"You got eyes on?" Williams asks from the irrigation ditch across the road. Crouching behind a rock line I scan over the fields, we were engaged over twenty minutes ago by Taliban fighters but a mortar strike pushed them back.

"No, there's fuck all movement," Reaching into my patrol kit I select my binocular and survey the surrounding area. After a pregnant pause I'm satisfied that the enemy had retreated. "I think they've fallen back. Keep all men on guard as I clear off the IED down the road, I'm gonna blow it up and gut us the hell out of here."

"Understood, Sir. Stanley, Owen, Taylor keep your eyes on over the horizon." Following their confirmations they all move from their positions to maintain an over watch. As I leave my cover Taylor passes me, patting me on my back as he does so. When he's no more then five steps away I spin to make my way to Williams, I'm interrupted by a thunderous bang followed by a shock wave from my rear propelling me forward onto my chest, rock fragments and dirt raining down on my helmet.

Rolling onto my back I rapidly push myself into a sitting position, my stomach lurching from the sudden movement. Taylor is laying on the floor, smoke elevating from alongside a small crater a meter away. Stanley is also on the floor, but appears to be more dazed than anything. Stepping up I run over to Taylor and kneel alongside him.

"Stanley make sure your alright first then get to cover!" Scanning the others they all appear to be in shock, Williams rushes over to my position and checks on Taylor with me. "We are gonna need a medic! Call Bastion and get a medevac arranged!"

Rolling Taylor on his back I am able to inspect his wounds. He has numerous lacerations to his face, his arm is also scratched to hell. My main concern though is his left leg, part of his leg have been blown off below the knee. Raising his leg I rest in on my knee to elevate the wound, blood draining profusely from the damaged limb paint my camouflage a dark red.

"Keep him still!" Williams shouts out. Taking hold of the leg he positions a tourniquet above the knee and pulls on the cord, tightening it as much as he physically can. "Check his airwaves, is he breathing?" Williams switches position with me supporting the leg in place.

As I shuffle over his torso I remove my helmet and drop it to the floor. Leaning down I bring my ear to his mouth trying to listen for a breath...
Nothing...
Placing my hand on his torso I try to feel for elevation in his chest...
Once again there's nothing.

"Fuck, fucking shit," I mumble under my breath. Cupping my hand over my mouth I shout out to nobody in particular, "SOMEONE GET ME SOME SHEARS! NOW!" After a few moments a set of sheers are held out in front of me. Snatching the tool I cut along the side of the assault vest, once its cut I peel the top off and throw it off to the side.

He has a six inch gash along the side of his waist, blood coating his shirt and the underside of the vest. My hands are now smeared with his blood as I run a finger along the wound as I inspect it. A piece of shrapnel from the IED is embedded within the injury.

I move over his chest and press my hands over the centre. Pumping my hands I try to perform CPR, each push moving his body as I attempt to revive him. Williams continues to try and apply pressure to the wounds as he looks on in fear.

After thirty pumps I lean closer and create a seal around his mouth, pushing two breaths into his body. With no response I repeat the process trying to bring him back. I don't know how long I kept going for, by the time the medics arrived though my arms were completely numb.

Stepping back I watch in horror as the medics attempt to treat him, deep down though I know its too late. Raising my hands I freeze as I seen the blood covering my palms. Frozen in shock my eyes remain locked in place, my hands trembling before me...

Jolting up I rise from under my sheets, sweat trickling down my face as I pant heavily. Fucking night terrors, it all started after that day. Poor Taylor, his new born daughter would have to grow up without him around, I was so proud when he asked me to be the godfather.

Inspecting the other beds I notice everyone else is still asleep. Twilight was curled up under her sheets, Chaser was splayed out over his bed and Sunny was hanging over the edge of hers. There was a basket at the foot of Twilight's bed but I couldn't seen anything in it, thought there was a quilt and pillow inside.

Climbing out of bed I immediately stumble, my foot knocking over my boots. My head was pounding from last nights drinks, my mouth dry from dehydration. I make my way to the bathroom and carry out the usual routine, shower, toilet and brush my teeth, thankfully Twilight left me some toiletries.

Reentering the bedroom I change into my MTP trousers and the shirt Rarity made for me. As I slip on the socks and boots I notice that Sunny is no longer in bed, the other two are still fast asleep with Chaser snoring softly. I pocket my phone, cigarettes and lighter before making my way downstairs to the kitchen.

Upon entering I'm met with the alluring aroma of fresh waffles and coffee. Spike is standing on a step next to the cooker, Sunny however is face down against the table, her mane looking a complete mess.

"Wow, you look about as shit as I feel." Sunny just groans in response, refusing to move from her position.

Spike walks over to the table, placing a plate with waffles before myself and Sunny. "Morning, John. How was your party?"

"It was pretty good, though I'm sure most will be feeling pretty rough today." I take hold of a set of cutlery and cut myself a piece, placing it in my mouth. The food itself is filled with flavour, though I'm pretty sure after eating ration packs for months anything home cooked will taste just as good.

"It sure sounded like it last night." I get up and pour myself and Sunny a coffee, taking the mugs over and placing them onto the table.

"What time does Twilight normally wake up?" I ask.

"Should be any moment now, she's normally up early." Spike makes his way out the kitchen leaving just me and Sunny.

"So how do you feel?"

Sunny groans as she looks up to me, "I feel like death. Why'd you let me drink so much?"

"Hey, I'm not your babysitter." -I take a sip of my coffee- "You should know your own limits." She glances around the room as she levitates her own cup, a mild blush on her face.

"John, can we talk? About last night." She pauses as she looks to me, I nod for her to continue. "I just wanted to say I'm sorry for last night, I was very drunk. I don't recall every minor detail, but I know how I get after I've had a few. Could we perhaps... just forget anything awkward that happened?"

"I won't bring it up again if you don't." A smile surfaces on her face. "Now eat up, we've got work to do today."

"We have?" She tilts her head, "What have we got to do?"

"Well if I'm stuck here then I'm gonna need a job. Applejack said I was always welcome on her farm, so I'm sure she may be able to offer me a job or something." I take another bite of my breakfast, trying to finish it as quick as I can.

"That's kind of a down grade isn't it? From an engineer and officer, to a farmer." A smirk forms on her face.

"Well yeah, but how hard can farming be? And I'm sure there is something she needs fixing."

"So why do you need me?" Taking a drink she runs a hoof through her mane. "I already have a job, I'm getting paid to be trained by you, Remember?"

"You may be getting paid, I'm not." -I move to the sink and start washing my plate- "Also, I may be able to teach you a few engineering tricks. Along with the usual officer B.S. of develop teamwork."

Sunny releases a groan, "Can I at least get showered before we go?"

"Get going then. I'm gonna be on the balcony." Myself and Sunny begin leaving the kitchen.

"What are going to be doing up there? There's only a telescope out there and its kinda useless in the day."

"I'm gonna have a fag." As soon as I said that she immediately halts, a displeased expression on her face.

"A what!?"

"A fag... you know, a cigarette." Her reaction relaxes as she continues making her way upstairs with me. Obviously I have to be careful with what I say.

"I don't know why you even want to smoke. You know they're-"

"Bad for you, I know. But I joined a profession which was bad for my health, so frankly I don't give a toss." Sunny just rolls her eyes as she enters that bathroom. Surprisingly the other two are still asleep. Lazy shits.

I continue onto the balcony and overlook the town. Grasping my phone I turn it on and select shuffle on my phone. In the distance I can see numerous figures moving around what seems to be a market place, numerous stores being set up for the day. Taking a cigarette out of the packet I place it into my mouth and light it.

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After an hour we finally set off, when she came to find me on the balcony we kinda got distracted chatting idly as we listened to my music. Sunny wanted to study my phone, but for the time being I refused. Normally I'm not a fan of giving my phone to others but it may prove beneficial to me in the future, It may find me a way to charge my phone.

On our way we decided to bypass the town and walk along the outskirts, we tried to get Chaser to come but he was being a jackass and refused. Twilight though it was good that I was going out to work, she said something about it allowing me to learn more about the towns traditions.

When I came here last time I never exactly got the chance to fully examine the farm while I was fighting the Timber Wolves. Upon walking up a dirty road my field of vision is filled with apple trees rolling across the horizon, various other crops are being grown as well such as corn and carrots. A large red barn sits at the end of the road, various chicken coups are positioned alongside the barn along with a pig pen. Maybe if I'm lucky I can one day get a pig or chicken for some meat.

Sunny places her hooves against a fence post and releases a content sigh, "That sure is a great view, so peaceful."

"Yeah, it sure is," I jump onto the fence and sit against it.

"Does it remind you of home?" Sunny tilts her head towards me.

"Not particularly, I grew up in a suburb on the outskirts of a city. I used to enjoy my visits out to the country with friends, before I joined the army we would go lamping most weekends." I'd bet not tell her that lamping involves hunting rabbits at night, I can probably guess that they wouldn't appreciate it if I did it here.

"I take it you miss them?"

Running my hand through my hair I let out a shallow groan, "Of course I do." Tapping me with her hoof she continues down the trail, I watch her for a few seconds before deciding to join her. We walk in silence until we're interrupted by the sound of rustling leaves and something impacting wood.

Rounding a bush line we come across Applejack who is kicking the tree with her hind hooves, causing the apples to plummet from the tree into wooden buckets bellow. No wonder her kick fucked up my ribs, if she can do that to a tree then I'm lucky she only caused the amount of damage she did. With a flick of her stetson she raises her head to notice myself and Sunny watching her as she works.

"Howdy, John. Not feelin' too rough after last night, are you?"

"Feeling better than I was," -Nudging Sunny I grin towards her- "You should have seen her this morning. She looked like death."

Sunny just gave me the evils, "It wasn't that bad."

Applejack responded with a chuckle, "What can I do for y'all?"

"I feel a bit like an arse for just coming up and asking, but I was wondering if you had any work." -Rubbing the back of my neck I avert my gaze- "I haven't exactly got any money, and I'm pretty sure nobody is willing to hire the 'monster' they all fear."

"I could always use an extra helper on the fields or doing chores. Reckon y'all be any good at apple bucking?" I paused upon hearing her say 'bucking', from my conversation last night I found out that's also their unofficial version of 'fucking'.

Sunny just giggles at my expression and prods my leg, "Not like that."

Applejack just shakes her head, "Like this, sugarcube." Stepping up to the next tree she pivots and immediately kicks the trunk of the tree causing all the apples to fall into waiting buckets.

Walking to an adjacent tree I give it a couple of light kicks with my foot, testing it. As I suspected they're essentially as tough as the ones back home. "I can't kick these, that will more than likely break my foot. I could pick then, but that's about it."

"Well, how about pullin' that cart full of apples to the barn?" Raising her hoof she points it out to me. Thankfully the cart is fairly small, two wheels on the base with a frame extending out the front with a belt to connect it to the pony pulling it.

"I could try," Stepping to the front I unbuckle the straps. Holding it I inspect it further, I could likely rotate the position of the harness allowing it to secure around me in the same position as a utility belt. I move the harness into position and secure it to my chest, earning an amused look from Sunny and a bemused one from Applejack.

Pushing off with my feet the cart slowly but surely begins to shift, the weight is fairly heavy but feels about the same as pulling a heavy pallet truck. My boots dig slightly into the dirt each time my boots push against the floor, however I am able to make the journey. I continue to do this through the day, pulling that cart itself actually seems like a pretty good workout. Applejack would kick the trees and gather the apples, Sunny would pour them into the cart then I'd transport them to the barn.

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By sunset we decided to call it quits, we had the occasional break in between but we primarily decided to work through as much as we could. Applejack hardly seemed fazed by the full work day, my legs were absolutely killing me, I wouldn't be surprised if my legs decided they no longer wanted to work.

Following Applejack up to her house she stops on the step, "Thank you kindly for helpin' me, both of you." -She smiled to Sunny then me- "Just hang on a moment, and I'll get your pay for the day." She entered her home, once she was out of sight I immediately slump against the wall and sit down, Sunny soon sat alongside me.

"You need to shower, you kind of smell." Sunny pushes against my chest, the sweat covered shirt sticking slightly to me.

"Signs of a hard days work, ladies love a bit of musk." Pushing her back I grin.

Chuckling she stands back up, "Yeah, you keep telling yourself that. So when are we actually due to begin some training?"

Sighing I push on the wall to stand, "We will do some basic training tomorrow. I want to see how ponies fight, you all rely on melee weapons for combat from what I've seen so far, so I want to see what you're trained to do."

"Well I've been trained in basic offensive magic as well," -She taps her horn with a hoof- "I am a Unicorn, remember. But if you're not trained in melee, what are you trained it?"

"Mostly long ranged engagements. Humans used to use primarily sword and other melee weapons to fight, but with technological advances we developed weapons a single soldier could carry which would allow him to attack an enemy hundreds of meters away."

Sunny paused, her jaw hanging low, "Wow. That's impressive, your technology is so fascinating."

"I know you wanted to study my weapons but I'm not comfortable with that, yet." Her ears droop slightly at this, reaching into my pocket I take my phone and hold it in front of her. "But over the next few days I will let you examine my phone's battery, see if you can figure out a way to recharge it."

Sunny's eyes immediately light up, a smile spreading a mile across her face. "Oh, thank you! Thank you!" She immediately jumps up to me and wraps me in a hug.

At that moment Applejack walks out with a small brown sack in her mouth, dropping it into her hoof she grins to us. "Well, am I interrupting y'all?" Sunny instantly lets go and turns away from Applejack, a blush painting her cheeks. "Here's your pay, John. If you ever want to help out again just drop on by."

Taking the bag from her grasp I throw it from hand to hand before pocketing it. "Cheers, Applejack. We should get going, I still have to be at Twilight's for night. Have a good night." I start to walk away, waving to her as we leave.

"Goodnight." Applejack waves back before returning to her home. Myself and Sunny start the walk back to Twilight's, in all honesty I'm probably gonna head to bed once I've eaten. Glancing to Sunny I start to question in my mind how they fight, what tactics are they taught, how similar are they to us when it comes to combat. I will have to make her spar with Night Chaser in the morning to see it first hand.

Lazy bastard refused to join us today. Let's hope Sunny can kick his ass, that would motivate him to accompany us more.