//------------------------------// // Fort Alpha // Story: A Just Cause // by GJT_Productions //------------------------------// Their determination and confidence renewed, Operation Just Cause lead by Lieutenant Captain Shining Armor marches down the path into the night, instead of stopping at sundown as previously planned. As they march, Shining Armor deploys a glowing magenta dome around the entire force, and quickly the necessity of such an action becomes obvious as the members of the operation see pegasi attackers rebound off the dome. The rebels must've known they were coming, but could do little about it. For the most part, the rebel pegasi that made kamikaze runs at the barrier ended up unaccounted for. Most disappeared into the night - believed in retrospect either to have gotten lost in the dark wilderness or picked up by their Changeling "allies" to be taken to the hive far southward. Two were captured by the Just Cause forces, both having crashlanded after rebounding off the shield and unable to get away from ponies that sallied out from the protection of the barrier to grab them. Only one pegasus attacker was able to make it back to Fort Alpha, reporting the strength of the force coming at them to Agent Snake in command. By this point, the Just Cause forces had already turned southward off the road toward the fort, and the magenta bubble in the distance seemed to be a harbinger of doom to those still there... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "How many are there?" Agent Snake asks the returned attacker in the "council of war" he was currently in. He had called this council after hearing the report of the oncoming Just Cause forces, consisting of himself, the remaining four seniormost Agents of Chaos - the second Animosity, the second Greed, the second Cruelty and the second Sadness - and finally the two Changeling "deep infiltrators" Agents X1 and X2. "At least a dozen, sir. Various races. I think they replaced the losses from the ambush near Beta with the Hornpoint members, sir." the pegasus reports, giving a shaky salute as he does so. "I was seriously hoping they wouldn't be able to pull off that feat." Snake comments in disgust. "You believe that they are headed for an attack tonight, as soon as they reach the fort?" "That's correct, sir." "They won't be able to break the fort's defenses immediately, but we don't have enough here to drive back the attack." Snake comments, before turning to the two Changeling agents (wearing a pony disguise so that the other members of the council didn't recognize them as Changelings) and asking them: "Are you absolutely sure that no more reinforcements will be provided?" "Our Queen will sssssssend no more unlesssss sssssssshe gets more poniessssssss to feasssssst upon." Agent X1 answers in no uncertain terms. "But the hostages are more valuable with us than...!" the second Agent Animosity begins to object. "I am aware of that, Animosity. If we take the hostages to the lair of the shapeshifters, then we aren't going to get them back. I will only do that as an absolute last resort." Snake overrides. "What about the cyanide shipment from Las Pegasus?" the second Agent Cruelty proposes. "It won't get here until morning, I don't know if we have that long." Snake counters. "Even if the initial assault fails, which it might considering they don't have anything to break the weak point in the wall, they'll put us under siege and cut off the shipment from getting to us." "Could we use 'the Flaming V' to drive them back once they begin their assault?" the second Agent Sadness proposes. "We might not have much of a choice in the matter - we're running out of time and other options." Snake answers before turning toward the pegasus that gave him the report on the loyalist forces and giving the following orders: "Set up for five to be involved in 'the Flaming V', launched directly at the attackers." "Yes, sir!" the reporting pegasus exclaims, turning and leaving the meeting. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A few moments of silence pass, then Snake speaks again: "Is there anything else we can do against them? Anything at all?!" The members of the council look back and forth at each other, clearly lacking for any ideas as to what else could be done. Then the entire group notices a green flash coming from Agent X1, and is surprised to find he has taken on an imitation of Agent Snake! "I will take charge of carrying out 'the Flaming V' and the defensssse against the oncoming attack." the disguised Agent X1 explains. "It will probably mean my death, but it will also give you chance to essssscape. Your tantalizing dessscriptionssss of Equessstria will ensssure welcome by our Queen and hive, and you will sssstill be able to open the gatesssss for ussss to get in. My partner will be able to take the prissssoners to the hive if we can't hold the fort any more." Agent Snake pauses a few moments to consider the extraordinary offer, the other council members exchanging glances at each other as he does so. Finally, he smiles - a rare and reassuring sight - and gives his answer: "Your offer has been accepted, Agent X. Effective immediately, you will have command of all forces within and immediately around Fort Alpha. Prep all ponies that won't be involved in 'the Flaming V' to counter an assault against the northwest wall, and if you repulse the initial assault focus on evacuating the prisoners southward. Don't even wait for morning, they must be taken out now!" "But what will you do, sir?" the second Animosity asks. "Leave for the lair of the shapeshifters." Snake answers. "I am determined not to die tonight. Not by fire, or the hooves of those hunting me. Do not expect to see me again unless the plan succeeds." Snake abruptly turns and ducks out of the meeting, before any other objections can be raised, and races to his personal quarters to retrieve what he can. As it turned out, it would be the last time anyone in that meeting would see him, alive or otherwise... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ MEANWHILE... Lieutenant Captain Shining Armor temporarily stops the march as he approaches the wall, its stonework reflecting the magenta-colored magic of the shield he was maintaining, to set up the assault with Lieutenant Vanguard and Acting Lieutenant Excelsior. Vanguard and Excelsior would each have command of one squad for the night assault against Fort Alpha. "The main objective is to draw the enemy out and wear him down with pointless assaults against the magic shield, then storm the fort." Shining Armor begins explaining to Vanguard and Excelsior. "Vanguard and his squad will lead the right, heading toward the weak point in the wall facing us. Excelsior will command the prisoners on the left, mostly to keep any attackers occupied while Vanguard sets up the assault. Once inside, everyone is expected to search and rescue whatever prisoners might be inside, ideally alive and well. Understood?" "Sir, how will we get past the wall? Airlifts will be both slow and expected by the enemy, and we don't have anything to batter at the weakpoint." Vanguard points out. "The earth pony 'Quesadilla Polka' says he has a way to breach the wall. I don't know what that way might be, but lacking a suitable alternative I'm going to give him the benefit of believing he actually has something." Shining Armor answers. Vanguard and Excelsior exchange looks, the latter giving a shrug at the former. They return attention to Shining Armor, who continues giving orders: "Excelsior, undo the chain gang and have Flash Sentry coordinate a horizontal advance of the prisoners. Vanguard, line up your command in two rows behind 'Quesadilla Polka' and make sure to keep your squad prepared to rush in as soon as the wall is breached. Understood?" "Yes, sir." Vanguard and Excelsior answer simultaneously, again exchanging looks. Whatever else would happen that night, it was certain they would at least try to storm Fort Alpha, the last stronghold of the Agents of Chaos...