//------------------------------// // Chapter Eight: Operation: BugSpray // Story: Fallout: Equestria - Our Finest Hour // by MintCakeWrites //------------------------------// “And I rose up with death, and gazed below” “Your go.” “Erm, I spy with my pony eye... something beginning with... s.” “Sky.” “Yeah, your turn.” “I spy with my pony eye, something beginning with c.” “Clouds?” “Yep.” “I spy with my pony eye, something beginning with b.” “Birds.” “Bingo.” “I spy with my pony eye, something beginning with...” “Is there any chance it won't begin with b, c or s?” “... No.” “Then shut up.” An icy wind filled the following silence, chilling us to the bone. Gadget, Snow, Hefty and myself were laying on the upper most deck of the ThunderHead, trying to find a way to pass the time. We had played several games of 'I Spy', '20 Questions' and 'How many times can we shout at a passing pegasus before they get pissed off' in the numerous hours we had spent on board the flying fortress, counting the minutes until we arrived at Baltimare. The city was out last stop before we advanced into Changeling territory, and we were already behind schedule. “That's it, I’m going for a walk,” I stood up, my joints sore and creaking after lying still on the cold deck of the Glorious Dawn, “Anypony going to join me?” My question was interrupted by a bottle cap landing on my head. Gadget began to take aim with another, a row of five empty Sparkle Colas surrounding his body. His horn glowed as he lazily tossed another, the cap landing on my nose resulting in a bored smile and polite applause from Hefty and Snow. I sent the green pony a glare, making him hesitate as he picked up another. A shrug followed, and third came sailing my way, hanging on the beret's badge. “You're really really bored, aren't you?” I commented, rolling my eye for added effect. “Ah'm havin' t'time of my fuckin' life here,” he replied, standing up, “Ah just wish these pegasi trusted us enough to take one of their flying tank things apart.” “Can we come up with a better name than 'flying tank things'?” Snow piped in, standing up alongside Hefty, “I know you're the engineers here, but come on. Don't they have a code name?” I glanced over at my squad mates, and we all shrugged in unison, “Luna knows what they call them.” “She probably does,” Gadget mused, kicking his hoof against the steel plating that served as ground. We trotted around the upper deck, our boredom sinking in further as our hooves clacked against the cold metal. Wind threatened to tear us off the little hold we had on the plating, forcing Hefty and Gadget to employ gravity spells to our hooves. The idea was to make our hooves heavier, and so harder for us to fall off. The downside was if we did fall off, it would be a much quicker trip. “They've never bothered to tell us what they're called, guess it's above dumb earth ponies,” I muttered, beginning to understand the animosity some ponies held towards the flying ponies. “Well, why don't we come up with a name? You've all flown in one before, what's it like?” Snow pressed, waiting for Gadget and Hefty to open one of the doors back into the cloudship. “Like a flying chariot,” I replied, “But 'Flying Chariot' is a bit shit, even for them.” “Sky Chariot then?” Snow suggested. “Yer not gonna drop this 'til we agree on one, are ye?” Gadget inquired, answered with a shake of a head, “Fine, they're called Sky Chariots.” Snow beamed as his idea was accepted, shining happily as we made our way past several rushing pegasi. Soon, the halls were filled with many of the winged ponies, all with a panicked look on their face as they rushed to the main deck. I glanced over at Hefty who was pulling a perplexed expression similar to my own. “You think we're at Baltimare already?” I suggested, only for Hefty to shake his head and point out a window. We were flying over boundless fields and greenery, Canterlot's mountains barely visible in the far distance, yet no sign of pony civilisation was visible. Gadget's horn lit up as he held the tail of a passing pegasi mare. “'Cuse me ma'am, what's t'rush?” he inquired, “Where's everypony going?” “The main deck,” she whimpered, fear in her eyes as we trotted up, desperately tugging at her magically held tail, “There's a fight breaking out and we've been asked to prevent it from getting out of hoof.... can, can I go now?” Gadget released her sending her flat on her face. She flapped up and away, running from our gang of strange earth bound ponies. Snow motioned to follow her, and we all set off at a canter through the metal hallways, following the steadily growing crowd. We reached the main deck, finding that a space had been cleared where a pegasus walked slowly around another pony. The gathering were muttering to one another, drowning out the supposed fight that was going on. A few pegasi flew in, obscuring my view of the events. It was pretty tough being one of the smaller ponies in the room, “Gadge, what's going on? I can't see a thing.” I glanced over at my friend who was wearing a mischevious grin, “You know, I really want to see you use that hoof in combat Riv.” My face dropped a little, “You can fuck right off if you're thinking what I think you are.” His horn began to glow and magic wrapped my hooves as I continued my protests, turning to Hefty to find him lighting his horn up as well. I looked at my final escape, only to find Snowfall getting ready to ram me, wearing a cheeky smile. As his head connected to my hind quarters, Hefty and Gadget flung me into the air, bowling me through the crowd of pegasi. “Fuck you!” I wailed, sailing through the air. After all events, I found that I still possessed a terrible fear of flying without a chariot or pegasus to guide me. After several feathers and a close call with a horn or two, I landed heavily in the clearing, “You're all pricks!” “Yer welcome!” came Gadget's cheerful reply, clear through the silence. I stood up, brushing myself off before I was painfully aware of all the eyes on me. I swallowed a little, giving a nervous grin before turning around. “Private Bolt, how nice of you to... drop in,” a silky voice greeted, the dark blue coat of the unicorn instantly recognisable even without the seductively worn mane and ranked jacket, “I trust you are keeping well?” “Y-yes ma'am,” I stuttered, frightened beyond belief of Colonel Midnight's posture. The last time I had seen the mare so relaxed, she had broken every limb of a cocky trainee after he asked her on a date, “I'm sorry for interrupting, please excuse me.” I tried to stand up, only for the Colonel's blue magic to drag me to her, “Nonsense Private, you're more than welcome here. I was just discussing with Miss... no, Commander Rainbow Dash about our plan of action once we arrive at the changeling borders. Could you repeat your plan, Commander?” The cyan pegasus ignored the thick sarcasm in the unicorn's voice, leaving the air tense and awkward, “We will fly into the enemy's territory and kill them, isn't that how soldiers work Colonel? Or were you too busy skulking around in the shadows to realise that ponies in the military actually fight in a war?” “Oh yes, we'll just waltz in with no intel, throw ponies at them until we run out and then gallop as fast as we can back to Canterlot for wine and nibbles,” Midnight retorted, “And that's how we win wars!” I gulped as the tension intensified, “Erm, ma'am, may I please be ex-” “What's your opinion on this Rivet? As a soldier, what would your plan of action be?” Midnight inquired, putting me at the centre of attention. The entire room's eyes fell on me, and I begged with all my might that I could hide myself away from all those stares. Public speaking had never been my forte. I blushed madly trying to figure out the best strategy in the shortest amount of time. The gears in my head were rusty, it had been a long time since I had to think under this level of pressure and I was out of practice. I stood still for a few minutes, trying to find the best way to put the words to not offend my superiors. “OK... the best action is to send in some small squads of disguised ponies to establish a safe zone within the enemy territory. After setting a base of operations, we can then begin the blitz campaign,” I suggested, trying to stand as proud as I could in front of a crowd of expectant ponies. “Disguised? Disguised how?” Rainbow inquired, poking for fault in my plan. “As other ponies not on board this ship. If they're killed and changelings return in their place, we'll know if they are who they say they are if they take off their disguise,” I replied, feeling more confident as a coherent and foolproof plan began to form, “That along with a single code word between one other pony on board will confirm it for sure.” Rainbow started, before closing her mouth and looking a little ashamed. I felt a pang of guilt at my actions, I had only intended to suggest an idea but ended up humiliating one of Equestria's greatest heroes in a mission she announced and was funding. I glanced at the dark blue unicorn, only to find the Colonel smiling smugly at the scene, revelling every second the pegasus was suffering through. “There we have it, one of the most intelligent ponies I know has suggested a plan and I approve,” Midnight gloated, her pride at my decision telling me she suggested something similar, “What do you think?” Rainbow stood still for a moment, thinking hard as if she needed a way to prove herself top pony, “Alright, but I want him in that first wave. If he has such confidence in taking things slow, he can put his neck on the line. Besides, I want to see if he's all the others make him out to be.” The Ministry Mare trotted over to me, keeping a piercing gaze on my shrinking form, “You're important to my friends, which makes you important to me. Don't die out there kid.” I saluted, much to Midnight's disgust and began to turn around back into the crowd. A hoof on my back stopped me, and I turned to see Rainbow looking at me once more. I gave the pegasus a friendly smile until she drove another hoof into my jaw. Dazed and confused, I staggered before landing on the steel floor. The pegasus leaned in close, whispering menacingly, “That's for making Fluttershy cry you bastard, you stay the fuck away from her. She has enough shit on her plate already without you trying to talk to her.” Her words made my stomach drop miles. I never meant for her to cry, I had no idea she would! But I was still responsible for bringing tears to those beautiful eyes, the cause of her sorrows. I could only hope that she would forget me over time, though it seemed unlikely at how quick her reaction was when I revealed my eye. 'But why did she cry at the sight of me? What did I do wrong?' I stood back up, Midnight waiting for me as the crowd dissipated. Gadget, Hefty and Snowfall all approached me, all glancing at Rainbow Dash as she left the room. Midnight gave me a pat on the back as I got back onto four hooves, waiting for the pounding dizziness of my head to leave as well. “Well done Private, that'll show those pegasi bastards who's best,” she cheerfully announced, “We'll make a fine officer of you yet Bolt.” “T-thank you ma'am,” I struggled to reply, trying to tough out a concussion. For a small mare, Rainbow packed one hard kick, “Did you really mean what you said?” “Hmm?” “You said I’m one of the most intelligent ponies you know,” I noted, fishing for compliments to patch up what was left of my pride. “Of course you are, you're the third earth pony to ever make it into the Engineers. That's an accolade in itself,” Midnight began to leave the deck, trailing us behind her, “Not the modest kind then?” I blushed a bit, “Not really, I guess it came from growing up as the most intelligent in the village.” “Heh, an earth pony with the pride rivalling that of a pegasus and a unicorn, you're an-” “Odd pony,” I finished for her, smirking a little, “I get that a lot ma'am.” “I'm sure,” the Colonel turned and faced Snowfall, her head cocked to one side, “And why are you here? You're not military, not any more.” “Ministry of Morale business, ma'am,” Snowfall replied, falling into an attentive stance. “Oh? What business does the Ministry have all the way out here?” “Can't say, ma'am. National security,” Snow's response puzzled Midnight, who I assumed was used to be given all information at the drop of a hat. “I'm sorry, your superior just asked you a question, what is your business here?” the mare asked again, moving aggressively into the pony's face. Snow looked back coolly, pronouncing each word clearly and powerfully, “National security.” The stallion turned around and promptly left, leaving my squad and the Colonel in the hallway, stunned at his actions. Snowfall had always been reserved, keeping himself and avoiding any vocal confrontation if he could help it. Out of the small group of friends back at training, he was always quiet one, listening to all our idle chatter and simply nodding along. 'What has happened to him?' Gadget nudged me, and pointed his head, gesturing we should take our leave as well. He and Hefty saluted the Colonel, and trotted their way down the hall, I following suit before the mare called out to me. “Private, may I have a word?” I turned around, her tone revealing her purposes. Bracing myself for the next weight upon my soul, I stood to attention, “Yes ma'am?” “You're in good relations with the Ministry of Morale correct?” - I nodded - “And that stallion is one of your friends? Good, you can do something for me.” “Yes ma'am.” “I want you to find out why the hell that Ministry and his troop are on this ship. This is a joint operation between the Equestrian Military and the Ministry of Awesome, and, as much as it kills me to say it, that pegasus bitch should be the only Ministry mare to have any hoof in it,” the Colonel's words shocked me quite deep. Her hatred of pegasi was legendary, she refused to even acknowledge lower ranked members of the air force if she could help it, but she held the Ministry Mares in the highest regard, having lived through several events where they, as the Bearers, had saved Equestria. “Ma'am, I understand that this is troubling you, but I can't go behind my friend's back! It's not right!” I protested, desperate to find a way out of this predicament, “I'm sure Snow and Pinkie have valid reasons for being on board. It's not my place to question them.” “Hmph, I thought you were a better pony than that Bolt. Fine, I respect your decision, disappointed though. I get the feeling you'll turn around though, just have a good think about it,” Midnight closed the distance and looked straight into my soul, “Don't you think it's odd that a measly one thousand ponies are being sent to conquer an entire country?” With a smile, a snort and a flick of her tail, the Colonel made her way down the hall. Her words had a profound effect on me, I had wondered about the size of the force we were sending but with our prowess in battle and technology it hadn't bothered me. We had kept the zebra at bay for thirteen years now, and we were brand new to the game of war compared to their extensive knowledge of the art. I made my way along the hallway, heading towards my quarters and hoping I could avoid Snow for a while. I needed to clear my head before asking him any questions into the politics and actions of his unit and current employers. 'And the best way for that is a hell of a drink,' I glumly thought to myself, the need for alcohol buzzing in my skull like a persistent bee. Not a single drop of alcohol was allowed on board after a particular event involving a drunken unicorn and a rather stupid bet. The story we got; they had to bury him in a pot with what little was left. Disgruntled, I trotted down the metal walkway, descending a flight of stairs, and became slowly more aware of how other ponies were looking at me. Unicorns and earth ponies gave me a glance, hiding it when I noticed and staring when they thought I hadn't. The gaze wasn't aggressive or apathetic, just filled with curiosity and interest. The pegasi stares were a different matter though. Filled with contempt and distance, it was engineer training all over again. I didn't belong in the clouds, I didn't belong on this ship. Not a single crew member wanted me here. I pushed the gnawing numbness of fear out of my head, committing myself to the idea of messing with my rifle for a while before heading off on the mission. I increased my pace as I entered the barrack area of the cloudship, avoiding the pegasi quarters as best I could. I ducked under a passing Spritebot, the crispness of the march trying to liven up the mood of the transport. The speaker gave an all too familiar burst of static, and it wandered in my direction, “Hey there mister frownypants, what's got you so sad?” “Ah, hello there Miss Pinkie.” 'Oh for the love of Luna, I don't need this right now,' my skull whined, searching for a reason to escape this conversation. “Is it what Rainbow said? She's such a naughty filly, but she doesn't mean bad by it,” the speaker happily announced, several ponies poking their heads around doors to see the source of the noise, “Ohohohohoh! We should go somewhere else, else everypony will be able to hear us!” The bot began to float carefree away from the barracks, away from my one safe place on board this craft. Reluctantly, I followed. A show of respect mainly, she did save my life after all, but also because of Pinkie's nature. She was adored and feared across the nation, the pink pony was never far from our thoughts and even closer with her eyes and ears in every city, town and road. When she needed to say something, everypony listened. We eventually came to an unused section of the ship, broken chariots covered in dust sheets were dimly lit by minimal power from the lights, basking the room in a strange orange glow, “Okie dokie lokie, here will do!” The Spritebot span around to face me as I sat on the dusty floor, waiting expectantly, “Now, what's got you so frowny?” “Heh, just what Commander Dash said... could I ask a favour ma'am?” the bot giggled loudly, “Oh silly, just call me Pinkie Pie! And don't mind Dashie, she's just upset because Fluttershy was really really sad the other day.” “Ah.. that might have been my fault ma-... Pinkie. I think I scared her when we met at-” “She's always scared silly! No, this was a different kind of sad... I haven't seen her like that for ages,” Pinkie's voice seemed distant, as if she were staring off into space, “Anyway, I heard what you and that meanie pants Midnight were talking about.” 'Oh fuck.' “Don't you worry your silly little head about it, auntie Pinkie Pie will make sure everything will be OK! It'll all end in sunshine and rainbows.” “But why are you here? Why is Snow here?” I felt a little relived, able to ask the questions directly to the mare. It was a weight off my shoulders, the spy role suited somepony else. “Snow? He's here for a super secret thing! And he can't tell anypony about it unless I say so.” My joy was short lived, giving no option other than to go on a whim, “Could you tell me?” “Aw sorry, this has to be top secret even from you! But I think you'll work it out eventually though,” the bot chimed happily, before moving past me. “But you could let him tell me! Please, this whole campaign rubs me the wrong way!” I tried desperately, “It honestly scares me.” “If something's scaring you, just laugh it all away silly!” Pinkie let out a joyous giggle, bringing an unwanted smile to my face, “But don't be a nosey pants Rivet. If I catch you doing anything you shouldn't, it could be really really bad and make lots of ponies unhappy. And I don't want any more ponies to be sad. Everypony is sad these days.” With that, the floating metal sphere tuned back into the march and wandered to find another pony to annoy. I sat for a while, trying to draw up a conclusion from all the information I had. 'The Ministry of Morale need to be on board to supervise or to enforce something. The Ministry of Awesome must know this, and so Rainbow must be aware of whatever Pinkie has planned, but from Colonel Midnight's request the military are unaware... The Ministry of Awesome are spearheading this operation, which would mean that Rainbow is flank deep in whatever is going on... what in the name of Luna is so damn important about this mission?! 'One thousand ponies sent to destroy a country. The zebra have over a thousand fold that number, and they haven't been able to take us down yet. We're outnumbered, out gunned, and alone in this. And if we succeed, the public aren't going to hear about it anyway. This entire operation is suicide!' The news had unnerved me greatly. Rainbow's insistence of attacking head on without setting any kind of fall back I had previously believed to be due to pegasus pride, but now I wasn't sure. It seemed more likely to be part of an overriding plan the Ministries had concocted together, possibly to test something or find something. In either case, I was glad that I would be one of the first into the changeling homeland. I hoped I would find the answers there. We stood inside the ThunderHead's hanger, all hung up on anticipation and trepidation. I stood amongst several pegasi and a few unicorns, once again being the only earth pony on board the Raptor that was taking us out. Ours had been dubbed Moonbeam, its sisters resting nearby where the other scouting troops were waiting to board. Unicorns walked between us, enchanting our coats and manes to change in shape and style. Two appeared either side of me, giving an evil grin. I let out an exasperated sigh as they changed my coat and mane to varying shades of pink. The colour didn't bother me that much, I was rather fond of it, but I was the only pony who was that colour on board. 'A metal hoof, glowing green eye, dials on the side of my face and now I’m bright pink. Completely inconspicuous,' I grumbled internally, glaring at the giggling unicorns. When I initially suggested the plan, I assumed we would be surveying the area in chariots or small units. But, as I have now drilled into my skull, pegasi had no idea what the word 'subtle' meant. I awkwardly shuffled, trying to find a calm I could hold on to. It's now I realise that up until this point a certain pegasus had always fought by my side. Starshine had been nearby in every firefight I had taken part in and it seemed too much of coincidence that I felt strangely at ease when it came to killing another creature, aside from the first two. My memories had begun to reawaken, but they seemed jumbled. Thunder's abandonment was early on in the battle, and I could recall up to ten minutes before I lost my eye, but only snippets of what happened between those events. The sight of blood, cries of agony, the feeling of unequalled joy as I tore holes through countless zebra. It kept me up the night before, leaving me exhausted and on edge. “Alright fillies, here's the plan. We'll be flying in V formation into the territory, scout out this area here and then find the best location to set up a command post,” a grizzled pegasus flew over head, pulling down a picture of the nation and pointing out a small area on the border. The section chosen featured numerous mountains, and strange spire like structures, increasing in number the further away from the border, “the main force will remain at Baltimare until we secure this section. Questions?” “Yeah, why do we get Mud-pony over here?” one of my pegasi comrades sneered, sending me a hateful glance. “Because Commander Dash wants to see if he can prove his shit. I think it's punishment enough that if this fucks up and he dies, he'll be dragged to hell with the weight of every pony here,” the higher ranked pegasus replied, happy at my discomfort. 'I’ll be sure to drag you down with me,' I kept that reply to myself, not wanting to start an argument with the others. It was one thing to be on a ship with pegasi that hate you, another to be rapidly approaching the ground. I hadn't considered that I was wrong, but at the same time my plan was simply correct. Any pony could see that it made tactical sense to have a fall back point, no matter what the mission was. The pegasi's reluctance in following basic safety procedures just unnerved me further. “Anything else?” “What kind of heat is the Moonbeam packing sir?” “Conventional weapons, three standard anti-air turrets on each Raptor and a few air to ground missiles.” “No Mag-” “Hold it there Airpony, we're not showing our best hoof right now,” the grizzled pegasus landed as the doors to the Raptor opened, two orange lights flaring as the hanger doors began to hiss, “That's our signal, on board now! Move it, move it!” The three patrols began to shift, trotting up into the Raptors and towards waiting chariots inside for when we arrived. Wailing sirens began to shriek as the hanger fully opened, the twin doors opening to a sea of cloud and the tiny city of Baltimare below. The furthest Raptor shuddered into life, rising up and lazily banking out of the hanger. Sunlight glistened along the armoured hull as it broke free of the Glorious Dawn's womb, floating underneath as the second Raptor took flight. As the doors began to shut on our craft, I noticed a Spritebot speed along after the first two cloudships, 'Pinkie's along for the ride too.' Our craft hummed into life, lifting up as I trotted to the main deck. The rest of the party had already settled into bands of pegasi and unicorns, leaving me to tend to my equipment in peace. Sunlight had us all wincing as it pierced through the windows, unicorn magic darkening up the glass to reduce the intensity. We floated alongside the other ships before settling into the flight formation and moving at speed towards the border. After the fifth time of cleaning my rifle, I admitted I was bored. Nopony had even noticed my existence on the ship, stepping around me or over me. I placed the rifle back into the holster and decided to explore the ship, my stomach full of butterflies as turbulence rocked the craft. Making my way along gangways and through metal corridors, I came across another Spritebot. Checking my surroundings, I sneaked up on the robot and pounced on it. Springing the blade from my hoof, I unscrewed the back panel of the bot. Inside, a gemstone powering the machine along with a small panel underneath a code. The blade slid inside easily, eventually freeing a familiar metal plate. I released the bot which drifted obliviously away, and placed the card into the slot on my temple. In place of the eye spin and nausea, I was rewarded with a splitting headache and a squeal in my ear. I bashed my hoof on the source of the offending noise which eventually died down after a few attempts. Panting and with my head still throbbing, I began turning dials trying to tune to the frequency the bot used. After turning numerous dials, and finding only many different marches, I finally came across the frequency the Raptor captains were using. My discovery was sort lived, as the ship's speakers blared into life, “All hooves to the main deck, battle stations ponies!” I raced along the walkways, bumping into several unicorn technicians before reaching the main battle force. We trotted to our gunning positions, several pegasi flying onto the roof of the Raptor as lookouts. I made my way to a minigun emplacement, clicking the weapon's safety off and setting the barrels to spin. Taking the grip into my mouth, I peered down the sights, studying the ponies on board the other two Raptors as we passed tall black mountains. The ship began to slow as the formation held, lazily drifting past the cloud topped peaks. The lead Raptor took us past a few more peaks before a burst of gunfire was heard. The other tail Raptor had opened fire on a single figure, churning the changeling up in a mess of bone and blood. The remains flew past, striking a mountain and spinning to the distant ground. “Hold your fire, only engage if the target is confirmed,” the Captain instructed, his voice booming through the many speakers on board. I squinted as the sun broke through the clouds, trying to shield my right eye. The sun disappeared for a brief second as two more changelings burst from nowhere, meeting the same fate as the first from our guns. The other ponies on board gave a quiet cheer as I felt my ear buzz. “Two confirmed kills for us, I think I’m taking those bits when we get back,” our Captain chuckled on the radio, a reply coming after a short burst of static. “Day's still young. Anyway, Sunbeam's got the best shooters on board. I’ll be taking that golden delight! Oh fuck, three dead ahead!” the tail Raptor opened fire again, squashing the insect like creatures on a wall of lead. A few more repeated instances left the group testy. We were all anticipating something worse than this, and the nature of the creatures didn't add up. It was clear they knew we were within their borders and armed, but they had only sent out groups of three at the most. Many ponies left their stations, sat playing cards in the middle of the deck. I swivelled in my placement, craning my neck to get a better view. After a few minutes of pointless searching, I flicked the safety on and powered the gun down. I stepped back from the minigun disappointed in the lack of action, and caught something in the corner of my eye. Stepping back up, I studied a mountain closely. A rock quivered slightly, before breaking free. A burst of gunfire revealed it to be a changeling curled up, the bloody pulp flying away. But the dead creature wasn't what held my attention. It was the white rock from where it once hid that made my stomach drop. My hoof shaking, I removed my eye patch and opened up the artificial part. I swallowed hard, hoping for the best as I spoke, “Sparkle on.” I nearly cried out in terror as the eye filled with red marks. Uncountable numbers of them filled my sight, the mountains covered in them. I desperately flicked the safety off, the barrels whirring into life as I pressed my hoof to my left ear. “H-hello? Anypony there?” I anticipated the response, but was glad it came, “Huh? The fuck? Moonbeam, are you radioing us?” “No... did you just radio us?” “I'm sorry ma'am, but we have an emergency,” I began to explain, my heart fluttering, “My name is Rivet Bolt, I’m on board the Moonbeam. I need you both to turn on your EFS, you're going to want to see this.” “Bolt? You're the fucker who made us go on this stupid mission in the first place!” Moonbeam's captain yelled, “How in the name of Celestia did you get hold of the radio codes?! More importantly, where did you get a radio?!” The Sunbeam's captain remained silent for a moment, waiting for the tirade to stop, “Private Bolt, can you clarify what an EFS is? We don't carry such a thing.” 'Fuck, of course they don't,' I mentally reprimanded myself, trying to think of something they could use. “We have a basic heat detection system we use to track missiles, will that work?” the mare inquired, giving the order to another pony. “This is ridiculous! If we weren't in the middle of mission I’d have you marked for treason! How dare you give your superiors orders and hack into military technology! Actually forget that! I’m ordering your immediate arres-” our Captain raged, screaming down the headset and forcing me to spin the dials as low as they could go. “Oh sweet Celestia, have mercy on us all,” a horrified voice came, “Wind Dancer, you need to turn your heat detection on, I’m pulling out now.” Sunbeam banked and turned towards the way we came, moving at increasing speed and up towards the cloud cover. Captain Wind Dancer gave a grumble and delivered the order. Every window on board lit up suddenly, displaying the locations of high heat sources. Each mountain came up a deadly yellow, and I felt my legs give out from beneath me. “To the gates of Tartarus and back. We. Are. Fucked,” our captain commented on the speakers, every pony at a station giving a similar reaction. The scent of urine filled the air as a younger stallion let his bladder loose, shaking as a cruel reality sunk in. We were hopelessly outnumbered, surrounded and flank deep into enemy territory. Wind Dancer had summed our situation up quite nicely. “About turn, get us the fuck out of here!” the captain panicked, the ship rolling and moving away from the location, “We'll set up a command post elsewhere!” “Sir wait! What about Starbeam?” a second voice had joined the radio, her voice as panicked.” “They've shut off all communication... we need a flyer, who's fastest on board?” “Fleetfoot, sir. But... she'll never make it!” came the reply, the Raptor rapidly approaching the assumed safety of the clouds. “Then Starbeam will be going solo.” I abandoned my station, racing to the rear of the Raptor. Pushing past several pegasi and unicorns, all oblivious of the near chaos outside, I reached the hanger and slammed the door to open. I pressed myself to the metal plating, digging my hooves in to stop myself from being sucked out by the pressure. My cyber-eye focused on Starbeam, the leading Raptor ignorant to the lack of allies. I span a dial, my vision zooming in. After the brief wave of nausea, I noted to thank Gadget for adding the ability. Even if he did add it while I was asleep. I scanned the area around the cloudship, praying to the Goddesses that the ship would realise the situation and pull out. All at once the mountains shed their black cover, and the ship opened fire in all directions. This time however, the changelings didn't speed away in a bloody mess. As they were cut down, a horrifically beautiful burst of green flame came forth, coating the ship in rolling fire. Pegasi on the roof were burnt to a crisp, crying out in agony. Their screams covered the sound of blaring guns and explosions as more changelings erupted into green fireballs. Several changelings dived at the windows, the glass splintering as the ponies behind cringed in fear. The hanger doors opened, and a cluster of pegasi and Sky Chariots burst forth. The group made some space, fighting off pursuing enemies as the changelings broke into the Raptor. Static blared through my ear, and a ragged voice came through, barely audible over the sound of gunfire and cries of terror and agony. “Help... help m-” The interior of the ship burst into flame, the entire Raptor diving towards the ground as changelings swarmed out of it. The Starbeam gave a horrible shriek as it scraped by the naked mountains, before a deafening explosion came as it struck the ground. I looked at the carcass of the ship, flames licking the metal frame. A single pegasus collapsed from the hanger bay, covered in burns and blood. Her right wing had been all but torn off, gore and bone sticking out from the part. Four changelings set upon her, driving her to the ground. I span the dial, unable to watch a second more. Pulling my eye patch back on and placing my hoof on my ear, I called in to Wind Dancer, watching the escapees fly towards us. “Starbeam's down, we have incoming friendlies but they've got hostiles on their tail!” “Understood, we'll deal with it,” the captain replied, his voice then booming over the speaker system, “All hooves, incoming hostiles to the rear. Shoot without discrimination.” My stomach dropped to the earth below, and I let out a cry as our guns opened fire on the desperate pegasi and unicorns. The ponies were torn up in a matter of seconds, blood and gore raining down on the ranges below us. I stretched out a hoof as a pegasus mare flew towards the hanger, looking into her desperate eyes before she was torn away by an insectoid aggressor to the ground below. Her screams rang out before a burst of flame silenced her, chilling me to the bone. A male pegasus pulling a Sky Chariot reached the hanger, a female unicorn bursting from the door and into my hooves. The mare sobbed and let out a squeak as the Chariot came under heavy fire, the pegasus crying out as his wings were clipped and he fell to the ground, his load dragging him to his doom. I pulled the mare close, shamefully closing the hanger doors as the remaining ponies cried in pain and terror. We sat for a while, her sobs preventing any kind of silence as the battle raged on. I leaned over, attempting to console her only to be pushed away. A second attempt was met with a scream and a hoof to my chest. The wind was driven out of me, enough left for a cry as my back struck a Sky Chariot. Pulling myself to my hooves, I approached her cautiously. “Stay away from me! Murderer! You're no worse than they are!” she screamed as I approached, forcing me back with magic. “I couldn't do anything! I’m just an earth pony!” I yelled back, feeling ashamed for having to use that as an excuse for my actions, “I couldn't have saved him without putting you in danger anyway!” “I'm not talking about just him! You closed the doors! They'll all die out there!” “What else was I supposed to do?! I’m not sacrificing every pony on board for a few outside!” I stood beside my reasoning, “It was the logical, obvious thing to do. Those ponies out there were doomed anyway!” The mare's horn began to glow, her pistol floating out of its holster. I froze in place, keeping my eye on the weapon as it wavered in the air. The gun rotated, the barrel placing itself into the soft underside of her jaw. An audible click as the gun's safety was disengaged. “Then I go with them.” “Now hold on jus-” The shot cut my sentence short, the mare's lifeless body hitting the floor with a dull thud. I ran towards her, skidding in a mess of dark blood and tangled mane. There was nothing I could do other than sat in shock, my hooves washed in her blood. I clenched my teeth at the sight of her dead eyes, respectfully closing them before reaching down and pulling her dogtag free. The sound of hooves on steel echoed around me, and I was joined by another unicorn and pegasus. The winged pony sniffed at the body, moving towards the hanger doors and opening them. The air whipped our manes around as cool damp cloud seeped in. “Throw her out, she can't stay here,” the pegasus yelled over the din. I looked down at the dead pony and over to the unicorn. He seemed worse for wear at seeing a dead member of his race, moving away from the carcass. I beckoned him over, annoyed at his hesitation for being so close to the body, “Get some bandages, we're taking her with us.” “Didn't you hear me? Throw the bitch out!” the pegasus roared as my orders were followed. “No,” I replied coolly, looking up at the gangways for the unicorn to return. “I'm sorry, I thought I told you to get rid of her! That isn't up for discussion!” “I'm going to bury her. It's the least I can do,” I stood between the winged pony and the body, blood seeping past my hooves as the ship levelled out. We stared at each other for a while, the silence breaking before the pony with my bandages returned, aiding me in wrapping her head. The pegasus glared at us, closing the hanger doors and flying away. With the mare's head covered, I placed her body on my back and walked towards the main deck. The male unicorn walked beside me, keeping an eye on the body, “Did you know her?” “No,” I wanted to avoid speaking for a while, feeling my throat tighten and tears well up. “Do you know her family?” “No.” The unicorn stepped in front of me, his eyes questioning, “You have no relation to her at all?” “Yeah,” I replied nonchalantly, trying to push past him. “Then why are you burying her?” he inquired, refusing to move until I gave him an answer. “Because its what ponies should do. The zebra don't throw their dead to one side, and we're better than them, right?” I pushed past him and continued down the gangway, the mare shifting as my hooves struck the steel. “It's pegasi tradition to bury their dead in the air. They use special clouds for it,” the unicorn informed me quietly, shying away. “I'm going to bury her the way she should be then. And if nopony likes that then so be it.” The burial was unceremonious, private and one of the most difficult things I had ever done. As soon as we had returned to the Glorious Dawn, I had asked for permission to take a chariot down to Baltimare and bury the unicorn. I had inquired as to her spouse, only to find that he was on board Starbeam during that mission. I stood respectfully at the grave, a collection of stones marking the mound. Opening a saddlebag, I took the mare's dogtag out and placed it on the ground. It must have been a strange sight, a bright pink male earth pony staring at a grave, but I shook that feeling. Ponies can think what they want to. After a few minutes of silence, I began to speak, thinking that some words would mean more than nothing at all. “Miss Blossom, all I can say is that I’m sorry for not being able to do more. Maybe if I had more time, I could have saved them, I could have saved you. But I guess that's useless now. You're with the many ponies we've lost now, I just hope you can find solace there,” I gave a sigh, feeling my heavy heart boom slowly, “I'm going to take your tag with me, to remind me. I’ll try better next time. Goodbye.” I trotted away, heading back towards the city and a waiting pegasus. The dogtag was back inside my saddlebag, safe and secure. It was just another burden to bear to me. But this one held little weight to all the others. The burdens took a heavy toll on my soul, yet each made me who I was. I was dedicated to living for my mother, exterminating Xander's killers for Sunset and finding peace between zebra and pony kind for Xander. I liked to think that it gave me purpose, a reason to live other than to put Starshine's mind at ease. The pegasus, and the chariot I rode in, was waiting on the outskirts of the city. We had explicit orders to not enter Baltimare until after the campaign, several soldiers disappearing after a peace keeping mission would be too suspicious for the Ministry of Image to cover up. The pegasus had very little to say to me, opting absolute silence rather than attempt any conversation. The fact that he opted to carry me down to the ground was amazing in itself, until I noticed that he was part of Thunder's squadron. The black pegasus had made no attempt to contact me after my reaction towards him. I assumed he had given up trying to keep in touch at all until this pegasus volunteered to pilot the chariot. It was a pointless gesture, I wanted nothing more to do with the blood drunk pony. I had avoided him at all costs when I was on board the ThunderHead, yet he seemed insistent that we at least acknowledge one another without talking. The flight back was short and uneventful. My arrival on the Glorious Dawn was anything but. As soon as the Raptors returned, I put in for a chariot and so was still unaccounted for. The chariot touched the plating, and I was immediately mobbed by a herd of unicorns. They stripped the spell away, returning my coat to its natural charcoal colour and my mane to the inky blackness. Compared to the wondrous bright voice of pink, I found myself to be rather mundane and uninteresting. Perfect for a pony who's trying to avoid attention. I tried to head back to my quarters, only to be pinned against the floor. I let out a sigh as identification questions rolled off the herd's tongues, answering each one in turn without pause or break. Even the slightest hesitation would have me killed, though the thrill and terror of such a situation had disappeared to bother a keener pony. Eventually, the final question came. My last fall back on changeling identification, and one of the more worrying moments of my life so far. An interrogator leaned in close, keeping her eyes dead on mine, “Who is your code partner?” “Specialist Gadget of the Royal Engineers, second platoon,” I was not looking forward to this. My squad mate was brought into the hanger, much to his annoyance. By the way he trotted over, my guess was that he had finally cracked open the emergency liquor he kept in his rifle's stock. He was a technological genius, modification magician and very bad at hiding his inebriation. “Yer 'right there Rive? Haven't seen ye in a while. Mind tellin' me what these gents want?” he slurred. The familiarity was most welcome, and I felt a tenseness I wasn't aware I was harbouring leave my body. “The code word Gadget, I need you to confirm the code. Else I’m off to visit the floor.” “Code? Oh yeh! Go on then me lad,” the green unicorn tried to stand up straight, only to slump onto a pegasus mare. The pony gave him an evil look, and kicked him awake. “Alright then,” I moved closer to the pony, careful to not let slip my final safety rope, “Spyder.” I moved back, confident and at ease. Gadget however continued to stay close, his ear close to my muzzle, “Yeh, that's the one.” I let out a sigh of relief as the unicorns left my side, the pegasus guards leaving the hanger soon after. I stood with my green squad mate, his ear still pressed to my muzzle, “Gadget? You can take your ear away.” “Not 'til you say 'Gadget is best engineer pony'.” I tried to push past the unicorn, on to find that he had stuck my hooves to the metal plating of the ship. I let out a nervous laugh, “Come on Gadge, this isn't funny.” “Say it,” the drunken stallion whispered, making the situation more tense than it should have been. “F-fine, Gadget is best engineer pony!” I half shouted, making sure he heard every word. My hooves came free from the plating, and I sighed in relief. “Damn right I am,” he slurred before prompting crashing to the floor. I prodded him with a hoof, only to be batted away and answered with a loud snore. Pulling a dust sheet over him, I trotted up to the gangways and out of the cloud ship. The sounds of hoof striking metal crushed the silence of the sleeping vessel. The pegasi slept during the end of the day rather than at night, the cover of darkness providing the perfect conditions for a surprise raid. Reaching my squad's quarters, I sneaked in quietly. Hefty's snores cloaked most of the noise I made, the large unicorn making more noise at night than he did during the day. Slate twitched and muttered in his sleep, tossing and turning. He had been plagued by nightmares for days now, the lack of sleep beginning to show in the bags underneath his eyes. Every morning he would shrug it off, every night he'd stay up as late as he physically could to save him from the terrors. The medical bay had put him on a course of sleeping pills, which had remained unopened in his foot locker. I moved to my bunk, releasing my saddlebags and placing them at the head. Lifting the pillow, I slid a pistol underneath. Always pays off to be a little more cautious at times. My armour came off with ease, my beret and eye patch resting on top of the carapace as I felt my dogtags bounce against my torso. I brought my right hoof up, stroking the scar above my left eye until my mane covered the mark. 'Another permanent reminder...' I mused as I took out the unicorn's tags and placed them along side several other items. Each one was my reminder of all that has passed and all that I had promised. My father's knife, a symbol of his last stand and the pony everypony expected me to become. My brother's letter, his true last words to me and to the world. A picture of Xander and Sunset together, their foal was due soon and it was my duty to assure vengeance and peace for the family, no matter the cost. Blossom's tags, to teach me that the logical thing isn't always the right thing to do. Finally, there was the picture of me and Starshine. I picked it up, feeling emotions bubble within me. She had stayed prominent in my mind at times alone, a source of worry and questions. I wasn't sure how to act towards her any more, any warmth was misinterpreted yet the guilt of being icy was overwhelming. Of all the things I had to decipher in my life, she was the hardest. One thing rang clear and true however, my feelings for her were nothing like her feelings towards me. I turned the picture over, smiling a little at the writing on the back, 'I guess I need a friend during these lonely nights more than I need a lover.' I slipped between the sheets, holding the photo to my torso as if it could fly away at a moment's notice. I lay in the dark for a while, listening to the sounds of the cloud ship and the city below. Before too long, I found my right eye closing and I was drifting into an uneasy, tense sleep. Night had fallen on Equestria. The oblivious country slept on, wary of the striped warriors of far off lands. Uneasy peace had come to the land, and fate let the fleeting respite stay for a little long. Come morning, all hell will unfold.