Thursday 14th August 2014
16:09
Day 32 on Deployment

Pushing myself out from underneath the chassis on a wheeled board of wood, I wipe my hands with an oily rag as I look to Matrix. "What attempt would this be? Number six?"

"I think this is seven," He responds as he climbs onto the carriage and steps alongside the new track system.

"I may have been a mechanic, but that doesn't mean I can create and produce a clutch and steering system from scratch. It's a good thing this one has a basic one to work from." With the blueprints I photographed and with a working design for a basic clutch system, I was able to take it to one of the metal works in Coltchester. They were able to replicate it with stronger materials.

The system was fairly basic and was used in numerous tank designs, including the world famous T-34. The steering system used a combination of the clutch and braking to steer the tank. Two vertical levers were used to steer the tank, the respective handle controlling the tracks on that side of the vehicle. Pulling on a lever disengaged the clutch, releasing that track and causing it to slow down. Further motion of the handle increasingly applied the brake to that track, allowing the turning circle to be adjusted.

Along with the steering system, our priority was to develop the tracks. Developing the track itself hinged around the creation of a functioning frontal sprocket, along with the rear idler and bogey wheels which would work alongside the suspension. With these fitted and in place, the tracks could be easily designed and fitted.

"Get ready to test the tracks on my command," I instruct him as I stand to the rear. "Right track forward." Watching the track, I hear the sound of the gears kicking in as the right track slowly begins to move forward before gradually increasing in speed as he increases the gear. "Right backwards." On the command, the tracks quickly slow down before going in the opposite direction. "Now the same for the left." Stepping to the other side of the Chassis, I watch as the test is repeated.

With the tests completed, Matrix stops the tracks and looks back at me. "Everything seems to be working as planned."

"Yeah, that's the tracks." Looking to the side of the room, I roll my eyes as Chaser and Sunny seem to be curled up close together. "Hey, lovebirds! Give it a break for a minute so Sunny can turn off the engine."

"That's rich coming from you," Chaser replies with a knowing grin as he unwraps his wing from around Sunny.

"Okay, smartarse," I return as I shake my head.

As Sunny steps away from Chaser, her horn illuminates as she reaches out for the power source of the engine, a device called a 'spark battery'. The battery worked similarly to the enchanted gemstones which power the Guard's lances. The battery would hold the arcane energy within it, allowing it to power a chosen device for a period of time, dependant on the energy required to run it.

The battery within the tank design would power it for approximately two hours, the device itself was fairly large and had a heavy weight to it, meaning that it would be difficult to change in the field. It could, in theory, be fitted with a series of spark batteries in order to interchange the power source, but they could prove to be unstable if the protective casing was damaged. In the words of the WISWO, rapid decompression of the energy within would prove fatal for anyone within the immediate vicinity. The more power sources contained within the tank, the higher the risk is for the crew inside if the casings were heavily damaged.

As the engine cuts out, Sunny looks back at me. "So what are you actually gonna call it? It doesn't make cider anymore so its name doesn't exactly fit."

"I dunno," I state as I rub my chin. "This'll likely end up becoming the basis of a light tank at first. I was thinking 'Phoenix' or 'Guardian'."

"I don't think Guardian fits," Matrix points out as he returns to the engine to inspect it. "Guardian seems like the name of something that will protect everypony around it, lots of armour, not a 'light' tank."

"There we go, then. This will be the Phoenix light tank-"

Chaser scoffs, "-When it's actually finished. You only just got it moving and turning."

"Yeah, cause I'm not an armourer. You can't just slap steel plates on and hope for the best. It's about the design, shaping and thickness. If you stick thick and heavy armour all over it then it'll drive worse than a brick shithouse, not to mention the suspension will get knackered easily and the engine will work overtime to get even the smallest amount of movement. This is the first engine design, it could perform really poorly with armour fitted to the main body, limiting it so it’ll have no more than a few millimetres of armour so that it’ll actually move."

Before he can respond, the sound of someone entering the workshop causes all of our heads to turn. Looking at the entrance, we find Shining Armor stood in the doorway wearing his full armour. "Captain Davies, have you got a minute?"

Nodding my head, I wipe my hands clean and drop the rag onto the board before stepping up to Shining. The two of us exit the building and step into the blistering sun. "What do you need, Major?" I ask as I notice another group of guards in full kit.

"I was hoping that you'd be able to provide us with a squad on a search mission. There's a small homestead approximately eight miles south-west from here. For some reason, the Diamond Dogs hit it hard. A Guard detachment initially deployed but was unable to break through."

"But why us?" I ask as I look at the guards behind him. "Surely you can get a large team to take it by force."

"We could, but that'll drain resources we can't spare," He replies. "Your team has a reputation for this sort of thing. Although I hate to admit it, one squad of the SOG could have more luck than a Guard Platoon," Shining states with a defeated sigh.

I can't help but crack a smug grin as I adjust my position, "I suppose I can send a Section to assist you, but only because of your high praise." Stepping back towards the doorway, I lean against the frame. "I'll notify Sergeant Deka to assemble her Section to assist you guys." I rub the back of my neck as I think back to Cadence's request for me to try and 'play nice'. I release a shallow sigh, "I'll grab my kit and tag along."

This seems to surprise Shining as he eyes me curiously, "Really? Don't you trust your Sergeant?"

"I do. It's just that I have the only automatic weapon, and it sounds like it would be a valuable resource in this situation. Not to mention I could do with a break from being a grease monkey." Stepping back inside, I call out to Shining, "We'll meet you at the front gates in fifteen minutes."

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I watch the world pass underneath us as I lean against the side wall of the chariot. Sharing a ride with Shining and a few of his guards, he briefed me on what resistance we were expected to come up against. Apparently, the family who lived at the homestead recently came across a large deposit of gems underneath their farm, earning themselves quite a bit of money in the process by selling the gems in Coltchester. It would seem that the Dog's caught wind of this new deposit and decided to take it by force.

Fitting a magazine into my rifle, I look to the chariot flying adjacent to us to check on Deka and her Section as they prepare their own weapons. Learning from the fighting within Coltchester, I gave each member of Charlie Section an SA80 magazine which was fully loaded, it seemed to be a better use of the spare magazines sitting around gathering dust. This would mean that they would all act as ammunition carriers, similar to that of machine gun teams back on Earth. This would allow me to have more ammunition in emergencies to engage effectively as a makeshift machine gunner.

With the SA80 loaded, I scan the horizon to find the homestead in question. Surrounding the farmhouse is a large expanse of numerous fields, growing a wide variety of crops such as corn, apples and various other vegetables. To the right of the main structure were some smaller huts which were likely living quarters for workers, but there were partially destroyed as three of the five huts are engulfed in flames. An expansive barn which is situated on the left also appears to have been set on fire, with the roof partially collapsed, but the fire seems to have burnt out as the mass majority of the structure remains intact.

"What's the plan?" I ask as I rest the handguard against the frame to use as a makeshift fire position. "Get on the ground and push in, or do a slow fly over and engage from above?"

"We need to get in a quickly as we can in case there are any ponies being held captive," Shining answers as he adjusts his helmet. "I want to get the Guard and your soldiers on the ground to move up while you provide us with some suppressive fire to allow us to get close."

I nod my head as I adjust my position and aim through the scope. "I can do that. Deka will lead her team on the ground. Let her do her thing and they'll secure the area. They'll push hard and fast." Observing the farmhouse, I quickly find a Dog peeking through a broken pane of glass. Lining up the scope with his chest, I fire off a single shot which sends him back into the shadows of the building.

As quickly as I fire off the first shot, more Dogs start to move up against the windows and aim their makeshift ranged weapons out the windows, preparing for an attack with a series of bows, crossbows and throwing spears. As we touch the ground and the guards disembark the chariot, I begin to fire off a quick succession of short controlled bursts, being cautious to hit the targets and avoid any collateral damage in case there are some ponies inside the building.

The first magazine is quickly emptied as the Guard and S.O.G make a quick push forward, the rapid-fire giving them some breathing room as they advance on the stone walls which surrounds the corn crops. As they reach cover, a group of five Dogs quickly exit the barn and prepare to engage them, this time they're equipped with makeshift clubs and swords. Fitting a fresh magazine, I take aim as the chariot moves to hover over our forces.

I fire off an automatic volley at the small cluster, three of the five quickly drop, being hit in the legs and centre mass, incapacitating them. The last two quickly duck down below the opposite end of the stone wall, the tough material being able to withstand the 5.56mm rounds be fired at it by my rifle. The pair seems to be effectively suppressed as they refuse to lift their heads, allowing me to turn my focus elsewhere as Deka and the others quickly close the distance.

Reaching the wall, I observe as Deka vaults over the wall to the right of the duo. As they seem to frantically scramble to their feet to attack, Deka brings around her combat shotgun in her magic and instantly strikes the first one over the head with the butt of the weapon. With the lead Dog stunned, she rotates her weapon and fires a single shell into the rear Dog, sending him off his feet and throwing him back with the force. Before the front one can recover, Deka slams the barrel across the side of his head before blowing open the side of his neck with a shell, sending him slumping against the wall.

The section rapidly pushes the last distance to the house and stand on the porch, ready to breach the building and clear it out. Shouting for the chariot to go down onto the floor, I quickly disembark in the middle of the field and run towards the wall they had just cleared. Waiting alongside the wall, I notice a single dog at the left barn, trying to aim a crossbow out of the broken section of roof. Turning my rifle, I fire a lengthy burst, puncturing the wood before he falls out of the opening onto the floor outside.

As I prepare to climb over the wall, Charlie Section breaches the doorway and push inside the building as the Guard simultaneously push into the barn and smaller huts on the opposite end of the homestead. With everyone already inside, the lack of gunfire or fighting causes me to remain on guard as I kneel on the other side of the wall, frantically scanning all directions for any movement.

For a minute, there are no sounds of any gunfire or fighting, until a guard is thrown out of one of the windows of the right hut with the others quickly pushing back out the doorway which they entered. Springing closer to the building, I catch a glimpse of a Dog's silhouette in the window and fire off another burst. Unlike the other times, I miss due to my frantic aiming, the Dog jumping out of view.

I push up to the doorway the guards are stacked up against and lie down a few metres away from it, my rifle pointed directly at the flimsy door. "Are there any friendlies inside!?" I call out to the guards.

"No, sir!" One of the guards calls back as he and the others increase their distance from the door. Providing me with more room, I fire off all of my magazine through the door and fill the room with wooden shrapnel and bullets. As the bolt of my rifle locks to the rear, the pained screams of the Dog can be heard from inside. Shouldering my rifle, I draw my pistol and push on the opening that has been left following the destruction of the door and surrounding frame.

Charging inside, I pivot as I enter and check the two corners closest to me on either side. Finding a Dog in the corner waiting to charge me, I double tap him in the head, sending his head jolting backwards and impacting with the wall before he slumps to the side. Turning to the rest of the room, I find one injured Dog on the floor with another lying motionless over the top of a table surface, the rounds from earlier likely having knocked him backwards and onto the table.

"Clear!" I call to the guards outside who quickly join me inside. As one of their medics move to the wounded Dog, I step back outside and holster my Glock before reloading the SA80. Pacing through the dirt, I walk through a plume of smoke which is blowing in my path from the burning hut as I move towards the main house. As I reach the porch, Amethyst Spark is already stood at the door. "Are we clear?" I ask her.

She nods her head, "The house has been cleared out. There is a caved in passage in the floorboards of the kitchen. I'm gonna guess they came in through there. Tunnelled in and got the entire family, at least it seems that way from the family photos. There is still one missing from the photos which we haven't found, a light grey filly."

"Fuck," I state as I lean back against the wall. "Hopefully the Guard will have more luck in the barn. I've only been in the one hut but there were no ponies there." Rubbing the back of my neck, I let out a sigh before removing one of the empty magazines from my webbing. "Trade," I instruct her. Reaching into her own field pack with her magic, she switches the empty magazine in my hand with a full one where I place it into my webbing.

"Matrix and the others are trying to get into the basement but it seems to be barricaded from the inside. They can't get the door open."

Turning and stepping off the porch, I gesture for Amethyst Spark to follow me. "Don't these farms tend to have a way into the basement from the outside? Let's see if we can find the other door." The two of us quickly pace around the farmhouse until we reach the rear of the structure. True to my prediction, we find a steel set of doors against a section of foundation which seems to lead below the building.

Kneeling at the doors, I get my rifle ready and aim it at the entrance. Knowing what I'm implying, Amethyst Spark opens the doors with her magic as she brings her own weapon around. The heavy steel doors open up with some effort, allowing a small plume of thin smoke to escape from the opening. Peering inside, I'm unable to make anything out due to a lack of light source.

Standing up, I sling my rifle and instead decide to draw my pistol as I take out my phone in my left hand, turning on the flashlight to illuminate the staircase down. With the dusty stairs now illuminated, I cautiously begin to step down as I keep my body low, in an attempt to see below the raised roof so that I can pick out anyone attempting to ambush me. With no sounds or signs of movement, I step away from the bottom of the stairs and into the centre of the room.

Remaining as silent as I can, I turn my head from side to side in an attempt to listen for any sort of noise in the same room. Despite me trying to remain quiet, the constant sounds of the others trying to open the main door prevents me from hearing anything out of the ordinary.

Pivoting on the spot, I quickly study the entire room as shine the light from my phone at various spots. Passing a series of boxes, I catch a small silhouette of a shadow attempting to duck out of sight. Raising my pistol, I backpedal in order to create some distance as I flick the light over the boxes.

"Come out. Slowly," I order as I keep my weapon ready. I wait a moment as there seems to be no movement. "Now!" Following a brief pause, the sound of something clattering finally signifies that they've finally taken notice of my order. Slowly, a small form emerges from the right side of the box.

My eyes widen as I lower my weapon, finding a filly stepping out of the dark and into the light from my phone. I freeze as I find myself staring at her, not knowing how to act. The light grey unicorn shakes as she stands before me, tears streaming down her cheeks from her pale green eyes.

Kneeling down in front of her, I return my pistol into its holster as I lower the light onto the floor so that I'm not shining into her eyes. "Hey... It's okay. You're safe now." I try to give her a reassuring smile as I reach my free hand out to her. This seems to have the opposite effects as she shrinks back, backing up against the wall.

I release a soft sigh as I look back at Amethyst Spark who remains at the bottom of the stairs. Looking back towards the filly, I sit down on the floor. "I'm not going to hurt you. I just want to make sure you're okay and take you somewhere safe." She remains tucked between the boxes, my attempts at coaxing her out failing. "The Diamond Dogs are gone now. The Guard is upstairs."

It looks as though I'm finally getting somewhere as she takes a few shaky steps out from her hiding spot, only to shrink away as the others bang the door upstairs in another failed attempt to get in. Turning to Amethyst, I tilt my head towards the stairs to signal for her to go up. "Unlock that door and tell them to shut up." As she begins to head up the stairs, I rub my eyes before returning my focus to the filly. "Sorry if they scared you. They're just making sure that you're safe. What’s your name?"

Her eyes briefly flick towards the stairs before locking onto mine. "V-Velvet," She replies with a soft voice.

I give her a comforting smile, "Velvet. That's a pretty name. My name is John."

"I-I've... seen you... in magazines," Velvet says timidly as she slowly steps out from the boxes. "Y-you're going to... marry the P-Princess."

I slowly nod my head, "Princess Luna. That's right." I pause as I watch her slowly step forward, her eyes nervously looking me over as they seem to look scared as she regularly glances at my sword. "Velvet, I know you're scared, but I'm going to keep you safe. The Dogs are gone now... I'm going to take you somewhere safe. Okay?"

Velvet remains silent as she stops in front of me, her lip trembling slightly. It's here that I'm able to get a better look at her in the light. She must be ten-years-old at the latest. Her size is fairly small compared to other fillies that I've come across in my time here, a lack of a cutie mark on her flank acting as a signal of her young age. Wiping her muzzle with a forehoof, she reluctantly meets my gaze, "Where's my mom? My pa and brothers?"

I find myself at a loss as she stares into my eyes, already knowing their fate but finding myself unable to tell them that everyone upstairs is dead. "I-I don't know, Velvet. I've only been in the smaller huts outside then I came straight here. I haven't been upstairs. My team are checking upstairs right now. Let's get out of the dark and get some fresh air outside, okay?"

Velvet slowly nods her head as she looks at me. As I stand up, she quickly steps in close alongside my leg as I step towards the stairs. Making my way up, she sticks close to me as I get towards the top, stopping her at the exit to the surface. "Velvet, I need you to wait here for a second. I need to make sure that everything up top is safe." I quickly notice the worry on her face. "I won't be going far. I'll just be stepping outside."

I already know everything up top is safe now, I just want to make sure I have somewhere I can take her where she won't see any bodies as we make our way somewhere safe. Stepping into the dirt around the cellar entrance, I quickly come across Shining and a pair of guards who are walking towards me as I turn off the light on my phone. "John," Shining addresses me as he stops alongside me. "Is the farmhouse secure?"

I nod my head, "My team have gone through it." I pause as I glance back to the cellar stairs, noticing Velvet peeking out as she watches me. Turning back to Shining, I speak to him in a hushed tone so that Velvet can't hear me. "I found a kid in the basement... It seems that her family were killed upstairs and locked her downstairs for safety. I need to get her somewhere away from any bodies or violence. Is the barn clear?"

Shining freezes momentarily as he looks behind me towards the filly in question. "Y-yeah. There were no Dogs inside the barn. There was a small tunnel but that has already been collapsed with three guards posted inside. There's only the Dog's by the wall which were killed in the fighting."

I nod my head, "I'll take her inside there so that she's safe until we leave." Rubbing the back of my neck, I release a heavy sight before readopting the reassuring smile as I make my way back to Velvet. Kneeling down in front of her, I take off my helmet and attach it to my webbing. "We're going to go into the barn. It's safe in there and out of the way of the guards." I slowly hold out my arms to her, "There are a few things I don't want you to see. I'm going to carry you there, I'll need you to be brave and only look at me. Can you do that?"

Velvet slowly nods her head, "...I can do that."

Stepping closer to me, I slowly grab hold of her body and lift her up, holding her against my chest so that she is looking directly up at me. Standing up, I rest my hand against the back of her head to prevent her from looking around, my fingers lightly running through her snow white mane in an attempt at comforting her. As we step around the house, she does exactly as I requested by not even attempting to look around. As we reach the front of the barn, I enter the open doorway and close the door behind us.

As we step further into the barn, she seems to relax slightly as she leans into me. Stepping towards the corner, I find a large pile of loose straw and sit against it. Slowly releasing my grip on Velvet, she decides not to move away as she instead remains seated in my lap and against my chest. Unslinging my rifle, I remove it from my shoulder and rest it alongside me before reaching into my webbing and removing my canteen. "Are you thirsty?"

Velvet nervously nods her head. Unscrewing the cap, I pass the canteen which she takes in her forehooves instead of her magic and takes a length drink before passing it back to me. As I have a drink from the metal canteen, she wipes her lips with her forehoof before looking back up at me. "J-John?"

I quickly finish my drink and meet her gaze. "Yes, Velvet?"

"My family... are they..." Velvet swallows a lump in her throat as her eyes tear up, "...Dead?"

I remain motionless as I initially find myself incapable of answering her. It seems she's able to figure out the answer I'm unable to tell her as my eyes remain focused on hers. Sobbing out loud, she rapidly curls up into a ball on my lap with her back to me. I find myself at a loss as I watch her. Reaching out with my hand, I slowly begin to brush my palm against her mane and back as I try to support her, "I'm sorry, Velvet."

I remain focused on her for what feels like ages as I try to comfort her, her sobs becoming more infrequent and softer as time goes by. I only pull my eyes away when Deka's hooves enter my peripheral vision. Looking at the two of us, she speaks softly to me as she keeps some distance. "Have you got a minute?"

I'm about to nod my head before looking back down at Velvet. "If its an update then just tell me here."

Deka steps alongside me, slowly lowering herself to sit next to me. "The Guard has secured the surrounding area and are waiting for the Wonderbolt Reserve to come and take over before they move out. We're going to stick here with them until it happens, but it doesn't seem that they'll be here until morning due to another operation."

"Okay. I guess we'll hunker down here in the barn until morning. Make sure everyone gets some shut-eye and ensure that at least four are on sentry duty at all times."

"Will do, boss." Deka responds as she stands. Reaching into her field pack with her magic, she withdraws a fresh magazine for my SA80 and a ration pack before placing them gently on the floor alongside me.

Once Deka has left, I adjust my position slightly whilst trying my best not to move Velvet around too much. Glancing at my watch I finally realise that I've been sat with her for just over an hour. Releasing a shallow sigh, I finally bring myself to say something to Velvet since she started crying. "Velvet... I know it's difficult to lose your family, but I'm here for you. I'm going to keep you safe and find someone who can take care of you once we're away from here."

This seems to finally cause her to lift her head as she looks at me, sniffling slightly as she wipes her muzzle. "I don't want to go. T-this is my home."

"I know it is your home, but it isn't safe for you to stay here."

She looks at me with wide eyes as she slowly sits up, "Where will I go?"

"There are a couple of orphanages in Coltchester which should be able to take care of you. I'll make sure you're safe and have somewhere to go. I'm not going to leave until I know you're safe with somebody who'll take care of you." Taking another drink from my canteen, I take a slow sip before offering her a drink. Once she has something to drink, I seal the canteen and place it alongside me. "I know it's early, but why don't you try and get some sleep? We'll be leaving in the morning."

Velvet doesn't say anything, opting only to nod her head before curling up again on my lap. I remain motionless as I watch her, making sure she at least gets comfortable and seems to be getting to sleep. As some time passes, I decide to lean my head back against the dried straw and release a long yawn before closing my own eyes.

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"John?" Velvet's soft voice awakens me from my light sleep as her forehoof lightly presses against my chest as she attempts to awaken me. Opening my eyes, I release a loud yawn as I look down at her. She doesn't say another word, opting instead to remain quiet as she nervously looks to the side.

Following her gaze, I find Rainbow and Soarin standing in front of me. Rubbing my eyes, I glance at my watch to find that it's just past midnight. "You guys are early," I state quietly to the pair, trying my best not to disturb any of the others who are sleeping.

"We figured it would be best to get here in the night," Rainbow replies as her lowers her goggles for them to hang around her neck. "Heavy winds were scheduled for the night along with heavy rain so it would be better if we got here before then so that we can leave once it clears up. Most ponies won't be able to fly with a chariot in these conditions," Rainbow chuckles cockily as she rubs her forehoof on her chest, "It isn't a problem for me, though."

Soaring responds to Rainbows remark with an amused laugh. "We've just arrived in the last hour. We set off just before the rainfall was due to come," Shaking his hoof, a small amount of water flicks from his flight suit onto the floor below, "Yet we still ended up getting caught in it. It seems that everypony has taken to sleeping in the barn. Mind if we join you? There aren't many spots left to get our heads down."

I give him a nod and gesture to the free space to my right, "Make yourself at home." It's only then that I realise that Deka, Aurora, Matrix and Sonar Vigilance are also within the same section of the barn as I am, all of which are inspecting their kit and idly talking to one another with hushed voices. Looking around them, I notice the field packs of the rest of her Section have been laid out in positions which her team have claimed for when their watch ends.

Sitting directly to my right, Rainbow quickly settles down whilst Soarin gets comfortable a bit further down from us. Looking back at Velvet, I watch her as she releases a loud yawn. "Have you gotten any sleep?" I ask her as I brush a lock of hair from in front of her eye.

She shakes her head, Clearing her throat as her eyes flick to Rainbow before refocusing on me. "I can't sleep."

"I know it's hard, Velvet, but you need to try and get some sleep. We'll all be here to keep you safe. You have nothing to fear while we are here with you." I give her a reassuring smile as I adjust my position slightly.

"I can't," She repeats as she looks away from me, her body lowering as she curls up on my lap.

I slowly release a sigh as I lightly run my hand through her mane. I never know how to act around kids, what to say or even what to do. What scares me the most about this situation is that I'm about to have two kids of my own. One minute they want nothing but attention and need you to do everything for them, the next, they are able to care for themselves and don't want much from you. And I've got a little girl with me who must be terrified from what's happened.

"You'd better get used to dealing with upset kids," Davies states to me in my head with a mild chuckle.

I can feel myself frowning instantly upon hearing his voice in my head. "I never would have guessed," I reply internally in a sarcastic tone.

"It's pretty obvious to me."

"...And what is it you seem to think I should do?"

"These ponies love a song or two, they magically break out into impromptu songs. Kids often have their parents sing to them when they're little to help them sleep," Davies informs me matter-of-factly. "Just sing her a song. You'll likely have to do it for your own kids at one point."

I quickly glance to the others before my eyes shift back down to Velvet. "You want me to sing to her?"

"I don't particularly want you to sing. I just reckon it'll help her sleep." Davies chuckles in my head, "Make it a good song, not a typical lullaby. You've been practising to play the guitar and I know for a fact you've been singing as you play. It'll be exactly the same as that, minus the guitar."

"...Fine. If it'll shut you up for a bit, I'll sing her a song."

"This is the first time I've spoken to you in ages," Davies points out.

Ignoring him, I watch Velvet as she adjusts her position, getting comfortable on my lap as she looks off to the side. Hearing the sound of the rain hitting the roof of the barn, a particular song quickly pops into my head.

"I close both locks below the window. I close both blinds and turn away," I start to sing softly to her as I watch her turn her gaze to me. I can't help but notice the others around me soon turning their heads to look at me. "Sometimes solutions aren't so simple. Sometimes goodbye's the only way."

"And the sun will set for you. The sun will set for you. And the shadow of the day will embrace the world in grey. And the sun will set for you." When my eyes meet Velvets, I'm surprised that my efforts seem to be working as she seems to be fighting with herself in an attempt at keeping her eyes open.

"In cards and flowers on your window. Your friends all plead for you to stay. Sometimes beginnings aren't so simple. Sometimes goodbye's the only way. And the sun will set for you. The sun will set for you. And the shadow of the day will embrace the world in grey. And the sun will set for you. And the shadow of the day will embrace the world in grey. And the sun will set for you."

To my surprise, Davies' plan actually seemed to work as it looks as though Velvet has actually fallen asleep, her chest slowly rising and falling as her eyes remain closed. Smiling to myself, I look at the others who are all grinning at my little song, causing me to quickly wipe the smile from my face.

As everyone soon starts to get settled down to sleep, Rainbow leans in close to me and whispers in my ear. "You know, I reckon you'll be a good dad."

The corner of my mouth turns up as I look at her, "I don't know how good I'll be with younger kids," I reply in a hushed tone. "Now shut up and get some sleep," I remark with a soft chuckle. Not really arguing with me, she quickly gets her own head down and heads to sleep. Turning my head to the side, I listen to the rain impacting with the wooden structure of the barn as I look out a broken section of roof to the moon overhead. Relaxing, my eyes slowly begin to shut as I once again drift off to sleep.

Who knows, maybe I'll actually be a decent dad.

"Probably not." Davies remarks in my head with a chuckle.

...Thanks for ruining the moment. Dick.

Author's Notes:

I figured it was about time that I got with the times and set up an account on Discord. (I'm a cop, we're notoriously terrible with new things on computers )

I've decided to make a Discord Server to allow people to ask me questions and to chat about the story.
I'll be online when writing and idly browsing Fimfiction, feel free to come along and to speak to myself and other readers.

I'll usually be online in the evenings between 18:00 - 21:00 BST.
I may even drop a few hints to future plans

DISCORD SERVER HERE!