//------------------------------// // Chapter Six: New Mission // Story: Operation:Equestrian Assault // by SPkon107 //------------------------------// Chapter Six: New Mission Date: October 23, 2552 Time: 5:30 A.M The Lieutenant, the princess and the troops all ran to Ponyville and the sun slowly rose and they began hearing gunfire as they approached the town. Ponies ran to their direction passing by them trying to find cover as the troops ran to the town. Dan stopped the group. “Ok we have Covies in the area with Helljumpers and Marines already engaging in a firefight. We need to keep this city from the enemy now let’s go.” the called Michael from his communicator. “Michael where are you at?” “I’m at Twilight’s house I’ll send you the coordinates right now!” “I have them.” “Ok. Now hurry we are pinned.” “On it.” The Spartan lead the troops to the library. “Stop.” He was behind a collapsed building. As he saw the library surrounded by barricades about fifty feet from the tree. A Marine gave Dan his rocket launcher he aimed it at a Wraith that has taken out the last Scorpion. He fire the gun as it hit the back of the alien tank. As it exploded the humans made a hit and run as they made their way to the tree. A Brute struck a Marine as two others tackled the ape to the ground one of them grabbed his knife and he stabbed him on the head. The two troops helped the injured Marine as he kept shooting his pistol another was running until he was hit but a carbine in the chest. The Lieutenant pulled his pistol as he shot down three Jackal snipers and four Grunt majors. As they approached the barricades a Phantom deployed a Brute Chieftain with a Fuel Rod. 107 looked as the ape shot a group of pony guards he grabbed his knife and he threw it to the alien. The blade hit the Brute’s arm as it was pulling out the blade from his are the Spartan tackle him and he shot him with his pistol. The rest of the troops made it to the tree until a pair of Shortswords flew over the town. Dan knew what that meant he ran to the tree and he shouted. “Get in the tree now!” the troops ran inside Dan knew he was too far. He looked up as the jet were dropping bombs as they close in Dan used his Armor Lock. Luna looked outside the window and then she looked inside. “Where’s Dan.” Michael said. “I thought he was insi…” the all looked out the window. After the bombing was over they all ran out “Lieutenant are you out here?!” “Yeah I’m fine.” They heard him from a cloud of dust left from the explosions. “How did you survive?” “Armor Lock.” “Oh. You gave us a fucking scare.” “Sorry I was busy being bomb out here when you were inside.” Luna said. “Well at least you’re ok.” “Yes Luna I’m fine.” Dan was receiving a call. “Spartan-107 this is Jorge Stronghold do you copy?” “Spartan here.” “Good all of the troops that were dropped have been picked up and we also know that the attack of the town is over.” “Yeah we have the town but we need supplies if we want to keep it.” “Understood we are sending a Frigate to deploy troops, food, ammo, vehicles, and medicine.” “Perfect.” “You have an hour to get rid of anything that is loose or the Frigate will force loose things to fly all over the place.” “Ok Spartan out.” He turned back to the troops. “Ok the UNSC is sending in supplies but we need to clear the area. I don’t want a piece of broken Wraith armor crashing into anyone.” The remaining humans and ponies made sure that everything was in place. About thirty minutes passed and Celestia walked into the town with her guards and the captain. “Big brother!” “Twilight.” He hugged her as he looked at Dan. Then he walked to Celestia. “Your highness I don’t see why I have to follow orders from this thing. I’m a Captain. He only a Lieutenant…” Dan cut in. “A Lieutenant that is putting his life in danger saving you ponies.” Celestia said. “Lieutenant if I may ask…try not to start any problems with my guards.” “No promises.” “Ok…my guards are going to follow your orders. But if any other human that is not a Spartan and a lower rank than the guard…” “I know what you mean.” “Ok.” “Look I recommend that we regroup near the tree.” Shining said. “Why?” “Because a frigate is going to deploy supplies and troop.” “Whatever.” He walked away. And he turned to Twilight. “Is your brother always like this?” “Well he’s not somepony who like taking orders beside anyone superior than he is.” “Well he better watch his mouth. The UNSC has no room for bullshit at this moment. And Twilight.” “Yes.” “Get your brother at the rally point. I don’t want him being pushed away by the ship’s thrusters.” “I’ll try.” She walked of as Michael called him. “Danny we have a situation.” “What is it?” “We lost communication in this area.” He showed his on a holomap from his datapad. “I think the Covenant took out our troops and our com units.” “Ok.” “I know you weren’t on Reach but I was. I was at a base when I heard a mission that two teammates of Noble team were sent on a stealth mission.” “What was their situation?” “Basically the same problem we are facing...well sorta” “So what you’re saying is you want to go in the area to see what’s going on.” “Yeah. And the area is called a Dark Zone.” “Well I can infiltrate the area.” “You can but…I know you’re going to say no but…” “No.” “Come on at least hear it.” “Fine.” “I want to got I may not be a Spartan but I am good when it comes to stealth.” “True.” Luna heard the conversation and she said. “Um…Spartan.” “Yeah.” “We heard that your communications has been destroyed…well we’re going with you.” “Hell no.” “Why not?” “Because this is a stealth mission.” “We can be stealthy.” “How?” Michael smacked the back of his head and 107 pushed him back making him fall to the ground. “What was that for?” “You dumbass. She the Princess of the night look at her in the night stealth is domain.” “I see. Well maybe but you’re a leader.” Luna said. “So?” “I can’t risk you being killed in battle.” “We won’t.” “Still you’re not going.” “But…” “No.” Michael tapped the Spartan's armor. “Dan the frigate is almost here.” “Ok everyone to the tree!” he turned to Luna. “Well talk about this later.” They all ran to the tree as he jumped over the back of the barricade. As they waited Shining Armor asked Michael. “Hey how is a ship going to arrive here we are nowhere near a large water source.” “You ponies haven’t achieved aerospace travel yet huh.” “Space?” “Where were you when we arrived?” “I was knocked out but one of those apes.” “Oh.” “So what am I going to see?” “Just wait.” From the horizon a small figure appeared. After three seconds the figure grew larger as it drew closer to the town. Small loose objects began to fly in the air and some of the ponies and humans had a hard time standing up right. As it was over Ponyville Michael looked to the Captain who had a dumbstruck face. “Too much for you.” “I don’t believe it?” “Same thing the rainbow manned mare said.” “How?” "You’ll find out later.” As the ship lowered it also lowered its docking bay deploying vehicles and troops walked out with supplies and weapons. Ponies walked to the troops to help. After forty minutes the Frigate returned to orbit and the whole perimeter of the town was now protected by a wall. Near the tree while next to a Mil troop transport Warthog. Celestia, Dan, Luna, Michael, Shining Armor, and Twilight were discussing about the Dark Zone. Dan started. “Ok here’s the situation we have a Dark Zone that is cutting off our communication from farther land areas. The Dark Zone may also be cutting off our routes that allow our soldiers to cross.” Celestia asked. “So if you had soldiers in the area.” The two humans looked to the ground. The Alicorns knew what that meant. “Oh.” Dan continued. “Look Brutes eat humans and I’m pretty sure that now eat ponies as well. Michael and I are going into the Dark Zone to take out the thing that is jamming our communiations.” Twilight said. “Well then I’m going too.” And then her brother. “As well as I.” Twilight continued. “And we heard you when you were talking to Luna nothing will stop us from going.” Michael said. “Wow…looks like we have some ponies that are ready to fight. What do you say Dan.” “I say that I’m taking point.” As he turned to the hog he saw Margaret and Luna already in the front sitting in the hog. “Luna you’re not going.” “Too late.” Margaret said. “Sorry sir she won’t budge.” “Well as your punishment you’re coming too Helljumper.” “I thought you never ask but I’m driving.” “Just don’t drive like a woman.” “Roger that sir.” The turned to the white as she walked to her sister. “Luna.” “Yes.” “Just be careful ok.” “Ok.” She gave her a hug then Celestia turned back to 107. “Spartan?” “Yes.” “The life of my sister lays on your hooves…or hands. Promise me you’ll bring her back.” “I promise.” He grabbed his sniper and DMR and he climbed on the back followed by Michael and the two unicorn. Margaret dove to the door of the wall as Marines opened the door Dan decided to walk up his A.I Beth. “Beth get up.” Beth appeared on his HUD. “I see that you managed to make friends with the natives.” “Yes.” “I was also aware of the situation ever since you arrived on the planet. And I also remember telling you to wake me in five days.” “Well too bad we need you.” “Fine the Dark Zone is about five miles west. But I recommend that you wait for the night.” “We will.” “After that well you know what to do.” Dan looked at the ponies as they looked at him confused. “What?” the captain asked. “Why were you talking to yourself?” “I wasn’t I was talking to my A.I.” “Your what?” Twilight said. “What A.I as in Artificial Intelligence.” “Yup.” “Wow i…i…I never knew that humans were this advance.” “Well Beth is no Cortana but she gets the job.” “Who.” “I’ll tell you later.” “KK.” They arrived at a gorge or as the ponies refer it to. Ghastly Gorge. Dan said. “Ok we leave the hog her but it’s too early we need to settle here in this cave.” Twilight said. “No that’s where the giant eels are.” “Eels?” “Yes…but we’re too close why hasn’t it come out of its home.” “Well why don’t I take a look.” Dan grabbed his DMR and he walked in the cave. Twilight asked Michael. “Do you think he’ll be able to fight off a giant eel?” “Twilight you saw him fall from the atmosphere. I’m pretty sure he can fight an eel.” They looked inside the cave it was a good twenty minutes and Luna said. “We can’t wait any more we’re going in…” “No need for that beautiful.” He walked out of the cave. “The eel was burned all that is left if its bones.” “Oh and did thou just call us beautiful.” “Yeah. Now get inside before Covies appear.” They all walked inside. “Ok it’s about ten so get some sleep. We had a long day.” The ponies laid down and Michael sat down. Luna asked. “Thou is not going to sleep as well.” “No I’ll stay now get some sleep ok.” “Ok.” Dan looked outside the cave and then at the ponies. “Sad how a planet that is so peaceful is now suffer our horror of war. I hope this war ends soon or this world will fall as well.” He looked at the time. “I’ll wake them up at seven. So they can eat, but I have to do something first.”