Carbon: Equestria

by Alfoals Trottenbauer


X - Higher Command

They waited a few hours before the first airborne scouts flew overhead. They saluted from above as they passed.

"Forward!" Quantum commanded the battalion behind him.

The group started to advance through the thick, smoggy air and the rusted metal ground.

Short Circuit noticed Quantum had wings, but they had been clipped. Somehow, the thought of an Alicorn leading a rag-tag group of revolutionaries sounded too good to be true. To be honest, Quantum's actions also seemed suspicious, given the fact that he sent a part of the chain of command to send a message.

Omega galloped to them.

"It's about time you returned, Second Lieutenant." Quantum commented, looking through the corner of his eye.

The mass continued their march. There were gunshots reverberating in the air. There was a smell of gunpowder. A squad of five galloped to the mass.

"This is Epsilon squad! Commander Thorn reporting for duty, Sir!" The commander called above the loud cacophony of firearms.

"Ready your weapons, men!" Quantum barked at his battalion.

The whole group raised their VIPRs. A large squadron of Moonlight Company soldiers approached them and attacked.

Quantum's Battalion opened fire, half with shotguns and the other assault rifles.

Short Circuit started shooting. The muzzle flash lit up the smog and black smoke erupted from the barrel.

A grenade sailed into the middle of the mass, everyone around it scattered, though some didn't make it. The ones who were too late were blown into pieces.

The Moonlight Company squadron was gone, but there were many losses on the revolutionary's side.

"Make camp here!" Quantum commanded.

Night had fallen. They were almost out of air for their masks.

"Line up for another air tank!" Captain Valence called out as he bucked open a crate of air tanks.

The other commanding officers were in rows with their own crates, save for Quantum.

The mass lined up in each row by squad leader.

System and Short were lined up in front of Valence. Short was first in line.

"Alright, hold your breath." Valence said to Short.

Short Circuit inhaled his last breath of air in the tank.

Valence removed the tank.

Short could feel the air escaping his lungs.

Valence quickly screwed the tank onto the tube connecting the mask.

Short Circuit gasped for breath, then returned to normal breathing.

"Next!" Valence called.

Short Circuit trotted to the fire some ponies lit up.

Quantum was on a radio far east of the camp. Short Circuit trotted quietly near Admiral Quantum.

"...ey don't suspect anything. We're close by your company, planning to move forward by tomorrow morning."

Quantum turned to look at Short.

"What the hay are you doing!? Get back to your post!" He shouted.