Chapter 4: Contact! Part 2
The children were speechless after he finished. “Wow…you…sacrificed yourself so Uncle Fletcher and his friends would survive?” Dinky was fascinated.
“Not directly. We tried to buy them time to escape while we would run but the machine exploded quicker than we expected.” Abstraction replied and looked at Fletcher with a smile.
“The explosion destroyed the Den completely, so we had nothing to work on in order to search for you. But we never gave up hope. And if you landed here, it’s very likely the others are on Earth too. And with Diamond Dogs, we have the resources for travel.”
“Abstraction,” Lily spoke up, “How did you get to know Lyra?” She sounded curious and he chuckled.
There isn’t really much to tell, we met in school. When I was just nine years old, my father died in an airship crash.” This caused the children to gasp. “It hit me and my mother very hard, getting very depressed. But Lyra, she tried to comfort me, kept me going. She always said she liked when drew and thanks to her, I got my Cutie Mark.”
Katja slowly smiled at the blue stallion. “That was a very nice and sweet story. Are you…”
“Not, we are not. Yet. Me and Lyra are engaged but didn’t feel ready for marriage yet.” He replied, head slightly lowered, “But I joined Dark Horse to protect for from threats. If you are wondering, I got my fighting skills from a medic that had been one of the first responders at the time and consoled me and mother, also teaching me first-aid and self-defense. He’s like an uncle to me, similar as Fletcher is to you. He also taught me some technical skills, which came in handy at the Rejuvenation Play when you were born.”
Back then, Lyra was supposed to play Megan (Pronounced Meh-Ghan) the Mysterious, who came to the main characters to herald the birth of the Firsticorn with her friend Bon-Bon. A legendary being from another world that walked on two legs and possessed strange appendages. Abstraction helped his lover to make the costume and the two mares stood atop each other and controlled her arms and legs with a hoof-made system of stilts and levers.
“Are you sure this will work? We hadn’t time to test it properly.” Abstraction looked at Lyra with worry.
“Don’t worry, Abby, it will work.” She gave him a kiss and climbed into the suit.
He watched with the rest of the audience as she did her part of the play.
“Hear me, gentle four-legged beings!" Lyra beckoned "For I am Megan of the Lost World of Five-Fingered Ones. Behold my flat face and complex system of extremities!"
"Lo! By the semi-transparent wings of the Summerwings! I do believe I see an otherworldly guide come to bring us tidings of great joy!" Carrot Top leapt to her hooves and made a show of surprise as the figure of Megan slowly pointed one of her fingers in the direction of Ponyville.
"That way, my dear friends, lies salvation" Megan's voice, projected through several speaker devices, sounded deep, booming and almost ghostly "Close by lies a humble town where you shall bear your precious foal. You know this to be true, for I am Megan the Mysterious, Avatar of Happiness! Ancient and glorious am I!" And the figure raised her arms and breathed fire before striding off towards the farm on the outskirts of town. The audience cheered and whooped at the spectacle.
Yet Abstraction’s eyes went wide in alert, that wasn’t supposed to happen. Slightly panicking, he ran to the outskirts of Ponyville with a fire extinguisher levitated by his magic. As he arrived, he gasped to see Megan burning, yet didn’t hesitate to put out the fire, seeing Lyra and Bon-Bon next to it, faces blackened with ash.
“Are you hurt?” He asked with concern, yet got a smile by the mint-green mare.
“We’re fine.”
Abstraction sighed in relief. “And I thought….” He couldn’t finish as the same mare kissed him again.
“You talk too much.”
“Yeah, mommy told me that was quite spectacular back then.” Dinky chuckled nervously.
“Yes. I hope though she wasn’t…unsetting towards you, Katja.” Abstraction looked at her with unease, yet she waved a hand.
“Nah, despite being fascinated that I am a human, she was friendly and respect towards me, just like anypony else.” She then turned towards Neolith and Abundo. “Mind if you tell us about yourselves?”
“Why not?” Abundo shrugged. “As you know, I am a healer, but also a priest of the Hasbrood, known as Hasbrethren. It’s a three-headed god of fortune or misfortune, the heads named 'Herm, Hainn and Hiln' judging the value of others and their work on this earth and deciding whether they deserve their favor. If one has their favor, it is said, they will want for nothing and see all their needs provided. The tattoos around my cutie mark show that I am a part of them.”
“I see. What about you, Neolith?” Dinky asked.
“Well, I am an explorer, tinker and excavator. I make a living by delving into various tombs and archaeological sites, that’s how I modified my crossbow.” She explained and Blau had to chuckle. “What’s so funny?”
“I just had to think how well you and Daring Do would suit together. If they ever make a movie with her, I think you would suit as her double.”
Neolith rolled her eyes dismally. “Daring Doo's a glory-hound. She's not the only excavator in Equestria, you know. My objective is knowledge.”
“Reminds me, how did you end up on Earth, Blue?” Midnight looked at her with interest and she thought for a moment, putting a hoof to her chin.
“To be honest, I can’t remember much, only that I tried to flee from a pony that hunted me and tried to use a teleport spell. I guess something must have gone wrong.”
“In any case, we all should get some sleep, it’s getting late.” Sergei interrupted as the sun went down.
“Right. Sleep well, children.” Fletcher looked at Dinky and her friends with a weak smile before heading to bed.
None of the adults could get much sleep before they were awoken by screams and they looked after the kids. They were trembling and crying.
“Shh…It’s okay, It’s okay…” Fletcher gave Dinky a comforting hug, Midnight and Wolf did the same with Blau and Katja, Blue took care of Lily.
They all knew that the children had re-experienced the events through nightmares, with the other having expressions of pity as they went to bed again, the knights and Blue fell asleep with the children.
In the next morning, Dinky stirred in her sleep, yawning as she woke up, seeing that all adults save for Blue were gone. “Good morning.” She greeted her friends and the mare.
“Morning,” Lily replied before she heard Blue Murder grumbling. “Sleep not so well?”
“I did sleep well, just had a strange dream. Bovril made a cardboard box that looked like a tank and the boss was totally amazed by that…”
“Yeah, I had a strange dream about you once, Blue,” Dinky said and told her about the dream she had when she was with XCOM back then.
Blue blinked at what she had been told. “Okay…I admit I can take many roles but a constable watching traffic…Might think twice about that.”
“Why? Why do you help us?” Blau asked, catching her off guard.
She hesitated to answer, yer smiled weakly. “Because it’s the least I can do, being a mother myself. And I am aware of what you three went through before, due to secretly visiting my son. That Tungsten could suffer like that…” She shivered at the thought.
“Blue,” Dinky started, “Pip and Nancy…”
“I know, I have to live with that…” The mare lowered her head with regret in her voice. “I never wanted to do this, I told them…”
“They both never blamed you for this.” Dinky continued, earning a surprised look by Blue Murder.
“What?”
“Yes. They still see you as the good friend you are to them. Pip always told me that you’re the best godmother he could ever wish for, having taught him so much.”
Slowly, Blue let the words into her and after what seemed like hours, smiled weakly. “It relieves me that they forgive me. I never worked for money, but to keep my son safe. But in the end, my boss pulled me down that terrible path…” Blue let out a sigh.
“Tungsten misses you terribly. You deserve a second chance.” Dinky added with a smile.
“I guess…” Blue replied before she walked out for breakfast and decided to hit the shower after it to get the sleep out of her eyes.
While the staff of Diamond Dogs were mostly male due to recruited from enemy soldiers, there were also a few female members, recruited from rescued prisoners and volunteers, so there were gender-separated showers and locker rooms.
Dawnwind, Wolf and Neolith were already there, giving Blue a friendly wave as she walked up to a free shower and turned it on.
There were portable showers if had had to be done quickly but they all preferred to do it thoroughly and were more comfortable to have space.
The former mercenary enjoyed every second of this feeling of bliss before a voice sounded. “So you are those speaking ponies, huh?”
It was one of the female staff members. “Yeah, so what?” Neolith asked, raising an eyebrow.
“You really think you got what it takes to be a member of Diamond Dogs?”
“We proved that already in assisting Snake,” Blue stated firmly.
“Oh yeah? Let’s see if you can pass my test.” Without warning, she towel-whipped the Blue and the other mares, all jumped into the air with a high-pitched yelp. Passed!” The woman laughed as she walked out.
Wolf growled, Blue and Neolith had a dark expression but Dawnwind held them back with a hoof. “Leave this to me.”
Fletcher, Midnight, Abundo and Abstraction entered the male section, walking up to free showers and starting cleaning themselves, enjoying the bliss of the warm water.
“Look who we got here.” A male voice commented and they saw a man walking into the room. “The speaking ponies that helped the Boss. How was it for you?"
“Exciting.” Abstraction replied calmly and he turned back to cleaning himself with others before all felt a quick pain on the flanks, causing them to jump up with a masculine yelp.
“Exciting indeed.” The man chuckled before screaming as he felt how Abstraction’s magic engulfed him and threw him out.
“That should teach him a lesson.” Abstraction commented flatly as he went back to cleaning himself.
After being done, they all walked out and heard a female scream in the woman locker room. “Who put a spike into my boot?”
Dawnwind chuckled evilly at this, the others grinned.
Blue was watching the sunrise, thinking about her situation as Abstraction walked up to her. “Can I ask you something?” She nodded at his question.
“Of course.” He in response pulled out a wedding ring and she instantly realized what this was about. “You need advice how to confess to Lyra?”
Slightly ashamed, the stallion nodded. “Yeah, I am uncertain how to do it and you’re the only one who is married.” He pointed to the wedding ring on her horn.
“Well, while my story how I met my husband is similar to yours, my best advice is to do your best when you find a moment and…do not make the same mistake as I did.” She said the last part with a slightly shaking voice.
“Thank you, I give that a try and I won’t.”
Both then decided to look after the children, yet she took notice that Patch was slightly trembling as he stood next to the entrance of the room to the kids. “Something wrong?”
“N-no, e-everything’s f-fine.” He replied hastily and she quickly realized why he behaved like that.
“It’s because of Nancy, isn’t it?”
Patch gulped. “Y-yes.”
“Calm down, I will not rip your head off or something.”
“You’re…not?” Patch asked dumb folded.
“Why should I? I may be a little protective her after she threw her husband out, yes, but I know for a fact that you’re a good friend she can trust and a good example for Pip. And after all they went through, they deserve someone like you, Patch. Stay that way.” She told with a hint of pride and he slowly nodded.
Upon looking after the children, the Blue and the others saw how Dawnwind played a tribal chant via rain in small crystal bowls, gathered earlier. It worked simply: Through a spell on her staff, the rain made a sound not unlike a piano bar, with the different sized bowls playing different notes.
It had a relaxing effect on the children, letting out sighs before DD ran in, barking happily to see them and Dinky laughed.
“I like you too, DD. You're a good boy, yes you are, yes you are!” She patted him and Lovec walked in with his two fellow soldiers.
“Ah, there you are, DD. Looks like he’s happy that you are okay.” Lovec smiled at the scene. “Because I found out something interesting. He’s the puppy that we found in Afghanistan. Turns out Snake found him and took him here.”
The kids took a closer look, noticing that DD was wearing an eyepatch over his right, yellow eye, looking very familiar to the puppy.
“You grew fast,” Lilly commented surprised.
“Yeah, I guess it’s because of the breed,” Sergei suggested.
“Possible.” Lovec added, “We would like to stay but we got still some things to do.”
“Okay.” Lily smiled.
As the day passed, the adult ponies helped out on the base, while Dawnwind and Abundo continued on treating the children, seeing around noon how Snake visited a apart of the Medical Platform that was still under construction, also overhearing how Lovec and Chernov talked about that as they helped out on the same platform.
“I heard the boss has been going to that area under construction a lot lately,” Chernov told his friend.
“Yeah, saw him myself.”
“There's something in there...” Chernov suspected bit Lovec shook his head.
“He's... probably just keeping tabs on the building work. I've seen him watching us too. Don't let him catch you slacking off.”
And while having been told about Diamond Dogs and Snake, the children overheard a conversation about Snake’s past.
“Hey, you know why the boss is called Big Boss?” A soldier asked a comrade.
“Tsk. Everybody knows that. There was this unit in World War II called the Cobras, and their commander was a woman called The Boss. They say she was the mother of modern day special forces. Anyways, so she defects to the Soviet Union. America's afraid she'll leak all kinds of military secrets, so... they assign a man to kill her.”
“Yeah, our boss, Big Boss. And once The Boss was dead, he was given the name to signify that he had surpassed her.”
“He carried out a one-man infiltration of the Soviet Union, even though he was injured. He's one tough guy.”
“Yep. But I also heard that The Boss was his mentor, and that they were... involved. And that was why he turned his back on America.”
“He really has been through hell...”
While having been told about it, the kids couldn’t imagine what kind of struggle Snake must have been went through back then to fight his mentor.
“So why'd the boss's old organization get taken out? Just because the U.S. didn't like having a threat like that on its doorstep?” Another conversation greeted their ears.
“You hear all kinds of stories... but from what Commander Miller says, there's more to it than that. They had a feud with this American covert intelligence agency called Cipher. During the Peace Walker incident, the boss built a merc outfit that fought alongside the Sandinistas. An army without a country - by mercs, for mercs - something with no government holding the reins. Cipher wanted their military muscle, but the boss said no.”
“So they moved on the Caribbean base and massacred them. Huh...”
“I hear you...”
Again, none of the children could imagine the pain Snake and Miller had gone through back then.
The next day, Abundo played some music. His instrument was a Chororbis, a gilded sphere with glowing etchings that played music and echoes voices if the right word and note is sung to it when held in the wind. He told them that the religious orders of Pegasi carried them and it was also very relaxing.
Around noon, they all had lunch and Sergei got an idea. “Wanna see the Animal Conservation Platform? We got hired by an environmental NGO to look after animals. They were originally supposed to pick up the animals directly from us, but they are delayed picking them up, so we constructed a separate, unconnected strut to hold the animals until they are ready for transfer. It’s very relaxing to visit.”
Dinky and her friends looked at each other. “Sure, why not.”
And with that, they took the helicopter at it, looking in awe at what they saw. The platform consisted of three prongs connected to a central strut.
Birds, wolfs and bears were in caged areas, the herbivore in form of sheep and donkeys were in open enclosures.
It had the desired effect, as the children started to smile, taking deep breaths and listen to the songs of the birds.
They spent around half an honor before getting back to the main struts, overhearing an interesting conversation of two Mother Base soldiers.
“Hey, can you believe we got the Green Knight on our side and those other speaking ponies?”
“Barely. At first, I was wondering what the Boss was thinking but they are very skilled. Still, I hope those kids can recover.”
“Me too. Coming from a normal life, then getting kidnapped and forced to fight…we’re not exactly the best role models.”
“Yeah. Still, they have no place to go and it's safe here until they can go home.”
The four friends smiled upon hearing how the other staff members cared for them too as they walked back to the medical platform, seeing how some soldiers practicing with their pistols, watched by Ocelot.
One of them, a young man with brown eyes and black hair fired from the hip. “Again,” Ocelot ordered.
The man did as told but after one shot his gun jammed. Ocelot took it and fixed it.
“You see that in the movies? That’s an automatic, don’t bother trying to dampen the recoil. You do that with a revolver. We Diamond Dogs, are now a force to be reckoned with. We’ve got the world’s attention.
We’re not some tribal militia. So don’t act like one. You will learn how a real soldier fights. You will forget everything Hollywood taught you. And if I catch you doing something else…you’ll know it.” He inspected the pistol.
“Engravings… …Give you no tactical advantage whatsoever. That was some pretty shooting. Pretty good.” He gave the pistol back and walked away.
The young man had a confused expression that said, “D-did Ocelot just praise, or scold me?”
Blue had to chuckle at this. “Ocelot sort of reminds me of Tybalt. Despite having been the newest recruit back then, he taught one of the other guys how to use his gun right, just like Ocelot did.”
“Quite ironic, as he used revolvers himself,” Fletcher added.
Time passed Dawnwind and Abundo worked tirelessly on treating the kids, with all seeing how Mother Base got expanded, adding 3 additional struts to every section, connected by long roads. Slowly but constantly, the treatment showed good results.
About two weeks, Dawnwind had good news. “I am happy to say that your treatment is going well. If you want, you can go out.”
“Finally! I’d want to see Fletcher.” Dinky exclaimed in relief.
“We’re having our quarters at the command strut. It’s a long way but I saw Snake exploiting the mailing system a few times, by getting in a cardboard box when on a cargo hold, and having it mail himself instantly to the next cargo hold that he wanted to go to.”
That gave Dinky an idea. “Then what about surprising Fletcher and the others? Me and mother loved it to surprise Daddy that way.” Her friends nodded with smiles.
And so, Dinky climbed into a cardboard box with Lily, the siblings into another, waiting at the cargo hold until the mailing truck arrived.
“Is this all there is to load?” A soldier asked outside. "To the command strut, huh…”
They felt how he loaded the boxes onto the truck and knocked on the back to signal everything was ready and the truck moved.
The Eternal Knights discussed with their friends what to do next. “It isn’t our fight, but whoever this guy was that captured the children could become a threat to Equestria.” Midnight explained.
“Yes, not to mention that we should look for the other three Missing Dark Horse members as well,” Fletcher added before there was a knock on the door and he looked outside to see two cardboard boxes. “Can’t remember I ordered something. You?” He looked at his friends, they all shook their heads.
Suddenly, giggles could be heard inside the boxes. “Oh…” Fletcher smiled and opened them.
“Surprise!” The children shouted and everyone grinned at their funny action. It woke an old memory in Blue. Tungsten, when he was younger, did exactly the same with his father to surprise her sometimes, she was happy every time.
“I am glad to see you are recovering well.” Fletcher gave Dinky a hug.
“Have you seen Lovec? We want to tell him.” Lily asked and Abstraction pointed towards the quarters at the end of the corridor. “Thanks!”
Little did they know he was busy, writing an important letter.
Dear father and mother,
You must be worried sick since I was reported MIA but I want to let you know that I am alive and well. Unfortunately, I can’t say where I am but I am treated well and fair.
Despite this, I will regularly write you. If you want to reply, use the address given in my letter.
Your son,
Lovec
“Hello, Lovec,” Katja said as she, her brother and friends walked in, slightly startling him.
“Ah, it’s you. Glad to see you are doing better.” He said with a smile.
“What are you doing?” Dinky pointed to the letter.
“I was just writing a letter to my parents, that I’m alright.”
“If you don’t mind, how was it with them as parents when growing up?” Lily asked curiously.”
“They raised me well, caring for me just like they did for their soldiers in the Second World War. And thanks to their reputation, I had little trouble with bullies at school. But if there was one, my mother came and thought him a lesson.” He grinned at the memory.
“I can imagine that,” Blau replied with a chuckle and they walked back to the knights and Blue. “So, what do we now?”
“Well, in light of how the other missing Dark Horse members could also be on Earth, we stay here to find them. And to find out more about the man who kidnapped you.” Fletcher explained and the kids looked at each other.
He had a point, they didn’t know what he was capable off and could come back for them, something they didn’t wanted to imagine.
“Can…can we help you?” Lily spoke up, surprising the adults, Dinky and the siblings nodded.
“We know to appreciate your helpfulness but it would be too dangerous, children,” Blue said with concern, but Fletcher waved a hoof.
“There is nothing to worry about. Dinky helped us very well when we landed in that alternative universe and she proved very useful with the siblings in Italy too. They just need the right role and equipment.”
The mare let out a sigh. “Fine. Still, we should discuss this with Miller and I doubt he will agree.”
“Still, it’s worth a try.” “Midnight pointed out.
As expected, Miller was not fond. “No way, that’s too dangerous!”
“But, sir…” Dinky stated.
“Sorry, but the answer is no.”
“With all due respect sir, they could prove useful and they don’t have to be directly in the field. They could monitor the mission are from a safe distance and we guard them.” Lovec suggested.
“That could work. I could make the suiting equipment for this.” Wagensroll offered and Miller sighed.
“Fine. What do you say Ocelot? Boss?”
Both nodded, showing their agreement.
With that and answer, Wagensroll designed some suiting helmets and light-weight body armor for the protection of his young friends.
“They suit perfectly.” Dinky complimented him.
“Glad to hear it. I also made with Fletcher some means of self-defense for you, just in case.” He pointed to a table with some suppressed Micro Uzis, they had blue colored barrels and magazines, with the kids eyeing them with unease. “Don’t worry, they are loaded with rubber bullets. They knock enemies out cold - just like that - no fatality.”
Hearing that they were designed to be non-lethal put the children at ease. “Good idea by you and Uncle Fletcher.” Dinky smiled weakly and she grabbed the SMG with her friends, trying them out on the firing range.
They all took deep breaths and aimed down the sights. The iron sights were replaced with Red Dot sights for easier use and they pulled the triggers, firing a few shots, hitting the targets dead on.
“I also modified the Fulton, apart from being able to extract vehicles and resource containers, you can use it too if you have to get out quickly. And don’t worry about the suppressors, thanks to a spell by Fletcher, they’ll never wear out.”
“Good to know,” Blau commented as Sergei walked up to them.
“The Boss is about to go on a mission, that gives us an opportunity to try it out.” Dinky and her friends nodded and followed him to the next helipad.
“Our weather surveillance indicates turbulence out there. Try not to get knocked out of the sky.” Ocelot warned Snake.
“Got it.”
Fletcher took notice how Miller was looking around with a suspicious expression before he hit the side of the chopper with his crutch and Quiet metalized where he had hit.
“Quiet?” Snake asked surprised.
“Where does she think she’s going?” Miller added and Ocelot figured it out.
“You want to head out with the Boss?”
“That’ll be the da,.” Miller commented sarcastically.
“I don’t see a problem with it, as long as she’s with you.” Ocelot countered and looked at Snake. “She’s a crack shot- a damn fine scout. Well suited for a clandestine op."
“There’s nothing ‘damn fine’ about this…thing!” Miler protested and the black markings appeared around her eyes.
Ocelot drew one of his revolvers, spinning it a few times before offering it to Quiet. “Here.”
“Hey! Miler exclaimed as Ocelot pointed to the blades of the chopper.
“Blades.” Quiet took aim in response.
“Wait a minute! That thing costs a lot of money!” Miller yelled but was held back by Ocelot, who nodded at Quiet.
To everyone’s surprise and fasciation, Quiet fired between the blades without any issues before giving the gun back to Ocelot and her markings vanished.
“She can see each individual blade. And her depth perception…”
“You want in?” Snake asked the woman.
“This is ridiculous! She doesn’t talk! How could you possibly stay in communication?” Miller pointed out to his superior.
After a short moment of silence, Snake replied, “Right.” And without another word, he boarded the chopper, the others did too.
“Wow…how did she did that?” Blau Streifen was lost for words.
“They still look into it, but we should focus on the mission.” Midnight said and the colt nodded before the batpony started the mission briefing, recorded by Miller on a cassette.
“Boss, this contract comes out of Angola. That's right - Central Africa, where Emmerich claimed they were working on "a weapon to surpass Metal Gear." There's been a massive oil spill from Mfinda Oilfield. It's flowing into the river and contaminating the water supply. An Environmental NGO has asked us to stop the spill... by destroying the facility. Environmental activism isn't exactly our line of work, but it's not that simple either. The group operating the oil facility and causing the spill is the rebel group UNITA. And word has it that UNITA is getting supplied with U.S. military weapons. That sounds to me like Cipher's pulling their strings. Boss, it's time to give Cipher a little surprise.”
Then he started an info tape about the enemy forces in the area.
“Apparently there are three major PFs who've expanded in Central Africa: CFA, Rogue Coyote, and Zero Risk Security. HEC's investigations have shown there's almost no overlap between their areas of operation. It's not so much a turf war, more like they have a gentlemens' agreement. If you do cross paths with them, you probably won't have to face more than one at a time. Still, don't expect a walk in the park.
The CFA - Contract Forces of Africa. These guys are a major player. Their head office is in Pretoria, South Africa. That's also where the South African Defence Force is headquartered. We think the two are closely connected. An HEC investigation revealed that most of the CFA's operators are former SADF soldiers. South Africa has been locked in struggles with neighboring regimes for years. That means constant action - and we know better than anyone that's the best kind of training. A company drawing its recruits from hardened military vets. You can bet they know how to handle themselves. Do not underestimate them.
Within the CFA is a company of soldiers made up mainly of locally hired operators. They speak Afrikaans to communicate with personnel from the CFA, but if you notice any speaking the local language, that's them. Though hired from the local population, they were originally part of a paramilitary group, so they'll have plenty of combat experience. And unlike their days shooting junkyard rifles out of beat-up pickup trucks, the CFA now supplies them with the latest gear from the West. On top of that, they've been combat-trained by South African Army. All that adds up to a much stronger fighting force. So don't brush them off.”
With that in mind, they patiently waited until the choppers arrived in the Angola-Zaire border region of Central Africa at late noon as Miller reported in.
“Came from Intel. The target is Angola’s Mfinda Oilfield, upstream from the landing point. A spill has covered the whole area in crude. A pipeline that crosses the Munene River has failed, now the shore’s a mess. Not to mention the villages downstream have no drinking water.” He paused for a moment.
“The oil runs to the pipeline of that facility. Taking it out should end the leak. The client this time is an environmental NGO. Destroy the facility. Stop that leak. This may seem like straight-up-philanthropy, but there’s another reason we agreed to it. The Mfinda Oilfield was outdated, abandoned. Then the rebel group UNITA moved in, taking it upon themselves to kickstart operations. UNITA’s been rapidly modernizing its arsenal. Rumor has it someone’s been seeing them U.S. military hardware. Intel’s analysis suggests the broker’s a front company – Cipher’s. Keeping taps on UNITA could tell us who’s pulling its strings.”
At a glade near a river, Snake’s chopper let him out with DD, Abstraction joined them, as the other chopper let the ponies and children with the Soviet’s out on a cliff overlooking Snake as Miller added, “That’s step one to tracking down Skull Face – and Cipher with him.”
Skull Face, that was the apparent name of the man that had captured the kids, this had been revealed by questing of Emmerich.
Sergei, Chernov and Lovec wore body armor with helmets, armed with suppressed AK-74s and tranquilizer converted Makarov pistols. Lovec took the driver seat of a UAZ that Snake had captured in Afghanistan, Sergei took the passenger seat, Dinky and Lily took the rear seats, while Chernov drove another one with the siblings as passengers towards the outpost that was between the Oilfield.
Blue and Fletcher used their teleportation to get into position, the pegasus and Batponies followed above the clouds, as Miller gave further instruction.
“First make your way to the oil facility. It’s to the north, past Bwala ya Masa. The war industry we started has taken a pretty crooked course these past nine years. With no other options, soldiers have become dogs of war, sent to conflict zones as ‘private forces,’ or PFs. Guys we fought alongside are dying all around the globe for no reason – no banner. But it’s how they survive.”
This filled the Eternal Knights with unease, remembering how James used to be a simple soldier before becoming a mercenary. He had a reason to be one but also how he survived.
“The demands for PFs here in Africa is especially high. Cold War standoffs, resource exploitation, tribal clashes…What’s big business for developed countries has only brought conflict here. That mess you’re standing in…is just the latest example.”
Upon arrival, at Bwala ya Masa, a village made into a supply camp by the CFA, the children went prone and reached for their binoculars, their Soviet friends took defensive positions.
They marked all CFA personal they could spot. Those soldiers wore beige uniforms that possessed two breast pockets, epaulets with a red stripe, shorts, and the PF's logo on their right sleeve, which was a green shield background with a yellow circle in the middle. Within the yellow circle was a dagger with two hunting arrows formed in an x-shape on top of the dagger. Above the dagger/arrows was a rectangle that had a red center and a white left and right edge. Within each of the squares encompassing the logo was one of the initials composing the name of the PF.
Also, many wore green busker caps, and had black boots with beige socks that reached up to the upper calf, some had a waist equipment harness, bandoleer belts or even medals attached to the breast pocket, presumably from their time in the SADF.
But at the other end of the outpost, Dinky saw something that horrified her. “Oh my…”
Four boys, armed with AK rifles, two wore helmets, the other two had balaclavas instead.
“Children?! Child soldiers.” Ocelot commented at the sight. “Children there are abducted and trained to be soldiers. They’re only taught to fight. Then one day they grow up, and teach the next generation the same way. With a gun in his hands, a kid is as dangerous as any adult. Only they don’t know a think about right and wrong.”
This was only too true, as Dinky, Lily, Katja and Blau had experienced themselves, having been a danger to their adult friends too.
“Boss,” Miller called in, “do not hurt any child soldiers. If you do, the mission is over.”
“Can…Can we save them from this kind of life?” Dinky spoke into the radio with pity.
“I understand your worry, but there’s sadly no way,” Blue replied.
“There is a way.” Snake countered as he sneaked past the soldiers, towards the child soldiers who got trained by two other CFA members. “Blue, Fletcher, take aim. Wolf, prepare to neutralize the child soldiers on my command.”
“Copy that.”
“Acknowledged.”
Only after a few seconds ,the targets stood in a straight line and Snake said, “Do it!”
Both Snipers neutralize the soldiers and Wolf used her speed to knock out the child soldiers in a flash.
DD barked and pointed to a building behind Snake. “Enemy coming out!” Neolith warned as he was in a blind spot for the children and snipers, so she neutralized him with a well-aimed, non-lethal crossbow shot from above.
“What’s wrong?” Another CFA mercenary asked as he spotted his fallen asked comrade, also in the blind spot but Abstraction quickly drew his sidearm and fired before any alert could be sounded.
Yet DD barked again and Abstraction had to see how two squads came from both sides towards them. There was no time to hide.
But Midnight reacted quickly, using his blood magic to teleport around and knocked the squads out.
This allowed Snake and his unicorn companion to extract the child soldiers with the Fulton, thanks to Wagensroll’s upgrade and then get on the other side of the outpost, with the former getting into an M151 MUTT parked at the exit, with DD taking the passenger seat and Abstraction got into the rear.
The recon team got back into the UAZ, Blue and Fletcher had little trouble keeping up.
“You’ve made it past the village. Continue heading for the oil facility. It’s located upriver.” Miller informed on the radio as they traveled through the trophic forest area, “Mfinda Oilfield is the property of SANR – South African Natural Recourses. SANR drills oil wells wherever they can throughout that region. And when the oil dries up, they abandon the facility.
Then it’s only a matter of time before the aging equipment starts leaking crude. That means UNITA’s takeover is the perfect cover for SNAR. Now that they can blame the spill on a bunch of ‘Oil thieves.’ However you look at it, SNAR’s far from squeaky clean.”
The group came past a burned down village before arriving at the oilfield and Miller reminded Snake of the objectives. “There it is – the oil facility. To stop the leak, you need to shut down the oil transfer pump and destroy the oily water separator tank.”
“Begin covering fire!” Snake ordered Fletcher and Blue as he climbed up the catwalk, seeing that some guards stood on the upper parts of the catwalks and buildings, thus could easily spot him and Abstraction, with the children calling them or calling them out as the two sneaked towards the tank behind a fenced area.
A CFA soldier was guarding the door, but luckily for Snake and Abstraction, a fellow CFA member brought him into a chat, distracting him, although only he stallion could understand it.
“You getting the hang of the job?” The guard got asked.
“I guess so. You've been in the business long?”
“Yeah, ever since 5 Commando.”
“No way! Back when Zaire was still the Congo?” The guard asked fascinated and surprised.
“Almost 20 years now. I replied to an ad in a South African newspaper, and that was it.”
“In South Africa?”
“Back then I was just interested in a quick paycheck. Never thought I'd still be doing it. Life's funny. The industry's changed a lot now, though.”
“Changed how?”
“It used to be, the nation gathered the mercs together for a specific cause. Nowadays, mercs form their own organizations, sell themselves to the nations and warlords.”
“Thanks to Big Boss?” The guard figured out.
“Yeah. The legendary mercenary - he set these times in motion. Well, I've got to get back.”
“Hey, you mind if we talk some more later on?”
“No problem. Keep your powder dry.”
They didn’t notice how the two intruders planted C4 on the tank and moved toward the middle of the base and up the stairs towards the building.
“There’s the transfer pump control room. The Emergency stop button is probably inside it.” Ocelot suggested and Snake pushed the button.
What happened next terrified everyone. As the oil stopped to flow, bodies came visible under it, completely covered in it, yet the lungs were covered in blisters, like they had become liquid.
“Bodies? Why?” Miller wondered in disbelief at the sight of the mass grave.
“Oh my…” Dinky mumbled in shock as Miller caught himself.
“Oil transfer pump shutdown conformed. Next, destroy the oily water separator tank. That’ll ensure they can never use the facility again.”
Snake pointed at some resource containers at the other gate and Abstraction nodded, following him there before the man activated the C4.
The tank got destroyed in a gigantic explosion, starting every CFA solder in the outpost and Miller warned, “Security’ll be together after that explosion. Get out of there ASAP.”
“He’s right, we see several soldiers and at last 4 Walker Gear coming towards your position!” Lily exclaimed on the radio as the base alert was sounded, with the guards searching the area.
“Got it.” Snake said calmly and climbed on a fuel container, attached a Fulton and held on as the container went up. Abstraction understood and did the same with another resource container, this was had metal loaded.
Seeing that they were out of the hot zone, the others had little trouble to get to the next landing zone and extracted as well.
Still, it filed all ponies with unease. What was they just discovered? How worse was it? How would it affect their stay? None of them could get up with an answer before their radio’s buzzed.
“Patch here. I, together with Miler looked into SANR and thought it could interest you. Patching you through.”
They all listened with interest at what Miller reported to Snake.
“Boss, we took another look into SANR, the owner of the oilfield. They were behind what happened. They hired the PF, not UNITA. They restarted the facility all the while pretending they were the victims. One other thing. SANR's Johannesburg "head office" is just a room in a multi-tenant building. Company's essentially non-existent. Three years ago, that investment fund stepped in and started gutting it through a series of mergers and sell-offs. And, get this... the fund itself no longer exists, either. It's a shell corporation... meaning someone is just using SANR's name from the shadows. But what about those strange corpses? Just what the hell were they doing over there?”