With most of his weekly obligations filled. And his headspace clear, William had decided to head on home and read a little bit more. Sure, if he wanted to he could go and pick up a brand new book from the Ponyville library, but he was a stickler for his classics. And regardless of how many times he read the work of the late Tom Clancy. It never seemed to get old. His books usually revolved around fictional counter terror groups. The storytelling was on it's own was amazing, and that, combined with relatable settings, characters, and an attention to detail. All contributed to making one of William's favorite book series. It was impossible for him not to love it. After picking up his favorite book among them, " Rainbow Six." He headed up to a nearby hilltop to look for a place to read his book in peace.
As William approached a bench beneath an oak tree toward the top, he found that it had already been taken by Rainbow Dash, and, not in a mood to get in an argument with her, nor wanting to interrupt her focus of... whatever it was she was reading. He just sat down next to her, set down his rifle, opened to the first page, and began reading. It wasn't long before she had glanced over at him, and began to grow curious what as to what he was so invested in. She glanced further, and tapped his shoulder." Hey, William." He practically jumped out of his boots.
"What is it Rainbow?" He raised the brim of his helmet up to itch underneath it. " What are you reading?" William gave her a smirk. " Tom Clancy's Rainbow six. It's a classic from where I'm from." She scrunched up her muzzle, "Well, I've never heard of him. What's he like?" William's face darkened, " He passed away several years ago. I never met him in person, I just love his work." Rainbow sighed. "Well, sorry about that. What's it about?"
"Military fiction more specifically, an international special forces unit by the same name as the book itself. I'm not going to spoil it for you."
She didn't look very impressed. " What are you reading?" She grinned, then showed him the cover. He knew just enough about the show from earth to understand." Daring Do? Seriously? I've heard a bit about her, overated in my opinion." The look of swelling anger on her face said it all. " What the hay are you talking about!? Go on ahead, give it a try!" William took the book from her, read the first 2 pages. And rolled his eyes. "Sorry Rainbow. It just isn't for me. I mean, I love adventure novels, but this is just the slightest bit corny. You ponies don't know what's good. Just like those idiot's that think the game is better than the book series." She didn't get that last part.
"Oh really, let me see!" William passed her the book. She opened it up, and began reading. William just sat there and watched her become captivated. " Hey, William... Would you mind if I borrowed this? I have to do some more... Uh, research . I'll let you borrow mine!" William chuckled, " Yeah, you can borrow it. You know if you like that one, I've got a pile of them back home. Feel free to drop by any time I'm not preoccupied. " She winced, " Eh, no thanks, I'm not an egghead." She said it as though it was a slur.
" The hell did you just call me?" She gave him a smirk. " I will never understand why you and Twilight don't get along." She gave him a quick wave, and took off. "Bring it back in one piece!" He yelled out. She was a good quarter mile out from him, and she still turned to acknowledge it. He could be loud when he wanted to. Which was most of the time.
"Whew, so..." He asked himself, patting his sides, he gave his war belt a firm tug. And walked off down the hill. Going east this time. It wasn't long before he found himself in unfamiliar wilderness, on the edge of a neglected wheat field. Right through it's center was a winding dirt path. Beyond it lay a forest, and beyond that the massive river which cut the nation in 2. It wound from Canterlot all the was to the base of Las Pegasus in the south. William had spent many a night studying what maps of Equestria he could get his hands on. And despite all that he still kept one in a utility pouch on his vest. As he went on forward, he suddenly began to get the feeling that he was being followed. But kept walking.
Rather than turning around, he instead unhinged his bayonet and began fiddling with the blade. Passive aggressiveness was always a good carefree way of getting rid of stalkers. Especially if they were ponies. Then, he heard hoof steps. One's he hadn't heard in a long, long time.
"Ugh, hello Lyra. Are you trying to get yourself stabbed?" He spun around with his muzzle and bayonet high above him. She jumped back in surprise, " Hi William! I saw your friends preform in Applelosa. They were awesome!" The blue unicorn mare shouted. William sighed, and folded his bayonet. "Thanks, how's your day been?" William responded, he took a knee, rocking the kneepad back and forth on the ground. He looked out at the forest. She in turn, sat down next to him. " Oh, ok I suppose. Hey, do you have any backup copies of that guy's music? What was his name again?"
"Tim Montana."
"Oh, weird name. They're for a friend of mine. Vinyl Scratch. " William smirked, and cracked his neck. " Eh, sure. Tell ya what, I'll even go out of my way to stop by later. But right now, I'd just like some space." He gave her a scratch behind her right ear, which she graciously excepted, and walked off into the forest. " And just like that, I'm alone again." William let his arms swing lazily along his sides as he walked through the grassy deciduous forest. Unlike the Everfree, which was usually dark and gloomy, with a wet and dense forest floor composed of decomposing plants, mud, and tree roots. That was only part of it, most of the time, it was far more passable than that.
This particular swath of wilderness was much more, how do the civilians put it? Ah yes, picturesque. A perfect carpet of green grass covered the forest floor. As for the trees, other than the occasional oak and willow, he didn't recognize most of them. Aside from them, the odd bush was thrown in here and there. He could hear birds chirping in the distance, as well as water flowing. Which he made out to be the river. Sure enough, just 5 minutes later, he was at the bank on the massive river running through the Equestrian heartland. All this time, he had no idea this was here. Now, obviously, he had seen it several times before. But had never taken the time to pay it a visit. He looked north, out towards Canterlot, resting on the cliff face of the second highest mountain in Equestria. But even so, it still paled in comparison to the Rockies back on earth, or the Himalayas, for that matter.
Regardless, there were those that would kill to be in his position. And he was grateful nonetheless. With an almost expressionless face, he slung his rifle over his shoulder and began pacing back and forth. Daydreaming. You see, one of William's more... Special qualities was his affinity for this, it helped him process thoughts, and it was a good way to pass the time when there was nothing else to do. And, considering he had loaned his book off to Rainbow Dash. He was most certainty bored.
Well, not bored. But definitely not preoccupied with anything.
A lone Blackhawk helicopter flew across the Utah desert in the dead of night. Aboard it were 6 operators. All of their faces and distinguishing features hidden by their masks. Among them was William. Of course, with this being his world he already knew the premise. He was part of an MTF, or mobile task force. Working for the SCP foundation. Experimentally, he looked out of the chopper. Down into the inky blackness of the desert. All of a sudden, something hit the helicopter. And before he knew it, it had hit the ground in a massive fireball. For a few moments, everything was dark. He felt around in the darkness, scrambling out of his seat and out of the burning vehicle. As his gloved hand grasped at the rocky desert floor he suddenly felt something round and stubby grab his arm, and pull him out and away from the aircraft.
"Hey, William? William! Are you alright!?" The voice cried out. Sarcastically, William held one of his fingers up, and wiped the soot away from his respirator. He blinked, and realized he was staring right into the face of a creature he was very familiar with. Mostly because it was, technically speaking, him. " Heh, afternoon bud. What are you doing here?" Hailstorm raised an eyebrow, and slapped him. " Ah, I'm just kidding, how are you doing?" William winced. "Oh, you know. Great, I loaned Rainbow Six of to Rainbow. And I think I may have gotten a few ponies to like my kind of music. " He gave him an awkward smile, " Well, I'm glad you're having fun." The pegasus- kirin hybrid laid his head on William's shoulder. And whispered into his ear, " Get back to real life, the tides coming in." William practically fell through the ground, and stumbled right back into real life. Sure enough, his boot was soaking wet. And, it was past noon. He didn't care for the context to the scenario that he had made up in his head. He took one last look at the pristine river, and headed on home. The day wasn't over yet, and he had yet to do any target practice.