//------------------------------// // Assembling A Team [PROLOGUE] // Story: A General Meetup // by The_Jackal //------------------------------// A changeling general sat inside a small tea shop by the window. Occasionally looking left and right to see if the Changeling that called him there had arrived yet. After what seemed to be 10 minutes, the door opened. “General Ecirep.” the sat-down general stated. “General Kimon.” The second general replied as he walked towards Kimon. “Have a seat.” “Was going to.” Ecirep responded prior to well, taking a seat. “Chrysalis got the files you wanted. What exactly is this about?” Kimon blinked. “A task force.” “A task force? … I’m listening.” “Right, to business. You are aware of our losing war, aren’t you?” “Who isn’t?” “Exactly. I want to create a force capable of achieving what the army can’t.” “That’s a bold statement, Ecirep.” “Fortune favors the bold.” “Here.” Kimon brought out several files but only put 3 down onto the table. Ecirep proceeded to individually take each file and waited until he had Kimon’s attention. “First on the list, Sergeant Kiggrak. Stormtrooper- Reconnaissance, demolitions, goes by ‘Boomer’.” “Why? Is it because he’s 50 over years old?” “She. And no, twenties. The name’s a classified reason.” “Next..” Ecirep continued. “Noj Smackerbone, lovely name, anyways- Captain, specializes in espionage missions, quick, quiet, perfect for the job.” “Pomez?” “Well, yes, that’s his codename. But I prefer Smackerbone, has a nice ring to it.” “No it doesn’t.” “Cope.” Ecirep smirked. Ecirep looked at the last file before giggling. “Another funny name? Sweet Chrysalis, Ecirep, remember there is a war going-“ “No, no, no. Yerilz ‘Reaper’ Mines.” Ecirep proceeds to place Yerilz’s file onto the table. Kimon stared at the file for a few solid seconds. “Did his head get cut off and the rest of the body became conscious?” “No. There’s just no picture for him.” “..why?” Kimon inquired. “Classified.” “Just a question.” “Ask away.” “Why is your ‘task force’ so secretive?” Ecirep thought about his answer before responding. “That’s.. more of the reason it’ll perform better than the army can.” “That’s isn’t a particularly compelling reason..” “The rest is need to know unless you can give me an answer.” Ecirep cut him off. Kimon sighed. “We already have loose ends, Ecirep.” “And they will be tied, just give me what I’m asking for.” Kimon shook his head, “This task force will be picked up on by Equestria’s forces and eliminated just as quickly. We can’t trust anything except the army at the moment.” “Then why haven’t all the soldiers I just mentioned and including the ones in your hoof right now..” he pointed to the rest of the files in Kimon’s hoof. “.. already have been killed yet?” Kimon thought about it for a couple of seconds before answering. “Very well, but I’m not sure your mission can be accomplished, honestly, Ecirep.” “You don’t have to be. Just mark my words.” Kimon nodded. “Alright. But what will you be calling this task force?” “Task Force Pharynx.” “Okay, now THAT name has a ring to it.” “Debatable.” A Changeling sniper lay prone covered by natural scenery, holding the standard-issue Hewerg 98 Rifle only just customized with a 15x scope. [ACTUAL:] “Swordfish Actual to Swordfish 0-2, how copy?” The sniper took hold of the radio attached to her left shoulder. “Solid. Send traffic.” [ACTUAL:] “General Kimon wants to see you.” “Why?” Through her gear, although it wasn’t visible, she blinked twice. [ACTUAL:] “Unknown, but he says it’s important.” “U-unknown, my flank. Ugh, gimme a minute.” [ACTUAL:] “Copy. Over.” The sniper peaked into her scope and saw a squad of Equestrian troops huddling around. Four. Two Earth Ponies, one Unicorn and the last a Pegasi. All 3 species, what a happy family. The sniper made a mental note. The sniper then proceeded to aim at the Pegasi, who appeared to be the happiest of the group despite the current situation. No more Mr. Happy Face. She thought to herself before she pulled the trigger. A group of Changeling soldiers surrounded a small house, with one appearing to be the commanding officer approaching the door quietly. He looked behind to his comrades to see two of the soldiers hiding just beside a large window both on the left and right respectively awaiting his order. He then proceeded to look up to another two soldiers on the rooftop also waiting on his call. “Charlie, Bravo, Alpha.. breach!” He whispered into the radio as he knocked the door open and entered the house, the two soldiers by the window revealed themselves and fired multiple times at several Equestrian troops inside the house, shattering the window in the process. The commander proceeded to physically takedown two other Equestrian troopers- one Unicorn and the other a Pegasi so therefore not much resistance- before he ran over to check if the others were actually killed or just playing dead. It seemed to be the latter as he spotted no movement amongst the corpses, but as he quickly dashed to open a second door just by the bodies, a bayoneted rifle welcomed him. Upon seeing this, he quickly pushed the bayonet aside and tackled the Equestrian soldier to the ground, taking out his knife and stabbing it multiple times into the Equestrian soldier’s neck. [0-9:] “So much for no enemy casualties.” “What was I supposed to do?” The commander asked. [0-9:] Swordfish 0-9 to Swordfish Actual, 1 hostile EKIA, the others believed to be wounded.” [ACTUAL:] “Actual, good work. Also 0-9, you need not say EKIA when a hostile is down, KIA is enough. Over.” [0-9:] “Copy. Over.” The commander proceeded to take out the plunged knife from the deceased Equestrian soldier’s neck, which by now was covered with blood. [0-7:] “Swordfish 0-7 to All Swordfish, all rooftop hostiles wounded.” [ACTUAL:] “Good work, team. Also, 0-8, do you copy?” “Solid. Send traffic.” The commander stated to the radio. [ACTUAL:] “General Kimon wishes to see you.” “Copy. See you soon. Out here.” The commander replied. He then proceeded to physically gestured to the other troops to get ready to leave. Two Equestrian soldiers stood by an open balcony, discussing stuff. “Do you ever think we still have to be here? Even after the Battle of Emmos?” “No. Celestia just wants to be secure or something.” The second soldier responded. The first soldier nodded before taking a sudden interest in a certain direction. “Is that a gli-“ He was interrupted by a sniper shot directly to the head, causing his helmet to fling off his head just from the sheer force of the bullet. “W-THOMAS! UH- Watcher 0-7 to Act-“ Yet again cut off by another sniper bullet piercing the second soldier’s head, with the helmet also flung straight off his head. A Changeling sniper with a skull-like mask covering the majority of his head except both of his eyes pulls the bolt from the rifle. A single bullet falls out of it as a result. “Striker 0-3 to Actual, two hostiles KIA. How copy?” [ACTUAL:] “Solid copy. By the way, 0-3, General Kimon wants you back at base.” “Why? Another scolding for a mishandled mission, again?” [ACTUAL:] “Puh-lease, 0-3, that was a long time ago. And to answer your question, just get your flank over here already. Over.” “Copy. Out here.” The masked sniper proceeds to get up and leave the area. [END OF PROLOGUE]