//------------------------------// // Chapter 13: Operation Wave // Story: The Gathering Storm II: Fires of Freedom // by WiskeyMikeOne //------------------------------// Chapter 13 Operation Wave From the cockpit of my plane I could see the armada below. About 50 ships of all sizes and class’s were tearing up the silver sea, we were heeding for Equestria. The plan was simple, land on the cost of the wastelands were Shadow Company was waiting for us, rescue them and then head for home. Eclipse Operations were already on the ground, they infiltrated the Imperial positions on the mountain tops to prevent there artillery from firing on the armada and the newly formed Marine Corps and to prevent reinforcements coming from the Imperial camp near Las Pegasus. “What a view.” “You said it Shamrock. Dashie what do you think?” “Pretty cool I guess...” “You guess?” “Yeah...sorry I just...I haven’t seen home for awhile.” “We haven’t seen it for about six years” said Shamrock. “Don’t get distracted, we need everypony to be at the top of their game today.” “Can you believe that 75% of our forces are here?” said Shamrock with a chuckle in his words. “I would hate to the empire now.” I replied. “Night Furry this is Commander Ford of the Marigold come in over.” “Night Furry here send traffic, over.” “The marines are in there landing boats and are ready for deployment in 10 mikes over.” “Roger that Marigold patch me through to the marine commander over” “Colonel Anchor here reporting for duty sir.” “I like your enthusiasm Colonel. This day will go down in history as the NLR’s first military engagement with the Solar Empire. Make Luna proud.” “We will do than that sir, won’t we boys!” The marries in the background shouted out there battle cry “Ooorah, ooorah, ooorah!” there moral was high and they were ready to go. They had been training hard for the past few months and now was the big day, I was never thought amphibious assault tactics or combat in the Royal Guard so I had almost nothing to do with their training that was all down to Bon Voyage and Molotov. When Equestria came into view on the horizon the assault boats sailed away from the troop carriers the battleships bred their guns on the mountains just in case imperial reinforcements broke through. There was going to be into two waves each wave having eight landing craft for the troops and two too pick up our targets. “There on the beach dead centre!” said a pilot over the radio. There was a flicker of light on the beach, it was Shadow Company signalling there position with a mirror. “Marigold confirm Shadow Company’s position” I said. “Roger. I can confirm all of Shadow Company is present on the beach.” “Excellent.” “Wait we have a problem.” My heart sank “What?” “They are signalling using mores code. There are concealed Imperial positions on the mountain face; they are preparing to open fire!” Suddenly the mountain faces lit up, shells started landing in the water they were aiming for the landing force. “Code red I repeat code red!” I shouted over the radio. “All ships concentrate your fire on the mountain faces, sight the muzzle flashes!” Ordered Commander Ford A rush of adrenalin surged through my veins; I became a different pony when in combat I felt more focused and quicker. “Nacht squadron! Assist Marigold in taking out the artillery positions!” “Ja” “Shamrock, take your flight and assist them.” “Will do.” I turned my head to see the F-15’s of Nacht squadron descend all in attack formation, it was poetry in flight. “Shark Squadron! Protect the ships from enemy aerial attacks.” “Yes sir. C’mon Sharks time to hunt!” They all rolled and dived in unison. “Victor Squadron! Patrol the skies above.” “Roger that sir, don’t forget about us alright.” “Night Hawk and Luna shade squadron! We are going to support ground assault prepare for combat!” “Yee ha!” “Let’s do this.” “For the Republic!” “FOR LUNA!” I could see the population below were scattering with sheer panic, their tents and makeshift sheds cluttered the valley floor. Shadow Company was now receiving fire from the mountain faces. “Eclipse One can you assist in taking out the MG positions.” “Negative sir. Be advised reinforcements are coming from Las Pegasus.” “ETA and force size estimates?” “Hard to say sir but tanks are visible in the distance and enemy aircraft are 2 minutes away.” I let out a long sigh “Understood Eclipse one out. We need to take out the artillery positions NOW. Marigold bare all guns on the mountain side, LIGHT IT UP!” “Understood sir!” “Sky Marshall!” The sound of guns firing and screaming civilians was in the background “Colonel Anchor?” I replied. “Aye aye sir. Be advise the wielders are not present with Shadow Company.” “Buck where are they!” said Dashie. “There still in the town.” “Go in and get them!” shouted Dashie. “But move quickly, Tanks are moving to the valley.” I added. “Aye aye sir!” Shadow Company was now in their boats and were heading back to the ships, the Marries moved into the shanty town. From my cockpit I could clearly see the marines looking in tents and huts, the civilians were in the middle of crossfire they were panicking and heading towards the sea. A voice came over the radio. “This is Alpha 2-9. The pie is cooling I repeat the pie is cooling.” That was the code phrase used to single that Pinkie Pie was secured. “Roger that Alpha 2-9.” I replied. “Night Furry we have a situation at the beach!” “A bit busy Marigold, explain!” “The civilians are trying to swim to our landing boats.” “What the...” I pulled out of the dog fight I was in, the commander of the Marigold was right. I could see hundreds of colored ponies wading out into the sea. “Orders sir!” said the Marigold commander. I was in a dilemma. Save the civilians and risk not having enough room on our ships for the Marines or be heartless and not let a single civilian on the boats. I wiped the sweat off of my brow and adjusted my flight helpmate. “Colonel Anchor what do you think?” “We’re Marines!” he replied. “That’s settles it. Marigold order your forces to let civilians on the boats, ferry them back to the ships then send the boats back to pick up more.” “Aye aye sir!” “Will there be enough room?” asked Rainbow Dash. “There will be.” “Do you promise?” I couldn't promise anything but before I could answer Dashie’s question another voice came over the radio. “This is Spark 7. Apple kart. I repeat Apple kart.” That was the code phase to mean Applejack was secured. A voice in the background interrupted Spark 7. “Who are you? Get off me, Fluttershy run!” that was defiantly Applejack's voice. “This is Spark 7 Fluttershy has been sighted! She’s flying away!” “There she is!” shouted Dashie. I looked above the mayhem of the valley and saw a little yellow Pegasus flying straight up. “Hold on Fluttershy I’m a coming!” “Dashie wait!” It was no use; Dashie put her jets afterburners on and pulled up following her friend into the clouds. I was now by myself; the Empires resistance was almost silenced. There armored counter attack was halted thanks to Nacht squadron. The empires air force had given up the fight, I shot down six Imperial aircraft. “This is the flag ship Marigold, the transport ships are nearing full capacity we need to leave room for the Marines over.” “Roger that Marigold. Estimated numbers.” “Around three thousand sir.” If I wasn't sitting down I might have fainted. Three thousand I said to myself and we only came for fifty. We will have to plan another operation the rescue the reaming civilians. “Understood Marigold, pick up the Marines and let’s go home.” “Aye sir...” (Song: End)