Author's Notes:

Happy New Year to everyone, and a merry belated christmas. Thank you all for staying with me through the year and I hope to continue to bring you content you like. So enjoy.

“I don't see what the problem is Avery.” Miiora’s voice comes from Fally’s room.

A skittering sound draws my attention as the Zaltule Durge skitters across the wall allowing two female Tymerian to pass underneath him and through the room.

“The problem Miiora is that you need to stop hoarding food its nasty!” Oh yeah I had a feeling this was going to be a problem eventually. He always did hate it since his father hoarded most of his family's food for himself.

“You have never gone hungry! What's it like to have to save whatever food you have, because you…” Ah she’s pulling that card.

“Do not talk to me about going hungry. I grew up in a PRC.” There it is.

“Then what is wrong with this one's food Shokalw tikor’alk as`. Xekolo chekao.” And now I can't follow their conversation. Because I don't speak Tymerian, or Belter creole.

“Ji-ral coyo! Don't give me that. It's not food anymore its Darwinism! To pochuya ke?”

“I wonder how long it’ll take for them to get that they argue like a married couple.” Levoy comments from the other end of the chess board.

“I think they just need to fuck and get it over with” Trombley says from the t.v playing some video game, before the door to their shared birth slid open, and Fally stepped put agitation marking his features.

“You know, as much as we enjoy the commentary on our love life, it gets a little old.” my best friend grunts out while glaring at us.

“Relax mon amie, we just wanted to be here when the fun stuff started.” I say with a wink.

“Kill yourself Char. Come on Miiora I wanted to show you something exciting.”

“Yes suitor. We would love to go.” Miiora says following Fally out of their room and slapping the control panel with her tail on the way passed.

Mii’ora

Coming to a halt and unwrapping my tail from around my dear one’s waist. He helps me off of the internally crude and dangerous human hovercraft.

The sky begins to shift to darker shade of crimson as we walk together to a nearby pear. On the blood colored oceans several navy ships plow through the water, their cameraman hulls slicing through the waves.

My dear one squeezes my hand, his cold metal fingers sending shivers down my spine, as well as a pane of guilt. If it wasn't for her, he would still have the limb. And in his other hand a pair of high intensity binoculars. intact looking around many of the humans and even affew of the formers also had a similar if inferior pair of civilian grade binoculars.

To one side an older human female stands alone singing in a strange language. A small crowd of onlookers listen to her beautiful song. And children of all species ran or skirted about laughing.

I am reminded as three ageing shrikes fly over head that despite the beauty of this hostile world It is still a fortress. A reminder that the humans will take any hardship and make it work to their advantage.

We came to a stop towards the end of the pear where less people gathered.

“Het Miiora like I said before I'm going on mission soon, and you guys won't be coming along this time. And the Crucible a while ago made me start thinking. I mean we don't really know how long we have..” if this is some kind of human courtship ritual it is quite strange.

“Well you are correct about that, Avery. If the Crucible taught her anything it is that life is to short and can be snatched away in an instant. I don't want that to be taken away.”

“Look Miiora I'm just gonna come out and say it. I Love you Miiora, I don't know when I started to, I just do. And Im gonna be gone for a few weeks and so I wanted to let you know. And when I get back we can talk more about… Look here it is!” he loves me?

Is it usual for humans to just come out and say it? Truly he has already passed the trials, and chief being of combat.

“Hey quick or you'll miss it.” my dearest one says nudging me pushing a pair of the binoculars into her claws. With a hiss she takes them and looks where he is pointing.

A cheer goes up throughout the crowd as I finally see what it is I am supposed to be looking at. The blinking light bring my binoculars into focus and they zoom in on a massive ship exiting one of the orbital shipyards. Beside it one of its SRA Nostromo flies sentinel, joined by the Manitoba, and a decommissioned MK1 siege breaker like the venerable Leathy.

https://youtu.be/2Lu54TlnPRg

“Dear one, what is that ship?” I ask, eyeing the ship. It's boxy human design mixes with very slight curves. And it overall roughly matches the design of the Nostromo. The two massive radical accelerator cannons dwarfed the mark one siege breaker beside It.

“That Miiora, is the newest siege Destroyer going embarking on its shakedown cruise. It it's sister ship the Sidonia was apparently held up do to cost. But unlike the Sulaco or Nostromo, it is the first human ship to incorporate not only Human technology, but reverse engineered UEC tech. Add into of that new technology designed by Formers. It is the most advanced ship in the COG fleet.”

What a ship made with former designs. A feeling of pride swells in my chest as I take my eyes off of the ship and look to Avery who is still focussed on the ship. He looks so exited, his features what are hard and stern to most are soft happy in this moment.

“What is the ship called?” I ask eyeing the ship again, happiness evident in my voice.

“NACS-338626 SD-003, Galactica.”

Aryanne

It felt odd to be dressed in a new uniform. The soldiers around her proved to be willing to give her a chance, but none seemed to trust her. In a way it was almost a homecoming. None of the core Equestrian Armies trusted any Germaney soldiers anyway. So, instead she once again had to prove herself. The difference was that she was doing so with the understanding that this wasn’t something she was forced to do, but instead it was something she wished to do.

“Marines, we’re nearing the Changeling scoutship. Once we’re close enough its going to transfer all of the information it has about the comings and goings of the resupply depo planet. We’re here to do two things. Take the Depo out, and bloody the nose of the UEC. If anyone isn’t carrying their weight they will be dealt with. On top of this we are transporting a VIP, you will not look at, think about, or talk to the VIP. If their lives come under threat, I want you to take the bullet not them. Dismissed.” Lt Fick said.

“Hoora!” a collective group of voices shouted.

Aryanne longed for the feeling of her old rifle. The new weapon was a fine weapon, and certainly a technological improvement, but it was far from comforting. Her old rifle had been a part of her. She had found the ability to use it in ways that made others wary of her. This new rifle felt lighter but was bulkier, but all she could hope for was that it would be as dependable as her old one.

“You. How can you just let these ponys into your military!? I won't serve with a pony.” a guttural voice said.

When she turned she came face to chest with a Kleese trooper. The addaptid human designed battle armor clicked and rattled as he jostled. The large arachnid stared down at her his blue eyes spanning her body, rage emirate in his voice.

“I abandoned my post to help you people. The UEC destroyed my country, ruined my home land.”

“I do not care Creature. You speak of a ruined nation? A broken people! The Kleese Empire was strong! The stars were our birthright and you disgusting creatures ruined everything.” The Kleese started to draw a crowed with his statements.

“Hey! Lock it down both of…” The Lieutenant Fick said trying to calm his subordinate down. He takes a step between the two and is knocked aside by the arachnid.

“Be silent Human, I volunteered to kill ponies, not to fight beside them. Or to fight in a losing war.” instantly four other humans draw and train their side arms on the Kleese.

“Is this how you choose to thank the humans for freeing us Blore? You dishonor our people And yourself.” another Kleese with red eyed announced.

“How can you say that? You are Zaltule, the greatest breed on the galaxy. You are the one who dishonor your heritage.” Blore said

“Assaulting a superior officer now Blore!? I've put up with your bullshit so far because you're a I'm sorry but I have no choice. Sargent Praksas, place this man under arrest.” this seemed to pissed off the Kleese even more.

The air seemed to buzz with energy, as the arachnid drew his weapon and trained it on the much larger Zaltule, who seemed to puff up with the promise of a fight.

Then like somepony threw a switch, an overwhelming pressure filled the room. Blore with shaking hands like he was struggling moved the muzzle of his weapon from his fellow Kleese to his own head.

“No..no get out! Get out! Get out of my head!”

‘What’s happening? why is…’ with a single echoing cough the human weapon discharges drilling a hole through the Kleese head.

Her hands flew to her muzzle. What happened?

“Lieutenant Fick.” a new voice echoed throughout the hold joined by the sounds of footsteps, and armored servos.

“Yes sir, sorry about that sir, Private Blore was not…” a human female comes through the crowd of marines. Her uniform is blank and non descript, and the two humans beside her are dressed in bulky suits of powered armor.

“Don’t give me excuses. You need to keep a tighter hold on your men lieutenant. This will not look good in my report.” she says clapping her hands behind her back.

“Yes… sir, I… understand… sir.”

“Very good, lieutenant. Have someone dispose of the body. Dismissed.”

MOTH Fallon “Ice man”

“Each of your will be split up into two teams! And each team will board one of two ships. Now I'm sure each of us wants a chance at the princess. But having an entire platoon of pod heads fall directly on the outpost isn't exactly stealthy.” Colonel Santiago says. Earning laughs from all everyone, hell even one of the changelings chuckled.

“we also have a new timeline. This is going to be a one way mission. After insertion the two ghost ships will remain on station for twenty four hours before one of them departs to a nearby staging area. Where COG fleet 23 will be joining with COG fleet 40. Before the combined fleets move on the planet and commence an invasion. It seems that command isn't exactly willing to leave us on vacation there for too long.”

“I expect you all to act like adults, and not whine about your assignment. We will be given two Indie class ghost ships for this operation the NACS Defiant, and NACS Carson.” jotting down notes in my pad I lean over to Harris.

‘Imagine the look on Miia’s face when we drag this princess bitch in front of a firing squad.’

‘Shit man, she might fuck you on the spot.’

“Now for the time we have all been waiting for. Please check your PDP’s or implants now. If you are on Operation Crimson Pipeline please report to the Carson immediately.” as soon as that is out of his mouth I check my PDP and almost jump out of my seat with excitement. I'm on Operation Regicide down, fuck yes I've been worrying about this all week. We are going in and… what the fuck? And as the last person on crimson pipeline leaves the room someone speaks up.

“Sir am I reading this right? We’re supposed to capture the target without power armor or mechs.” I ask there has to be some mistake especially with the new model atlas mechs we would be able to get in undetected those 2’s are virtually silent.

“We’ve all seen the video one of those things those alicorns was able to take down an entire squad alone and with zero effort. With all do respect sir that's suicide!” a familiar British voice says. I nod my head in agreement this seems crazy, I mean an orbital insertion with only heba bug suits is one thing. But on this mission with only bug suits is insane, what if we need that extra firepower.

“Look I know this isn't exactly ideal, but our resources are stretched thin. But my team is the best, mechs and power armor will only slow us down. I know this isn't the best or most ideal. But let me tell you something.” Lt. Colonel Williams says taking the podium. The whispering from the father's podheads stops as the butcher of new Langley speaks.

“Time and again we look to new miracle technology to solve all of our problems. The UEC know this, and will be prepared for an all out attack. For atlas mechs, and powered armor, but what they won't be prepared for is a small strike team. For raw human ingenuity and grit, each of you standing in this room is with at least twenty UEC soldiers, or a squad of COG troopers…” all the more reason to go with mechs if you ask me.

‘I don't like this.’ I whisper to Burbonjack

‘I know it smells like someone's bucken for a medal.’ he responds.

“So we do this quick in and out, we caught one of these alicorns flat footed before, we can do it again. If we do this right, no one will know we were ever there. So let's do what we need to, let's get the job done. This is the end people… it's time for us to step up to the plate, and go do what we do best. So come on you apes, you wanna live forever?”

In the end we all saluted and sent our goodbyes over the net. And we were in transit aboard the stealth ships before the end of the day. As I lay in my rack flipping one of Miiora’s scales between my metallic fingers. I can't help but think everything isn't as it seems.

Mii’ora

I don't mind being under Ficks command. I have fought beside him since Bagmare and I respect his command. But as team Fallon enters our new posting I can't help but be a little apprehensive.

Our deployment orders seemed rushed. And the fact that they are dividing up 26RTI specifically the 9th isn't right. As we enter our new company barracks on board the new Galactica I am greeted with three strangely familiar scents. It fills me with hope and joy as an olive skinned human runs up to our group, the Unicorn horn tide to his dog tags bouncing off of his chest. His face and scent are unforgettable, my old corporal instructor from boot camp.

“No way! Sugar Watkins! what are you doing here!?” Trombley says with excitement clapping the man on the back.

“You haven't heard your being put in my squad. The leader didn't want to split you guys up, says it would be bad luck. And you I’ve heard you have been taking atlas lessons from one Avery Fallon. ” he says to the young sargent.

“Yeah well.” The two of them shared a laugh before our old assistant instructor tuned to us.

“And you two. Scales, I've heard a lot of good things about you so far, damn shame about the crucible, I thought you had that in the bag. And Durge I'm glad to see your still up and kicking or whatever you do you big as s spider. You I don't think we have been introduced.” he says clapping both of us on the shoulder or rather the arm in Durges case.

“Veteran Corporal Levoy. A good to meet you, they have all talked about you at some point or another.” The strange human says shaking Sugar Watkins hand.

“Yeah well who doesn't have stories about their corporal instructors. Now come on let's get you squared away before the Lt’s address and after that you'll meet our team leader.”

He leads us to a large squad birth and taps the hatch release. The hatch slides open to reveal a large chamber much bigger than the ones on the Manitoba, or the Leathy. Acting quickly we each claim a rack for our own and pack away our belongings before someone in the hallway shouts.

‘attention on deck!’

Quickly filling out of the room me line up for the address. As we do so the scent of my dearest one fills the room. Keeping my eyes locked forward excitement fills me as his scent gets closer.

https://youtu.be/rkBGjLfVbIY

“I see a lot of new faces, Fresh like babies. You lot from COG 24 don't know what the war has been like on the front against the UEC. You’ve only fought skirmishes or the lankys. We have New meat for the grinder and new orders. A socom team is going ahead to soften up the target planet. Then we go in and dig the UEC out of the dirt, and kill ourselves a pretty princess.” His voice makes me waver, it isn't as calm or smooth as Avery’s, it is angry and jagged. But his scent I must just be mistaken

“Now you new people forget what you've dealt with so far regarding the UEC. You've only dealt with dregs, guards, and garrison troops. But the UEC soldier that you will be facing. Has been alive and at war in one form or another long before even our great grandparents were in diapers!” his voice draws closer and closer unroll I see him out of my peripheral vision.

It isn't my dearest one. His face is similar but this human despite having virtually the same scent is this male is older. His face a mask of rage and hate. He comes to a stop in front of our group before continuing. The name tape on his chest reads Fallon. R.

“Your gonna see some nasty, hanus shit. So this is for you knew people, I only have one rule. Everyone fights, No one quits…. If you don't do your job I'll shoot you. Do you get me?” he eyes me particular with hate the rage boiling into his scent.

“We get you sir!” every new member of the company says at once.

“Welcome to the Furies.”

“Fallons furies!” someone down the line says.

“Hoorah!”

“Dismissed.” he says prompting us to return to our bunks.

As we settle into our bunks the hatch opens and the sound of metallic footsteps fills the room. The second scent fills the room and this time I am apprehensive when it is similar to my dearest one. Instantly Sugar leaps down from his bunk and snapped off a salute. In response we all begin to rise from our positions but are stopped before we even get up.

“Damn it Watkins I told you to stop doing that.” An early human females voice says. oh no please not that. Tides what has this one done do deserve this?

“Sorry Comsarge.”

“I apologize about my piece of a shit of a son.He’s a real piece of work. Trombley, Miiora, Durge. I had to pull some strings to get Avery’s team put in my squad.” she says. Shocked I shoot up and almost hit one of my horned off of the bunk above mien.

There standing in the hatch way is command sergeant major Brianna Fallon.