No one wanted to admit it when it happened. They were all in disbelief. Every last huminid and machine was in disbelief. Civilians and soldiers alike.
"Machines… huminids… it is my utmost displeasure to announce that… we… we are officially at war. We do not know who these people are… we don't know what they want from us… All we know… is we are at battle. All of our forces are doing what they can to protect us and find a way to stop this as soon as possible. For civilians… do what you can to lead a normal life… but always be cautious… Our world is not what it was before."
Ben frowned as he rocked Clara on his wing. Looking to all the other machines and huminids in the room. Just the other day they were all having a grand time, living life joyfully… and now it seemed all of their spirits died as they heard their leader speak over the radio.
And this is happening everywhere…
Everyone in Propwash had gathered at Honkers for shelter of sorts and to listen to what was being said. It was so odd to see the place so quiet… so odd to see no smiles or laughing going around… just silence…
"Papa…" Clara sniffled. "I'm scared."
"I know Little Pup…" Ben nuzzled her. "I know… But… we gotta keep our heads and hoods up… That's all we can do…"
"But this isn't shouldn't be how life should be lived… we shouldn't need to live in fear!" she buried her face into his side. "We should be able to know our home is safe!"
"Shhh…" Ben rocked her again. "Shhh…."
"Everyone."
All looked to the sound as Jericho rolled forward to the center of the room, a solemn look in his eyes.
"Times do look grim for us… for all nations in our world… But I promise… my men and I will do all we can to protect you…. and we'll do all we can to try and end this war soon. All we ask, is that you try to stay calm. Panicking will not help anything, it'll just make it worse… Continue the lives you have… but as our leader said… continue in caution…" He closed his eyes, rolling out. "That will be all."
Ben watched Jericho go, worry in his eyes.
Can't imagine what's going through his mind right now…
Jericho sat by himself at the end of the runway, looking up at the full moon in the sky. He was shaking a bit… he was hoping this wouldn't happen… But he knew he couldn't let anyone see him like this… Couldn't see him scared…
I have to be strong for them…. I have to...
"Jericho?"
Jericho turned around, seeing Rebecca rolling over to him. He turned away, looking up at the sky again.
"Evening…"
"Evening indeed…" Rebbecca rolled up next to him, resting under his wing a little, nuzzling him. "You okay?"
"Been better…" Jericho nuzzled her. "It's… just a lot to take in…"
"I can't blame you… war is the last thing we ever wanted…"
"The danger is real now…" Jericho closed his eyes. "I just don't understand why this is happening now… I don't understand why these… enemies… even came to be in the first place… What in Machina's name did we do to deserve this? What did anyone in the whole world do to deserve this?"
"I wish I knew Jericho… I really wish I did…" Rebecca nuzzled him again. "But I'm scared too… just like everyone else… scared I'll lose you now when you fly out."
"Rebecca…" Jericho's engine stuttered a little.
"Please be safe… That's all I ask…"
Jericho nodded, resting his muzzle on top of her canopy.
"I'll do all I can to come back to you… this I promise."
"Unca Jon…?"
Jon opened one eye, looking to see Hunter and Melinda looking at him with scared looks in their eyes. He had fallen asleep with the two pups beside him after calming them down from the news… seems like it didn't last long.
"Can't sleep?"
They shook their heads.
"Mama's all wound up… and Unca Ponch seems a bit wound up too."
Jon sighed, getting up on his landing gear.
"Let's help them calm down a bit then…"
Jon lead them out, finding his sister sitting outside, Ponch pacing back and forth not too far from her.
Jon rolled over to her, nuzzling her.
"Not doing so hot?"
Abigail sighed.
"Jon… who isn't?" She looked to him, a saddened look in her eyes. "These enemies could strike anywhere… What if they strike here? What if Hunter and Melinda get hurt?"
"Shh…" Jon nuzzled her. "All we can do is hope for the best… I swear I'll protect you and the pups with my life… Those monsters come even close to hurting you I'll give them what for."
Abigail smiled a little, nuzzling back.
"Thank you…"
Jon nodded.
"I'll let your pups keep you company… I need to be sure Ponch doesn't wear a hole into the ground."
Jon left Hunter and Melinda to cuddle up with their mother as he rolled over to Ponch.
"Ponch, you're gonna cause an earthquake with all that hopping of yours."
"I can't help it." Ponch muttered. "With how things are I can't stay still."
"Well, you aren't the only one." Jon got him to stop with his tail. "And pacing isn't gonna help anyone."
"Well, what will help anyone?" Ponch asked, eyes narrowed. "Nothing is stopping those… whatever they are, from attacking this place… You heard the leader… our world isn't the same anymore."
"I know… and yeah, seems they'll just attack as they please… but we can protect the ones we love… It's our job." Jon nudged him. "Sure, we're not like the war birds… but we can at least do what we can."
Jon was quiet… giving a small nod.
"Right…" He sighed. "Sorry… guess I'm just on edge."
"I think everyone is."
Clara was fast asleep now, Homura cuddled up to her with some other machine pups and huminids along with some sheep to keep them warm.
Ben sighed, stroking her head a little with his wing before rolling off. He found Jane by herself, staring at the wall as it were. Ben rolled up to her, touching his wing with hers.
"Hey." he whispered.
He looked to her.
"Hey…"
"Doing okay?"
"Just scared…"
"Yeah… me too… and everyone else…"
"Ben…" Jane rolled over to him, her muzzle rubbing against his. His engine stuttered a little, but he relaxed, nuzzling her.
"Everything will work out some how…"
Just no one knows when… all we can hope is that the solution comes soon.