//------------------------------// // Prolgue 1:Record Data: uploading File Records of [Classified] // Story: Splinter Cell // by The philosopher //------------------------------// Classified_Information: Cannot_upload_data_on_<1st_echelon> Luna continued to Glare in frustration at the computer. Only the upper echelons of the Equestrian military were granted to use computers, so it was very rare to classify information since most ponies didn't even have a computer to gain access to any important data. Nonetheless, she understood why this of all information was restricted to even te highest of authorities. Likewise, she knew how to bypass the classification. Override_Classification: Identity Verified: Welcome back, Princess Luna. Luna smiled as she pulled out the forbidden files that had disappeared into oblivion since the last thousand years. All these precious files in the computer contained the valuable information of a once powerful army: her army. Data_record: file 109702 Date: 3-13-1012 Location: Trottingham Objective: Capture the city The bell rang twelve times to signal midnight as the two soldiers idly stood in the town square, trying to hide the fear consuming them. Celestia had received a tip just that morning that Trottingham would be Nightmare Moon's next target. Trottingham would be a powerful strategic point, if it fell, there would be only small cities like Hoofington or Ponyville standing in the Lunar Republic's way to reach Canterlot. They were given intel that Nightmare Moon herself was to engage in this soon to be bloody battle. The silence was eerie, and the guards exchanged worried glances towards each other. Not even the sounds of their own army marching through the streets could be heard. There was something disturbing about this night... Operation: Eclipse A patrol of five guards marched down the street. They watched carefully for any sort of movement, any sort of disturbance in the tranquility of the night. It was all in vain, for they never peeked deep enough into the shadows, and thus never noticed the three sarosians, all three armed with a pistol in their jaws, creeping behind them. One had grabbed the guard in the very back and held him as a meat shield, while the others grabbed the two who were just in front of the last guard. They quickly and quietly subdued the two soldiers. The remaining guards turned around in shock, but were never able to cry for help as the sound of two gunshots rang like thunder. Uploading_file: Upload...Complete Weapon: P228 sidearm Manufacturer: SIG Sauer Cartridge: 9x19mm Parabellum Description: Produced in secrecy during the Equestrian Civil War, the P228 was the standard weapon of the infamous and secretive Eclipse Echelon (now referred to as the 1st Echelon upon the installment of the 2nd Echelon in the Equestrian Armed Forces), replacing the Lunar Spear. Small, sleek, and dark colored, the P228 not only caused the Eclipse Echelon to become the backbone of Nightmare Moon's army, but also gave birth to the superstition that Nightmare Moon's presence was proclaimed by thunder. The weapon, by decree of Princess Celestia of Equestria, is forbidden, regardless of a pony's rank or status. The existence of this weapon has been denied to the public and it's information is classified. Luna stared at the screen, analyzing the weapon before her. She remembered when she was first shown this instrument of death. It was designed to give her army an edge over Celestia's. The technology, long forgotten, would have still been considered advanced even now. But Luna wasn't impressed, to her it was rather obsolete. Not to mention loud. The two soldiers in the town square were shaking in fear. For the past four hours, thunder had been echoing through the city, and yet there was not a cloud in the sky. "W-what, what's happening?" asked one of the guards wearily. "I-I don't know! Has the battle started?" asked, the second guard. "But where is everypony!?" The first guard was trying to suppress his panicked state. "I- I don't... My Celestia!" he screamed as he saw the tip of a sharp dagger protruding out of his comrade's chest. "C-Corpral?!" he screamed. Suddenly, he felt a cold, jagged blade pressed against his sweating throat. His muffled screams were the last noises heard in the night. The news reached Celestia by noon. According to the reports, an army of five hundred sarosians, accompanied by Nightmare Moon herself, had overwhelmed Trottingham with the sheer number of soldiers. The event was forever remembered as Nightmare Night. Luna grinned at the computer, reading the post-battle reports. Enemy_Casualties: 300 Friendly_Casualties:0 Friendly_Forces: 7 Luna smiled, even though it felt wrong to. Although ashamed of the blood she had shed, she couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in her creation. The 1st Echelon did not disappoint.