I am very okay with this.  You've kept Dash perfectly in character and set her up for some kick-ass adventures at the same time.  I can't wait to see the rest!

Looks good so far... of course you haven't gotten to the [DARK] parts yet. Dun dun DUN.

This is really good. A gem that needs a lot more views than it has now. Great work.

RAID. Hmm. Reaction...Air...Intervention...Division? Response...After...Incident...Directory? Revolution...Assistance...and...Intelligence...Department? Why don't I just read the story to find out?

EDIT: Recon, Assault, Interdiction, Demolition. Damn, I wasn't even close. Good start. A shame it doesn't have more views.

Love it so far can't wait to see how it goes

This looks interesting... Proceed good sir.

Feel genuinely sorry for Dashie, but she seems to enjoy physical challenges and the ... do they qualify as an elite military branch? looks like it's gonna provide plenty of those. Also get the impression she's might stay with it, being the element of loyalty and all. Tracking.

Big thanks to Pilate for pre-reading. Awesome dude with an awesome group to his name. Check it out!

Looks good. Will read later.

'Individual Augmentee'. Well, that's not ominous at all!

I am so glad to see this update.  I had to put everything else down for this.  And it was glorious.

*Blinks in surprise* Did... did I see what I thought I saw in that chapter?

Ah well, individual Augmentee? Apparently they think she's best on her own or'd get her squad killed... Alternatively, they might have reached the conclusion that she's good enough to get missions done without a squad.

Statement that her flying precision was improved implies they had an area with which to keep a pegasus wings... adequite. Knowing Dashie, her pride in personal ability would have her train to improve herself whenever possible, likely increasing her already considerable speed in general, thus making it impossible for other members to keep up with her.

Or just a messenger.

I'm liking this story very much.

EDIT; Failed to read and understand Betas roles. Seems... unusual for a pegasus like her. Given talents and personality, not suited for a support role and already stated several times to be excelent with a spear. Highly suspicious of intent for her.

Communication, good with spear, insanely fast... Require more data. What I can assume from the available information however, is possibly something of the above (Keep an open mind, consider every angle, am very rarely surprised) or given individual positioning may be sent on missions with a squad, but given hyper speed can report back to HQ pretty much immediately and can carry heavier loads (Still doesn't seem right, doesn't match her full potential or personality. Don't have enough data, slightly confused.). May have also gone off on a tangent. If so, I appologise.

Another excellent update.  Keep up the good work.

Very nice chapter.

Huh. Need more info on Dash's assignment!

Also, in the first chapter I think your dates are slightly off. May the 15th seems to come before May the 13th in your dating thing.

Nevermind, it seems that ordering was intended.

Huh uh that's one major hangover dash is gonna  have

I already gave you many of my thoughts in regards to the narrative as it goes from here, so I will spare you another diatribe. Keep up the good work!

>>15961661596166

HOW are you so quick to comment on everything? You're a frickin' ninja with these updates.

>>15961891596189

I may or may not have a problem.

Now this was an awesome chapter

Can't wait for the next

Would be nice to address where RAID where when the Mane Six could have used some back-up - changelings, Nightmare Night, Discord. And that Dash has essentially already been protecting the realm from enemies in her capacity as an Element of Harmony.

This is excellent.  Why is there not more of it.

This is a great story.

It boggles my mind that this gets so few views. It's a bit slow but it's still better written than fics that get around ten times the attention.

>>17977291797729

Thanks for the compliment! Nothing spreads a fic like word of mouth, though (well, except maybe getting on EqD). Tell people you know!

Great chapter!  I'm with Arzoo on this.  Maybe the word count intimidates people.  Nevertheless, I'll endeavor to spread this story.

I agree with those two

This is a great Fic and it NEEDS more readers, likes and Favs

Exceedingly well done.

I hope you don't mind if I suggest this to Seattle's Angels (that one group that recommends under-appreciated fics); I think that qualifies as word of mouth, right?

>>17979671797967>>17993511799351>>17995781799578

I truly appreciate the compliments. They really do mean a lot. As for suggesting to groups/people, as long as it isn't TWE (or whatever splinter groups of them remain), I'm all for it! Thanks!

>>17993511799351

I deleted your comment only because it contains leaked content. I don't want to have that kind of thing on the comments page here. Nothing personal, just don't like promoting leaks.

It's a full episode!!

Should I send it in a PM?

>>17998451799845

Nah. I'll just watch it on Saturday

>>17998081799808

This is Seattle's Angels

Wanderer D posts their weekly review in a blog.

This is an awesome fic. A really awesome fic.

Ok I'm convinced now that compared to this, being in the Wonderbolts is  just a retirement for these guys not a main goal.

Wonderbolts should be more of a mid career lull (something more like the blue angels) but then again, that might require admitting to raid's existence.

Anyhow, as far as the shipping is concerned, subtly removing resources from one nation to another that's already not on good terms is not a good sign, excess hidden baggage would only be more fuel for the wild fire, it's almost an inconsequential addition at this point. Needless to say, this next opp looks like it's going to tartaurus and RD won't be able to prevent it. War's a comen' (but maybe it will be a behind the scenes fight...

Man, this story keeps getting better and better.  I'm loving this.

This made my evening at least 21% better.  

Why did I put off reading this

It's. SO.AWESOME

Now how has this managed to slip under my radar? And other people's as well, apparently - where are all the likes? I'm really loving the premise so far, your characterization is great (in my opinion, anyway - I suppose everyone has their own views on that sorta thing) and its super well written. The only thing I'm wondering about (and it could be addressed later, I'm not sure) is why Dash didn't think of her friends, even fleetingly, before making her decision. Obviously she wants to stick it out to become a Wonderbolt, but presumably a five year career with a super secret defense program would keep her away from her friends for that duration - something that would likely give her pause. Again, I don't know if you've mentioned it already in a later chapter, or if she gets leave to visit family/friends after signing on to RAID, it was just a random thought.

Anywho, this is awesome, and you can count me as a fan

I really liked this chapter. Dash as a back up force for any team seems like the perfect place for her, seeing how quick she is and how much she likes her autonomy. I also really liked that you included her training in the story - it makes her enhanced abilities seem more realistic. Its also nice to see that the regimented schedule hasn't snuffed out her independent streak, either. So yeah, still loving this, keep up the awesome work

Aw, crap. I was wondering when Dash would have to kill someone. I like how you have her reevaluating her choice to push to become one of the Wonderbolts even if it means changing who she thought she would be, and the whole thing about her not being able to face Gilda was a nice touch. I dunno where you're going to go with this, but I'm really interested to find out.

As to spreading the word, I listed this story on my user page in the awesome stories section - not that I get a lot of traffic, mind you (like pretty much none) but its the thought that counts, I guess

Anywho, still loving this

This is all of my favourite things!

Looks like I've got some reading to do.

>>20975292097529

Loved it!

Seeing Dash be awesome is just what I was hoping for out of her first mission.

I'm sure she'll learn humility at some point, but for now she can keep being the best as far as I'm concerned!

Oh jeez.

Poor Dash...

Another great chapter.

I have a feeling that the fight is not going to be as easy to control as Dash hopes.

“Tropical storm,” Dash corrected.

Suddenly memories of geography classes surface.

I felt like I was back on that tanker in Metal Gear Solid 2 what with all the sneaking (that was supposed to happen.)  Now that I think about it, the whole chapter kinda follows that first sequence a bit.

>>20986312098631

I've never actually played the MGS series, so any resemblance is coincidental.

>>20986642098664

I've only played the one game out of the whole series (lots of head-scratching and lots of cutscene [but hey, it's a Japanese game])

The intro of the game takes place on a tanker who's cargo is the subject of Snake's investigation (a big super-weapon, mech called...wait for it...Metal Gear).  At the end of the intro chapter, there's a fight between Marines and one of the antagonists that ends with the antagonist in the mech and blowing the ship to bits.  Much more sneaking business than in this chapter, but the setting is pretty similar (raining, at night, hostile ship etc.)

Vacation in Ponyville time?

I'd love to see the mane 6 react to beat-up soldier Dash. I guess that's not very likely to happen though. For a number of reasons.

In any case, this was an awesome chapter. I still can't believe I had never read this before.

Keep up the good work!

Sema Four - Signals Intelligence Technician

I see what you did there.

Another great chapter! A shit storm is clearly on the horizon, what with all the sneaky shenanigans the Griffons are getting into. I don't know if I'm supposed to, but I'm reading the Griffons with a Russian accent, and I'm not sure if that makes their interactions more intense or humorous. Maybe a bit of both. Anywho, still loving this

Why does this story not have more likes?

Tropical storms, hurricanes, typhoons and uh....  Are all the same thing except they happen in differnet places.

Tropical storm occur in tropical regions (obviously)

Hurricanes and typhoons occur in places like America and The UK

Does that mean Equestria is in a tropical region?

>>20993722099372

Don't discount that possibility just yet.

>>21007512100751

If that's what you're doing, then I've done my job.

>>21016482101648

It was a tropical storm and not a hurricane because I thought having them fly through a goddamn full-force hurricane was pushing believability to the breaking point. Is it odd that I'm worried about believability while writing about magical colored ponies?

>>21010972101097

Image: http://images.sneakhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/aliens-meme.jpeg

Didn't you read what I said?

Hurricanes, Tropical storms and typhoons ARE THE SAME THING!! The only thing different about them is that they happen in different places and their names. That means a Hurricane is as strong as a Tropical storm

>>21017842101784

There is a difference, and it's in the wind speed. Tropical storms are weaker.

Huh my Geography teacher needs to get better at his job then

I'm imagine Canterlot being attacked by Griffons, the Elements of harmony (excluding Dash) Celestia, Luna and about Ten guards are holding off a platoon of Griffons waiting for reinforcements to arrive (Dash and her squad) after and during the battle Dash's friends see what she's been up to for the past few years

Also this song came to my mind for some reason

Splendid.  Loved the action, you got it down perfectly.  Dash's internal monologue was a nice touch as well.

How in the Hell does this fic not have more likes/favs?!?! You, sir, are amazing. I can't wait for the next chapter!

btw, does anyone else think of Prince Whateverer's song 'Taking Flight'?

Hmm... I find myself left with a very serious problem. I can't decide whether I love this or not.

My issue is the initial premise, that a highly-trained, and secretive, military unit would recruit... in secret... from the Wonderbolts. Ever since I read the synopsis, I can;t stop asking: What if Dash had said no?

Okay, I can't use Dash for this, she's much to loyal, but imagine if it was someone with a much weaker sense of loyalty. Imagine if it was, hmm, how about Lightning Dust? Lightning Dust spends three weeks being pushed to her absolute physical and mental limits, getting the crap kicked out of her., smoked half to death. At the end, she finally meets the standard, survives the cut... only to be denied her dream, her goal, because she can't bring herself to kill. Now what? Think about this: you have this angry, jaded, bitter pony, who has a massive grudge against the Equestrian government, and oh by the way, she now knows your most valuable and closely guarded state secret! What's to stop her from going to a foreign government and selling you out? Or much simpler, bringing a couple of news crews to that enchanted wall. She pushes on the little rock, the voice say, "Access Denied." Wait, access to what? And now, you're screwed.

Now, you have a few options:

A) Memory-erasing spell

B) Threaten her/her family, then monitor her for the rest of her life

C) Imprison her

D) Kill her

NONE of these options would work for an altruistic organization that you have created here.But even if you argue they do, it still brings up the point that this is insanely complicated and way too much trouble.

Look, I'm not saying this unit shouldn't exist. You've shown a world where it is needed. I'm saying that there is no sane government on the planet who would recruit like this, not if they wanted to remain a full secret. Yes, organizations like this do exist, but the recruit from inside military organizations, and we know about them! We may not know a lot about what they actually do, but we know the Navy SEALs, Army Delta Force, and Marine Force Recon exist. And yes, I am aware that SF does recruit civilians. They come through me all the time, 18X, Special Forces Candidates. They go through BCT, the go straight to SFAS. But, they are fully aware of what they are signing up for, and they know what SF is.

Again, I'm not saying that this is a bad fic, it's not, it's amazing! The action is great, and I thirst for more, but I just can't get past the fact that the initial premise is glaringly, obviously, ludicrously flawed, to the point where any suspension of disbelief is dead on arrival. Recruiting from a civilian population in secret is beyond silly, beyond stupid, beyond retarded! it's dangerous. One jaded dropout and the whistle is blown. And you can't argue that they pre-screen the applicants, because I can tell you from experience, you never know until you put someone in the situation. I have seen big, tough football-player types, rock-solid tough guys, Alpha Male guys reduced to tears and blubbering cries when I try to make them repel down a forty-foot tower. It is way too big a gamble.

This chapter, and whole story, keeps giving me flashbacks to Call of Duty 4: Modren Warfare.

twenty-seven thousand kilometers

It can see us right now as we're planning this operation!

Woohoo! More RAID!

Very nice chapter.

The missions are always awesome, apparently even when nothing goes wrong.

Hell, there wasn't even an explosion, and as far as I know no one died, yet you still managed to make it tense and exciting.

Bravo!

Me gusta mucho.

The op was very well done, I was on the edge of my seat the whole time.  

(some very fitting music!)

I like the story itself but I'm left wondering what in the world is Rainbow Dash's cover story?  She goes to qualifying for the Wonderbolts and all of Ponyville knows it.  What could she tell the rest of the Mane 6 that would make them be okay with not having a clue about what RD does for the next 5 years?   RAID secret, so she can't outright tell them.  And its kinda obvious if you don't fly in a Wonderbolts show.

Let alone what would happen when RD goes on leave back to Ponyville and has to lie to their faces.  Again, enjoying the story but I'm just not seeing how this works out for the rest of the Elements.

More fitting music

(theirs a pattern with these songs, guess what it is)

I'm enjoying this. I like the character growth, I like the military jargon flying around. I find the organization of RAID and its secrecy (complete with elaborate underground base!) a little silly, but that's okay too. I think the characterization of Dash works, but I'm not entirely sure about Gilda. She seems a little bland. It might be because there's actually a surprisingly small amount of interaction with her. I'd also thought that she'd have stronger opinions about the possible war with the Griffons (and in general, really), but it doesn't detract too far. I would have pegged her more an active, gamma-division type rather than a handler, myself.

Anyways, thumbs up. I would like to see more.