I look over all of the equipment laid out before me on my bed, each piece having a specific purpose for the next stage of training for the Rangers. Spread out on the surface of my bed are pieces of kit, varying from navigational equipment, food rations, sleeping bag and basha, both training and live ammunition, medical supplies and a custom made gas mask. phase two is where the army would carry out specialised training for all of its soldiers. Since phase one consisted primarily of equipment maintenance, military drill and combat exercises, I figure it'll be a good idea to carry out some field exercises, medical training and survival skills.

With all of my equipment ready, I begin to pack everything neatly into my backpack ready for the week's training. I'd have to make a full curriculum in future for future training in the Rangers, but this will serve as a good trial run to see what skills I need to improve upon for soldiers who have already received their basic training before joining the Rangers.

As I fill my bergen, my mind keeps running back to the dream. Every time I try to brush it to the side, it seems to rapidly force itself back into the front of my mind. I can't believe that I may still be corrupted by Tirek's magic. Luna and Celestia cleared my mind of his influence, but it's somehow returning. What if it gets out? What if I'm unable to keep it under control and it breaks out? I can't risk allowing it to break out, I don't want to be responsible for killing any more of my friends.

I slowly lift my head and look to Luna as she puts on her royal regalia in the corner of the room. I can't risk hurting her again. I couldn't go through it. I need to keep this... thing under control. I just hope that Luna can get to the bottom of this and finally get rid of this corruption, once and for all.

I find myself staring at Luna as I seem to zone out. I break out of my trance as Luna looks to me, her eyes locking onto mine, "John, is everything alright?"

I slowly nod my head, "I guess." I rest my bergen on the bed and turn to fully face her. "What... exactly is the corruption in my head? What will it do to me?"

Luna makes her way towards me as she closes her eyes, "The corruption you are experiencing affects the individual's personality and behaviour. It will alter the individual's behaviour, making them subservient to others' requests. Once it is removed, it is normally permanently removed unless the user is once again exposed to the corruption. For you... it seems to be regrowing."

I slowly blink as I take in what Luna has told me, "So it could return again? I essentially have another version of myself living... in my head?"

Luna reopens her eyes, "I'm afraid that there is a chance it could redevelop. If it goes unchecked, it could overtake your mind and allow the corrupted personality to take control of your body. Like when you were influenced by Tirek, you would be unaware of any actions taken in this form."

"So... I'll go on another rampage?"

"Not necessarily," Luna tries to comfort me as she wraps a wing over my back. "There is no telling how you'll act if it takes control. At the moment, the corruption seems to be subservient. It could be possible that It won't act on its own."

I cock a brow, "What do you mean?"

"Well, it said that it would 'follow every order given'. It is possible that the personality will simply follow instructions given to it, acting out as a 'perfect soldier'. When Tirek corrupted you, you followed the orders that he gave you. It is possible that the corruption hasn't made you actively aggressive or under Tirek's control, but instead docile. I think... you will simply wait for any instructions given, and follow them without question."

I blink a couple of times as I rub my hand through my hair. "A slave? Great. I'll be a brainless drone, following orders, left, right and centre."

"I won't let that happen," Luna reassures me as she softly kisses my cheek. "I'll regularly check for any signs of corruption. I'll destroy it before it can ever take hold. I won't let it take control of you." I give Luna a forced smile as she pulls away from me. Using her magic, she packs the last of my kit and steps towards the door. "Don't let it control you, John. I'll make sure that it never resurfaces, don't worry."

I scoff as I pick up my bergen and rifle from the bed, "Easier said than done." As I join Luna by the bedroom door, her horn flashes as her magic begins to transform her appearance to Moon Glow. I secure my bergen and rifle to my body as Luna removes the wooden board from my door and steps out of my bedroom and into my office.

As Luna is about to open the door to the corridor, she pauses as if she had just remembered something. "Oh, I almost forgot, I need you do do a little something for me."

I look at Luna with curiosity as she turns to me, "And what exactly is it?"

"Well, it's not for me, it's for Spitfire and other Pegasi units in general." I'm about to open my mouth to interrupt her, but Luna quickly clarifies. "It was in order to regain your funding. I promised that I'd ask you to make some developments in equipment for the Pegasi."

"So you want me to develop equipment for them?" Luna nods as she looks at me expectantly. I don't exactly feel inclined to help her after that little stunt she pulled, but I guess I could throw something together to at least shut her up. I suppose it could also help other Pegasi units, even those within my own unit until I work fully on new equipment.

I pause as I step off to the side and consider some options. Armour? A light weight version of our current armour which could work to protect them from anti-air fire which we were exposed to during the war. No... flak jackets aren't light, it would cost too many resources and would likely negatively affect flight manoeuvres not to mention the fact that they're ineffective compared to ballistic vests.

What about a weapon system? Some sort of weapon which could be fitted under their wings in order to allow them to carry out strafing runs on targets. But how would that work? I'd need to think of a way for them to easily operate the weapons whilst they're on the move, not to mention the fact that ammunition required for regular aerial attacks will weigh them down.

I lift my head as an idea hits me. Moving to my desk, I open the main compartment and dig through the various pieces of equipment I salvaged and tinkered with. As Luna follows alongside me to figure out what I'm doing, I find what I'm looking for. Grabbing hold of the metal body, I lift the firing mechanism of the spear I took during the war games and show it to Luna. "Here you go, a Pegasi weapon system."

Luna looks at me with an unamused expression, "Seriously? I hope you're going to elaborate how this will be used by the Pegasi."

I rest the mechanism against my forearm and grasp onto a reel of duct tape and start to tape it to my arm, the barrel pointing down the length of my arm. "Pegasi tend to fly with their hooves outstretched, meaning it will be pointed towards where they are flying... and their targets. They can easily turn as they fly and point this weapon towards their target, whether it be above, below or behind them."

Lifting my forearm, I point it toward the armour mannequin which rests in the corner of my office. "All I need to do is create a trigger which extends to the side, allowing them to use their free hoof to fire it when required. The weapon itself is lightweight and can already hold about fifty shots in a single gem. All they need to do is change the gem when they land or as they hold their ground out of sight from their target. Easy to use, easy to reload, and lightweight compared to carrying out hundreds of rounds of ammunition."

Luna examines the barrel attached to my arm as she gives a slight scoff, "That was... surprisingly easy."

I grin as I peel the duct tape and the barrel from my arm, "Piece of piss. I only need to create a holster to secure it to the user, adapt the trigger and add a safety feature and boom... Pegasi weaponry. Cheap, effective and costs nothing with regards to research and development. Give it a couple of weeks before you relay to Spitfire that I created her weapon system, make it seem like I actually needed that funding in order to do the work. She'd be pissed if she found out I could have easily done this for the price of a pint down at the pub."

Luna chuckles softly as she steps back towards my office door, "I suppose it will keep her content." Luna opens the door as she looks back at me, "I've kept you long enough. You've got a team to train." I drop the firing mechanism onto the desk before I follow her as we leave my office and move down the corridor and stairs towards the entrance.

Entering the main lobby of the barracks, Luna and I come to a brief stop as we find the majority of my team standing with their kit. They all look to me and Luna as they finish their conversations. I momentarily freeze as I think that everyone will catch on until my brain finally catches up and realises that Luna is in disguise as Moon Glow.

Luna grins softly as she looks up at me. Lifting her forehooves, she rests them against my chest as she raises herself to place a kiss on my lips. As I return the gesture she slowly pulls back, "Have fun in the Everfree forest for a week."

I chuckle as I run my hand over her back, "Will do." As Luna pulls away, she gives me one last smile before leaving out the main door. Finally wiping the smirk from my face, I look around at the others who all seem to be looking at me with an amused expression. "What?"

Chaser wiggles his eyebrows, "Fun night?"

I roll my eyes as I take a step back, "Very." Looking around, I look at the others to see that Night Star and Starry Night are absent. "Where are our two new Thestrals? I told Night Star to inform you about training and he isn't even here."

Georg yawns as he takes out his cigarette packet, "He had me wake everyone else up."

"Delegating his job? A true NCO. I'll find him, you all hang tight." Lowering my bergen, I rest it against the wall before making my way back down the corridor and upstairs to my team's rooms. Stepping down the corridor, I stop outside Starry's room. I knock loudly on the door and wait for a response which never comes. "Starry, wake your ass up!" I wait for another minute as no response can be heard.

Opening the door, I step inside and examine the room. The bed is undisturbed, no sign that anyone spent the night in it. Moving to the wardrobe, I open it up and find her empty bergen and equipment still scattered on the shelves. She hasn't packed her stuff and didn't spend the night in her room. Where the hell is she?

I leave the room and make my way across the hall to Night Star's room. Without waiting, I push down the handle and barge straight into his room. "Get your arse up, we're moving out in ten minute-" I freeze as I notice the sheets on the bed shuffling frantically before Night Star's head pokes out from the top, a small amount of movement still taking place underneath. "What's going on here?"

I stand with my arms folded as another head slowly pokes out from the sheets. Starry looks at me from alongside her husband with a heavy blush on her face, "M-morning s-sir."

A sly grin breaks out across my face despite my best attempts to prevent it. Chuckling, I shake my head as I look at the clock on the wall, "Better make it twenty minutes." I leave the room as I slowly close the door behind me. Laughing to myself, I make my way back downstairs in order to relay the information to the others that we won't be leaving for a little while.

Returning to the main lobby, I look at the others as they look at me expectantly. "You've all got twenty minutes. Have a brew, get something to eat." Before any of them reply, I step outside and seal the door behind me. Stepping into the early morning, I let the natural breeze blow through my hair as I idly pace around the building.

My mind keeps returning to last night's dream and the news Luna gave me. I could lose myself again. It's only a matter of time before my corrupted self pushes through and takes control of my body. No... No! There is no way in hell that I'm letting this... thing control me! I'll fight this thing tooth and nail! Luna will keep the corruption at bay, I can fight it off if it ever tries to take hold of me.

"John?" Applejack's voice wakes me from my trance as I turn my head to her, she must have been able to approach me whilst I was in a world of my own. She stands alongside me as she looks up at me with what looks like a small amount of fear and discomfort, as if she's forcing herself to talk me. "H-how are y'all doing?"

I knew this would be coming back at one point or another. After the night she confessed her feelings to me, it's only right that we get past that night. "I'm okay, Applejack. How are you?"

"Good... I'm good." There is a pregnant pause as neither of us knows what to say in this situation. Finally, Applejack releases a sigh as she looks up at me, "Can we talk, about... you know?" I slowly nod my head as I keep my eyes on her. She waits a moment before continuing, her forehoof digging at the ground. "I'm sorry for how I acted back on the farm. I should have thought before I acted-"

"-Don't apologise," I cut her off causing her eyes to drop to the floor. "You were brave enough to tell me how you feel, and I respect that, but that doesn't mean you should apologise because it didn't turn out how you hoped."

"But... I've gone and made a mess of things between us, and I feel terrible about it."

I slowly kneel down in front of her as her gaze remains locked on the floor. "Look at me." Her eyes refuse to meet mine as they slowly flick up. Reaching my arm out, I rest my hand under her muzzle and lift her head to look towards me, "Applejack, look at me." Her eyes finally lock onto mine. "You have not made a mess of things between us. Yes, they got a little awkward, but we can get past that easily."

Applejack keeps her eyes focused on me as I continue. "Applejack, you have been there for me throughout my time here in Equestria. You made me feel welcome in this town... after our initial confrontation when we first met." Applejack blushes slightly as she averts her gaze. "You supported me through a difficult time when I missed my family. You stayed by my side and made me realise that I should keep on fighting, to accept the hand I was dealt and that I should do my family and friends back on Earth proud. If you hadn't have helped me... then I may not even be here having this conversation with you."

A small smile finally appears on her muzzle as it seems a weight has been lifted from her shoulders. "So, you ain't mad?"

"No, why would I be?" I slowly stand as I look down at Applejack, "You were able to fight through your fear and risk an awful lot by telling me, and I respect that. I know that you wanted... more than just friendship, but I'm afraid that I don't feel that way. Yes, it'll hurt and yes, it'll suck, but there was no harm done. No matter what, you'll always be a friend to me, nothing will change that. I don't want what has happened to change things between the two of us."

Applejack slowly nods as she looks hopefully to me, "I-I'm just glad that I didn't go and ruin things between us. Thank you, John." Taking a step closer, she stands on her hind legs as she lightly wraps her forehooves around my back in a hug. Lifting my arms, I copy her embrace until she slowly pulls back. "So," Applejack asks in an attempt to change the subject, "What have y'all got planned for the day?"

"Just some boring training in the Everfree forest for a week."

Applejack's eyes widen in concern, "The Everfree forest? Are y'all certain that's wise? It ain't exactly a safe place."

"I know, that is why we're taking a mixture of training and live rounds. You also seem to forget that we're trained professionals whose work relies on working in dangerous locations. We'll be fine, don't worry. I'm only going to cover fieldcraft, medical skills and other skills before we return."

"Medical? Do y'all even know anythin' about medicine?" Applejack asks with a coy smile.

I grin as I rub the back of my neck, "I was trained in battlefield first aid, same as every other soldier in the army back home. I know the basics and enough to keep somebody alive. I'll have Slicer go over that section of training in more detail, she's my unofficial medic."

"Alright... just try not to get yourself hurt, as per usual."

I chuckle as I pat Applejacks back, "This is me we're talking about." Turning from her, I begin to make my way back inside in order to collect my kit as I mumble under my breath, "I'm probably going to break my legs or end up magically shooting myself in the foot."

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Wednesday 16th April 2014
Everfree Forest
02:27
Night 01 of Phase two training

Treading quietly through the light foliage and sprinkling of twigs on the ground, I move around the edge of our campsite as everybody is fast asleep. Looking over the camp, I lean against a dead tree as I grasp onto the gas mask that sits on my hip. After the first day of physical exercises and patrol drills, I let everybody sleep for the night as I told them I'd remain on duty for the night.

Staying up for the night was just a clever little ruse in order for me to begin the first part of their CBRN training. I got the idea from my own experience at Sandhurst when my group decided to play a prank on the others. In the early hours of the morning, we decided it would be a great idea to run through everyone's sleeping quarters wearing only our sleeping kit and gas masks. As we ran around like idiots, we shouted at the top of our lungs 'GAS, GAS, GAS!' to simulate a gas attack, all while piercing deodorant cans and throwing them into the rooms. We also took it further and flipped everyone's mattresses over with them still in the bed, but I won't be that mean here.

With a grin, I set my plan into motion as I lift my gas mask. Pressing it to my face, I keep it secured in position as I pull the straps over my head and tighten them. With the mask fitted, I exhale heavily in order to clear any particles and debris which are already in the mask. Ready to go. I remove my field pack and select a number of aerosol cans which I had packed for such an occasion.

Casually walking past the first set of bashas, I come to a halt as I hear Chaser snoring softly alongside Sunny. Lifting one of the cans, I draw my knife and lightly press into the metal canister. I retract my knife as a steady jet of the substance within begins to escape from its housing. With the can slowly emptying, I throw it into their basha as I shout at the top of my voice, "GAS! GAS! GAS!" Piercing another can, I roll it across the floor and into the next basha as everyone starts to wake up. "GET YOUR MASKS ON!"

I continue to pierce cans and throw them idly into my teams sleeping areas as they quickly rouse from their slumber and begin to put on their masks, some of them spluttering from the substance leaking from the canisters. I glance at my watch as I walk back and forth, timing my team as they all fit their own individual respirators. Once everyone finally has their masks on, they all stand around their bashas as they look at me in confusion.

"John?" Chaser asks as his voice remains muffled underneath his mask. "What the buck is this? You said we could sleep."

I shrug as I walk past everyone, "I lied. You needed to be unprepared for this exercise to work. I need to see everyone fitting their masks in an emergency." Passing Starry, I come to a stop as I inspect her. Leaning closer, I notice her forehoof still raised as it remains at the rear of her head. Reaching for her hoof, I pull it away. Her mask drops from her face, one of the straps keeping the vital piece of equipment secured around her neck. "If this was a real gas attack, you'd be dead. Make sure you know how to fit your mask quickly and effectively."

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Wednesday 16th April 2014
Everfree Forest
17:47
Day 02 of Phase two training

"Is this really necessary?" Colbalt asks as he looks at me with some disgust. We're currently stood around a selection of snares we set the previous day in order to capture some rabbits. We were lucky to capture just enough in the area around our camp site and the surrounding area in order for everyone to get some practice on the first day.

Holding the rabbit in my hand, I lift it and show it to everyone. "Out in the wilderness, you'll have limited supplies in order to keep yourself fed, watered and healthy. Out here, you will find it difficult to find food which is edible. I don't want anyone going around claiming 'we can just eat mushrooms and berries', I bet half of you can't even tell the difference between those which are and aren't poisonous."

"But... we don't eat meat, only fish," Sunny adds as she winces at the sight of the dead creature.

"Desperate times call for desperate measures. There are plenty of these little fuckers in the wild, set up a trap just like I showed you and you'll have an easy source of protein. They may not taste the greatest, but there are plenty of them and they'll stop you from starving."

Stepping to the side, I press my fingers and thumb on the creatures gut as I push down causing a steady stream of urine to push itself from the creature's body, much to everyone's disgust. "If you're not going to prepare and eat them straight away, you need to make sure that you press on its bladder in order to empty it. Leaving the urine and shit in its system can taint the meat. You'll need to prepare the meat as soon as possible, otherwise, the body could start to decompose and you'll only make yourself sick when you eat it."

I watch as everyone reluctantly copies my action, the only one who seems to be comfortable with the action is Georg and Sure Strike. I guess as an Imperial Pegasus, he's used to hunting and catching his own prey. His sub-species of Pegasi were nomadic and regularly eat some form of meat if it's available. As for Georg, I already know that Griffins eat meat on a regular basis.

Once everyone has emptied their rabbits, I rest it on a tree stump and signal for everyone to gather around me. "I'll walk you through it. Just watch for the time being, you'll all do it yourself once I'm finished. I'll come around and help you where needed, just don't be a pussy and shy away from touching a little blood and guts."

Taking out my combat knife, I pinch the hide at the of the base of the neck. "You'll first need to cut into the hide and make an opening, you'll pull off the entire hide from here." Making a small incision, I lift the rabbit as I rest my knife on the stump. "Reach into the opening and you're going to literally tear its hide off, towards the head and towards its tail." Placing the index finger of both hands into the opening, I smoothly pull in both directions, pulling the hide from the creature as I expose its flesh underneath.

Lifting my knife, I drop the rabbit onto the stump. "It won't be needing its head anymore." I rest the blade on its neck before applying force in order to chop off the head. Using the knife as a saw, I remove the head and drop it to the floor. Repositioning the knife, I press it against the rabbit's tail and repeat the action. "You won't need the tail either." When I look up at everyone, I notice that a few are trying to look away slightly as the sight of me mutilating the once cuddly creature.

Pulling the fur, I attempt to pull as much as I can from the legs before taking hold of its rear left foot. "Now, you'll have to break its foot before cutting through the muscle with your knife to remove all four feet. This will then leave you with just the main body where all the meat is." Using my hands, I break the foot before slicing along the ankle. Repeating the action, I cut off all four and drop them to the floor, alongside the remains of the rabbit's fur. "Keep the fur if you want, it's quite warm and may come in handy."

I lift the body and show it to everyone, "That is how you skin a rabbit. I want everyone to do the exact same thing I did. Once you're all done, We'll move onto the next stage." Everyone begins to slowly repeat my actions as they go about skinning their own dinner. Once again, Sure Strike seems the most confident as he seems to remove the rabbit's hide with complete ease. Eventually, everyone is done and at the same stage as me, it seemed to prove more difficult for the Earth ponies in my team as they had to rely on their hooves to pull the hide from the body.

I'm about to continue when I hear a slight rustling in the trees to the side. Lifting my head, I look to the branches overhead to see a creature looking down at us. Looking closer, I'm able to make out the dark royal purple which makes up its body. A Phoenix? Is it the same one that came to my aid when I came to the Everfree with Shadow? I watch momentarily as it begins to clean its feathers. Losing interest quickly, I shift my focus back to my lesson.

Lifting my rabbit carcass, I hold it from the remains of its front left leg. "Not that you've removed its skin, you'll have to remove the organs without piercing any. Tearing into the intestines may contaminate the meat, so make sure you're careful. You'll need to gut it as soon as possible, this prevents decomposition so the meat won't rot."

Lifting my knife, I cautiously cut upwards from the belly. "It may smell a bit as you cut it open, you'll just have to grin and bear it. Don't cut the colon or bladder underneath the belly, since we already emptied its bladder, you shouldn't have to worry as much about it." I part the skin slightly with my finger, exposing its internal organs as I continue to cut through its chest cavity.

I pause as I hear someone heaving slightly. Lifting my head, I glance to Crimson as she holds her forehoof to her muzzle. "You okay?" I ask as I look at her. Slowly, she nods as her attention switches between the opened rabbit and a very interesting piece of grass on the floor.

Holding the carcass, I press my right hand into its chest, my index and middle finger pressing against the top of the spine and its organs. "Now, you've literally got to scoop out its insides." In one solid motion, I pull my hand down against its organs. Its insides begin to drop from the large opening, leaving the now hollow remains of the rabbit. "Don't forget the heart and lungs which are within the diaphragm." Grabbing my knife, I cut into the muscle and dig out the heart and lungs before dropping them onto the stump.

"Now all you've got to do is cut into the pelvic bone and clear out its colon, then you'll have to slice into its rectum and remove any left over shit we didn't push out." As I begin the last stage, the Phoenix swoops down from the branches overhead, much to everyone's surprise as they nearly jump out of their skins. The large bird lands on the stump, alongside the carcass as I finish removing its colon.

I eye the bird curiously as it seems to be looking at me. "What are you after?" The Phoenix moves closer, seeming to eye the heart and lungs of the rabbit which is resting alongside my hand. "You hungry?" The Phoenix gives a soft coo as it hops closer.

I slowly reach for the heart and lungs as Sunny finally breaks the other's silence, "John, are you seriously going to feed a wild Phoenix?"

I shrug as I hold the small heart out in my open palm as an offering, "Why not? I think it recognises me." The Phoenix leans forward, quickly gobbling up the heart as it looks at me.

"Recognises you?" Slicer asks as she eyes the bird with intrigue.

"Yeah. Long story short, it came to my aid against a few Timber Wolves." I shift my head to my new friend as I run my clean fingers through its plumage, "Didn't you?" It gives a pleased coo which almost sounds as if it's confirming my suspicions, all while it runs its feathers over my fingers.

I look back at the others as I continue to slowly stroke my new companion, "Now, I want you all to gut your rabbits. Once that's done, we'll cook and eat." Slowly, everyone hesitantly steps away as they begin mimicking my earlier process. I look back to the Phoenix as I hold out my left arm, "You gonna stick with me? I'll have more food for you to eat." Without hesitation, it gives a heavy beat of its wings, lifting itself from its position before perching itself on my shoulder. Chuckling, I pick up the lungs of the rabbit and offer it to the Phoenix, "Good choice."

If it actually sticks around, it'll make a good pet. It can go out hunting in the Everfree to get its own food, it seems to be fairly intelligent and capable of defending both itself and me. And best of all, if it starts getting old, it'll just burst into flames and come back good as new. I won't outlive my pet. I'll just need to figure out... is it a boy or a girl?

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Friday 18th April 2014
Everfree Forest
11:52
Day 04 of Phase two training

I stand alongside Slicer as the both of us grin at the spectacle ahead of us. We watch with amusement as Chaser rolls around on the floor, his coat covered with fake blood as he rolls on the floor and keeps a hold of the injury we painted on his forehoof. He continues to let out over exaggerated screams of pain as Silver finally approaches from our rear to begin his medical scenario.

I watch as he comes to a stop to look at Chaser, rolling around like a kid who was told he couldn't get a certain toy until his birthday. His head snaps to the side where another one of our team plays the role of a casualty, Matrix lies motionless on the floor with his back to us. Slicer and I observe Silver as he makes his decision, deciding to prioritise the casualty that's screaming his head off.

Leaning down to Slicer, I whisper in her ear, "He's gone for the wrong one."

Slicer slowly nods as she scrutinises the actions Silver takes, "The screaming patient always throws everypony off."

Silver begins to carry out his medical drills on Chaser. Lifting Chaser's forehoof, Silver elevates the limb above his heart level before removing a field dressing from his field pack. With the dressing ready, he secures it firmly around Chaser's forehoof as he continues to apply pressure to the wound. Well, at least he got one thing right. Elevate any bleeding wounds above the heart, that'll help reduce blood flow.

After a few moments, Silver finally instructs Chaser to keep a hold of the field dressing as his eyes finally shift to his other casualty. Silver gets up and quickly moves to Matrix as he pretends to be unconscious. Rolling Matrix onto his back, Silver lowers his ear to the casualties mouth in order to hear for his breaths, his eyes remaining locked on Matrix's slowly rising and falling chest.

Once Silver has ensured that Matrix is breathing correctly, he begins to roll his patient onto his side before placing him in the recovery position. Slowly, he begins to pull at Matrix's uniform in order to try and determine if there are any injuries to his body. Little does Silver know, we've only told Matrix to act unresponsive, he hasn't got any physical injuries which are on display. I can't help but smirk as Silver seems to reluctantly check around Matrix's lower body.

Having seen enough, I step forward and clear my throat. "That's enough. Everyone get up and fall in." I wait as all three rise to their hooves and step in front of me. "Silver, your treatment for Chaser was spot on. You slowed the bleeding and told him to keep it elevated. However, you didn't give him any form of pain relief. It isn't essential, but it'll help your casualty."

Clearing my throat, I glance to Matrix. "You made a school boy error. Always, always, go to the casualty which isn't moving or making any noises. Chaser is screaming like a little bitch, but at least you know he's alive. For all we know, Matrix could have been dead or unconscious. If they're not making a sound, then they're more than likely in a messed up condition. There was one other thing."

Silver nods as he listens to my feedback, "And that is?"

"You were reluctant to check Matrix down below." As he goes to open his mouth, I lift my hand in order to cut him off. "It isn't pleasant to check around another guys member, but it is still important. In Afghanistan, it was standard protocol for you to check a soldiers groin if he had been caught in an IED explosion. There were a few cases where soldiers bled out where their wounds weren't located. Shrapnel to the genitals is a nasty way to bleed out, nobody wants to check down there." I gesture with my head back towards our camp, "Go and send the next one."

I watch as SIlver slowly moves back towards our camp. As Slicer begins to clean off our two volunteers in order to change their injuries, I give off a high pitched whistle as I raise my arm. In a few seconds, my newest pet lands on my shoulder as it gives a soft screech. Lifting my free hand, I gingerly run my fingers over his head as I lean against a nearby tree.

I'm gonna need a name for you.

Author's Notes:

John has a new pet and unofficial mascot for the Rangers.

Feel free to make suggestions for the name of his new pet. Depending on the votes your suggestion receives and my preference to the name, I will use it throughout the story. (That also means you'll get the option to decide whether his Phoenix is a boy or a girl)

Thanks for reading
And since I didn't say it in the last chapter, thank you all again for your support through my recovery