Chapter 7: Welcome to the Resistance
Scotch Tape awoke slowly, her vision was blurry. As it returned, she noticed that she had a bag on her head.
Someone removed it. A woman with black hair and brown eyes stood in front of here.
“Hello down there. I’m Dana. And you are…Ms. Spy. You and I we’re gonna play a game. You’re gonna tell me what the Norks know about us, and I’m gonna hurt you while you do it.” Her expression a light smile.
The foal gulped. “No, I’m not a spy, this is a misunderstanding!”
Dana held a knife up. “We will see.”
No, no, no! The filly’s heart beat faster as Dana held the knife closer to her throat.
But then, the door opened and an Afro-American man in a brown trench coat walked it. “Dana! I told you to leave her alone, she’s still a child!” He looked very angry and displeased.
“But Baker and Scozzari said…”
“Dana, they’re idiots! Besides, you could traumatize her!” This was nothing compared to what happened in the tunnels back in Equestria.
“And, Walker’s message said he was coming in with her and Brady.” A new voice ringed in the foal’s ears.
A man in a brown jacket along with Brady walked in.
“Well no one told me.” The woman protested.
“Yeah well if I ever could find you when I need you…”
“Meh.” was all Dana said.
“Brady, tell them I’m with you.” Scotch Tape hoped he could free her.
“We already know. You traveled with Walker to Harvey’s crew right?” The man Brady had come with asked, she nodded. “I’m sorry about what happened. But you survived. We could use someone like you. I’m Jack Parrish by the way, this is Sam Burnett, and uh Dana Moore you met, no hard feelings I hope.”
“You’re a lucky girl.” Dana commented,
“It’s okay.” Scotch just said as Brady untied her.
“You ok kid? Looks like some head trauma. Possible concussion. I got some pills you should take. The doc suggested.
“Hey Doc, she don’t need doping up, she needs to keep his focus.” Jack, replied, thinking she was alright.
Sam got a flashlight out of his pocket and shined into Scotch Tape’s eyes to check for dilation. “Head injuries can be unpredictable. You feeling confused kid, disconnected?”
“She’s fine Doc, you know what’s real don’t ya, Scotch?” Jack asked, holding two fingers up, moving them from left to right, up and down, her eyes followed his movement instinctively.
The doc putted the flashlight away. “Looks like she’s been through a lot, last thing she needs is more trouble. Can’t you let her go?”
“It’s not that easy Doc, you heard what happened, she has nowhere to go. Besides, it was her choice to get with Walker here.”
“And she’s seen too much already.” Dana added.
“Yeah, so what do you say Scotch, you gonna stick with us, huh?” Jack asked, kneeling down to her.
“That’s why I’m here.” She replied.
“So, any objections to Brady and her join us?” Jack asked his friends.
Sam raised his hand. “Yea-“ But Parrish cut him off.
“No? Sweet.”
“Well of no one’s gonna listen to me, I’ll be getting back to my work. Good luck kid.” Sam walked out.
“So long Doc.” Jack called out before turning back to Scotch Tape and Brady. “Alright as soon as we get word where they’re holding Walker we gotta find a way to bust him out. Everything depends on him. But first thing’s first, we’re gonna get you trained up and show how we do things around here.”
“I’m heading out, got that transceiver to take care of.” Dana walked out too.
“See ya! Walk with me.”
They followed Jack outside to a tunnel where he leaded them to the main station.
“Well it’s good you came along when you did, you two. Walker must have seen potential in you. And well, if he trusted you…My instincts tell me you’re alright. We need more people like you. People willing to join the uprising. And that’s what it’s all about now. We gotta stir the people up, and soon enough we’ll be snowballing. Get the whole city behind us and the Norks won’t stand a chance. Walker is the spark. People will follow him. We gotta get him back.
Many yellow bars appeared on Scotch’s PipBuck as Jack leaded them through a train cart where the main station was.
“Ah…we’ve been here for a few months now. This is all part of the Broad Street Subway extension that was mothballed back in’21 when the city run out of money. It’s not on any of the pre-war maps so the Norks don’t know about it. And here you have it, this is the boot that’s gonna kick the KPA’s butt. Come on, over here.
The yellow bars were resistance members. They were standing guard, patrolling or inspecting and cleaning their weapons. Unlike the resistance In Montrose, they wore military-grade clothes, like Kevlar helmets, Ring collar as neck protection, body armor, bags on the armor for ammo, backpacks, gloves and knee pads. Some wore knitted hats instead of helmets and scarves that covered their noses and mouths.
One resistance fighter complained “Damn rifle jammed on me again today.”
What Scotch Tape found strange was that some of the resistance fighters looked at her with red faces, some nervous, while some just shook their heads, mumbling something she couldn’t understand.
I know that it’s not common to see a talking foal here, they knew that I was coming with Walker. Why are they acting that way? She wondered.
“But first things first. Let’s get some American steel in your hands.” Parrish tore her out of her thoughts as he leaded Brady to an armory where a man that was sitting behind a desk, having a grumpy expression.
“This is, ah…Sidney Cook, he runs the armory.”
“Who’s this?” Sidney asked in his grumpy tone.
“That’s Ethan Brady and Scotch Tape, they were helping Walker.”
“Walker got arrested.”
“That wasn’t our fault!” Scotch Tape felt blamed.
“Yeah, it wasn’t their fault.” Jack turned to Brady and Scotch, “Don’t worry about Cooky, he’s uh…generally in a bad mood. But he’s a genius in improvising weapons, and that’s why we keep him around. Ain’t that right, Cooky? Always cooking up something new. He gave Sidney’s leg a pat and chuckled.
“One day you’re going to make that joke and I’ll shoot you dead – then we’ll see who’s laughing, huh?”
“Sidney, take it easy, will ya? Brady needs a weapon, what can you spare? Scotch Tape, I don’t want to put you at risk, but you should have something to defend yourself.”
“You can have…” Cook grabbed for something under his desk. “…This, if it turns out you show some aptitude, then we can talk about upgrading.” He putted two M9s on the table.
Scotch Tape took one and putted it into her holster.
“I know ya thinking a pistol won’t do much, but with one of Cook’s special conversation kits, suddenly you got yourself an SMG. There you go, now try converting your pistol.” Jack advised and Brady replaced the upper receiver of his M9 with that of a MP7 which amazed Scotch Tape.
“Cool.” She commented.
“I know. See you around Sid.” Jack smiled at Scotch Tape, her eyes went wide in awe.
A Resistance fighter reported. “Parrish, we’re still waiting on that transceiver Intel.”
“Ah yeah, yeah, I know. Don’t worry about it. Moore’s on it. Say hey to Brady and Scotch Tape, they’re new recruits.”
“What’s up?” the fighter greeted as they moved on and Jack continued.
“Resistance is more than just front line troops. Its people helping the best they can. Take Doc Burnett, he’s a good example. That’s not going to win this war though. Top line is we gotta build up our strength by expanding our Red Zone operations. We keep ambushing and raiding, that weakens the Norks and strengthens us. Eventually we’ll turn the tables.” He leaded them to the entrance to Elmtree.
“Hope you’re up to the task, rookie.” A woman commented.
“And in the Yellow Zones we’re fighting for the hearts and minds of the people trapped there. We give them the belief that we can win, and when Walker gives the call they’ll rise up and follow. We’ll only get one shot though, we gotta be ready.”
They reached the tunnel entrance. “Okay, I want you to head to the Red Zone, Dana will teach you how we operate. Out there she’s the best in the business, just try not to anger her. Show me I’m right to trust you, okay?”
“Sure but wouldn’t better for me to stay here?” Scotch Tape asked for her own safety.
“Actually yes but given how Brady told me about your skills, they would be most useful in the field. Don’t worry, our fighting will ensure your safety.”
“Yes we will. Brady, you don’t want to go out there unprepared. You should take some Molotov’s. Hey, Lorna, help the new guy out.” a resistance member said to his friend.
“Be best if you learn how to make your own. Grab some ingredients and give it a try.”
Ethan followed the woman’s advice, taking some propellant and igniter from a small table next to the tunnel.
“Okay, now just put it all together.” Brady did as told. “There you go, nice one.”
Okay, now you’re set. Molotov’s are great against their soldiers, but they won’t do anything to drones or vehicles – so watch out for those. Elmtree’s down here.” The other member warned him.
“Good luck out there.” The female resistance fighter smiled at Scotch Tape before she and Brady moved out.
Ethan saw that the foal had a worried expression. “Don’t worry, Scotch Tape, I keep you safe, promise.” He smiled.
“Appreciated. She returned a weak smile.
After a while, they reached Elmtree, the exit was a partially collapsed Parkhouse, where the resistance had an outpost.
“Dana, this is Parrish, I’m sending you Brady and Scotch Tape – they can help you with the KPA transceiver. Make sure you get the coordinates of every KPA operation in the area.”
“Dana here, understood, we’ll get you those locations. Soon as we reach the KPA transceiver we’ll download the data.” The two talked over the radio.
Several Resistance members were resting or chatted, not noticing the new recruits.
“Damn, Dana, we got a patrol. They must have switched routes overnight. Got any ideas?” A fighter named Isaac asked her on the radio.
“No time to go around, let’s hit them.” Dana ordered as Scotch Tape and Brady climbed up the collapsed parts of the Parkhouse, outside to Moore’s team.
It was still night, a thunderstorm ruled the sky. Dana was behind debris as cover, having a good view of the street.
“Over here. Okay, Parrish wants you to be trained – and I guess I owe you for before – so you got to learn from the best. Just try not to screw things up. New plan, we’re ambushing this patrol. Best if you go with G Man, just do what he says and try not to die.” The woman explained.
G Man was wearing a black cap. “This way. And yeah, try not to die.”
“I’m not planning on it.” Scotch Tape replied as she and Brady followed G Man down the street into an apartment and onto a balcony, where a barrel trap was. Simple, yet deadly. Several explosive barrels on a ramp and triggered with a switch.
“Just hope it works.” A woman prayed it would work.
“They’re approaching the marker, this it.” Isaac warned as with a rumbling groan like some great beast churning up the earth, an armored car drove slowly through the streets, a steady, steel-eyed hunter, accompanied by infantry. Built like some monstrous scarab, hoisted aloft by four gigantic wheels that crushed the debris beneath it into powder. Atop its back was a mighty shield-shaped turret with its barrel scanning its surroundings.
Scotch Tape was ready to trigger the trap, Brady took aim, both waited for Dana’s signal.
“Not yet…wait…wait…wait…now!” Scotch Tape triggered the trap, the barrels fell down and landed on the car, the explosion left only a burning wreck.
“It worked!” G Man couldn’t believe it.
“Get the rest!” another male resistance fighter shouted as Brady fired on the survivors.
Scotch Tape stayed in cover, praying Chung wasn’t among them.
“Okay, airship’s coming, we don’t have long – loot the truck! Go, go, go!” Dana fired on the KPA soldiers.
“Seekers!” a Resistance fighter shouted as several Seekers flied in.
One of them stopped above the foal. The drone’s scanner switched from blue to red as it scanned her. Not wanting to know what would happen if the scan was complete, Scotch Tape drew her pistol and fired a few rounds on the Seeker. Due the small and light design, it exploded into pieces after 4 to 6 bullets from the pistol.
“Heads up, another patrol!” Dana yelled as reinforcements moved in. “Bad guys, take ‘em out!”
“Jesse and White are down!” another fighter reported casualties.
“We are done here, fall back, fall back! Split up! Isaac’s team head for the transceiver, fire team regroup on me!” Dana ordered as hit and run tactics were crucial against the numerically superior KPA forces, retreating and regrouping was often the best tactical decision
“That’s us. Brady, Scotch Tape, come on!”
They both wasted no time, following the survivors to an abandoned warehouse a couple of blocks away, Losing the enemy in the process.
“Dana, this is Isaac, we’re flapping in the breeze here, where are you guys?”
“Isaac, we hit trouble – be better if we split up, everyone head for a transceiver, with luck some of us will find a way through.” Danna turned to Brady and Scotch Tape.
“Brady, I’ve uploaded a transceiver location to your phone. We’ll try for the others. Good luck. And keep Scotch Tape safe.” Dana had an expression that showed her concern for the foal’s safety.
“Thanks and I will. Ready, Scotch Tape?” Brady converted the SMG back to the pistol as it consumed ammo too fast for his taste.
“Ready!” she exclaimed. In the warehouse was a storage container with a motorcycle and some supplies. Brady took them and started the engine, Scotch wrapped her arms around him.
The man drive out of the warehouse and took a right turn. Some soldiers noticed them and opened fire but missed before they were out of sight.
He drove on a ramp to jump over a barricade.
“This is a Red Zone. Civilians are not permitted at any time. If you are unintentionally entering the Red Zone, report to the next patrol. Put your hands behind your head and kneel to the ground. Do not move while the patrol comes closer. Civilians who try to escape from arrest by patrols will be shot.” A male PA system echoed through the Red Zone of Elmtree.
“Dana, this is Parrish, what’s the situation? You reached the transceiver yet?” Jack asked on the radio.
“Parrish, we hit trouble, had to split up. One of us will get there, don’t worry.”
“Okay, I’m counting on you.”
Scotch Tape looked around, abandoned cars and debris littered the streets, buildings were damaged, smoking, some even lightly burning.
Ethan stopped next to a warehouse that looked mostly intact.
“That warehouse contains a KPA Transceiver. Acquiring access to it may grant us Intel about the nearby stronghold and other KPA operations in the Zone.” Philly Alpha, the main radio operator of the Resistance in Philadelphia explained as Scotch Tape and Brady entered the warehouse at the docks. The Transceiver was next to a destroyed window.
“You hack it, I watch for trouble.” Brady gave the child his phone.
“You got it!”
Like with the Transceiver in Greentree, she had only 10 seconds. Enough for her. She moved the left cross in the top middle, and the right cross in the top right corner, and both bars filled in the blue color. As 6 seconds were left, the hacking was complete. “Ha-ha!” She laughed in joy.
With that, the former Westbury Sugar plant was established as operation base.
“Brady, Scotch Tape, it’s Moore, you managed to get to the Transceiver I’m impressed. We’ll put that Intel to good use. I guess Parrish was right about you. I’m going to follow up a possible Walker sighting, you should familiarize yourself with our operation. We have our main weapons store hidden in this district. Its run by Ned Sharpe. You should head over there, introduce yourself. I’m uploading the location to your phone now. I’ll see you around.”
“See you.” Brady replied and looked on the map. The armory was on the other side of Elmtree.
“This is Philly Alpha all available teams listen up. They got Walker. We’re gotta get him back.”
“Bet your butt we are.” A male resistance fighter replied on the radio.
“I want everybody’s eyes and ears wide open. Words, signs, or any kind of information about where they’re taken him, you report in. Everybody got that?
“Loud and clear.”
“On it.”
“Got it.” several teams acknowledged.
Brady took a M4 from a gunsmith locker. A Solid all-rounder.
Only now, Scotch Tape noticed that it was light and the rain had stopped. Must been out for the rest of the night.
Brady looked on his map. "I suggest we take care of the customs office, then the rest of the Strike points and strong holds as we go to Ned. That way, we weaken the KPA and move much easier around to him.
“Good plan, Brady.”
The customs office was just down the street, so they walked.
“Andy, this is Philly Alpha, where you at?”
“Supply run in Elmtree for Ned. You got something?” Andy replied on the radio.
“Parrish wants all available teams on Walker’s scent. Top priority.”
“I hear ya. Soon as we nail this supply truck we’ll head back.”
The office was at the docks, a fallen over crane, a rusted, damaged container ship was near it, stranded.
“The Elmtree customs office has been used by the KPA in the past and could be a useful location to control. See if you can find a way to get in there.” Philly Alpha reported to them.
The windows were barricaded but the back door was open. Inside was a radio.
“-Repeat, we were attacked en-route to the safe house. We were able to evade them, but our boat upturned and the radio supplies we were carrying got scattered. We need immediate assistance to secure the supplies. Please send help. Damn, can anyone- What channel is this on? If anyone is picking this up, the radio transmitter supplies are scattered along the shoreline. Norks are on their way. Send help! Repeat, send some damn help!” the distress call ended.
“Wait, patrol and airship incoming!” Brady warned.
A squad of KPA soldiers and a seeker, scanning the area, passed by, not noticing the two trespassers, the beam of the Airship could not spot them in the building.
Still, Scotch Tape pressed herself against the wall, praying they wouldn’t spot them.
“Don’t worry.” The man smiled, patting her.
After the KPA forces had passed, the new resistance members walked down the docks to the shoreline. Container and abandoned container trucks littered the streets in the docks.
Scotch Tape spotted blue smoke in the distance, near a small hut, dead freedom fighters, scattered next to it. The supplies were in blue boxes. “That must be it.”
Scotch Tape walked towards them, not noticing a red bar on her PipBuck.
“Watch out!” Ethan pulled her back as he spotted a red laser, aiming for her head in the distance. A shot but it missed her head by inches.
Scotch Tape heard the bullet flying by in the wind as Brady putted her behind a wall for cover.
“That Sniper knows where we are, we got to take him out!” Peeking around the corner, the young man saw the laser coming from a damaged building. He quickly leaved cover, aiming for the laser and fired a short, controlled burst. The female sniper fell out of her nest, into the street. “Took care of the sniper! I loot the body, you collect the supplies.”
“Copy that!” Scotch Tape let out a breath of relief. Too close. After she putted the radio parts into her saddlebag and Brady looted the body for ammo, they returned to the office, establishing the radio outpost.
“Nice work, you two. We can use the customs office to monitor KPA shipments coming on to Philly by sea. I’m sure that information will prove valuable for the Resistance.” Philly Alpha praised them.
“Alright, the Axxco Garage is nearby, we should head there next. It’s a stronghold of the KPA, we need to disable the coolant system.”
“How do we do that?”
“Simple, in the stronghold, there is a Valve where we can disable it by raising the pressure.”
“Okay.”
They saw the stronghold in the distance as they came closer. Imposing walls made it impossible to get it from the outside, a large tower was in the middle of the base, a piston lowered and raised from it, causing a small earthquake and green gas leaking from small holes in the ground, every time the piston hit the ground.
“Brady, Scotch Tape, these strongholds are imposing – but we think we’re figured out some ways to get inside. We’ve identified a structural weakness around the large air vents. Put a bomb on that and you can blow open a route. Some people have suggested jumping a bike right over the walls, although I think you’d have to be crazy to try that. Finally, we saw some plans that seemed to suggest some of these places have tunnels leading in – but we’ve not been able to confirm that.” Philly Alpha informed them.
“That would be where my father really shines.” Scotch Tape grinned, knowing he would be perfect for this job.
“I believe you but I don’t have any explosives with me. So, I guess we have to use the bike.”
“But we left the bike behind.”
“There must be another way. Got it!” Brady exclaimed and walked into an abandoned, damaged warehouse next to the stronghold. On the roof was a ramp, marked with a bike drawn on it, making it possible to jump over the walls.
“Watch this.” Ethan sprinted towards the ramp, jumping over the barbed wire, onto the stronghold’s upper levels. “You can do it.” He motivated her, waving an arm.
“Here goes nothing.” The foal mumbled as it also jumped over.
Instantly, the alarm sounded and KPA soldiers opened fire, the human pressed her behind a wall to protect her from bullets.
“I cover you, go!” he returned fire with his M4.
Scotch Tape spotted the valve in the middle of the catwalk, three soldiers in yellow Hazmat suits defended it. All had gas tanks on their backs. As Scotch Tape moved from cover to cover to reach the valve, Brady hit one of the gas tanks, it exploded, sending the soldier flying like a rocket, killing anyone nearby, opening the way.
Scotch Tape used all her strength to turn the valve but nothing showed that the pressure was raising. Do I turn it into the wrong way or… She cut herself off, as an explosion ringed in her ears, coming from the lower end of the tower, more explosions followed, climbing up to the top of the tower until it reached the tip, causing a sting flame to shot of it, like a burning gusher. She couldn’t help but look at it in awe.
Startled by the explosion, the KPA retreated and resistance fighters moved in to convert the base for their needs.
“This stronghold will give the Resistance an excellent staging ground for pushing further into the zone.” Philly Alpha was pleased.
Brady refilled his ammo at a Gunsmith locker before looking on the map. Around the corner was the Dry-dock. “We should head for the dry-dock next.”
“Okay, take the lead. We make a good team.”
Brady smiled. “Indeed.”
At the dry-dock, Philly Alpha reported in. “The KPA are reportedly establishing a new base of operations within the Elmtree dry-dock. Liberating this from the Norks would give us a great way to smuggle supplies into the Zone.”
Several red bars appeared on the child’s PipBuck. “There’s a large number of KPA in the dry-dock.” She warned Ethan.
“No problem.” He checked his rifle before going in. She heard the shots and saw that one Red Bar after another went out. Seeing an airship coming closer, she had no other choice then to go in.
Only one red bar was remaining. As she walked up the stairs, she saw the yellow and red bars moving back and forth, the KPA soldier and freedom fighter tried to flank each other unsuccessful.
Looking around, Scotch Tape couldn’t see them as she stood next to an office, but then, a small object landed next to her. She quickly realized what it was. Oh crap!
A grenade, a small red dot was blinking at a rapid pace as she dived into the office for cover, hooves over her head for protection, pressing herself against the wall.
The explosion deafened her hearing, but she was unharmed. Brady came into the office, appearing to asking if she was alright, judging by how his mouth moved.
“Airship was near, so I had to go in for cover.” She explained as her hearing returned.
He looked rather worried then disappointed or mad. “It’s okay, just next time, don’t go upstairs until the area’s safe.”
As the Dry-Dock was secured, they looked on the map for the next strike point.
“The Norks could have used the dry dock to bring in plenty of supplies and reinforcements. Capturing it was a huge win for us. Good job. Andy, this is Philly Alpha…Come in Andy? …has anybody heard from those guys?”
“Nothing here.”
“Andy’s team? Last night, heard they were in Earlston.” A female member replied.
“Have they been responding?” Philly Alpha asked.
“I suggest, we take Paschall Trainyard next, then OCU Pharmaceuticals.”
“Okay, Brady. I just hope that none of the dead soldiers was Chung.”
Ethan gave a convincing smile, “I highly doubt he would shoot upon seeing you. Should I meet him, I will spare him, promise.”
“She smiled. “Thank you. Now, let’s move out.”
They moved to Paschall Trainyard, avoiding the small patrols, seeing the warehouse in the distance.
“The KPA used this warehouse to operate the nearby train line. If you can gain access we might be able to repurpose it for the Resistance.” The radio operator explained.
After Brady gave the foal a thumps up to show it was clear, she followed in.
On the first floor was a Computer on a desk, a generator next to it. Brady started it, but the generator just sparked.
“Guess it produces too little power, and has to recharged. There must be a way to restore power. We should follow the cable.” Scotch Tape pointed to a cable that on the ground that was connected to it, leading out of the room.
The cable leaded to the balcony, where a bike was parked, a machine which looked like a dynamo for the bike was connected to the cable. “That should do it.” Brady drove the motorcycle onto the dynamo and revved the engine.
The dynamo sparkled, and smoked for a second, signaling it had worked. They returned to the generator and activated it, the computer came to life, showing surveillance images of the surrounding area.
“Resistance one: 1 KPA: Zero.” Brady cheered as the operation base was established.
“This will be a great place for us to set up an outpost, nice work you two.” Philly Alpha radioed in.
“Philly Alpha, this is Tony.”
“Go ahead, Tony.”
“We lost the vehicle transporting Walker. Gonna try and pick up the trail again.”
“Damn it. Ok any sign you let us know. Parrish says he wants some hard info ASAP.”
“You got it.”
Brady looked outside, it was getting late, the sun started to go down. “I guess you catch some rest, you earned it. I take care of the second transceiver.” Brady suggested.
Scotch Tape yawned. “Okay. Good luck.”
A female resistance fighter, wearing a cap and scarf, a Ring collar, body armor, bags on the armor for ammo, a backpack, gloves and knee pads. “I watch her for you if you want.”
“I don’t mind it. You, Scotch Tape?” Brady asked the young foal who let out another yawn.
“No.”
The woman smiled, she had brown hair and eyes. “Hello Scotch Tape, I’m Elizabeth.”
The foal smiled before yawning again. Elizabeth lifted her up and carried her to a sleeping bag tucking her in. “Goodnight, sweet dreams.” The woman’s heart melted as the filly fell asleep, her chest raising and lowing peacefully.
Two other resistance members joined her, both male, the first was wearing a gas mask and a Kevlar helmet, the other one a knitted hat.
“Isn’t she cute, Logan?” She asked the helmet-wearing comrade.
“Indeed. Can you believe she really exists? I mean, she’s out of a fanfiction story, yet she is here before our eyes, a brony’s dream.”
“I can’t believe it either Logan, but we must make sure that she’s safe, I don’t want to imagine how worried her father must be.”
“Yeah, I remember chapter 40 only too well. Don’t worry, we keep you safe by our honor as bronies.” Aiden whispered in her ear.
“Okay, you take the night watch first?”
“Sure thing, Logan.”
As the morning came, the sun shining through the windows, Scotch Tape awoke with a yawn. “Rise and shine.” Elizabeth walked in, bringing the child breakfast.
“Thank you.” Scotch Tape enjoyed it clearly. As the woman got outside, Brady came back.
“Morning, kid. I hacked the Transceiver at the Marian Elmtree Hotel. Now, we should be able to capture the other strike points and strongholds. And we’re not alone this time.”
They walked downstairs, the filly saw Elizabeth with two resistance members, one of them was wearing a helmet and gasmask, giving a morale speech.
“We might not be trained soldiers, but their biggest mistake is underestimating us. They underestimate the American spirit! The American people! They don’t realize that we were born to fight! Each and every one of you, is worth ten of those cowards!”
That speech was motivating and inspiring, Scotch Tape could tell. They want to free their country and are ready to die for it, I can understand it.
“You’re ready?” Brady asked them.
“We got your back!” Logan exclaimed. He used a M4, Elizabeth a Mossberg 590 Shotgun and Aiden had a Springfield M1A rifle with a Sniper scope.
They moved out to the OCU Pharmaceuticals.
As they moved to it, evading Airships and patrols, Scotch Tape got curious. “If I may ask, what did you before all this?”
“Well, I used to be a pharmacist. As the economy went down the drain and the KPA invaded, there was barely a paracetamol be found in Philly, let alone antibiotics or insulin I took for granted. So, what’s left for someone of my skills to do, other than to fight back?” Elisabeth explained her background.
Aiden, having black hair and blue eyes explained, “I used to be an Electrician. Scratching a living by fixing up solar lighting, or turning collaborator and working on KPA’s high end surveillance gear were the only two choices left for my skills. There had to be a third way.”
“As for me, I used to be a plumber. No one cares until they turn on a faucet and nothing comes out. Broken faucets are the least of folk’s worries nowadays.” Logan told her, his voice distorted by the gas mask.
The foal spotted a watch on Elizabeth’s wrist. “Nice watch.”
The woman smiled sadly. “Thank you. Father has kept it in a safe place.”
Logan had also one. “It has a sentimental value.” was his reply.
The former Electrician had no watch.
“Brady, Scotch Tape, we have reports that the KPA are using this Pharmaceutical building as weapon storage location. Head on over and see what you can do.” The radio operator informed them.
“Here’s the plan: I; Elizabeth and Logan go in, you, Aiden, stay here and provide covering fire. Scotch Tape, stay with him until the area’s clear.” Brady suggestion, making sure his rifle was loaded.
“Got it.” Scotch Tape followed Aiden to some debris he used for cover.
“You spot them, I take them out.”
“Copy that.” She looked on her PipBuck, two red bars were directly ahead. “Two of the, dead ahead, she pointed at them.
“Roger.” The man fired, with a clean headshot, the Korean soldier fell in his own blood to the ground. The other resistance fighter advanced inside.
Scotch Tape watched the gunfire, the red bars became less, Aiden aimed for the windows, for the soldiers to show up.
It didn’t take long for the Resistance to kick the KPA out, Aiden and his little friend moved into the building after it was cleared.
“Looks like our Intel was accurate. Those weapons will be very useful. I’ll make sure they are distributed amongst our people. Nice find, you two.” The voice of Philly Alpha radioed in.
“Philly Alpha, this is Tony, you there?”
“What’s up, Tony?”
“Harv and his crew…what happened? They were the pickup team, right?”
“Harv didn’t make it.”
“…Mary?” Tony couldn’t believe what he heard.
“No…”
“Bastards…” this loss made Tony angry.
“Two of Harv’s crew new guys called Brady and Scotch Tape, they survived. Helped Walker from what I heard.”
“Yeah I remember Harv mention their names. Remind me to buy a drink for him and a juice for her when I’m back.”
Hearing this caused Scotch Tape to smile, they cared for her. Elizabeth noticed her smile. “Everyone in the Resistance helps each other. We all keep you safe.” The woman had an honest expression.
The Allstar Diner was their next target as it was near. While it was converted into a stronghold by the KPA, the sign was still there, visible from the distance. The walls of the stronghold were built into the former diner.
“The Allstar diner has become a critical KPA stronghold. If we can liberate it we will be sending a strong message to the Norks.”
“Copy that, Philly Alpha. Looks like they left us a backdoor.” Brady used his bolt cutters on a lock on a red back door.
“We distract them, you use the valve!” Logan fired as they got inside and the alarm sounded.
“The young pony wasted no time to get to the valve. Unlike the garage the KPA barely showed resistance to stop her.
This time, Scotch Tape could feel how the ground rumbled, stronger the more she raised the pressure level. Again, the young filly looked in awe as the machine exploded in a flame at the tip.
“Capturing that stronghold will have dealt a serious blow to the KPA. Nicely done.” Philly Alpha was pleased as Tony radioed in.
“Philly Alpha, this is Tony.”
“What’s the news, Tone?”
“We managed to snatch a clab, asked him about Walker. Even hung him off a bridge but we got nothing. So…we let him go.”
“You let him…? Never mind. Keep trying someone must know something.”
I better do not ask their politics for collaborators. Scotch Tape did a mental note as they moved to one of the many Abandoned Apartments.
As it was in sight, her PipBuck showed three red bars inside the building.
“Watch yourself, that apartment building has a KPA sniper nest covering the route towards the nearby stronghold. If you can take them out we’ll have a great vantage point for further expansion in the Zone.” Philly Alpha warned their comrades.
“Okay, Aiden you cover us, we storm the Apartment.” Brady suggested.
“Solid copy!” the Marksman got with Scotch Tape into position at a resistance stash near the building in a multistory building where they could see the Snipers perfectly.
“Heart or head, either way, Kim’s dead.” Aiden mumbled as he had a sniper in his scope and fired. The other two aimed at him but they both ducked behind cover, the red lasers searching for them.
The lasers vanished as Scotch Tape head female screams, the Snipers got surprised by the other resistance fighters.
After the Overwatch was established, they got praised again. “Good job clearing out that sniper nest. We can move through the Zone with a little more ease.”
“Okay, next stop COOK Chemical Plant.” Brady announced as he refilled his ammo.
Got it, Brady. Lead the way.” Scotch Tape knew if she helps the resistance here, they could help her finding Chung, Chang, Kate and Amy. It filled her with determination as they moved out once again.
As the former Chemical Plant was in sight, they got a radio message from Philly Alpha. “I’m detecting a KPA transceiver near your location. This facility is important to KPA activities in the area. If you can hack the terminal, who knows what dirt we can dig up?”
Inside the building, the transceiver was up the catwalk, the roof was missing. As the catwalk that connected to the platform the transceiver was on, was destroyed, Scotch Tape jumped to it with Brady.
This time, she moved the left cross to the right top corner and the other cross to the top left corner to hack it. “Piece of cake!” she exclaimed after it was done.
“Transceiver online! Great work, we’ll be able to keep track of the Nork’s activities in the zone. This is Philly Alpha, Nork transport vehicle’s broken down in Holloway RZ, anybody able to look into to?”
“We got it.” a male member acknowledged.
“Ok Will. Shonice, you able to back them up?”
“On our way now.”
“Just make sure it’s legit before you move in.”
Brady looked on the map on his phone as new strike points appeared. “Okay, I see a three more strike points, the nearest is the Biedul Manufacturing factory.”
“We’re ready.” For some reason, Scotch Tape couldn’t help but feel determination and also…fun.
As they got close to the stronghold, they got informed, “This warehouse is a key KPA stronghold. Not only does it pump gas into the tunnels, but it also acts as a refueling and rearming station. Liberating it would deal a serious blow to KPA activities.”
Like with the diner, there was a back door they used to get in. Once they were on, the alarm sounded and the soldiers noticed them.
“We cover you!” Elizabeth escorted the foal as they made their way to the valve. The woman killed two Hazmat soldiers near the valve before Scotch Tape reached it, raising the pressure.
“There goes another one!” They all cheered as the tower exploded and their enemy fled.
“We’ll be able to move more freely around the Zone now that we control that Stronghold. Excellent work.”
“Philly Alpha, this is Will. That transport vehicle on Holloway turned out to be nothing. Just a driver and armed guard.”
“Copy that.”
“So the Norks announced Walker’s trial today…Trial!?! That implies justice! A notion I don’t think these bastards even have a word for! ...This entire thing’s a joke! But the Joke’s on them. Cos we in the resistance, we’re not gonna stand for this junk!”
“We’ll find him.”
T-trial? This is my fault! Scotch Tape felt guilty, lightly trembling, Elizabeth noticed it.
“What’s wrong?” she asked worried about their young recruit.
“I’m just worried about Walker, that’s all.” It wasn’t a lie, she was really worried about him.
“Don’t worry, I’m sure Parrish has a plan to free him.” the woman smiled, trying to cheer the foal up.
Brady cleared his threat. “Sorry to interrupt, but can we concentrate on our next strike point? This one is near the wall they built.”
The green pony gave him a weak smile. “Sure.”
They moved to a backyard where server abandoned cars were, a lone KPA soldier with a Seeker inspected one of them, having his back to the resistance fighters. Brady gave a sign to wait until the Seeker moved away from the soldier.
As the drone flew away, the young man choked the soldier, while Aiden destroyed the Seeker with a well-aimed shot.
“There used to be an illegal food market in this location until the KPA shut it down. Head on over here and see if there is anything left we can use.”
Scotch Tape saw a bus, market with a white cross. The vehicle’s front part was held up by palettes, making it inaccessible. “Hmm…” she putted a hoof to her chin until she saw explosive barrels behind the pallets. “Got it! Brady, blow those barrels up.”
“A good plan.” He fired two shots and the barrels exploded, letting the front part of the bus fall down.
In it were still some supplies. “Good work. Those food supplies will make a lot of people happy. We’ll show them how we’re here to help them.”
“Philly Alpha, this is Tony.”
“Whaddya got?”
“Hearing rumors that Walker was taken to Independence Hall. Can’t confirm yet but we’re looking into it.”
“Parrish says no engagement until we have a confirmed sighting. We can’t afford to put Walker at risk. You got that, Tone?”
“…Yeah.”
“Tone…”
“I got it, I got it! Tony out.”
While Tony and Philly Alpha had their conversation, the team moved to their next target, the Finstock Warehouse.
“The KPA have set up a listening outpost in the wreckage of the Finstock Warehouse. We cannot allow the Norks to listen in on our communications or let them pinpoint where we are storing our munitions. Get in there and take them out.” Philly ordered them.
Like with the apartment, Scotch Tape stayed with Aiden, while the others stormed it. She saw how they quickly overrun the normal soldiers but then, the resistance fighters jumped behind cover.
“What’s wrong?” Scotch Tape asked, only one red Bar on her PipBuck was left.
“Heavy guy of the 718.” As Aiden said this, she saw the Korean soldier. He was wearing the same uniform the soldiers wore that raided the Oasis, walking steadily towards the enemy, firing a LMG, shrugging off any bullets that hit him.
Brady fired blind to avoid getting hit, Logan and Elizabeth did the same. Aiden however fired at the head, blood splattered from the visor of the 718 soldier as the bullet tore it apart and he fell to the ground in his own blood.
“Phew, glad that’s over. Now, let’s disable that communications array.” Brady pushed a button on the array to deactivate it.
“Taking out that listening outpost will prevent the KPA from pinpointing our locations within the Zone and make our movements harder to track. Nicely done. Tone, this is Philly Alpha…Tony, you there?”
“Yeah we’re here what’s up.”
“Just hadn’t heard from you for a while, you guys ok?”
“Just catching a breath. We’ve covered a lot of ground with the search.”
“Yeah, we appreciate it, maybe come in for a bit, get some proper rest.”
“Nah we’ll keep going a bit longer. It’s important right.”
“Yeah. Ok well, stay safe, Tone.”
While it was clear now that they should move to Ned’s armory, Scotch Tape noticed that Elizabeth, Logan and Aiden whispered to each other, seeming very nervous.
“What so nervous?” She asked confused.
“Great, she noticed it. Who’s gonna explain it to her?” Logan deadpanned.
“I do.” The woman took a deep breath. “In this world, you’re not real.” She took “Real” with uneasiness.
“What do you mean? I’m standing right before your eyes.” The foal stepped forward.
“I think it is better if we show you.” The female resistance fighter got her phone out and selected a video. It was the very first episode of my little pony: friendship is magic, Friendship is Magic, part 1.
About five minutes into the episode she looked at the woman with the most bewildered eyes, “How…how is this possible?”
“You’re asking the wrong guy.”
“So, if the show showed Equestria before the war, how do you know me?”
“Well, you’re a character of a Fanfiction story called Fallout: Equestria - Project Horizons.” To show it, Elizabeth showed the foal the first chapter of it, Inception. Despite the length, Scotch Tape read it quickly, her eyes showed shock and fascination.
“I-I can’t believe it! I’m a fictional in your world! B-but…” She was about to shut down in confusion as the young woman took her in her arms, patting her back.
“We know that this is very confusing for you, but we knew you would figure it out eventually. The show had many adult fans for a kids show, called Bronys and Pegasisters. In fact, we’re Brony’s too.” She told Scotch Tape about when the show and Fanfiction site was shut down, and that chapter 51 where she got her Cutie Mark, was the last chapter uploaded.
The filly blushed red as a tomato. So that’s why they acted to weird back in the Metro…I have fans! This is so embarrassing!
Elizabeth giggled. “You’re so cute! But anyway, let’s head to Ned’s armory.”
“Right. Lead the way, Brady.” Scotch Tape had calmed down and looked to Brady. He had seen everything with a smile.
As they captured all strike points, there were only few KPA patrols which they evaded with easy, the airships, they stayed inside or under roofs whenever an airship crossed their path.
The between entrance was a part of a collapsed building, a ramp leading up, “Free yourself” was written above the entrance.
It leased to some car wrecks blocking any way further, but a white van was held up by a jack, opening a way under the a fuel track wreck and through a container.
Behind it was a dead end, improved barricades were built for protection in firefights and an improvised roof against airships.
Brady used the doorbell so they could enter the safehouse.
We cannot afford to lose six guys, we’re stretched already. Tell the teams if they can’t see anything obvious just move to the next side, we need more coverage.” A man could be heard giving orders in the basement. The safehouse was in pretty good shape, just the hallway floor had little damage and the wallpapers had seen better days.
Scotch Tape looked around. “Looks pretty comfortable.”
“We know how to improvise.” Logan replied as they walked into the basement. The voice they heard belonged to an elder man with a shaven head, having his back to them as he stood next to a radio operator.
“Rat pack, this is Philly Charlie, do you hear me?”
“What about over in Holstein?”
“Helen says there’s no trace there.”
“Damn it. What the hell just happened to them?” The man noticed Brady and Scotch Tape. “Oh, you Brady and Scotch Tape? Moore called, said you might show up. Lucky for me you did, I got a patrol missing and I could use your help. Just…just wait a second.” He turned back to the radio operator. “Get a hold of Conner, see if he checked out the coastline. Maybe they got themselves lost or broken down. If he’s free tell him to grab a bike and…and go take a look.”
He turned back to his visitors. “Sorry you two, I’m Ned Sharpe by the way, I run the armory. But like I’m saying – I’ve lost a patrol, they were following up a report that Walker was being moved. They said they had a convoy in sight, then their transmission stopped. Any information about Walker is vital, we got to find out what’s happened to them. I got people out looking but there’s a lot of ground to cover. I need you out there helping the search.”
“No problem, we’ll find them!” Scotch Tape exclaimed with optimism, ready to help in any way she could to free Walker. She owed him that.
“I like your optimism, Scotch Tape.” Brady commented as they got up.
“Keep trying to raise them. Could be something’s blocking their radio.” Ned turned back to the operator.
“Ned, I’m doing my best.” He replied.
“I told Andy he was getting too cocky. Why can’t people be more careful?” Ned complained.
“Hey, you two. You gonna look for Andy’s patrol, you’re better prepared for trouble.” A resistance member gestured them to a table.
“Got some pipe bombs here. They work on vehicles as well as soldiers, gives you a chance against those damn APCs.”
Brady gladly took them. “Thanks for the advice.”
As they all got out, they heard Ned yell, “Why haven’t they checked in?”
“Any idea where we must search?” Scotch Tape asked Brady who shrugged.
They used the exit that used to be a school bus as Ned radioed in. “Brady, Scotch Tape, its Ned – the more ground we can cover, the more chance we’ll find Andy and his men, I’m marking your search area on your phone. You find anything at all, I need to know about it. Good luck.”
Ethan looked on his phone. “Okay, your search area is a near the Train yard.”
“Alright, let’s head out.” Logan checked his M4 before they moved out.
While they traveled to the train yard, Scotch Tape wondered how Elmtree got so destroyed, even though the Sergeant told her why. “How did this part of Philadelphia become a debris city?”
“Well, not only because our military tried to free us, but also because we tried to free it. Bitter Street fighting to the last man.” Aiden explained, having a sad tone in his voice.
A distress call came in. “Ned! Anyone, this is Andy! Norks got us surrounded! We need immediate…” it cut off as the signal was very bad.
“Brady, Scotch Tape, we tracked Andy’s message and you’re the closest. Marking the transmission source on your phone. Get over there, see if you can help! I’ll send support as soon as I can.” Ned ordered on the radio.
“Copy that, on our way.” The source come from a warehouse near the Train yard, the turret of an APC could be heard firing in the distance. “They’re in trouble, safeties off! Scotch Tape, stay in cover.”
“You don’t have to ask me twice!” While she could take on a KPA soldier, the APC would tear her apart in seconds. She used a wall as cover, watching the battle on her PipBuck.
“Push up! Go!” Logan fired his M4, Brady moved from cover to cover to throw pipe bombs at the armored car.
“Move and fire, keep pushing up!” Elisabeth fired on the KPA soldiers. Taking a peek around the corner, the foal saw how Ethan threw a pipe bomb at the APC. The car caught fire from the explosion but was still operational. A second grenade finished it off, the car exploded, taking a few soldiers with it.
Without the APC, the KPA troops got quickly taken out. On a cat walk was Andy, injured.
Scotch Tape got a bandage out of Elizabeth’s backpack, so the woman could treat him. As she applied pressure on his chest wound he tried to talk. “Urgh…saw…saw Walker…We tried…we tried…they went…” Before he could tell more, he fell over, dying from his injuries.
“Damn it! Ned, we found Andy, but he died before he could tell us anything.” Brady reported it.
“Thanks for what you did. Christ I hate losing people. Only silver lining is this lead on Walker. Andy’s guys saw where the Norks were taking him and our spotters just reported some of them aren’t dead. Norks captured them and have taken them and have taken them to Earlston Yellow Zone. We have to try and rescue them to find out where Walker is being held. Ok, I’m heading Earlston now. Can you come meet me? You strike me as a man who gets results. I’m marking the tunnel location on your map, I see you there.”
“Copy, on my way.”
The three resistance fighters saw that Scotch Tape tried to suppress a tear. “All in vain!” She kicked the ground in frustration.
Elizabeth took her on her arm. “Shh, calm down, we did what you could.”
The foal calmed down as they moved to the tunnel.
“Brady, it’s Parrish, Ned told me you and Scotch Tape really helped him out, I’m glad I was right about you. He says you’re heading to Earlston so I gotta warn you Brady the Norks have ID’d you. Your name is all over the news, Pyongyang Polly’s telling everyone you’re a murderer. You’ll have to be really careful ok? Ned can tell you in when you see them.”
“Great.” Ethan complained. “Can this get any worse?”
As if the KPA could hear him, a patrol came out of nowhere, opening fire on them. Fast on their feet, the rebels flung themselves behind cover, fighting the soldiers off with well-aimed shots and a few Pipe Bombs. A Shotgun soldier charged at Aiden, he tackled the Korean to the ground, stabbing him into the heart several times. Logan slammed another soldier’s head against a car, while Brady stabbed a soldier right into the eye. Elizabeth just went for a quick cut for the soldier’s throat as he came into melee range.
While they all knew, the KPA soldiers were also humans, following orders, the brutality the KPA showed, made it questionable if they still could call be human.
It all happened so fast that the young pony couldn’t react in time. In the moment Scotch Tape tried to go to cover, a bullet hit her into the chest.
She fell on her back, trying to slow the bleeding by pressing her hooves into it, grunting from the pain caused by the pressure she applied. She had trouble breathing, blood coming out of her mouth. Her PipBuck showed that the bullet appeared to be close to her heart, as a colt with bandaged chest showed up on it.
While gritting her teeth due the intense pain, tears leaved her eyes. “M…Me-Medic… Help!” she tried to call out but all she could bring out was a blood gurgling sound.
“Scotch Tape! Elizabeth exclaimed in shock. “Hold on!” She knelled down, getting a syringe out of her Medical Pouch. “I got you!”
While the former pharmacist managed to stabilize the wounded child, Scotch Tape’s eyes were half open. “It…hurts…Don’t…want…to die…”
“Shh, save your strength. Brady, I have to bring her back to the metro, sorry that you must go without us.” Being careful of the filly’s wound, Elizabeth gently picked her up.
“Don’t be, it will be hard enough to move undetected in Elmtree alone. Don’t you worry, the doc will fix you up.” Brady had a calming voice, gently stroking Scotch Tape’s mane, an expression of sympathy on his face, before he headed to Ned.
Logan got a motorcycle, Elizabeth got on with Scotch Tape while he drove to the metro as fast as he could, Aiden following them on another bike.
The entire time, the woman whispered comforting words to Scotch Tape, despite the pain, she gave Elizabeth a weak smile. “T-th-thank you…” to let her know she appreciated the American’s caring.
Back at the metro, Logan shouted, “Doc! We need you!”
The doctor came out of his clinic, about to ask what was wrong until he saw the bleeding child.
“Get her into the OP, assist me, Elizabeth!” he ordered as he got everything ready. “How did it happen?”
“Damn KPA came out of nowhere!” She pointed a lamp on Scotch Tape, who was grunting in pain, trying to breathe, almost gasping desperately for air, so Sam had more light.
“I need some gauze.” He ordered and Elizabeth gave him some. “Okay, Scotch Tape, this is ketamine, you’re gonna feel a bit odd.” He injected the medicine and Scotch Tape’s vision became blurry and she could swear she heard faintly the voice of her mother and friends, whispering calming words, before she drifted away.
Aiden and Logan waited outside, worried. The Marksman spoke up, “I know it’s a bad time but it’s almost like…you know.” He hinted to chapter 37 and 40 in Project Horizons.
“Yeah, I pray she makes it. She’s survived worse but she doesn’t deserve to die here, away from her father and friends.”
“I hear you. Damn KPA, firing at everything that moves!” Logan yelled in anger slamming his fist on the table.
Scotch Tape awoke slowly, her chest ached as she slowly opened her eyes. She found herself in what appeared to be an improvised clinic, the walls had seen better days, her chest bandaged, her overall consolidated on the night stand next to her.
Sam walked in to check her. “Ah, you’re awake. That was a close call. They missed your heart by inches.”
“Thank you for saving me, doc.”
Sam let out a weak smile. “Sam is just fine. I look into the future, Scotch Tape. And in that uncertain darkness I see a vast constellation of light. The good deeds, the joy and the love that will be spread by all of us as we travel our lives. Each death in this conflict extinguishes those lights. And the future darkens for all of us. I just want to run away from it all but then I hear someone calling in pain. And I just can't do it. I have to try and help. I also could never live with myself letting a child like you die.
I’m entirely against unnecessary violence and fearful of the Resistance's actions that would only bring KPA reprisal on Americans, including those who are unaffiliated with the Resistance.”
“I understand. You want to resist in a nonviolent way.”
Their conversation was interrupted as Elizabeth, Logan and Aiden came in, overjoyed and relieved to see that Scotch Tape had made it.
“You’re awake. I almost thought you would die.” The woman smiled.
Burnett got angry, walking up to her, yelling her into the face, “Take a look…take a good look! This is your doing! Brady and Ned wanted to take her to the Red Zone and this is the price!” He pointed at Scotch Tape who got slightly scared by his outbreak.
“People. Elizabeth! Innocent people! All this fine talk about revolution, but it’s always the ordinary people who suffer.”
“I understand Sam, but it was her choice to come here and join us, she had nowhere to go.” She was calm.
“Plus, my skills are more useful in the field. I’m used to be under fire.” The foal added.
“I know, it’s just…I want you to be safe and sound. If you’re excusing me, I need to look after the other patients.” The doctor leaved the room.
“We’re so glad you’re survived!” Elizabeth hugged her, this time being careful of her wound.
“And I must thank you for saving me. I owe you one.” Scotch Tape returned the hug.
“No owe us nothing, it’s your job. While in the Resistance, I learned that the place to save lives is out in the field not an office. I respect that Sam wants to go a nonviolent way but, even peaceful demonstrations are brutally crushed by the KPA. So, both ways lead to the same result.”
That woke the memory of being forced to be a collaborator. It filled her with unease. They said they would contact her first. But how?
The three resistance members noticed her behavior. “Something wrong, my dear?”
“Wha? No, everything’s fine, just lost in thought.” The young Earth pony replied, surprised.
“Okay. Get well soon!”
While it was almost fatal, Scotch Tape recovered quickly, the three Bronys visited her regularly, playing with her and talked about the show. The former electrician even managed to find and repair an old TV, on which they watched the cancelled show. Scotch Tape enjoyed the episodes, not able to believe that the Ministry mares, also known as the Mane Six, lived such simple, yet adventures lives before the war. The show also showed the adventures of the Head Mares of Stable-Tec, when they were still foals and known as the Cutie Mark Crusaders. That made her wonder, if she had landed in pre-war Equestria before she got her Cutie Mark, had they wanted that she joins and become a Crusader? It was an interesting question for her.
By the time she had fully recovered, Brady had managed to win the hearts and minds of the civilians in Elmtree, starting a riot. Which in turn allowed him to assault important strike points, like the Fuel depot, Drone Control Tower, KPA Relief Depot, and most important, the police station where the captured resistance fighters were being held prisoner.
Unfortunately, as Brady arrived, he had to find out that the KPA had executed them in a violent way, their murder violated every convention on the treatment of prisoners. Plus the Intel on Walker was gone too, which meant they had to start from the beginning.
It made Scotch Tape sad, as she feared Walker would have the same fate.
As Brady returned, she was with Parrish and Dana in the war room.
“I’d figure out we’d have a location by now. Something. What if they just kill him?” Jack asked as he picked an ammo crate up and placed it on the table. “Ah! How we gonna start the revolution without Walker? Ya know, people need a hero, someone they can follow.” He picked a second crate up and putted t on the table.
“I hope we find him before it’s too late.” Scotch Tape was worried about him.
“It’s out of control. All we can do is fighting.” Dana checked another crate as Brady walked in.
“Nah! Hey Brady boy! Come in! Come in!” Jack greeted him.
“Hey, Jack. Hi Scotch Tape, glad to hear you‘re survived.” He was very glad that she didn’t die back then.
“Yeah, thanks to Elizabeth and Sam.” She replied, happy to see him.
“You’re doing a fantastic job pal! I’d better watch my back, you’ll be taking over from me around here.” Jack joked.
“Be nice to have someone who knows what he doing.” Dana joked.
Doc Sam ran in, completely out of breath.
“Ha-ha, very funny. Whoa who dialed 911? What’s up Doc?” Jack asked as the doctor leaned on the table to catch his breath.
“What brings you all the way down here Doctor? Someone tell you we found some Band-Aids?” Dana added.
Sam held a note up. “Listen – Crawford sent a message – The KPA know about the armory. They’re going to attack.”
“What did you just say? If they hit the armory we’ll lose it all – All our weapons all our equipment.” Parrish couldn’t believe what he just heard, this was very bad.
“You gotta warn your men, there’s still time to get them out.” Sam advised him.
“Not without those weapons we need ‘em for the uprising. We’ll be left fighting the Norks with spoons. Nah, nah, nah. We need to get everything out first, find some place new to stash it.”
“We should turn the tables. Surprise them before they hit us.” Dana suggested as Jack looked on a map, trying to think of something.
“Yeah, yeah, an evacuations gonna take a while anyway, we need to stall them. Sounds like it’s ambush time.”
“At least we have plenty of ah, explosions ready. There’ll be bits of Nork landing all the way over in Pyongyang. You like fireworks Ethan? Scotch Tape?” Moore asked with happiness which unsettled Brady as well as Scotch Tape as they looked at each other with light frightened expressions.
“You think this is funny? You can just joke about killing like it’s nothing?” Sam asked disgusted.
“Hey doc, last time I took the high ground I brought a sniper rifle with me.” Jack replied.
“So where we gonna stash the guns? Huh?” Dana asked Jack.
“Ah, it’s gotta be someplace safe, a few places would be better. So uh…” Hack thought for a second, then had the idea. He turned to Sam. “Hey doc…we’re gonna need to use your clinics.”
The doc walked backwards, not believing what he just heard. “You’re insane!”
“Perfect. When the revolution starts we’ll have everything right where we need it.” The woman liked the idea, Sam did not.
“No! What if the Norks find them, they’ll execute everyone, you can’t risk my people.” He protested.
“It’s not ideal doc. But this is damn war man…”
“I’ve spent four years begging, borrowing and stealing to get these clinics up and running. It’s a joke to even calling them that but they’re all we have! All the people have...”
“We’ll be careful Sam, I’m sorry we got no choice.”
“To hell with you.” The doc leaved angry about it as Dana grabbed her Pump-Action Shotgun.
“Damn.” Parrish didn’t like this but they had no other choice.
“His people…so sweet.” Dana mumbled.
Jack turned to Brady and Scotch Tape. “Alright, you need to get over to the armory and help prepare the ambush. Me and Dana are gonna round up as many fighters as we can and meet you over here.”
“Don’t have all the fun without us.” Dana added.
“Look. You gotta old them off until we get there with reinforcements. We need to secure those weapons, you understand me?” Both nodded. “Don’t let me down.”
“We won’t.” Scotch Tape assured with confidence as they moved out, Elizabeth and Aiden waited already for them.
“Philly Alpha here. Everyone on active. Ned’s in trouble! Get over to the armory now!” the order came through the radio.
“Let’s move!” They ran to the Elmtree entrance where Logan waited, a RPG on the table next to him. “You’re gonna need something bigger than that my friend. Take this RPG, it’s the real deal.”
“Okay.” Brady picked it up and they moved through the tunnel.
“This is Ned to all teams, we got the KPA knocking on the door, we need help! We’re trying to evacuate the guns but if we can’t hold them back we’re gonna lose everything. Get over here if you can!” Ned ordered on the radio.
“Ned, I’m sending Brady and everyone we can spare now, Dana and me are going to get our teams together and come as soon as we can. Just hold on, we need those weapons.”
“We’ll do our best Jack.”
At the entrance, the KPA was already here with soldiers and an APC. Scotch Tape stayed in cover as Brady used the RPG to take the armored car out, she watched the backblast, the others took care of the soldiers.
“Scotch Tape, help Ned to load the guns into the trucks, we hold them off!” Logan fired his M4.
“Got it!” The Koreans were only focused on the soldiers, so she could easily move through the crossfire to Ned, bullets missed her by inches but the rebels covered her
As she arrived, the first trick was loaded and drove away. “First truck’s away! You guys are doing great, keep it up!”
“Ned, I’m here to help with loading the guns on the trucks!” the pony yelled.
“Good, we can use any help we can get.”
She heard the gunfire at the entrance, working as fast as she could to load the guns on the trucks.
“Two more trucks are on their way out, we just need a bit longer!”
“There’s too many of them, we haven’t got a chance!” a resistance fighter shouted on the radio. “Ned, we’re screwed out here! Are you guys ready?”
Realizing they were about to get overrun, Ned spoke into the radio, “Guys you’ve done all you can out there! Fall back to me! We’ll make our stand here!”
The others regrouped as Scotch Tape had loaded another gun on one of the trucks as Ned gave out orders.
“We gotta hold them off until those trucks are loaded, everybody spread out, watch your lines of sight!”
Brady, Elizabeth, Aiden and Logan used the barricades as cover to get into positions as the KPA blew up debris to move in.
“They’re breaking through!” the woman took aim.
“Protect the trucks!” Logan fired as soldiers moved in.
They stood their ground as Scotch Tape finished loading another truck.
“”That’s another truck done! We got most of the heavy ordinance clear! Keep fighting!” Ned fired his M4.
The defense got slowly overrun, causing Logan to shout, “Where is our backup?! Where is Parrish?!”
“We got no chance! Ned, we need to go!” Elizabeth realized that they couldn’t win this battle.
“Just a little bit longer and we’re done!” He replied as Scotch Tape along with the others almost was done with loading the last truck.
“Ned, we can’t hold, this is it! Come on Ned, hurry!”
“We’re done! Get to the trucks! Get to the trucks!”
Scotch Tape along with Brady and their three friends climbed on the back of the truck in which Ned was riding. “Great job everyone! Now let’s get out of here! Let’s go – go, go, go!” he ordered.
The trucks headed around the corner, a 6-wheeled all-wheel drive semi-autonomous ground attack drone rammed through the wreck of a school bus, blocking the way, a turret on the roof aiming for the leading truck.
“Goliath!” Ned shouted as the drone destroyed the truck in front of them. “Back up, back up!” before the driver could do so, the Goliath fired again, knocking their truck to the side, Scotch Tape blacked out as she landed on her back from the impact.
She came to with a light blurred vision and ringing ears, seeing that Ned was pinned under the truck that was on fire. Logan came to her aid, appearing to ask if she was okay and helping her up, while Aiden tried to help Ned by grabbing his arms, trying to pull him out. Seeing that the truck was about to explode, Logan managed to pull his friend away as it exploded. The explosion was strong enough to send Scotch Tape a few meters back, and she grunted in pain yet was shocked, seeing that Ned’s body got destroyed in the fireball.
Elizabeth helped her up and brought into a building for cover, while Logan helped Brady up.
“Take down that Goliath!” Logan fired but the bullets showed no effect against the advanced armor.
“How do we stop it?!” Aiden asked in frustration.
“It’s gonna kill us all! Bullets won’t do anything!” the woman ran with Brady up the stairs, the foal safely in her arms. Scotch Tape saw that the Goliath drove around the house in an attempt to get a shot on them.
Remembering the Goliath Hopper used, she had the solution. “Get rockets on it! And Pipe Bombs!”
“Got it!” Brady used the giant holes in the walls of the first floor to fire with the RPG on the Goliath when it came into view. The first hit seemed to be effective, as the Goliath smoked and was on fire from the rocket. “It works!” she yelled in joy.
Logan had converted his M4 to a Limpet Mine launcher and fired, the mine was effective too.
Seeing a Pipe bomb in Elizabeth’s bag, Scotch Tape grabbed it, pulled the pin and threw it on the UGV. It exploded, the turret was blown off, the 6-wheeled all-wheel drive semi-autonomous ground attack drone was now nothing but a burning wreckage.
“it’s down!” The woman was relieved.
“Wooh…we did it!” Aiden cheered.
“I can’t believe it. You took down a damn Goliath! Quick, see if the brain is still in one piece. Heather has been looking after one for months”. Danna was impressed.
They walked down to the wreckage, the front hood was open, a small red rectangle was revealed, looking like a small box.
“That’s the brain. Now let’s get out of here!” They retreated back to the subway.
Scotch Tape took one last look at the wreck of the truck Ned had been in, wondering if there was anything she could have done for him, looking sad to the ground, a small tear flow her check down, falling silent to the ground.
“We can’t replace the lost weapons so easily.” Logan made a quiet prayer. The sky was grey as if it was about to rain.
As they were halfway there, Scotch Tape was lost it thought. Was it her fault that the KPA knew about the armory? Was she responsible for Ned’s death? She didn’t know but still blamed herself, lost in thought, not noticing how Brad yelled “Wait!” until a strange sound tore her out.
She'd, at first, assumed it was a faraway plane. But planes rarely flew over Philadelphia unscathed in these times.
Perhaps a rumble of thunder. The sky was grey enough.
But it was altogether a different kind of storm. A mighty mechanism of terror that signaled its arrival with an unearthly roar from above.
It grew louder, so quickly she barely noticed until her hooves instinctively flew to her ears.
It was piercing, pounding, invading her eardrums, signaling the arrival of an enraged patroller.
The KPA had long perfected all forms of intimidation.
A lesser man would've been reduced to huddling under the rubble at the sound.
Every resistance fighter knew after the noise came death.
She was in a red beam. Looking up, it blended her, causing her to shield her eyes as she tried to find out what caused it. Her eyes went small in fear as she saw it was a KPA airship. Monstrous and imitating, the red beam indicated imminent danger, like it would fire on her any second with its onboard weapons. It was at this moment she knew they would all die.
“They onto us! Run, we hold them off!” Brady yelled as he opened fire, a resistance member close by him jerked and fell back, bleeding from a forehead shot open, his eyes wide and unblinking.
Scotch had never got to ask his name.
Looking into those eyes locked forever in a second's pain, she found herself wishing she had.
The foal ran as fast as she could, not looking back, knowing she wouldn’t see them again, the red beam followed her wherever she went, an entire battalion after her.
Eventually, she found shelter in one of the many bombed buildings where she collapsed exhausted from running, she didn’t knew how long she had ran.
From under cover, her ears were greeted to an eerie whine that spanned the cityscape, lowering in volume and pitch with every moment until it died down.
The airship was gone.
At last she was, once more, in the clear.
In the moment she let out a sigh of relief, she noticed a red bar closing in on her position.
No! Her heart raced in fear, her breathing was rapid.
“Put your hands behind your head and kneel to the ground. Do not move while the patrol comes closer. Civilians who try to escape from arrest by patrols will be shot.” The PA system echoed through her ears as she remembered it.
So, she lay down on the ground, hooves behind her head, lightly trembling, a tear leaved her eye, hoping the KPA soldier would spare her as he came closer.
“No…please...no…” she whimpered as she got a flashback of being shot a couple of days ago.