"Are you serious? Your cutie mark is a Timber Wolf?!" Mist exclaimed. He leaned back in his seat exasperatedly. "I mean, everything makes sense now, but why you? First Chartreuse starts to like you, then you have the best piloting skills out of all of us, and now this?"

Sundance scratched his head. "It's just luck, I guess. Celestia knows why, but it's what I'm good at." The nurse had let him go for the night, giving him a bottle of pain reliever and instructions to take it every morning with breakfast until the bottle was empty. He was still going to be sore for a while, but luckily there weren't any serious problems.

"I know, but..." Mist sighed. "Even before I got stolen from my home, it was always my dream to be a MechWarrior and charge into battle, blasting holes in enemy Mechs with PPCs. That's why I know so much about them. I became obsessed with them. But it's not going to be me; it's your destiny. I'm the worst pilot in the Sibko."

Sundance placed a hoof reassuringly on Mist's shoulder. "You'll get better, don't worry. You know more about Mechs than any other cadet here. If anyone has the potential to be a great MechWarrior, it's you." He looked around nervously. "Besides, I'm sure you've noticed how much of a coward I am. I couldn't even defend myself against Bittersweet this morning. Even if I'm a good pilot, that doesn't mean I'll be a good soldier."

Mist looked up at Sundance. "You really think I can be a good MechWarrior?"

Sundance nodded. "Of course. Situational awareness and knowing the enemy are big parts of piloting a Mech. I don't know any other pony who has both of those things."

Mist smiled slightly at Sundance. "Thanks. The two of us would probably make quite the team on the battlefield." He stood up from his seat and grabbed his dinner tray. "We should probably head to bed now. We don't exactly get a lot of extra time to sleep."

Sundance nodded. "Yeah." Their chairs squeaked as they pushed them in and headed back to the serving window. Sundance thought back to his encounter with Chartreuse earlier that evening. They had talked a bit on the way to the mess hall, but not about anything significant. Sundance didn't think he liked her that much, but she was cool to be around.

Sundance didn't notice the pony blocking his way until he was inches from them. He looked up, startled, to find Bittersweet staring at him. "Heard you impressed the Commander today."

Sundance stood still for a second, remembering their encounter from earlier that day. "Umm... Y-yeah, I guess," he said nervously. He glanced at Mist, who had already walked quite a ways away and would be of no help to him in this situation.

Bittersweet snorted. "Don't let it get to your head. You're still not MechWarrior material." He pushed past Sundance on his way to one of the other tables and bumped into him roughly. Sundance stared after the larger pony while trying to ignore the dull ache in his ribs.

"He isn't wrong. I don't exactly have the highest combat simulation scores." Sundance placed his tray back in the serving window and followed Mist out into the crisp night air. He sighed to himself and glanced out at the dark forest. "I shouldn't worry about that so much. I'll improve. I have to if I'm going to survive the war."

The time had finally come for the cadets to pilot a real BattleMech for the first time, and Sundance had never felt such a conflicting combination of emotions. He couldn't wait to hop into a real cockpit, but he still had doubts about being able to fight in one, and he was nervous about piloting something different. The bond between him and the Shadow Cat had become fairly strong over the past week, and he didn't really want a new 'Mech. Sundance shook his head. He needed to keep these negative thoughts out of his head or he'd be sure to disappoint the Commander.

Commander Charcoal walked down the line of cadets. They were standing shoulder to shoulder just outside of the hangar with their black and blue cooling suits fitted snugly to their body. It had taken some time for the cadets to get their suits, but they had had enough time to make any minor adjustments before the next stage of their training. The suits were designed with their growth in mind and could be modified without too much trouble as the cadets got older.

"Alright, MechWarriors. While you are going to be piloting BattleMechs with real weapon systems, they have been deactivated. You will not be firing today, just getting used to the added strain of extensive DI and battle computers. Most of you have been assigned to a medium mech, but a select few of you will be piloting heavies today." The Commander looked expectantly at Sundance, Chartreuse, and Vermilion, the three cadets with the highest piloting scores. "It is a big jump to go from a dumbed-down medium to a fully decked-out heavy, but know that I will not go any easier on you because of it."

He turned back towards the rest of the cadets. "If any of you do not like the 'Mechs you were assigned, there will be an opportunity to switch tomorrow. However, for today at least, everypony will use what they were given." The Commander lifted up his neurohelmet. "Everypony is to meet me at the northwest training field in ten minutes. Do not be late."

"Aff, Commander!" the cadets all said, saluting in unison. The Commander nodded before he fit his neurohelmet to his head and turned towards his configuration C Mad Dog. As the rest of the cadets began walking towards their own Mechs, Mist caught up to Sundance, Chartreuse, and Vermilion.

"I wish I could pilot a heavy 'Mech. You guys are so lucky. Well, guys and girl, I guess," Mist said, smiling at his own bad joke. "I got stuck with a stupid Clan Hunchback." He sighed. "It's not exactly the pinnacle of medium 'Mechs. I'm one of the few cadets who wasn't assigned an OmniMech."

"That sucks. Maybe you can switch tomorrow?" Chartreuse suggested. The two of them acted so strangely towards each other, and Sundance still had no idea what she thought of Mist. It wasn't looking too good for him.

"I doubt Commander Charcoal would have kept me out of an OmniMech if there were any left." He perked up after a moment. "But... that's only all of the medium OmniMechs. Maybe there will be a heavy, or even an assault!" he said excitedly.

Vermilion shook his head. "The assaults are only for the third years and above who manage to impress Charcoal. Being a freeborn Sibko, we're not very high on the priority list for assault 'Mechs."

Mist sighed in response. "Oh well. A heavy is still cool. An Ebon Jaguar or something, maybe."

Sundance raised an eyebrow at Vermilion. "Why do you refer to the Commander as just 'Charcoal?'"

The red pony shrugged. "I don't have any respect for a pony born in a machine. They all think they're so much better than us just because they're stronger." He glanced back at the Mad Dog that was leaving the hangar with a dark look on his face. "He's not as nice as he wants you to think. The freeborn units would always go into battle first under his command when he was still on active duty. It's just another brainwashing method to make us loyal."

Sundance, Mist, and Chartreuse glanced at each other. "Are you sure? But he actually seems like a good pony. He certainly treats us better than the drill instructor does," Chartreuse said.

Vermilion nodded. "It happened to my brother. Just last year, his freeborn unit was on the frontlines acting as cannon fodder. Half of them died, including him."

The three of them thought about that for a moment. It was possible, and even though it was hard to believe, Sundance could actually see it happening and it aligned with his previous theory. Mist shook his head. "Well, let's get off this dark topic. Even if that's true, it's not like we can do anything about it. I want to see what 'Mechs you guys are piloting!" he said excitedly.

"I'm in the Summoner on the end," Chartreuse said as she motioned towards the Mech in the far back corner of the hangar. It was situated in the Bay next to Mist's Hunchback's. "I think Commander Charcoal said it's a configuration C."

"The Timber Wolf's mine, Prime config," Vermilion said with a nod toward the 'Mech they were about to reach.

Sundance looked up at the machine that towered far overhead. It was different seeing such a massive 'Mech outside of a simulation. He glanced at the last Mech in the hangar, which looked small next to the Timber Wolf. "That one's mine. It's a Hellbringer, but I don't remember which configuration."

Mist stopped for a moment. "Really? He gave you a Hellbringer? That's odd. It's got really strong offensive potential, but it barely has more armor than most mediums." He glanced at Sundance. "That 'Mech usually pairs well with aggressive pilots. Do you think you should switch?"

Sundance shook his head. "I've been meaning to work on my confidence, so I think it'll be a good match for me." He thought for a second. "Was it a coincidence that the Commander gave me this Mech? Or did he do it intentionally?" He glanced at Vermilion. "Either way, I guess this is something I needed."

"Well, me and Chartreuse should head to our BattleMechs. We'll follow you two out of the hangar," Mist said as he waved at the other two cadets. Chartreuse cast a quick glance at Sundance before following Mist over to their 'Mechs.

Sundance and Vermilion stood in front of the Timber Wolf for a moment in silence. After a few seconds, the red pony spoke up. "Well, I'm getting in my 'Mech." He turned to walk up the stairs but stopped and looked back over his shoulder. "The comms are probably tapped, even the private ones. Don't mention what I said to you earlier over them," he said before turning back to head up the stairs to his 'Mech.

Sundance nodded before turning towards his own Mech. He had a strong feeling of apprehension, but he pushed it to the back of his mind. "You'll never survive this war if you don't improve. It's time to do what's expected of you," he thought. He hurried up the stairs and climbed into the open cockpit, which swung closed behind him. The controls definitely seemed a lot more complicated than the ones in the training 'Mech, but they were identical to the simulator controls.

Sundance strapped himself to the seat and put on his neurohelmet. He pressed the power-up button and waited to see what would happen, but was shocked by the sudden hostility of the 'Mech. Unlike the comforting hum of the Shadow Cat, the Hellbringer's harsh whine almost immediately gave him a splitting headache.

Sundance was roused from his daze by various beeps from the DI computer as it checked to make sure all of the Mech's systems were working as they should. This went on for a couple more seconds before Sundance heard the DI computer's female voice confirming a successful startup.

Reactor: Online. Sensors: Online. Weapons: Disabled. All Systems Nominal.

Vermilion pulled forward into Sundance's view and turned the torso of his Timber Wolf towards Sundance. "Something wrong? We should go before we get left behind," he said over the open comms. Chartreuse and Mist had already climbed into their Mechs and were in the process of powering them up.

Sundance shook his head. "I'll be fine. I just wasn't expecting this Mech to have such a violent personality."

"If we're quick about it we can switch 'Mechs. I think Commander Charcoal would understand."

Sundance shook his head again. "I'll push through. Let's go."

Vermilion led the way out of the hangar with the other three close behind them. They could just see the last Mech heading down the road through the trees as they exited the doors. "Come on, we need to catch up." Vermilion's Timber Wolf took slow, massive strides along the path as he sped after the disappearing 'Mech.

"Are you alright? You seem like you're having trouble," Mist asked as he pulled up next to Sundance.

"I'm fine. It's just difficult to pilot this 'Mech when it feels like it's constantly screaming at me." Sundance looked back out towards Vermilion, who was quite a ways ahead of them. He pushed the throttle forward a bit.

"Maybe you should ask the Commander if you can switch to a different Mech tomorrow," Mist suggested. "I don't know what it feels like for your Mech to communicate like that, but it sounds rough."

Sundance winced as he felt a migraine coming on. "Sure, I guess I'll do that. I just hope the other 'Mechs aren't like this."

The four of them continued on towards the training field, crashing through tree branches that had strayed too far over the road. Before long, the northwest training field became visible through the forest. It was a huge open area situated in the shadow of the mountains, allowing them to use the field for target practice without worrying about stray fire going near the camp. Much of the grass had been chewed up by Mechs over a period of years, leaving mostly dirt.

The other cadets were already gathered around the Commander's Mad Dog. Vermilion went up to join the others, and the other three followed him. Sundance checked the time on the cockpit's digital clock. "Nine minutes. We barely made it," he thought.

"Since all of you made it here, I will assume you are all capable of handling the mental loads of your 'Mechs. We will start with ten laps around the field. Begin." the Commander said.

The assembled 'Mechs turned almost in unison and began tromping towards the tree line. Even with the high top speed of the Hellbringer, Sundance still brought up the rear of the pack. "Damnit, Sundance. Keep it together," he thought to himself as he struggled along behind the other cadets. It was extremely difficult to focus with the Hellbringer raging through his mind.

Chartreuse slowed slightly until she was running next to Sundance and opened a private comm channel. "Are you ok?"

Sundance shook his head and immediately regretted it when his migraine flared up. "I don't know. This 'Mech is giving me a headache. I don't know why it's so different than the Shadow Cat."

"Can you just ignore it?" Chartreuse asked.

Sundance shook his head. "It isn't that easy. Think of it like a speaker constantly broadcasting the 'Mech's emotions. It might help somewhat, but that's just avoiding the problem."

Chartreuse brought her hoof to her chin and thought for a moment. "Would it be possible to switch the DI computer from the training 'Mech to that one? Mist knows a lot more about 'Mechs so he might be the one to ask, but if you're set on using the Hellbringer, maybe it could work."

Sundance considered her idea for a moment. The cadets ahead of them turned left to follow a sharp bend in the trees, and the two of them did the same. "That might work. I'll ask Mist before suggesting it to the Commander," he said.

Chartreuse smiled at him. "Let's just make it through today, then. Even if it isn't possible, I'm sure the Commander would let you switch to a different 'Mech."

Sundance nodded. "Yeah." The Hellbringer buzzed at him again, but this time he tried just ignoring it as Chartreuse suggested. Obviously, he couldn't just stop listening, but he could try focusing less on the Hellbringer and more on the situation around him. Surprisingly, this made the pain bearable, at least for the time being. Chartreuse sped up a bit to catch up to the other cadets, and Sundance followed suit behind her.

The rest of that day's training session, with Sundance trudging behind the others at a barely acceptable pace. Commander Charcoal had them do things like climbing over rough terrain, changing direction quickly, and other maneuvering drills.

Sundance had asked Mist during one of the drills if it was possible to switch the DI Computers between 'Mechs. He wasn't sure it would work since DI Computers were extensive and spread through the entire chassis of the 'Mechs they inhabited, but he thought it was worth a shot to ask.

Many long hours later the training session came to an end and the cadets all sped back to Hangar Six. They halted their 'Mechs in their Bays before powering them down and climbing out. As much as Sundance loved piloting 'Mechs, that was a stressful training session, and he had never been happier to shut down his 'Mech. The Hellbringer gave him a final angry blast before it got cut off by the 'Mech's voice.

Shutting Down.

Sundance tore off his neurohelmet and leaned back into his seat, breathing heavily. "Dear Celestia, I hope the Commander doesn't make me use this Mech anymore." After a few moments of him recovering, Vermilion appeared on the catwalk next to his cockpit and tapped on the glass. Sundance undid the straps to his seat and opened the access hatch above him.

"Rough day, huh? You hardly seemed like the same pilot out there," he said wryly. "I'm glad I don't have to worry about an angry Mech screaming at me constantly."

Sundance chuckled. "Yeah, you're lucky. I don't suppose you'd be willing to trade?" he said, half joking.

"Nah, I've already got a good bond going with my Timber Wolf." Vermilion grabbed onto Sundance as he climbed out of the Hellbringer and helped him onto the catwalk.

"Thanks."

Vermilion nodded at him. "No problem." He glanced at the ground below them. "What might be a problem though is Charcoal. I'll let you handle this one." Sundance followed his gaze and saw the Commander walking up the stairs towards them. Vermilion patted him on the shoulder and walked away.

"Cadet Sundance," Commander Charcoal began as he walked up to Sundance. "What happened on the training field today? It was like you had forgotten how to pilot your 'Mech."

Sundance snapped to attention and glanced up at the Commander nervously. "W-well, Sir, you know how I can communicate with Mechs in a way that nopony else can?"

The Commander nodded. "Yes, what of it?"

"The Hellbringer was hostile in a way, and that made it difficult to pilot and gave me a migraine. I-I was going to ask you if it was possible to switch the DI computer from my old training unit to this one. Uh, Sir," he added awkwardly.

Commander Charcoal opened his mouth to reply but stopped for a moment with a thoughtful look on his face. "So that's how it works? I did not realize your ability worked like that." He thought for a second. "Follow me," he said before walking past Sundance. He followed the Commander down the catwalk nervously and walked past the other cadets' Mechs. They eventually came to a room, which Sundance recognized as the one Cadmium came out of on their first day of training under Commander Charcoal.

The Commander opened the door and walked into the room with Sundance close behind him. Cadmium was in the back corner, tinkering with a small device Sundance didn't recognize. The dark pony turned when he heard the door and set the item down, noticing Commander Charcoal. "Is this something that can wait? I'm about to make a breakthrough in my research, I can feel it," Cadmium said. His glasses were slightly askew, and Sundance had a hard time remembering a time when his glasses weren't crooked.

The Commander shook his head. "We have quite an unusual request, assuming it can be done. Sundance wants the DI computer from the training unit he has been using transferred to the Hellbringer. Today preferably."

Cadmium stared at Sundance, aghast. "Why in Luna's name would you want to do that? The DI computers in the training Mechs are horribly underpowered compared to that of a full BattleMech's. You might as well substitute in a pocket calculator."

"W-well, the Hellbringer has a really harsh personality that makes it difficult to pilot, and since I had formed a pretty close bond with the Shadow Cat, one of my friends suggested I ask to have their DI computers swapped," Sundance said.

Cadmium straightened his glasses. "Hmm... it should be possible to swap the main part of the computers. In theory, anyway. Whether or not it actually works, I guess we'll see. I can tune the DI computers for their new 'Mechs no problem, but you'll notice the systems on the Mech functioning well below their potential." He scratched his head. "Well, actually, the battle computer should pick up most of the slack. That is one of the functions of the battle computer, to act as a backup for the DI computer. How can you be sure that the Mech will respond differently with a different DI computer, though?"

"I already thought about that. I can feel the emotions of both the Shadow Cat and the Hellbringer, but the Shadow Cat doesn't even have a battle computer. Unless there's another part of BattleMechs that is extensive enough to do that, it's probably the DI computer since that's the only thing they have in common."

Cadmium opened his mouth, then closed it and frowned. "Yes, I suppose you're right." He turned back to the object he was messing with earlier. "I'll have it done in time for training tomorrow. Now please leave; I know this is going to work." He said as he bent over the table and peered closely at the object again.

Sundance followed Commander Charcoal out of the room and shut the door behind him. He turned towards the Commander curiously. "Commander, how come Cadmium doesn't have to refer to you using an honorific?"

The Commander glanced at Sundance, surprised. "Cadmium's rank as a scientist puts him at the equivalent rank of a Point Commander, which is what I am. We are effectively the same rank, so we refer to each other as equals. Much to my distaste."

"That makes sense. Thank you, Sir."

Commander Charcoal nodded. "That is all for today, so head to lunch. Like Cadmium said, the DI computer will be transferred in time for tomorrow. If that doesn't work, we can see about getting you a different Mech. You are dismissed."

Sundance saluted. "Aff, Commander." The Commander nodded again, and Sundance turned to walk down the stairs. He looked at the ground below and noticed Mist, Chartreuse, and Vermilion standing by the doors of the hangar, having already stripped from their cooling suits in favor of their cadet jackets. Vermilion nodded to him as he approached.

"Did Charcoal give you a piece of his mind?" he asked.

Sundance shook his head. "He was actually really understanding. Cadmium said he can switch the DI computers, so now we just have to hope it works."

Chartreuse glanced up towards the Commander, who was walking along the catwalk inspecting the Mechs. "Are you sure he's really as bad as you think, Vermilion? It's hard to believe he's as awful as you say."

Vermilion nodded. "I am. He's a con. He acts nice to get you on his side, then uses you. There are plenty of ponies like him in this Clan."

Mist sighed melodramatically. "Can we please not get on this topic again? I'm starving. Sundance, hurry up and get out of that cooling suit so we can go to lunch," he whined. Sundance got the feeling the two ponies had been arguing about this while they were waiting for him to finish talking with Commander Charcoal.

"Alright, don't get your panties in a bunch, Mist," Sundance said. He walked over to the locker room and quickly changed into his cadet jacket before hanging up the suit and placing his neurohelmet on the shelf. He locked the door and walked back over to his friends.

"Finally. Let's go, guys," Mist said. He turned and started walking down the path towards the mess hall without waiting for the others. Vermilion and Chartreuse glanced at each other, obviously still at odds, before following Mist.

Sundance brought up the rear of the group, lost in thought. "I sure hope this works," he thought. "If it does, I'll get to be with the Shadow Cat again. I actually miss her quite a bit..." He glanced at the sky, slightly embarrassed. "I guess I should name her if this plan works. I have to think of something good," he thought, following close behind his friends but not really engaging in conversation. It had certainly been a stressful day and there was no guarantee of what tomorrow held, but Sundance couldn't wait to find out nonetheless.

Sundance hopped nervously into his Hellbringer, anticipating what would happen when the Mech started up. He strapped himself in and was about to put his neurohelmet on when he heard somepony call his name. Vermilion had appeared on the catwalk next to him and was looking in through the glass.

"You think this plan worked?" he asked.

"I sure hope so," Sundance replied. "I have the perfect name picked out for her, assuming the transfer went well."

"A name, huh? I guess that makes sense when you can communicate with the 'Mech. I'm just over here, so scream if your brain starts to fry or something," Vermilion said before turning to walk to his Timber Wolf.

"Will do," Sundance said. He put his neurohelmet on and swung the access hatch closed. His hoof hovered over the power switch nervously. "Well, there's only one way to find out if this worked, I guess. Here goes nothing," he thought. He clenched his eyes shut, flipped the switch, and waited for something to happen.

Beeps sounded seemingly at random as the 'Mech powered up. This went on for a few seconds, and Sundance opened his eyes, relieved, but also worried. The Hellbringer hadn't immediately assaulted his mind, but he couldn't feel anything at all coming from the Mech. "Please work," he thought anxiously as the startup sequence came to a close.

Reactor: Online. Sensors: Online. Weapons: Online. All Systems Nominal.

Sundance sighed. "Damn. That sucks." There was nothing but the usual static coming from the neurohelmet. It was better than an instant headache, but it wasn't what he had hoped for. He was about to give up entirely when suddenly, he felt a faint humming in the back of his mind, and he immediately sat up straight. "Is that... Yes! That's definitely you! It worked!" he called out excitedly in his mind.

The hum picked up in its usual encouraging way. She was weaker than she was in the training 'Mech, but that was just due to her unfamiliar surroundings. She would adjust to the increased workload over time. Sundance smiled to himself, glad that the plan had worked. He had the perfect nickname picked out for her, and he knew she would love it.

"Welcome back, Solis. It's good to see you again."