about it.”

“So head to one of their Airbases, and hopefully you’ll get to the Main lands in no time.” He then lifted his hand out towards them. “Now…, do you trust me on this?”

Ivan leaned away from the wall. “You know, I have the power to light people on fire, freeze people, and control their free will. Combine that with the fact that the KGB wanted you people to hunt us down, don’t you realize that you’re disobeying orders?”

He laughed. “I’m not disobeying orders, sir. This is what they want.”

The three were left in shock. “What?”

“We already have subjects back in the motherland. And we already know the risks if we take you in.” he said. “That is why our Government wants you out of sight. Each faction is getting greedy by the second, so seeing you out of the way will surely make them give up. Not to mention that the Central Government is completely oblivious to this.”

Ivan sighed, then he grabbed onto his’. “Alright then.”

Viktor then shook his hand without hesitation. “That’s wonderful to hear. Now then…, let’s prepare to get you out of here.”

Viktor could see the disappointment in their faces.  Even before Ivan could say, “Go ahead.”

With pity, he picked up his walky-talky. “Это капитан Ельков…”

“Marianne, the men at the gate, they’re withdrawin’!” said Big Mac.

“The hell?” Marianne walked over to the blinds, confirming that he indeed was telling the truth. “Aw Shoot, don’t tell me… damn it.”

“What do we do now?” asked Big Mac.

“Nothing.” Maribelle added.

Marianne suddenly smiled slightly. “And why do you say that?”

“Because… we only came here to tell them, didn’t we?”

“Hmm, Exactly.”

“Do we go in now?” asked the woman.

“I suggest that you don’t.”

“Why not?”

“You know from whom you got the information right?”

“Of course sir, just checking.”

The guardswoman, and two others were holding onto their respective weapons.

“You know they’ll be firing the moment they find us here.” Lance said as he now held onto his sniper rifle.

“It’s the only choice we have.” said Viktor. ‘It’s a risk that you must take in order to get out of here without causing an even bigger problem.”

“Hmm, just checking.”

“Alright then.”

Meanwhile, the guardswoman was handing Jacklyn her shield and baton. “Hey, can I ask you something?”

“Hmm?” She immediately paid attention.

“Why do you fight for those two?”

She was confident enough to declare, “I believe in peace, Madame. Something that the princesses’ value more than we do.”

“So have you been to Equestria at some point?”

Her confidence dwindled, but through her weakness she managed to form a smile. “Um… no, but I hope I will, someday.”

While struggling to stay composed, she was able to catch her radiant smile. “Interesting, and hey, did you know that Viktor here also went to Equestria?”

She was beaming. “Really?”

“Mmm Hmm.”

“I’d rather not talk about it though.” he said solemnly. “Mostly because it’s confidential.”

Her excitement too, dwindled. “Oh.”

Then there was silence.

Viktor, again, broke the silence as he handed Ivan his weapon. “Hmmph, before we go, I suggest that once you leave, you head straight to Galveston. There you will find it easier travel to occupied Mexico.”

Ivan was checking for ammo. “How?”

Viktor laughed. “I said it was easy, wasn’t it?”

Ivan was dissuaded. “It’s going to take more than that to-Hey!”

Viktor took a hold of his hand, then an awkward staring contest was applied. “Now you see?”

Ivan slipped his hand away. “I do.”

Viktor sighed, but after a couple seconds, he smiled. “Anyway, I wish you all the best of luck... Hopefully, you’ll find better opportunity beyond these borders.”

Ivan sighed again, pulling back the charge. “Hopefully.”

“Good luck.” The guardswoman patted Jacklyn on the shoulder.

“Yeah.” she said with disappointment.

Viktor immediately opened the double doors.

“The target’s in sight! I repeat, the target’s in sight!”

“Shoot!” Marianne ran to the rifle.

“She ain’t lying, Marianne.” Big Mac said as his eyes narrowed. “I see him crystal clear.”

“That’s good.”

Big Mac took the rifle in his hooves.

“Just open fire, don’t worry about aiming!” she slightly opened the window.

“Eeyup!” He pulled back the charge.

“Now go!”

He nodded, ramming the barrel through the slim opening.

They heard glass shatter as they walked over the grand courtyard.

“Just keep walking.” Viktor mumbled to them.

Jacklyn hunched over. Looking through the top of his shield, she could see the barrel from where she stood.

“Marianne.” Maribelle whispered.

“Yeah?”

“I’m hearing movement outside.”

“What do you mean?” she walked to the door before looking through the peephole.

In that brief moment, Big Mac’s Irises turned to a shade of purple. All he could see was Ivan’s head fall perfectly in line with his sight.

Jacklyn stopped walking.

“Um, Madame, what’s the matter?” Viktor asked.

“Shoot.” Ivan muttered.

Knowing that they were inches behind them, she immediately grabbed onto his arm.

“Hey, what are you-Whoa!” he felt pulled to the side. His eyes would turn to pinpricks as he could see the window. He then witnessed the rifle fire one powerful shot towards him.

Twang!

The bullet clashing against her shield wasn’t loud enough to muffle the screech of pain coming from behind. She was nearly left in shambles as she witnessed Ivan fall back to the ground like a ragdoll. “Ivan!”

“God Bless America!” they'd hear.

Then a hailstorm of bullets were raining down on them. Viktor and his comrades immediately returned fire. Except the guardswoman; who was busy pulling Ivan back behind one of the two towers.

“Aarrgh! Damn it!” Big Mac muttered as a bullet deflected off his head, forcing him to fall back behind cover.

Bam!

“The hell?”

Slowly, Ivan opened his eyes to Jacklyn once again.

He’d mutter, “Huh, never heard them shout something like that.”

“Oh thank Celestia!” she shrieked, rubbing her head against his’. “Thank Celestia that you’re-!”

“Alright, Alright, Alright!” He pushed Jacklyn with caution. “Just let me get some space!”

“Sorry.” She said with discomfiture. As he was getting his weapon, she noticed that the guardswoman was looking down on her with a hint of vitriol. “Um…”

“I’ll let it slide.” She then looked back at the raining bullets behind her.

“Oh…” Jacklyn looked down to the asphalt. “Okay.”

Static!

“Варма, они с вами?”

“Да товарищ, они со мной!” the Guardswoman answered her walky-talky with one hand, and blind-fired her rifle around the towel with the other.

Ivan heard him let out a breath of relief. “Хорошо, теперь получить мальчика на линии, пожалуйста!”

“Да!” She then handed the walky-talky over to Ivan. “It’s for you!”

“Hello?” he called.

“You okay?” Viktor asked.

“Yeah, so…”

“That’s wonderful to hear! I knew that you’d be able to handle it!” He said with relief. “Anyway, we’re all pinned down! The enemy also has us surrounded from all sides!”

Ivan’s head rested against the tower’s concrete. “Grrr, damn, no doubt they’ll be bringing in the big guns later!”

“Not unless…” There was a brief pause. “Какие...? Черт возьми!”

“What? What?”

“The enemy was prepared for RED’s army also. They’re currently engaging the enemy throughout the city.”

“Damn it.” Ivan muttered. “Perfect timing, am I right?”

“I agree… Which is why, to quote Princess Leia, you’re our only hope.”

“Who the hell’s Princess Leia?”

“You don’t know who’s… Forget it, forget it, anyway…,”

The scout held onto his bloody wound, feeling as if his bowels wanted to fall out like water from a dam. Once on the floor, he tumbled down the stairs. The last thing he saw was the little perpetrator wipe away the stains from her sword with a handkerchief.

“Hey what happened? Answer me!” said someone through one of the corpses’ walky-talkies.

On the other side, Thomas shook in fear. “C’mon guys, answer me!”

He used the computer to gain access to the surveillance cameras in the apartment. He then found the corpses of said scouts that lined the hallway. “God damn it!”

He saw the little blond girl walk up to one of the bodies, and rummage through it.  His hands curled into a fist. “That little…, that little-”

“Hey Thomas?”

His eyes widened, as he did his best to hold back his scream.

“You better go running to your mommy, or else she won’t hear your cries for help.”

His mouth was agape as he witnessed her drop the walky-talky. Then he saw her take out a pistol and point it at him. With the flash, he immediately flinched. He then lowered his arms to find the screen in front of him full of static. With a mixture of despair and dismay, he sat down on his chair to take a breather.

The other men in the command room were visibly in panic. But one of them was able to overcome it, just to tell him, “We’ll take it from here, sir. Y-You may leave.”

He looked down shame, so it would take the help of a guard in order to leave the command room. Upon exiting, he simply ignored the door closing behind him. He’d mumble. “Idiot.”

“Mister Wesley, your wife is on the line.”

He was rubbing her eyes. “Grrr, alright, put her on.”

He later entered an office reserved for him. Once he entered, a hologram appeared with Alice herself being projected. “Thomas?”

“Yes sweetie,”

“Wh-”

“First off, shouldn’t you be in bed?” Thomas said with haste and assertiveness. “I mean that jab was pretty serious and-”

“Don’t worry, I’m not letting a hit like that get me down.”

He smiled admirably. “That’s nice, so what about the others.”

“We’re all back at HQ and doing fine. We managed to actually capture some of the local resistance fighters and are taking them into custody.”

He held onto both his hands. “Heh, still pretty impressive of you despite your injuries.”

“Thanks sweetie.”

“So why you’re calling?”

With a shrug and gentle touch of the cheek, she answered, “Just wanted to call, see if you were alright.”

“Oh…, okay.” Despite their distance, they still gazed into each other’s eyes. And all they could hope was that one of them would break the…

“Uh, sir.” the advisor suggested, “We’ve been assigned to help garrison the building.”

“Oh.” He shook his head to shake off the euphoria. “Sorry ma’am. Okay, goodbye sweetie!”

Alice laughed gleefully. “Goodbye!”

And then the hologram shut off. But all Thomas could do was sigh.

“Is everything all right, sir?” the advisor asked.

“Yes sir.” He smiled awkwardly.

But she managed to see through the mask. “I suggest that you put your worries to the side for now, Thomas.”

“Right.” He nodded without a change in demeanor. Until the sirens began sounding off. “What the hell?”

Alice, quickly held onto her breast, the sting finally collapsing onto her arm.

“Madame, I told you that this wasn’t a good idea.” said the medic beside her.

“At least the wound’s healing, right?”

“Uh…” He was now scratching the back of his head. “Right.”

Then they heard the door open. “Missus Wesley, the children have woken up.”

Alice didn’t even glance at the person advising her. “Got it, I’ll be there in a sec.”

“Yes ma’am.” He bowed his head slightly before going away.

She rested her hand against the wall, still clutching onto her breast.

“You okay ma’am.”

“Yeah, now let’s go.”

“Mmm Hmm.” the medic nodded.

The three had exited the room to investigate the scene.

"Maribelle, who were you talking to?" asked Marianne.

"Thomas." she answered directly.

"Seriously?"

"Yeah, but he's probably cowering in a corner somewhere." she said cockily.

"No doubt about it." Marianne laughed.

Then in the midst of the newly formed silence, Maribelle peeked down the stairs for a bit before saying, “Guys, we have to go!”

“Why?” Big Mac asked, nauseous at the bodies beneath him.

“More reinforcements will be arriving, and in droves too.”

“I agree.” Marianne said, looking down at the bodies. “Fighting these guys will only serve as an advantage for the enemy.”

However, Big Mac had to object. “But won’t we be able to keep the enemy at…”

“The Soviets may be outnumbered, but they’re not outclassed.” Maribelle interrupted swiftly.

“But Maribelle, even standing here will let him get away! We shouldn’t-” He stopped mid-sentence and stomped his hoof against the floor in frustration. Then he was galloping back inside.

“Big Mac, get back here!” She was ignored. “Big Mac!”

Marianne would catch her once she began to charge towards the door.

“Grrr, hey! Let go of me!” She kicked and squirmed too, but the only answer she got was Marianne shaking her head. “Grrr…! C’mon Big Mac, we have to get out of here! They’ll have us surrounded, and we won’t be able to… to… You know already!”

He was unwilling to give up, he kept searching for Ivan and put up with the bullets heading his way. His irises were that shade of purple again as he lined up the sight. “C’mon, C’mon… what the hell?”

The courtyard was opening up like a door of an ancient tomb.

“Please Big Mac, we can’t stay here!”

Exiting the darkness coming from that opening like an ATV, was an armored vehicle. “It can’t be.”

The cannon fired one round at point blank.

BOOM!

“Aaargh!”

“Big Mac!” Maribelle screamed. She chose to kick the startled Marianne as hard as she could and succeeded.

“Umph, hey, Maribelle!” Unfazed, she went after her, but stopped once in front.

“C’mon Big Mac, wake up!” she screamed as she shook the unconscious Big Mac.

“Shoot.” Marianne ran inside.

“Please, please, Big Mac! Wake-!” She felt Marianne’s hand on her shoulder, so she turned around to reveal her teary and distraught face.

“Step aside.” She ordered directly.

And she did, watching Marianne grab ahold of Big Mac’s foreleg and let it rest over her shoulder. “C’mon, let’s go!”

Maribelle eyes shut closed after she heard a loud punch above her, looking up to find a hole in the wall with countless cracks connected to it. It gave her more reason to leave the place.

“Damn!” Ivan muttered. He could see an explosion in each building past the front gate. “Impressive!”

“The BMP-Four,” Viktor informed. “One of our Empire’s finest, just recently it fired a multi-burst round of five heat-seeking cannon shells from its-”

He rolled his eyes. “Can you just get the next step?”

“Ugh, fine.” Viktor sighed. “We just got permission from the mayoral command to exit embassy grounds. Once we’re out, you’re hiding from sight. We don’t want RED to know that you’re with us.”

“Got it!”

“Alright, now get going!”

“Yes! C’mon you guys!” Ivan immediately ran to the BMP, and so did the others.

“Attention, we’re evacuating from the area, it’s too dangerous!” Marianne called, managing with Big Mac on her back. “Hello?”

She hung up. “Damn, that bad, huh?”

Then she got another message from her walky-talky. “Marianne, attack on the University is already in progress.”

She breathed a sigh of relief. “Perfect, remember the strategy.”

“As always.”

“Grrr, that came out of nowhere.” The woman said with a hoarse voice, all while she struggled to pick herself up. She was already holding onto the doorway as she said this, before collapsing to the floor. “Well…, I only got… one shot at this.”

Next to her was a Rocket Launcher, and Old-Glory. Dimly, ignoring the countless bodies beside her, and the wounds that were plaguing her; she walked up to the massive opening that replaced the wall in front of her. All while placing Old-Glory over her like a cape.

“This is Double F, I heard an explosion, do you copy?” said the man on the radio. “Hello?”

Reaching the edge, she found a clear shot of the BMP. Despite collapsing again, she took aim. “Death… to the… to the Empire… God Bless… Amer-”

Sharp burns were being struck through her torso. Her strength was reduced to nothing, which lead to the unexpected.

BOOM!

The shooter hid behind the doorway as the debris flew. He then took another look into the room once nothing else could be heard. He then got out his walky-talky. “Капитан, это Шен. Здание ясно!”

“Отлично! Теперь отступать и перегруппироваться.”

“да товарищ капитан.”

Below on the first floor, Viktor was already aiming his rifle out the window as he put his walky-talky away.

“We got that out of the way, now what?” Ivan asked him.

“We head east.” Viktor said. “There are various national parks in that area, you’ll be offered more opportunity to hide from the authorities there.”

Ivan groaned. “Oh great, more traversing into the wild.”

“Well in a world like this, what other choice is there.” Lance commented as he checked his rifle for ammo.

“Fine.” Ivan sighed. “So since we’re going to that again, where are we now?”

He pointed at the mountains that struggled to hide behind the countless buildings. “Not that far away.”

“Oh good.”

“Are you sure?”

They turned to find Jacklyn staring back at them, visibly gripping onto her baton.

“Are you sure this will get us out of here?”

“Jackie…” Feeling Viktor’s hand on his shoulder, he stopped and let him speak.

“I-”

She felt a hand on her shoulder.

“That’s up to you, Madame.”

She found the guardswoman beside her, with that gentile smile of hers’. With that, she only nodded, and loosened the grip on her baton.

“Right.” Viktor said. Then he stood up and announced, “Ладно товарищи, мы идем на восток! Так что давайте выйти!”

The soldiers nodded, and followed him out of the building. Doing so, gave Ivan the opportunity to tell Jacklyn, “Hey Jackie, are you okay?”

She eased the stress by lowering her head onto her hand. “I’m fine, Ivan. I just needed to get it off my chest, that’s all.”

She then stood up, picking up the pace in her run. “Well, let’s get a move on.”

“Jackie, I-” Another hand touched his shoulder, this time it was Lance’s.

“We’ll discuss this once we get out of here.”

He nodded reluctantly. “Whatever you say dude.”

“Is there anything else you want to talk about, Ada?” asked Celestia.

She stopped in her tracks, and then started to tap her feet for a little moment. “Hmm, not really. We’re just yards away from your ride, you know. But since you brought that up, what do you want to talk about?”

Celestia briefly stared at her guards that were lined up on her left. The waves in the distant weren’t enough to distract her to what she was seeing. After a while, she leaned over to Ada. With a low voice, she said, “You see my guards?”

She turned to the golden armored ponies. “Yes I do.”

“You see their eyes?”

She could decipher their demeanor in an instant. “They’re scared, aren’t they?”

Celestia then turned to the soldiers on their right. Looking past their green uniforms to have a look at their eyes. “Your men and women look like soulless machines to them, don’t they?”

“It’s all a part of being in the army, Princess. We take away their laziness, but not their humanity.” she explained. “Don’t tell me you want to sugarcoat their-”

“No, no.” she interrupted quietly. “I’m just pointing out what my mares and stallions see in them, that’s all.”

“I guess the magic inside them wore off when the war broke out, huh?”

Celestia softly kicked the floor underneath her. “I can’t deny it, the war… no, both wars really taught me a lot. But that doesn’t mean my war is over.”

Ada smiled a bit. “That war’s lasted for more than a century, Celestia. I swear, you should’ve been over it by now. Not to mention your army looks as if it really needs an up-”

She looked back at her sleek golden chariot with determination. “I won’t be, I will only be happy once they dissolve.”

“Even if your sister comes back?” she asked.

Celestia was quiet, unwilling to answer. Instead, she trotted down the rows. But she then felt her foreleg be stopped by a hand. She could hear the guards from both sides be up in arms.

“Princess, it’s okay.” she said calmly. “It’s not a question you should answer now, anyway.”

Celestia sighed. “Oh, I understand.”

She took the opportunity to free herself once the President’s grip loosened. “See you next time then.”

“Alright.” she said with a wave.

With a little smile, she turned away and headed for the chariot. Once she was on the armored ponies carrying it took off into the air, along with the rest of the guard. Ada then looked out into the sea, finding the Equestrian battleships lining in front of them. Each of them bearing the iconic sun above the moon on the hull.

“Madame President, we have to go.” advised one of the secret servicemen.

“Alright then.” she gave one brief look at the departing chariot before walking in the other direction. She’d mumble, “After all, we sacrifice in war, don’t we?”

“What was that, Madame?”

She turned to her subordinate to give off a sheepish laugh. “Oh nothing.”

The agents looked at each other for a bit before shrugging it off.

In the air, Celestia looked down upon the massive aircraft carrier. Seeing its fighter jets spread across the top deck. The smile faltered when she saw them, it broke even more when the ships the humans possessed were looming into her sight.

“Is something the matter, your majesty?” asked one of the guards carrying the chariot.

She sighed. “Humans are a real marvel when you get to know them more, you know.”

The guard felt as if his wings were numbing. “Um… Well, I certainly don’t see it. They’re lucky that we…”

Her warm smile was being put together again. “It’s okay to admit it my little pony.”

“Yeah.”

The guard beside him acknowledged that he was no longer going to speak. So he decided to ask his own question. “Princess, aren’t you a tad bit worried about the power the human race possesses? We already know what they’d do to achieve more. Not to mention outnumber us popu-”

Her warm smile remained despite that question. “Not to sound rude, but didn’t your teacher taught you that humans are no different from us?”

He was blushing, giving a little chuckle alongside it. “Heh, right. But that doesn’t answer my question!”

“Well you won’t be getting one!” she said with wit.

The two guards fell silent at this, and chose to stay like that since their values are too precious to lose.

Alice walked down the hallway, clutching onto her tablet. When she entered the hallway adjacent to it, she noticed someone familiar in a bright red suit. She immediately picked up speed to confront him.

Surprised, she’d ask him, “Redmond! What are you doing here?”

“Morning Alice.” Redmond greeted with a lift of the hand. “I came here to see in the interrogation of these little children. It’s surprising that you were able to capture those kids with ease. And with grave injuries too.”

“Hmm,” Flattered, she answered with a hand resting under her chin, “That’s just how I roll.”

His mood didn’t lighten up though. “Also, I had a talk with the rest of the High Command about the ALM. We’ve agreed that they might be aiding the fugitives in one way or another.”

She raised an eyebrow. “You serious?”

“Well, you found him with the local resistance.”

She scratched the back of her head. “And the ALM trains resistance-”

“Missus Wesley.” a guard called for after exiting the room, “He’s ready.”

She nodded. "Okay.”

“You know what to do, right?” Redmond asked concernedly.

“Of course, Redmond.” she said, masking her frown with a determined look. “Also his hands are restrained to the table anyway, so there’s no worry.”

“Got it.”

With a smile, she calmly entered the bright room and closed the door behind her.

“The city was abandoned years ago, so don’t pull off the excuse that you were caught in the crossfire.” Alice told him once her hand left the knob, but got no response. When she leaned forward, she noticed the tiny pool of tears on the table. She then placed her hand over her other hand. “Listen, if you help me, I’ll let you go. You and your friends will no longer stay in a place like that, okay?”

The boy still didn’t answer.

“Just trust me, we’ll make sure your life isn’t a living hell. So what do you say?”

The boy still didn’t answer, but made a slow but unwilling nod instead.

She smiled before giving him a pat on the head. “Alrighty then.”

He took out a small photo from her pocket, which depicted a young adult with his hands in the air. The little boy slowly raised his head in the air to take a good look at it.

“Was he with you?” she asked directly.

The little boy didn’t say a word, which got her to repeat the question. But even then, he wasn’t answering. She rested her head over her hand. Then she stuck into her pocket to take out a blue armband, before placing it on the table. She flipped it over to reveal the red cog underneath the white bird. “At least you should be familiar with this, aren’t you?”

The little boy turned his hands into fists. This put Alice on guard immediately. Then there was a knock on the door.

“Alice, C-Thirty’s coming in.” Redmond announced via speaker.

“Alright then.”

The door opened. The moment the boy saw the small silhouette of a girl and the sword, was the moment he began to pull back hopelessly and desperately.

“Shoot. That’s not going to work.” Redmond concluded. “Olivia, get-”

“Calm down kid!” Olivia said after slamming the door behind her and storming towards the frightened boy. “I’m not gonna slit your throat or anything!”

The boy didn’t listen, desperately trying to pry his hands from the chains attached to the table. But immediately stopped when he heard the loud shank coming from her sword sliding out of its sheath.

“Listen kid, we need your help!” she yelled. “This lady told you that if you cooperate, you’d be let go! So quit your squirming and tell us what we need to know!”

Alice was unable to fathom what was happening. “Uh… Olivia….”

She slammed the blunt part of the blade against the table. “So tell us, where the hell-!”

“Olivia!” Alice shouted.

“Yeah?”

“He’s passed out.” she revealed.

Blushing, she had to ask, “H-How?”

“The moment you took out your sword.” Alice lifted the boys head. “Your sword skills back at the front practically broke him.”

Olivia looked rather disappointed. “Of course it did. When we found him, do you really think that he’s going to fight back after seeing his friend’s chest punctured?”

She sighed. “Of course not.”

They were quiet for a bit before Alice contacted Redmond via the speaker on the wall. “Redmond, what now?”

“Tell Olivia to report back to my office!” Redmond ordered. “I wanna have a little word with her!”

“Hmm, as you wish sir.” she leaned away to find Olivia staring at the unconscious body. She could tell by the way she held tightly at the hilt how she felt.

“Alice,” she was able to say. “Do you ever wonder what makes me different from them?”

Alice was silent, crossing her arms as she walked to the wall across from where she stood. There, she pressed a button that let the boy’s hands free. “Sometimes, why ask?”

“Because…,” she softly spun the sword around by twisting the pommel with her hands. “It pains me to do so myself.”

“And do you know why?”

She stopped spinning her sword and put it away in its sheath.

Alice then decided to take a guess. “Is unintentionally knocking out the suspect one of them?”

She stretched her little arms before dusting off whatever there was to dust on her dress. “Something along those lines.”

Bullets and green bolts were countlessly rushing towards the busted personnel carriers and trees that lined passed the wall the men and woman in black were hiding behind.

“Danny, the resistance forces have taken the frat houses across the street!” informed one of them after running up to his superior.

“Hmm, that should even the score!” he said optimistically.

“So what now?”

He looked up at the countless bullets and bolts flying above them. “We take the building’s here of course! But it won’t be easy until the cavalry arrives.”

“Do you think they’ll make it in time?” the subordinate asked with a hint of panic. “I mean, the pony was knocked out by the commies’…!”

“Don’t worry, the three of them can manage on their own!”

“You think so?”  asked the subordinate.

“Obviously!” The two looked to the direction where the voice came from. In front of them, was Marianne, her legs shaking as she struggled to place Big Mac on the sidewalk. “Hey guys, little help?”

Both of them ran up to her, and did as suggested.

“Please do something!” Maribelle begged as they placed him down. Her hands clutching each other as tears were struggling to leave her eyes.

“Well what do you think we’ll do?” Marianne chuckled as he took out a syringe.

“Uh…” she could only step back as he looked down to the ground with embarrassment. Then gestured for them to proceed.

The needle pierced through the skin with ease before the vaccine was gushed in. “Don’t worry Maribelle, Haystack’s not going anywhere.”

Marianne’s assertion made her less tense.

“He’s just… just…” The last of the vaccine had entered his bloodstream. “I don’t know to be honest.”

He was racing down the massive trail, ignoring the mud that was pressing into his hooves. Even the warm rain falling onto his fur. The trail felt endless to him, but he didn’t care. It wasn’t going to stop him. His tears were mixing in perfectly with the rain, but again, it didn’t matter to him. He could see Maribelle several miles in front of him, but he ran past her nonetheless. When he reached her, he could see her gripping onto the hilt of her katana.

Then he felt a sharp sting sear into his leg. There was no use in screaming.

His eyes shot open, and he let out a heavy gasp. The brightness that he first saw soon faded out to find Marianne and one of her subordinates looking onto him. “Umph!”

He looked down to find Maribelle hugging him as tightly as possible. He could feel the tears fall into his fur. “Ah, hey!”

The two knocks on his head came from Marianne. It was obvious that she wasn’t too happy. “God damn it, man! We told you not to go back!”

He didn’t need to look at Maribelle’s face to see her worry. Instead, he chose to rest his head over her pretty little head. “Yep.”

Marianne let half her hand touch half her face, then raised her voice as she faced the others. “Let’s just take the buildings for the resistance and keep searching, got it?”

“Yes sir!” the subordinates chanted. While Big Mac nodded.

He felt Maribelle pull away. He looked down to find her rubbing her tears from her eyes. “You okay?”

“Mmm Hmm.” She nodded, putting on a little smile as well. “Now let’s go kick ass.”

He smiled also. “Yep!”

Marianne was checking her revolvers for ammo when she heard their conversation. A little hint of heartbreak could be felt within her.

The entire platoon kept running for minutes on end. The three lane street was purely empty, devoid of cars, civilians, etc.

“Товарищ младший сержант, вы найдете что-нибудь?” Viktor shouted to the soldier on the ring mount of the vehicle.

The soldier was looking through the binoculars for a little while more before pulling away. “Нет, товарищ капитан! Ничего вообще!”

Viktor leaned his head back a bit. “Хм, это облегчение!”

“Looks like we’ll be out of here in no time!” Lance declared a bit leisurely.

“Good.” Ivan said with a deadpanned expression. “Because someone here going to hyperventilate or something if we keep going.”

He eyed the profusely panting Jacklyn, who had an arm wrapped over his shoulder. “S-Sorry! Sorry.”

“Don’t get too excited my friends!” Viktor butted in. “We were given permission to leave the area, not to leave town! Which is why-”

He lifted a hand in the air. “Стоп!”