//------------------------------// // Chapter 11: Report // Story: The Gathering Storm II: Fires of Freedom // by WiskeyMikeOne //------------------------------// Chapter 11 Report *Whirlwind* The following day I was in the middle of a training exercise with the air force and navy when I received a transmission from the MoD command centre. “Night Fury this is Baseplate are you receiving this over?” “Not now! I've got two jets on my tail!” I was dodging and weaving frantically, the G-forces were pressing me down into my seat and the missile alarm was beeping in my ear. I pitched up and applied the brakes, the two jets flew passed me, I locked on to one of them. “Ha! Peaches you’re out!” “Oh for buck’s sake, how did you do that?” “Sorry I can’t give away all my secret moves. All call signs listen up. I’m ascending to 25,000 feet I’m getting a transmission from Baseplate. Shamrock you’re in charge.” “Aye sir.” I ascended to 25,000 feet. “Baseplate I’m clear of the combat zone proceed with transmission, over.” “Shadow Company will be moving their weekly sit rep report to today, they have information that needs to be passed on to us ASAP. 1700 hours over.” “Message received and understood, out.” I was about to talk to Shamrock and tell him I was back in the fight but I noticed something shining behind me when I looked in the rear view mirror. “Shamrock you cheeky buck.” Shamrock had assembled both enemy and ally teams on my tail, there were about 300 aircraft behind me. “Oh dear, looks like somepony is a bit of a tight situation. Do you want to save yourself the embarrassment Whirlwind and surrender or go down fighting?” “Shamrock do you know why I never surrender?” “Because you’re stubborn as a mule?” “Because I was never taught how to.” I pitch my aircraft up suddenly; I used the afternoon sun to blind Shamrock and the others. I rolled and pitched down, I was now on Shamrock's tail he was trying to shake me off but I had him locked. “Do you want to surrender?” I asked him. “Fine, fine you win again.” “That’s what I thought. All flights continue with operation and look forward to a three hour lecture when you get back to base.” “Aw pony feathers!” said a random pilot. “What’s it gonna be about sir?” asked another. “Never surrender.” All my pursuers descended under cloud cover and so did Shamrock. I took a moment to get my breath back. My missile warning light came on; I shook myself out of my daydream, banked hard right and popped my flares. My pursuer was still behind me, they were flying a black, dark blue and light blue colored F-18. “Who is that? Unidentified aircraft to my rear identify yourself and state your intentions over” “...” “Unidentified aircraft cease with your actions or I will be force to engage you in combat!” “Do I hear the sound of fear in your voice Whirlwind?” “Dashie!?” She pulled up on my port side and gave me a playful salute and smile. She hadn't lost her touch. “Did I scare you Whirl?” “You bucking well did, I’ve got my hard munitions ready to fire. Did you steal that jet from the airfield?” “No Tune Up let me fly it. I haven’t flown in ages and seeing you and the squadron in the air made me want to join in. So I asked permission and here I am. So you up for a dog fight or are you still shaking in your flight suit?” “I’d thought you’d never ask.” (Song: End) * Myself and Dashie arrived at the MoD’s command centre de-brief room just before Shadow Company’s transmission. The white room was small and had an oval table in the middle with a speaker box and glasses of water. Dashie and I spent all day in the jets and nearly missing the transmission. We both got a few bad looks from the members of the MoD. “Sorry we're late we got a little carried away,” I said whilst gasping for breath. “I can see that,” said Bon Voyage. She looked at Rainbow Dash who was gulping down the large jug of water. “It’s free isn't it?” Dashie replied. The feed from all squads of Shadow Company came on the screen, all three of them looked like they have seen better days, they looked tired. “Sir.” I was a bit shocked by their states and had to be reminded by Bon to start the de-brief. “Oh yes sorry. Fillies and Gentlecolts how are things going?” “Horribly,” said Lock Smith. “Terrible,” said Bloo. “Bad,” said Cotton. “Agent Colt where is Agent Sierra?” asked Molotov. “Agent Sierra is taken ill sir; he has the feather flu as do most members of the Cloudsdale cell and it citizens.” “That’s what we needed to report sir,” said Lock Smith. “Disease and illnesses are rife here in Equestria,” said Bloo. “Like what?” said Dashie. “Feather Flu, Pony Pox, Hay Fever, Hoof and Mouth and the Trots.” said Lock Smith. “Ewwww.” replied Dashie. “What of the Empire, are they helping the citizens in your sectors?” I asked. “No,” said Lock smith and Cotton. “Bloo?” “They are helping, but only those who are loyal to the Empire and Celestia.” “That’s another thing sir what are we to do about Celestia, I mean Solar Flare?” I looked at everypony around the table and then to Dashie. “We have a plan and it involves you three. You need to locate and secure three ponies, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Applejack. If you don’t already know they are the wielders of the elements of harmony. Pinkie Pie and Applejack should still be in Ponyville and Fluttershy should be in Cloudsdale.” “But keep an eye out for Fluttershy on earth, she prefers solid ground. Plus all her animal friends will be there,” said Dashie. “But all Pegasi are banished to Cloudsdale,” said Intel. “Fluttershy will find a way to stay on earth, trust me.” “But what about Twilight Sparkle?” asked Bloo. That name still made my heart skip a beat. “We're working on it, right now all you three need to worry about is getting better and locating them, understood?” “Yes sir!” “Good, now what news on the Empire's movements?” asked Bon. “Well since the rescue op Imperial forces have increased their patrols in all sectors and there are more Imperial troops in cities and towns. They’re arresting citizens and are holding them for questioning,” said Lock Smith. “That’s true, one of my men were held and questioned. String Bean get over here!” said Cotton. A green filly popped her head into the view of the camera. “Hello, I was arrested last week and held for 6 hours then was free to go.” “What questions did they ask you?” said Intel preparing a quill for taking down notes in his blue folder. “Name, age, where I live, friends and family, and if I knew anything about the attack on the outpost near Boltamare. Of course I remembered my training that Captain Bloo and Shadow Company gave me. Oh and can I just say this Sky Marshal, It's a real honor to talk to you sir.” “Err thank you, that will be all,” I replied. String Bean gave a salute and popped her head out of view from the camera, Molotov looked at me I just gave a smile I shook my head. “She’s right sir you are.” “What are you talking about Bloo?” “Well when new members join we have to tell them about the NLR and your name is at the center of that. They all know you as the most wanted pony in Equestria’s history so when they hear your name they want to know more.” “Okay.” “And do your new members become inspired by these stories, both NLR and Whirlwind?” asked Bon Voyage. “Yes,” said all squadron leaders said that the same time. Bon Voyage rubbed her chin and looked at me. “What? Don’t look at me like that it creeps me out.” “Sorry but I’ve got an idea.” “What?” asked Molotov. “Let’s give the citizens of Equestria some hope. I think now is the time for us to reveal ourselves to the Empire.” The room erupted in an argument; Molotov and Bon were in each other’s faces. Intel was shouting at both of them, Dashie was trying to prevent Molotov and Bon from hitting each other, Boxy was on the phone to either the guards outside or to Princess Luna. I remained seated and wanted for things to cool down. “Obviously a Filly has no place in the military!” shouted Molotov. “I resent that!” said Bon. “Me too” said Dashie. “What does resent mean anyway?” asked Dashie. “Will everypony please shut the buck up! This is what Celestia and the empire would want us to do, now sit down all of you!” Everypony sat down rather sheepish, I could get quite nasty when I’m angry. Intel put the phone down and sunk into his chair. “It’s not up to us to decide, that’s for parliament and Princess Luna and whatever she decides I will stand by her and you all should too. Intel can you write a report to give to parliament in the morning please?” “Sure.” “Okay, thank you squadron leaders that will be all. Long live the Republic...” “...And long live Luna,” replied the squadron leaders. The screen went black, ending the meeting. I was on Bon Voyage’s side but like I said to everypony it was up to parliament and not us. * I and the members of the MoD were waiting outside of the throne room as to not interfere with the voting the following day. I was pacing back and forth; Dashie was napping on the windowsill and the rest were talking. The door opened, we were allowed to enter. Mayor Mare and Luna were talking by Luna’s throne but they fell silent when we entered. “Ah Whirlwind yet again your plans has divided Parliament.” “I’m sorry Mayor I didn’t foresee this, plus it was Bon Voyage's idea.” “Well Bon Voyage I’m surprised at you. I thought you would be the voice of reason within the MoD. Why did you come to this decision?” asked the Mayor. “Inspiration” Bon looked at me. “We have come to a decision,” said Luna. “We have decide to go along with your plan but only if you can guarantee not to reveal our location or put us in harm’s way.” “You have our words Princess,” I replied. “What do you have in mind?” asked Cheerliee? Intel replied with “Just wait and see...”