“Metaphase II”

THREE MONTHS LATER

SIGMA CLOPODIA

CASTLE COMPLEX

The year is 2542 ARL.  I’m eighteen years old and I've been a greenhorn for twelve of those years.  To celebrate, Mendez hosted a game of capture the flag with paint guns in the 'playground' forest.   It reminded me of the game night during my cute-ceañera of earning my cutie mark.

It’s been three months since Silverblitz and Pan Cake left.  High Hopes stayed with us at the complex, becoming the main chef and ‘morale supporter’ for us.  Mendez was upset that I not only revealed the information of the Greenhorn-II project to her, but that I also bough home an ecstatic, romantic, young pony unfit for a top-secret military program.

Despite being such a valuable asset, High Hopes often interrupted our training sessions and drank a lot of Doctor Sparkle’s coffee.  And I mean A LOT.  The doctor wanted to kick her out, only to feel implied to let her stay when High Hopes’ raspberry hair plunged its depressed state.  Later that day, the doctor wished to experiment on the strange behavior of High Hope’s mane.

In the meantime my team dealt with two more insurrectionist targets: one of them was a VIP that my team was to assassinate and another was the location of a weapons cache that my team successfully secured. High Hopes also supplied similar information to other teams, causing the insurrections to back down their threats.  

And yesterday it was announced that November Flare’s Magical Mystery Medkits have now become the primary combat medical kit across many UNSCOE branches.

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All Greenhorns-IIs were called to amphitheater on the other side of the complex for an urgent matter.  Phoenixes were set up as transportation.  Being a pegasus pony, I decided to take myself to the air.  

From above, I went in front of the other Phoenix dropships, wanting to go ahead and feel the freedom of being isolated from others and their thoughts. I also caught my first bird’s eye view of CASTLE complex, which was larger than I had thought.  After a forty-minute flight with the phoenixes, I landed with them outside of the amphitheater.

I saw that the amphitheater was a walled arena in the shape of a semi-circle, near a backdrop of an electric fence, grass and mountains. Like other arenas it had an open ceiling.  Judging from the size of the arena floor, I believed that it could hold up to fifteen phoenixes.

After some time, I recognized it as the same place where it was announced I was ‘called upon to serve’.  I was filly back then, so I couldn't capture all the details, other than that it was nighttime, Halsey was standing in front of us on a stage, and the phoenix dropships were landing in front of her, carrying a bunch of confused fillies and colts who would become my brothers and sisters.

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As I hoof up to an entrance, I see November Flare and High Hopes arguing with a unicorn guard - a royal guard by the look of his ancient-style golden armor plating and red visor - at another entrance.  Meanwhile, other Phoenix dropships began departing in the opposite direction in a hasty fashion.

“I’m already clueless with no information!” High Hopes whined to guard. “That’s not my job.”

“High Hopes! Please, settle down.” November Flare insisted I’m not planning to get kicked out of this program because of your curiosity!

The white unicorn guard shrugged at High Hopes “I’m sorry ma’am, but orders strictly state that only Greenhorns and certain ponies are allowed in here. Chief Mendez’s orders state you’re not allowed to have your phoenix parked here within the next five minutes.”

My cousin started to tug High hopes by her forehoof, but she resisted. “C’mon High Hopes’; If Mendez says only greenhorn tare aloud then only greenhorns are allow.  He’s basically your boss, too.” November Flare said.

“What’s going in there!? I KNOW YOU ARE UP TO SOMETHING IN THERE!” High Hopes demanded, breaking free of November’s grip and eyeing the guard in the eye.

Act your age please! The guard thought.

“If possible, You’ll know what’s in the amphitheater after their business in there is done, ma’am. Please, leave.” The guard demanded.

“Not afterwards! Now or Beforehand!” High Hopes’ eyes protruded out of their sockets and met centimeters away from the marine’s eyes, and then retreated back into their normal position.

“Afterwards!” The marine replied thinking, Isn't now or beforehand the same thing?

“Beforehand”

“Afterwards”

“Beforehand”

“Afterwards”

“Beforeward” High Hopes stated.

“Afterhand!” the angered guard shot back.

“Afterwards!”

“Beforehand!”

“Afterwards,” High Hopes hissed

“BEFOREHAND! And that’s final before I call the entire security force of this complex!” The marine shouted with a now dry mouth, not realizing what he said. I really should just report her….

“Okiee dookie somkie!” High Hopes chimed and was about to zip into though the entrance only to have her poofy tail gripped by November Flare’s teeth. Hey…this does taste like raspberry... November realized.

“Maybe it’s a better idea that we stay out of this for now; it’s not worth being questioned by Mendez or getting kicked out of this program.”  November refuted, dragging the little pissed off red sulking pony by her tail, back to his dropship.  This time she didn't resist.  The guard was relieved to see them leaving.

Before they took off in their dropship I promised I would see if I could get some answers.  High Hopes was skeptical that I would so do.  However I bring up the fact that what’s in a PONI program, stays in a PONI program – So as long I gave them information and long as they didn't tell anyone outside the program, nothing could go wrong.

-------------------------------------------

When I came out some number of corridors, the amphitheater seats were half full.  I had forgotten that half of us perished in the augmentations.  Now here I was, back were my greenhorn life began.  I was about to search for Blades and Lipizzaner yet I was forced by a royal guard to take a random seat when the announcement began.

Within the area floor, On the stage below us were Doctor Halsey Sparkle, Chief Cranklin Mendez, and the UNSCOE council members Mistress Eldora, Lord Leo, Queen Chrysalis, Princess Luna, and Princess Celestia. Each of their faces looked grave; shielding what I supposed was a concern.  They also appeared to feel awkward among us.

And thought this long presentation, I kept picking up a random thought here and there from a fellow greenhorn.  However, I noticed that the father away I was from anypony, or the less attention I headed at them, my telepathy would be quitter.

At last Princess Celestia broke the silence and spoke in a booming royal canterlot voice in soft and gentle tone as if spoken through a microphone.  “Greenhorns…I’m proud of your service in the military.  The insurrectionists have been pushed back to their outer colonies where they belong.  Without you, more systems would have fallen under their tyranny.”

Those were the first words a Princess has ever said to me – even if they weren't directly aimed at me.  In the place of applause of our service being recognized, we all just gave tiny smiles.  Celestia smiled back but a tear swim to the tip of her snout. …is all they have left are their smiles and each other?  What have I let Sparkle do to you?

Princess Luna spoke up beside her sister “However, your work does not end here, Greenhorns; rather your real fight is just beginning.”

We still didn't say a word, bracing ourselves to what was going to come spoken.

Mendez stepped forward returning a serious face.  “Greenhorns…as you know, the colony Bronze Harvest dropped out of contact a few months ago.  The public was told that it was merely a satellite blackout done by innies and mercenaries….”

Princess Celestia continued where Mendez left off, “…However we are here to tell you the truth; at Bronze Harvest, we discovered Equestrians are not alone in the galaxy.”

Someponies gasped.  Now things got interesting; If he was here, Mudd Slinger would grin from ear to ear, reminding me of the day he asked ‘you ever wonder what is up there?’ in the field.  Yet this new discovery was not celebrated with happiness.

Chrysalis's oozing voice returned me to reality.  “These ‘aliens ’ caused the satellite blackout and attacked Bronze Harvest.  From the account of a lone surviving ship, these aliens have technology superior to ours in weaponry, defenses, and space travel.  They were reported to be strategically intelligent and hostile, terminating anypony and anyone else in their path.  When the UNCOE forces there were weakened, they glassed the surface of Bronze Harvest into ashes….now, it has become a barren hot world.”

After hearing this, I saw Blades and Lipizzaner on the other side of the amphitheater. Blades was tearing up, as shining water started to build up in eyes, and her legs and body trembled violently due shock, hate, or fear for her home Planet. And her family….

Lipizzaner was cradling Blades’s hoof and tried to stay strong for her.  From the day when I was put up with the two, I saw their roles reversed now; Blades needing help and Lipizzaner was the one giving it.

Griffon Lord Leo added, “These newcomers from the stars call themselves the Covenant – and Doctor Sparkle has their message.”

He nodded to Halsey Sparkle who pulled out a tape recorder from her lab coat and pressed a button.  An Alien message didn't come over the speakers but rather a song from the band Zap-Apple-Jam.

*E-ques-tria Girls! We’re pony fabulous! Fast, Fine fierce! We trot till we drop! Cutie marks-*

Pausing the tape, Halsey’s snout flushed red in embarrassment as the council and Mendez eyed her angrily. “I-I’m sorry...I...Just need to fast forward it.” I later heard the doctor curse at herself in her head.

She did fast forward it.  Out came this eerie chant whistling like a spine-shivering wind from a Windigo.

*Side by side, we march as one,

All Equestrians must die,

He will rise if we strike together,

So forth shall the rest of the Crystallions.*

Once the recording ended, no one spoke or moved for a full ten seconds.  It was the first time for me a non-Equestrian had spoken, right here in the CASTLE complex amphitheater.  And that non-Equestria was leading...a covenant against us.

Queen Chrysalis stated, “We believe that these ‘crytallions’ are crystal ponies from the myths of hidden cities in the frozen north of Equestria.  Though these myths were proven false, scans of the covenant technology PONI agents have acquired…show evidence they may existed.  All their technology is powered by plasma that comes from rare crystals that are grown in the north.  The rest of their technology we are still studying.  We have nothing on their culture other than that message.  We do not even know who the ‘he from the grave’ they are referring to is.”

I guessed correctly that the crytallions were probably the crystal ponies.  But the ‘he’ in the speech seemed to interest me more.  Ponykind didn't know any specific figures among the stories crystal ponies.

Somepony in the crowd raised her forehoof for question. “Yes, Vector-zero-sixty-five?” Mendez said.

“Where did you get this translation?”  She asked.  I kept forgetting Vector was gender swapped during chemical augmentations (A lucky fate for somepony who chucked a rock at my mouth).  The first years were embarrassing for her, but he she adapted well, becoming a tomboy.

Eldora shook her head “This is no speech made to fit our tongue. As Bronze harvest fell, this is speech is what the alien covenant sung.”  That meant this was no translation; they knew how to speak our language. Another form of superiority.

Princess Celestia spoke “What’s worse is that even though PONI has only acquired little of this ‘covenant’s’ technology and every second we try to study it, they are already on the move to other colonies, burning its surface.  I fear they won’t stop until they reach Equestria.”

Lord Leonidas announced, “Meanwhile, Admiral Flag pole’s protocol for all ships in the UNSCOE navy and army is being approved by the council.  Lady of Admirals Robin Hood has ordered it into the law as direct security measure.  Primary function of this protocol is to make sure Equestria and the surrounding colonies’ locations are not compromised.”

A stallion beside me, Headhunter-174, raised his hoof for a question. “If this is really urgent matter, where are the dragons and donkeys representatives?” Where's the real meat? he wondered.

Eldora noted “Ambassador Thorn and his beasts have broken off from our unity. He believes that challenging the Covenant is a dragon’s duty.  But in the pursuit of glory, his losing battles to come will be gory.  His species were demilitarized…and as we speak, the planet Cinder is being fried.”

Headhunter looked puzzled so I ‘translated’ Eldora’s rhyme to him.

Good riddance of Thorn….. Lord Leo thought,

The griffon lord added, “Donkey Colonel Lames Ackerson was killed during the battle of Bronze Harvest.  As a result all, donkey colonies have announced a breakaway and independence.  Ironically, they, the cow, and the buffalo are on the border of the outer colonies – the Covenant isn’t showing the anymore mercy that they did at Bronze Harvest.”

Chrysalis followed up another fact. “My spies have informed me the covenant is also exterminating dog mercenaries and the insurrectionists.  But they seemed to be welcoming the minotaur race.”

A low murmur of worry went across the Greenhorns; the minotaurs were the one of strongest among the equines.  Yet what I learned at New Manebassa, they weren't the brightest – maybe the Covenant needed some bipedal bulls that were too brain-dead to understand how to question orders.

Halsey Sparkle announced, “Your new mission, Greenhorns, is to push this Covenant back long enough so we can find out more about them and prevent more genocide across the Milky Way.  The program will have to become known to public; leave that to me.”

Princess Luna shook her head “PONI wouldn't allow such a thing, doctor.  You want to tell the public how you trained fillies and colts for war? ”

Halsey’s eyes narrowed “For you information your majesty, this war with the Covenant is also going to go to the public eventually.  Besides, no pony has to know about where the greenhorn’s came from. Nothing can go wrong.”

Heard that once in my life, right before things did go wrong Luna rolled her eyes.

Deep in Halsey’s head, I could sense the worry she had for us – Insurrectionist was easy as grade school homework; all Greenhorn teams came back in one piece.  Fighting the Covenant was a level combat we never anticipated running into.

Princess Celestia gave out the final statement. “Chief Petty Officer Cranklin Mendez will be removed the program – he is to train special operatives in other PONI programs. Do you have any last words to your trainees, Officer?”  She then gave a low nod to Mendez, who seemed to have aged so fast from the time he introduced me with a shock stick.  Here I saw him not smoking a Sweet Apple cigar or yelling out orders for 100 push ups, but unusually quiet.  As if under his camo coat and black beret he wanted to stay.

Mendez nodded, walking toward us.  He came off the platform and stood right in front of all us.  He was silent for a was long time

“Greenhorns…” He stated “…when I was assigned to this program, I loathed the thought of training young ponies.  I told Halsey Sparkle this wasn’t going to work…and it turns out, I didn’t make you cold-hearted elite soldiers.  I made you something else.  I made all you….reflect the Elements of Hope-”

“Harmony.” Princess Luna whispered

Shut up….your majesty. Mendez scowled in his head, then carried on.  “As you all probably know, this program was meant to find the bearers of the Elements, which have been dormant for a thousand years.  But when I look at you I see the generosity you present in sacrificing your fillyhoods, the your loyalty to the UNSCOE, your kindness presented by watching a comrade’s back, the laughter that keeps each of your souls alive and together, the honesty of putting all that you can into a mission, and the …magic, I guess….which in front of my eyes, that has bonded many strangers close as brothers and sisters.  It’s been a hell of ride with you trainees.”

After the speech I couldn’t resist tearing up, proudly.  Then I had the impulse to salute.  Meanwhile, other ponies copied my move.  Even the council saluted Mendez, who gave a long relaxed look.

-------------------

“One-seventeen, I would like to have a word with you.” Mendez requested.

While the rest my fellow brothers and sisters exited out of the amphitheater along with the Council, I approached the chief. He started down at me with admiration.

“Before I go, Boot, I have to give you something.” He pulled that ‘something’ from a hidden compartment within the platform on the arena floor. A cardboard box.

At first I hadn't realized ‘Boot’ was my old nickname that I was titled with when Mendez woke me up. It seemed strange; Mendez wasn't the one for giving me gifts wrapped in color paper and ribbons, so I could understand why this ‘something’ came in a cardboard box.

“Open it.” Mendez grunted.  Usually anything he said was an order. Yet the look on his face told me it wasn’t one. This isn't a training exercise, one seventeen – it’s a request.

When I did open it, I realize it is Halsey’s sunhat I left behind the first day I was here.

“Halsey found it and wanted to give it back to you during training. I think you deserved it at the right time.” Mendez explained

All of sudden, my memories as filly, memories that I forgot shoot back into head as I decide to wear it.  I feel the rim of the hat fit perfectly around my head.  Then I look at myself in a mirror also in the box.

I explain how I look to Mendez while I pick up a mirror within the box and pace around, thinking deeply.  “Wow….just….wow.  So much is coming back to me.  I almost feel so…different.”

Mendez doesn't say anything so I continue on my blabbering. I abruptly stop when my ears pick up a tiny electrical crackle nearing my wings.  My telepathy also picks up the Chief’s thoughts.

This is for calling me poophead twelve years ago.

I swing around and whack the shock stick away with my right fore-hoof. When it lands on the amphitheater floor into two pieces, I get into a bipedal combat pose.  I hadn't felt the sting of shock stick since I was a filly and I planned to keep it that way. But I understood it was a joke; proof Mendez would miss having ‘fun’ with us.

The chief gives the slighted hint of smile before we both walk to an exit. Before he opens the door for me, he whispers.   “Dismissed, one seventeen. It hasn't been an honor but a hell of time. Keep kicking flank.” Mendez stated I walk through the corridors alone.

The last thought I hear him say before he closed the door is, If I was her father I couldn't have been prouder  And that was the last I saw or heard of Chief Petty Officer Cranklin Mendez.

When I got back to barracks that afternoon I could only tell November Flare and High Hopes, much to their disappointment, that there was a good reason whatever was spoken in the amphitheater would stay a secret for now.  High Hopes starting throwing a fit at me until she realized I was wearing a pretty sunhat and asked if my colt-friend got it for me.

Honestly if did have one, she was ready to go bonkers and start drawing pictures of me and him.

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SPACE AROUND BRONZE HAVEST

COVENANT OCCUIPIED SECTOR

ABOARD THE BRIDGE OF THE CRUISER Philomena’s Ashes

On the bridge of the ship commanded by the one-winged griffon Captain Skyscraper, my team of four greenhorns looked out to the covenant spaceship, hovering above Harvest.  This was the first time I had seen Bronze Harvest in the flesh and not out of library book.  It was burnt brown world – not a spec greenery or drop of water or a trace of its glorious colony was left on it.  Orbiting the planet was the wreckage of various UNCOE ships…and some frozen and dead Equestrians in space.  There was also a covenant ship orbiting the planet.

Due to the covenant ship being unlike anything I had ever seen before, it was challenging to describe; its curving and flat body was sleek, slim, and came in various mixes of violet, purple and blue.  Extending smoothly from the body was what resembled an oversized snakehead. The aft seemed to be a smaller version of the central body, attached similarly like a spider’s abdomen.

“Well, the navy here put up a good fight.” Vector rudely snorted.

“Of course they did.”  Lipizzaner squeaked. “Bronze Harvest fed and supplied thousands of colonies.” From reading her thoughts, I noticed that Lipizzaner was trying to make Blades feel somewhat better.

Blades grumbled “We arrived just at the end of the party.”

Although I do wish to hear it, Blades kept thinking about Bronze Harvest This was my home…My dirt that I was so eager to leave for….I should have been here…I never thought I miss that dirt so much…my dirt.

As team leader I place hoof on Blade’s shoulder, saying. “Blades…I’m sorry.” The unicorn looked back at me with a miserable face.  Then she slowly turned back to looking out the observation window of her burned home.

Captain Gustavo Skyscraper matched up behind us, his claws scraping up the bridge floor.  We rotated 180 degrees and give our salutes to griffon.  On His left side was a featherless snitched up bump, the former location of his wing.

“At ease, Junior Chief Officer ponies. The Ashes will disable the covenant cruiser’s communications.  In the meantime we will engage it…”   Skyscraper uttered.

“With all due respect sir, their ship is many more powerful than this ship.  Engaging it solo is not a recommended tactic.”  Vector informed, possibly making the captain sound like he was being stupid.  

Ignoring her remark, Skyscraper then said “I only explained half the plan, Greenhorn-065.  The other half involves you ponies on board that cruiser.  Accounts from the space battle here notified me of force-fielded entrances on the ships.  I want you to not only load a HAVOC nuclear warhead anywhere onto that ship, but I want you get as much data as you can from the inside if you can. When things go south, set the nuke and pull out.  This is just to show the covenant we aren't backing down.  Do I make myself clear?”

“Sir, yes, Sir!” we all responded.

“Excellent. Report to the hangar for your MUSTANG-4 armor, and check the reports of the covenant spices on your way down.” Skyscraper notified.

Finally I get to blow these lousy bastards to hell!  Blades hissed deviously to herself.  Once she was done with this, I hoped she would be at peace.   I could never know what Blades felt; I lost a brother, she lost her entire home and family.

Even though Blades was beyond my comfort, I knew she wasn't beyond my command.  Hopefully.

----

The MUSTANG Mark-4 exosuit (as labeled on the box) was designed by Griffon Works and produced by Macintosh Armory Corporation.  As the name stated, it was exclusive to ponies, and each set was developed uniquely for a greenhorn. The first downside of the armor we came across was that it required almost three technicians to put on and take off.  Since the invention of the Faster-than-Light-Engine by two world-famous inventing brothers from the Unicorn Range, HaleBopp and Eyedrop, or  the creation of artificial gravity by the same duo, I doubt anything could be considered as revolutionary as the MUSTANG armor.

Once we reached the Hanger, I was told to wear a midnight black under-layer, covering everywhere on my body but my head.   Then, thick olive-green plating that weighed over 2000 tons was fused to the creases in the under-layer, shielding the underlayer everywhere.  The parts exposing my underlayer were my joints, my neck, and a ring around my back and abdomen.  I hadn't expected the bulky armor would fit so firmly to my lemon-yellow hide.

The helmets reminded me almost of futuristic form of a medieval mare’s headgear, having an see-through orange visor as single tool of sight.  There seemed to be no social value or independence for anypony who donned it, other than exposed holes for the ears.  Labeled on the side for mine was the numbers 117.

“Now be careful.” The Armory Sergeant advised after the four of us got all armored up.  “The last non-greenhorn to test this armor did not listen to the advice she was given regarding the armor; so the poor Mother-of-a-Seapony ended up breaking every bone in his body, except one rib.”

The helmet’s inside was cramming my skull.  Breathing felt almost impossible for a brief time and my mane had to be wrapped up into fixed bun, just like everypony else.  A Heads-Up-Display on my visor presented all the info a soldier need in a real time battle – a grenade counter in the upper left, a motion tracker on the bottom left, weapons and ammo along the right side,  and a ‘heath bar’ in the upper right corner. Floating about the empty center of my screen were the numbers, 039, 204, and 065, hovering over each of my corresponding teammates.

The sergeant carried on explaining. “First off, you are free to alter any of the applications in your helmets.  You may be cable of using acquired Covenant technology so we left the suit compatible with using various tech. Plus, we want to make sure that your MUSTANG-4 is the way you prefer it.  The suit is powered by magic, so your thoughts direct it to do things.”

Upon being told this, the first thing I changed on was putting the health bar in top center of my HUD – using only my thoughts. As I did so, I could hear a very low shimmer of magic.  Then I tested the movement of the MUSTANG armor, flexing my wings sticking my fore hoof out with my thoughts.  It was pretty fast.

“These suits can also be used as generators to amplify or power machinery; however doing so results in draining power from the suit – use it wisely if you are still using it.  Now I'm going to test your reaction time with the suit. Keep your eyes focused forward.” The Armory sergeant continued.

Then he held out a datapad with a red light on it.  He began waving above his crew-cut mane.

“Indigo Team leader, look up here” he promoted me to the datapad. I jerk my head up so fast I couldn't tell what really happened.  The data pad winked a green light at me.  Then he told me to look down and I gave same result.

“I recommend calibrating your MUSTANG armor’s sensitivity to your reaction time. Your armor seems to be moving too fast for you.” The sergeant informed.

While he tested the rest of my team, I silently re-calibrated the suit.  However it was beginning to feel less like a suit and more like it was a part of my body and mind.

*“Indigo Team,”* Skyscraper noted over the communication speakers after all the reflex testing was done *”We have alerted the covenant of our presence in the process of jamming their communications. Get ready to board that covenant ship.”*

The armory sergeant bought up the fact that he wasn’t finished testing our armor but Skyscraper commanded that he set us up for EVA and find us a phoenix dropship.

In the meantime I scrolled through some reports of the Covenant at Bronze Harvest trying to study each of their species, their tactics and other assumptions.  After a few moments of reading, Vector splashed a bottle of ink at my visor for humor.

The reason why I didn’t react was because I had already read his mind; he was throwing a bottle of special ink that faded quickly.  In truth that was what exactly happened – the pouring ink eventually dispersed into the air within seconds.

“I’m not even impressed, zero-sixty-five.  Go be a nice pretty little girl and help that sergeant find a dropship.” I replied not taking my eyes off the reports.  Vector stormed off, scowling at me under her breath.