Chapter Two
Titian
It didn’t take much to convince Mayor Mare and Parliament to go along with the strike opp. After I gave my de-brief to parliament about the liberation of Russhire we immediately started work on Operation Chase, the operation to destroy the remaining Titian missiles. After the de-brief and on our way to the MoD bunker Dashie pulled me to one side.
“What’s up?” I asked Dashie.
“Where is Molotov?”
“I gave him a two week’s leave. The loss of Staliongrad has really upset him, it was his home town.”
“Oh my gosh, I had no idea.”
“Well now you do. Keep it to yourself please.”
“Sure thing.”
I started to walk away but Dashie pulled me back.
“There is something else.”
“What?”
“I want to volunteer for the strike opp.”
“I didn’t think I needed to ask you-“
“And so dose Shamrock.”
“Shamrock why?”
“His father was a researcher for The Canterlot University. He studied the Corlay Eels who make their nest in Ghastly Gorge.”
“And?”
“He used to take Shamrock with him, he practically knows the Gorge like the back of his hoof.”
I had a moment to think.
“All right fine, he can come with us.”
“There is one more thing.”
“Oh for bucks sake what?”
“I think its best that you stay here.”
“I…what?”
“If anything should happen to the three of us then who is going to lead the air force. Slip Stream, Angle Cake, Derpy?”
She had a point but I would feel terrible if something were to happen to Dashie and I was hundreds of miles away and unable to do a thing but watch.
“Alright Dashie I’ll stay here.” She nodded then flew down the corridor to catch up with Shamrock to tell him the news.
“Oh dear…”
“Shut up Nightmare.”
“Oh don’t be like that Whirlwind.”
“I’m in no mood for your criticisms today.”
“I wasn’t going to criticize. I feel sorry for you.”
“Why?”
“Rainbow Dash soon to be so far away, out of your sight, out of your reach. If something should happen to her!”
“Like I said before. Shut up!”
“I’m just pointing out the facts. Maybe you should listen to me a bit more, there might come a day when you will need my advice.”
“And when will that be?” I turned to face her, she wasn't there.
“…soon…”
The whole time her voice came from nowhere. But she did have a point, don’t get me wrong I trusted Dashie would get the job done…but…what if?
*
One week later. Dashie and Shamrock were a few miles out form the Equestrian coast. I was in the MoD bunkers ops room, I was the commander of the operation. I wanted everything to run like clockwork and to ensure Dashie and Shamrock’s safety. I contacted both of them on my radio.
“Rainbow 6 and Garuda 2 you are 20 miles out over.”
“Roger baseplate, how are things on your end?” asked Dashie. I walked over to a monitor that was manned by a technician.
“Normal. Imperial forces have no idea that your there. ICOM chatter is minimal and no ground movement in the target zone over.”
“Roger that.”
“How are things on your end?” I asked Dashie.
“Boring.”
“Well three straight hours of flying isn’t exactly thrilling. Didn’t you think of taking some cards with you?”
“Very funny.”
“Hay what about me?”
“Sorry Garuda 2. How are you?”
“Ah I’m not talking to you now.”
“Heh heh. Fine we will talk when you get back.”
“Over a pint?”
“Of course.”
A tech tapped me on the shoulder; I turned to see Princess Luna with Mayor Mare standing on the platform in front of the steel doors. I gave Luna a nod and she did the same back.
“Rainbow 6 and Garuda 2. Eclipse is on the line. I think she has a few words for you. Put it on loud speaker.” I said to the tech.
“Yes sir.”
He tapped three keys on his keyboard then nodded. I gave Luna the all clear.
“Too both of you, good luck. We are counting on you. Send those weapons to Tartarus.”
“We will Eclipse…we will.” Said Dashie.
“Rainbow 6 and Garuda 2. Maintain radio silence until one mile out form target. Over.”
“Roger that baseplate. Out.”
I stood overlooking the op room just underneath the platform. The radar map on the large screen showed Dashie and Shamrock approaching Equestria. The only way for them to get back to us was to follow the gorge right through to the other side of Equestria. Then they would land on the aircraft carrier Night Air that was stationed one hundred miles off of the coast. Although we had planned everything out to near perfection I still felt nervous.
“Whirlwind, are you okay?” said Luna leaning over the railing.
“I’m fine your highness. A little nervous, but fine.”
“They’ll be fine. Trust me.”
“I want to your highness, but you can’t see into the future. Can you?”
“Unfortunately no.”
I remained silent until it was time for the assault to start.
“Night Team descend to 250ft and keep your speed low. Watch out for the terrain and stay sharp. Over.”
“Roger baseplate. Out.”
The two green dots representing Dashie and Shamrock were now in the gorge. By heart started racing. Suddenly Shamrock spoke.
“Baseplate we have surface contacts dead ahead, looks like to be a port on the south embankment. Over.”
“Have they spotted you?”
“Negative sir. Permission on engage. Over.”
I had to think fast. Engage and wake a hornet’s nest or risk being seen or heard by the ground forces. Sweat started to form on my brow; I was pacing up and down.
“Permission to engage sir?” asked Shamrock again.
I hesitated.
“Whirlwind!” shouted Luna.
“Do not engage!” I heard a sigh of relief from Shamrock.
“Lower your drag fins, decrees speed. Hopefully you can slip pass undetected.”
“And if we don’t?” said Dashie.
“Full throttle to target zone, you would have lost the element of surprise but you will have again speed. Hopefully you’ll be quicker than the pony who fires the missile.”
“Roger.”
The next few silent minutes felt like an age. The two dots on the screen moved slowly and steady. They were at risk losing airspeed and stalling their aircraft and if that were to happen…well you get the idea. More minutes passed then Shamrock broke the silence.
“We’re clear.”
I let out a sigh of relief.
“Good piece of flying guys. Proceed to target zone. Out.”
“Good call Whirlwind.”
“Thank you your Highness.”
Time passed and no further complications arose. The target zone was just around the next corner for Dashie and Shamrock.
“This is baseplate. The target is right in front of you. You only have one chance to destroy those launchers, don’t miss.”
“We won’t Baseplate. Out.” Said Dashie.
Shamrock and Dashie raised there altitude a little and sped up. 1 mile to target, 0.75 miles, 0.5 miles, 0.25 miles.
“Rainbow 6. Target acquired.”
“Garuda 2. Target acquired.”
“Fire!” I orderd.
On the radar screen two white dots representing missiles detached from Dahie’s and Shamrocks plane. They zipped forward and detonated over the target.
“Night Flight send report over.”
“…”
“Night Flight respond!”
“Sorry baseplate. We just had to fly through a fire ball.” Said Shamrock.
“Any damage to both of you?”
“Negative.”
“Good. Head along the gorge to the exit point. Night Air, are you ready?” I Contacted the captain of the aircraft carrier.
“Oui. Preparing aint aircraft missiles, we can see the fires and the search lights from here.”
“Roger. Night Air, prepare your crew.”
“Yes sir.”
Whilst I was communicating with the ships the op room was erupting in cheers and applause. I flew up to Luna on the platform.
“Well done.”
“It’s not me that you should be congratulating your Highness. It’s those two.” I gestured to the screen behind me. As the last word left my lips an alarm went off.
“Missile launch I repeat missile launch!” said a tech.
I jumped over the banisters and pushed my way through the mix of tech’s rushing back to their stations.
“Where?!” I asked the tech.
“Sector 17. The launch site!”
“They missed one?”
“Negative sir. Live video feed from Hawk Eye shows the missile was fired from under the river that flows thought the gorge.”
I turned to face Luna, she was shocked. I looked at one of the guards next to her.
“You! Escort her Highness and the Delegates to the bomb shelter immediately!”
“Yes sir!”
“Keen Eye! Calculate the missiles trajectory and speed and fine out where it’s gonna hit.”
“Aye sir.”
Caramel stood next to me.
“Do you think the empire knows we’re hear Whirl?”
“I hope not. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Evacuate the Castle and inform the military and the civilian police force.”
“I’m on it.”
Within the next few minutes the outcome of the war would be decided. My head set cracked.
“Whirl! It’s Rainbow!”
“We know were dealing with the situation. Right now your objective is to land on Night Air and get back here ASAP.”
“It’s Shamrock. He’s going after the missile.”
“What?!”
I looked back up at the screen. It had now changed from a bird’s eye view to a side view. With the ground at the base of the screen, the missile traveling in an arch and Shamrock catching it up.
“Garuda 2 what the buck are you doing?”
“What does it look like I’m doing!”
“Your mad.”
“Tell me something I don’t know.”
I looked back up at the screen. He was getting closer to the missile. He was brave I’ll give him that.
“You will be in the blast radios when that thing explodes you know.”
“I know.”
“You will be teleported to a Prisoner of war camp. And we cannot guarantee a rescue opp.”
“I’ll be fine. Luck of the Irish you know.”
“Ha. This might be the last time we speak to each other until this war is over so I want to take this opportunity to say-“
My heart fill good bye was interrupted by the sound of Shamrock’s planes cannons firing.
“Shamrock!”
“What?”
“I’m trying to say good bye to you here.”
“You’re taking too long!” he said with a laugh in his voice.
“Yeah good point, I’ll cut to the chase. It’s been a privilege to fly with you.”
“Likewise.”
I heard another burst of fire.
“Clipped it. Oh and Whirl, keep that drink for me would ya.”
“You know I will. The usual?”
“Actually I could go for a nice pint of-“
The dots representing the missile and Shamrock’s plane on the screen diapered.
“Garuda 2 down.” Said a tech in the background.
“Farewell friend. Luna Nos Provet.” I saluted the screen, gave my headset to a tech and left the bunker.
*
I made my way down to the bomb shelter to see Luna and give her the good and the bad news but I suspected that Luna would understand why Shamrock did what he did. The steel doors slid open, the guard room was empty, I could see through the blast proof glass that the bunkers reception was empty. Where was Luna and the delegates? I took the safety off of my blaster and brought it up to my eye. I headed into the reception; I checked every corner and moved quietly. Suddenly Cheerliee ran into the room.
“Whirlwind, come quickly!”
“What is it, what’s going on?!” I lowered my blaster.
“It’s Luna, she’s fainted.”
I holstered my blaster and followed Cheerlie down into the living quarters.
“When did she faint?”
“About 10 minutes ago. The paramedics are with her. She’s a bit delusional.”
Luna was lying on the sofa in the living room. The Mayor had hold of Luna’s hoof in hers.
“Luna. Whirlwind is here.” Said the Mayor.
“W-Whirlwind.”
“I’m hear your highness, I’m hear.” I sat down on the floor; Mayor Mare gave me Luna’s hoof to hold.
“The missile?”
“Destroyed. Shamrock destroyed it but he was caught in the blast.”
“He’s gone.”
“Yeah, but we will get him back.”
“No. He’s…he’s gone.”
“Don’t worry I’ll make sure he is found.”
“No…gone…gone.”
My heart sank. I looked the Mayor, she looked pale.
“Luna. W-What do you mean by gone?”
“He’s…gone.”
“W-hat do you mean he’s…he’s?”
“Dead…”