The Gathering Storm II: Fires of Freedom

by WiskeyMikeOne


Chapter 4: Acta Non Verba

Chapter 4
Acta Non Verba

The op room was once again a hive of activity. We had just received Intel from Stomper that agent Delta had been taken to an Imperial barrack block on the coast and 50 miles away from Boltamare but still within the Pegasus sector. It had now been two days since Delta's capture, we knew where she was but we had no idea of the internal layout of the barracks. The doors to the op room slid open.

“Sir I have a break through!” said Sharpener.

“What is it this time, praying to Faust?” I replied without lifting my head from the laptop screen.

“No it’s much better than that. This is Iron Beam he helped in building the barracks.”

I looked up from my screen to see a rough looking stallion with a five o’clock shadow, high visibility jacket and a yellow hard hat standing on the platform just in front of the door way, I beckoned him down to the table, thanked Sharpener and then turned my attention to Iron Beam.

“When was the barracks built?”

“About six years ago” he grunted.

“Can you remember the interior layout from that long ago?”

“If I couldn't I wouldn't be here would I?”

I felt like smacking him, but he held valuable information so I had to go along with his attitude. A pencil and paper were given to him and Iron Beam started to draw. The barracks had a circular shaped exterior wall about 30ft tall that guards patrolled, outside of that was a moat and a draw bridge for access. The yards layout had a mix of small buildings housing soldiers, weapons and supplies. The barracks HQ was a tall castle like tower about 200ft high.

The dungeon was in the heart of the tower; that’s where Delta was but getting there would not be an easy task. At least 400 soldiers are in the compound at any given time plus they have AA guns and artillery emplacements so going in with Helicopter or AMTRAC assault was out.

“Stealth, that’s the only way were going to do this.” said Molotov.

“Eclipse operations?” I replied.

“Of course.”

“Are they ready?”

“Always.”

“Good, tell them to meet me in hangar 7 at 1700 hours.”

“Will do.”

“You.” I pointed at Iron Beam.

“Go to the NLRAF construction yard and ask for Dawn Light, he will help you in making a mock up reconstruction of the compound. Tell him to use hangar seven, got it?"

“You can’t speak to me like that; I’m a civilian not a soldier.”

I’d had enough of the builder’s attitude. I flew up and landed in front of him; he nearly fell on the floor. I towered above him and looked him dead in the eye.

“There’s not just one ponies life at stake here but all of our lives. Get that mock up built by 2100 hours! or I'll see to it that you are made a soldier!”

I could see my reflection in his eyes, he shook his head.

“That’s nine o'clock. Now move!”

He saluted me then jumped to his feet and ran out of the op room. I turned around, all the techs were shocked. I had no time for formality every second wasted was another second for the empire to get info from agent Delta.

*

“5 minutes? It needs to be quicker. Remember there’s a ponies life a stake here so move it!”

“Yes sir!”

“And when you’re done take a break, we've been at it for hours.”

“Yes sir. C’mon lads let’s get it down to 3 minutes. I’m starving” said Night light.

The interior of hangar 7 was converted to a mock up of the compound by 2100 hours, that rude builder did a good job. Myself and the assault team had weapons but we didn't fire them, we didn't want to attract some unnecessary attention. We were on a well deserved break when the side door to the hangar flew open; it was Half Pint who was keeping an eye out for any pony coming to the hangar.

“Code red!”

I spat out my tea as did the rest of the team and we jumped into action. The mock walls were ripped down and thrown out of the hangar doors. The assault team lined up in ranks and as if on parade. The side door opened.

“Ah Whirlwind I thought I would find you here.”

I ordered the men to stand to attention, I saluted .

“Your Highness.”

“What are all of you doing here?”

“Drill practice your Highness.”

Luna walked over to the lines of armed ponies with a face of doubt and inspected them as if it were a parade, I accompanied her around, she stopped in front of one.

“Name?”

“Pvt. Silver Script your highness.”

“Unit?”

“1st Eclipse operations your highness.”

Luna walked away and back towards the side door, I followed.

“Is everything to your satisfaction your highness?”

“Yes it is but there is one thing. I wish you and your men luck on the rescue operation. Bring her back.”

“Y-yes your highness.”

Luna smiled and left the hangar, the door closed and the sound of the lock echoed the hangar, I cleared my throat.

“Right you lot, back to work!”

The ranks fell out and the back hanger doors opened, the engineers started to rebuild the assault course.

“Caramel, over here now!”

“Sure.” I lead him to a corner.

“Did you tell Luna?”

“W-what no, trust me.”

“Caramel?”

“I swear to you I didn't.”

I looked in to his eyes; he didn't flinch but sweat started to appear on his forehead.

“Alright Caramel, I believe you.”

"Whew, thank Faust I thought you were gonna kill me." I started to walk back to the assault course.

"What? and brake the first order. Nah your not worth it."

"I...what?"

I turned and smiled. Just a little bit of banter to lighten the mood.

*

We were now ready. We knew the compound inside out and we knew how many guards there would be and their patrol routes. Now the tough part was getting there.

“It's 1905 hours Night Light; you said your contact in the navy would meet us here.”

“He must have trouble getting the ship out of the port, don’t worry he will be here.”

I looked out to the horizon, the sea was calm and almost like a mirror. I and the assault team were on a secluded beach west of Manechester waiting for our pick up. There was no going back; it had been 5 days since Delta’s capture and I didn't think she could last any longer.

“Sir, 11 o`clock” said Night Light.

“The spot light, that’s the signal, alright Pegasi lets fly.”

Since the ship was so far out and couldn't come in any closer we Pegasi had to fly the earth ponies and unicorns to the ship. It would take some time but it was the only way.

“That’s the last one sir.”

“Good, I’ll go tell the captain that we are ready to sail.”

“No need sir, he`s right behind you and has been for quite some time.”

I turned around and nopony was here, I turned back to Night Light.

“Now’s not the time for jokes sergeant.”

I felt a poke on my shoulder.

“Captain Pipsqueak at your service.”

I couldn't believe it, a colt as the captain of a ship, I stammered with bewilderment.

“Don’t worry sir I have total faith in him as do the ponies under his command.” said Night Light.

“He`s a colt!”

“Yes.”

“B-B-But, never mind we are late as it is. Captain set a course for Equestria.”

“Aye aye, sir.”