//------------------------------// // 17: Operation Doolittle // Story: The Jolly Rogers // by lockheed //------------------------------// ~~~~~ 10:00 Hours January 1, 1987 Vanhoover Naval Yard ~~~~~ “Careful with that bomber! You fuck it up and I’ll fuck you up!” An ensign yelled up to the petty officer working the crane that slowly moved the fifth bomber over to the deck of the Hornet. Around me the air crews watched as they moved the bombers to the carrier. By my side Rainbow Dash stood in her uniform as the shadow of the bomber that was dangling over us passed by. Above us on the deck they waved bright orange paddles directing the crane operator where to place the bomber without hitting the others and still leaving room for the other eleven. To my right the eleven bombers sat waiting as one crew painted nose art below the pilot’s window of the last bomber. “General Jones, Lieutenant Colonel Dash.” We both turned around at the voice and saw Princess Luna flanked by four guards. We gave a quick salute and I removed my cap and placed it under my arm. “Princess Luna. I’m surprised you came all the way out here.” “It was at the request of my sister. She wanted me to come and check on the operation before you left port.” “Well come with me and I’ll show you the modified bombers.” Leading her over to the bombers I walked her around and showed her all the changes but halfway through she broke away and headed for the last bomber. Following her over I saw the crew was putting the finishing touches on the nose art and I felt my face growing red as I saw Luna looking it over. On their stands the crew saw Luna and the color drained from their faces. Up on the side of the bomber there was a racy picture of Princess Luna along with the name Midnight Maiden. “General?” “Yes princess?” “Answer me one question.” “It’s nose art your highness.” “I know that general. My question is am I really that attractive?” The air crew and I breathed a sigh of relief and the three fliers on their stands nodded at Luna when she looked up at them. She smiled and turned around to face me. “Let’s go check on the five on the carrier.” Again showing the way I led her up to the Hornet’s gangplank and through the narrow corridors up to the flight deck. Leading Luna to the lead bomber I showed her the bomb bay where three 250lb bombs sat on their racks. “General, do you have any chalk?” I shook my head as a seacolt stuck his head in the bomb bay. “I do your highness.” He held the piece of chalk out for her and she took it with her magic. Floating it up to one of the bombs she scribbled a message of ‘from Luna with love’ on it before giving it back to the sailor. Making our way out of the bomb bay we walked past the second bomber where Will and John painted the famous Ruptured Duck art on the nose of their plane. Going back down below deck we found the gangplank that lead off the ship. When we were back on the ground she said farewell and made her way to the black sedan she had come in. Walking back over to Rainbow Dash I put my cap back on and watched as the crane hoisted the sixth bomber up. ~~~~~ 19:10 Hours January 3, 1987 Honoluna, Haywaii ~~~~~ The glow of the street lights of Honoluna illuminated the harbor as the Hornet passed the sunken wreck of the Phoenix. From my spot on the deck me and almost a hundred others on the ship tossed wreaths into the water to honor the over fifteen hundred that had been declared dead from the Phoenix. After we had all said a few silent words we resumed what we had been doing as the ship prepared to refuel before setting out for the rest of the mission. Looking up towards the bow of the ship I saw a pony sitting and looking out across the water that reflected the city lights. Walking up towards them I saw a rainbow mane and tail on the pony and the small portable radio next to her. Stopping next to her I watched as the waves made the orange glow of the lights dance on the water. “Aren’t you cold Dash?” “With fur and a wool uniform? I’m fine.” Sitting down next to her I dangled my legs over the side. “You’re listening to radio Honoluna. Up next on armed forces request hour is Beer Barrel Polka by the Swing Sisters.” The radio began to play the song and it echoed out across the water towards the city. “You look out towards the city and you’d never know there was a war on but turn around and it’s right in your face.” “Yeah, but that’ll be over with this raid Ms. Dash. The whole world will stop and look. The changelings think of themselves as invincible but this’ll be a great big slap in their faces.” “But how do we know it’ll work? We know nothing of the AA cover in the area, whether there’re air bases that can send intercepting fighters, or even if the targets will be visible. It is an industrial complex we’re talking about.” “We’ll handle that when we get to it. I’ve got to say, I have not missed being on a carrier. I forgot how cramped these bastards can be sometimes.” “It can be at times. That’s probably why most of the pegasi like me spend their free time up here.” “I wonder what the boys on the Nimitz are doing right now if my planet hasn’t become a glowing green wasteland. Someone should make a movie or an arcade game like that. A post-apocalyptic world with mutants and what not. Maybe I should suggest that to an entertainment company if I ever get back.” “I would go see that movie. Well general, I think I’m gonna turn in for the night.” “Alright.” She grabbed the radio and shut it off. As she walked away I looked at all the ponies on the streets of Honoluna and how they went about their lives like the attack nearly a month earlier didn’t happen. Standing up I went over to the first bomber where it sat in peace, the rest of the world blissfully unaware of its mission. Patting the bomber I made my way below decks for my quarters. ~~~~~ 08:00 Hours January 8, 1987 R.N.S. Hornet ~~~~~ A pounding at my door awoke me and a lieutenant stepped in. “Sir, enemy ship reported on the horizon. Your presence is requested on the bridge.” Getting up I hurriedly dressed myself and followed him through the maze of corridors up to the bridge. Upon reaching the bridge I was met by the black earth pony from before, who had a telegram in his hoof. Taking it from him I saw that it was from one of the cruisers on the outskirts of our group. “We’ve radioed for Admiral Harvard asking if the Hood can open fire on the patrol boat but he’s yet to reply.” “Well I’ll speak for him. Open fire and don’t stop until it’s on the bottom of the ocean. How far are we from the main hive?” “Almost six hundred miles sir.” “We launch now!” The captain nodded to a sailor who picked up a microphone. “All crew to general quarters! Air force pilots, man your planes!” Walking out I hurried down to the flight deck where the air crews were still struggling to put on their uniforms as they ran for their planes. “Listen here! I want the all nose guns and tail guns out! Go get some black hoses and put a rod in it!” “Sir, is that such a-“ “Now!” The gunners ran for the ship’s island to look for black hoses while the others set about removing the guns. Climbing into the cockpit I saw the flash of the Hood’s guns in the distance as Big Macintosh climbed in behind me. Down below I heard the sound of the crew removing the nose gun and passing up the replacement. ‘I just had to name it Doolittle didn’t I?’ Going through the checklist I heard the hatches shut. Hurrying through the radio check and roll call I reached for the starters. Depressing the starters I heard the two engines roar to life at almost the same exact moment. ‘Against regulation but I’m in a hurry.’ “Super chargers low and latched?” “Super chargers are low and latched.” Mac replied. “Full flap.” “Flaps full.” Looking over at Mac I saw him saying a quick pre-takeoff prayer. “When’d you find religion?” “When ya assigned me this mission sir.” “I want you to do me a favor.” “What’s that sir?” “Pray for both of us.” Looking down at the pony in the bright yellow vest I saw him wave his checkered flag towards the nose signaling for us to take off. Pushing the throttles forward the bomber began to roll forward and the nose of the carrier grew bigger. Pulling back I felt the nose lift but the main gear stayed firmly on the deck. We hit the end of the carrier and the bomber dropped towards the water before gaining lift and beginning to climb just before we would have crashed into the water. Climbing up we circled as the other bombers took off and joined up with us. Nearly an hour later we headed for our target as storm clouds gathered over the Hornet. “Hey guys! Turn your radios to the EBC.” We all switched our radios over to the EBC as Celestia come on the radio. “From Gryphus, the Changeling Hives, the Northern Ibex Empire, and Camelu we have been described as a nation of playboys who hire foreign soldiers to do our fighting for us. Let them say that now. Let them say that to the soldiers who today are fighting in the far waters of the Haycific. Let them tell that to the boys in the Flying Fortresses. Let them tell that to the marines.” “Another broadcast on the CBC.” We again switched the radios as Shining Armor cleared his throat to speak. “Fillies and gentlecolts, members of parliament, what was named the Battle of Prance is over. The Battle of the Crystal Empire has begun. With griffin forces only a dozen miles away in places we must face the grim possibility that griffin forces may launch an invasion. But with the unity of every crystal pony and our allies, we shall defeat the griffin menace. But should the griffins have the audacity to invade our soil, we shall fight them with everything we have. We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in Prance, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our nation, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.” The flight engineer reached over and switched the radio back to the EBC which had begun playing music again. As the sound of Al Jolson’s Sitting on Top of the World filled the headsets in our bomber we locked the controls and settled in for the flight. The flight engineer passed out small tins of food for us to eat on the way. Peeling back the top I groaned and cussed. “The goddamn quartermaster filled it with grit! Mac, you want this?” Mac took the tin and scarfed down the contents. ‘This is gonna be a long flight.’ ~~~~~ 12:30 Hours January 8 Off the Coast of the Main Changeling Hive ~~~~~ The roar of the engines had long since become mere background noise as I called out to the crew to man their stations. As we flew over the beaches of the island that housed the main changeling hive we kept an eye open for any changeling zero fighters. In the distance we saw the smoke rising from the main industrial complex in the near center of the hive. “Alright, there’s the target! All aircraft open bomb bay doors!” Out my window I saw other bomber’s bomb bays open as my bomber shook from the doors dropping open. Up in the nose the bombardier operated the improvised bombsight to try and get our deadly cargo on target. Below us the holes in the ground that lead to the subterranean city teamed with life as changelings went to and fro as we neared the hole where the factories were located. Just as we were almost on top of the complex the bombardier cried “Bombs away!” and the bomber lurched up as our payload dropped down on the target. Pulling our bomber up we climbed to five thousand feet as the explosions behind us made a thunderous roar. “We hit a munitions factory sir!” “All bombers head for Neighpon. Keep your eyes peeled for zeroes. Lord knows they ain’t gonna be happy with us after that.” We banked right after our thirty seconds over the hive and made our way northwest towards Neighpon. Several hours later we could see the coast of Neighpon in our windscreens but halfway there a thunderstorm had moved in and slowed us down with a headwind. Running on fumes I prayed that we would make it to the coast as a bomber to our left lost its right engine. As we crossed over the cliffs into Neighpon I breathed a sigh of relief as Mac and the flight engineer tried to keep the engines running. Suddenly the left engine coughed and sputtered as the prop began wind milling. “All crew prepare to bail out!” The flight engineer gave us our parachutes and we hurriedly strapped them on as I contemplated whether to give the order. Just as I was about to say we try to belly land the right engine began to cough. “Fuck this death trap. All crew bail out, bail out!” Air began to rush in as the hatch below us was blown away by its emergency release. The bombardier and flight engineer gave us a quick wave before diving through the opening. Locking the controls, Mac and I made our way to the hatch. Waving for him to go first I watched as he dived out and I quickly followed suit. As I tumbled out through the grey rainy sky I saw the tail hatch gone as well as the bomber stalled and entered a dive for the ground. Pulling the ripcord I felt the jerk of the parachute slowing me down and I counted the parachutes from my plane. ‘One, two, three, four, five. All good.’ Looking up I saw two other air crews bailing out and one more trying to belly land their bomber. As the other bombers continued on I saw a few more crews bail out as the gliding bomber slammed into a rice paddy below and all but two crew members climbed out. As the ground grew closer I bent my knees just before landing. The best way to describe landing in a 1940s style parachute is like jumping off a moving train car going thirty five miles per hour. Picking myself up I unhooked the parachute as the crew watched our bomber crash into another rice paddy nearby. Looking around I saw a stallion approaching us in curiosity. (I am an Equestrian.) “Dude, I’m from Detrot.” “Oh, well we’re supposed to be at some airbase around here.” “There’s one about twelve miles north of here.” “Fantastic.” Walking towards the north I made sure to stop by the wreck of the other bomber where the pilot was slumped over in his seat and I could see blood coming out of the crushed tunnel that lead to the nose. Continuing on I saw more aircrews on the ground and walking towards their destroyed bombers. As I approached the wrecks of the second and third bombers I saw my men and Rainbow Dash who was slung over Will’s shoulder. “What the hell happened?” “She ordered her crew to get out while she tried to crash land it in a rice paddy. She bellied it in but when she did it pushed her seat against the panel and her leg got pinned. We looked it over and we think it may be broken or at the least dislocated.” I looked over at her and she gave a weak smile as I looked over the wreckage of Ruptured Duck. Waving for the ponies on the ground to follow me I continued onward towards the airbase that the farmer had told us about. ~~~~~ 01:30 Hours January 9, 1987 Ursa Major Airbase ~~~~~ Looking out the window of the base commander’s office I saw the two coffins being loaded onto a C-54A. On the other end of the phone I was holding Celestia rambled on about intercepted messages saying that a munitions factory was destroyed with a tank factory and an aircraft engine factory were damaged. As I looked outside again I saw my fliers climbing onto the C-54 and four C-47s. “Princess, I’ve got to go.” Hanging up the phone I rushed out to the C-54 and up the steps where the plane’s flight engineer was waiting by the door. As I stepped into the aisle I didn’t look at the coffins in the back of the plane and took my seat in the front. Out the window I saw the ground crew push the stairs away and the transport began to roll forward. Looking down at my watch the ands read 1:34. Laying my head back against the headrest I closed my eyes and settled in for the flight across the Haycific. ~~~~~ 11:21 Hours January 9 Honoluna, Haywaii ~~~~~ As I walked down the street many ponies stopped and asked if they could get me to autograph their morning papers or get a picture with me. It had been less than twenty four hours since the order of bombs away over the changeling hive was given and news had already reached all around the world. Saying goodbye to the group of five that had stopped for my autograph I went into a nearby bar where five sailors, three marines, and an air force pilot all gave me a salute. Returning it I sat down at the bar where the bartender brought me a beer on the house. Picking up the copy of the morning paper that sat on the edge of the bar I saw the headline of MAIN HIVE BOMBED. Below the headline was a photo of our bombers on the deck of the Hornet. Taking a drink of my beer a heard one of the sailors say my name. Looking over I saw him holding out a piece of paper. “Can I have your autograph for my son?” “Of course. Does he live here with you?” “Him, my wife, and my daughter. He got injured during the attack last month and now his back legs are paralyzed.” You know what, let’s go see him. That’s better than just some little piece of paper.” “You would really do that?” “I have three kids myself so I know how kids love to meet an idol.” He paid the bartender for his beer and led me out onto the sunny street. Following him down several streets we finally arrived at a beachfront house where a yellow pegasus mare hung a few dresses and towels out on the clothes line. As she picked up the empty laundry basket she looked up the sidewalk towards her husband and she dropped the basket to come greet us. “General it’s so nice to meet you! Do you want some tea, coffee, water?” “No thank you. Actually I’m here to see your son.” “What did he do?! Page Turner! Get your butt out here!” “No, ma’am it’s alright. He didn’t do anything wrong. Your husband told me about your son and I’m here to meet him.” The screen door on the porch swung open and a tan earth pony stepped out with his back hooves being held a couple inches above the ground due to his wheelchair. Coming down the ramp by the front steps he made his way over to us where he looked at me confused. “General Jones? What are you doing here?” “Well your father told me about you and I wanted to meet you.” “Alright.” “How old are you?” “Fifteen sir.” “Well you are certainly the most interesting fifteen year old I’ve ever met.” “What about your son in that POW camp?” “How do you know about that?” “It’s on page five of this morning’s paper.” “National paper or Honoluna paper?” “National.” “Alright, I’m sorry to cut this short but I have to go.” Signing the piece of paper that the sailor was still holding I hurried onto the sidewalk for the airbase. ‘Please for my safety let Thunderstreak not have seen that.’ ~~~~~ 19:25 Hours January 9 Canterlot ~~~~~ The bartender brought me a fresh beer as the words that Thunderstreak had sobbed into the phone rang in my ears. ‘Don’t bother coming home until he does!’ Taking a swig of my beer I heard someone clicking their tongue at me. Looking to my right I saw a brown pegasus mare in a red dress looking at me. She set her glass of soda down and shook her head. “Honey, drinking won’t solve your problems.” “Neither will soda.” “Honey have you thought that maybe your wife would like you to do something to fix the problem?” “How do you know it’s with my wife?” “Guy with a wedding band and a beer. Honey I’ve seen plenty of guys like you in my time here.” “And you are?” “Miss Jazz Rhythm.” “Well Miss Rhythm you’re right. Let my son join the army and now he’s in a POW camp. My wife told me that until he comes home I can’t either.” “I’m sorry to hear that honey. I’ve got to go work. Best of luck to you.” She hopped down from her barstool and wandered off towards the front of the club. Finishing off my beer I was about to order another when an announcer on stage presented the night’s jazz singer Jazz Rhythm. Turning around I looked on as the brown mare sang Putting on the Ritz, A Tisket A Tasket, and It’s a Lovely Day Today. When she had finished all three of her songs she took a bow and made her way backstage. Paying for the few beers I had consumed I made my way out of the small club towards a hotel near the palace. Just as I was about to go inside to check in I heard somepony land on the street behind me. “General?” A voice smooth as silk asked for my attention behind me. Without even looking I knew who it was. “Yes Luna?” “Is everything alright?” “My marriage is in jeopardy and if I can’t get Sabre back it’s all over so to recap it’s just fucking wonderful.” “James, it will all work out.” “How do you know?” “I can’t tell you how I know but trust me when I say it will.” “If you can tell how things turn out why didn’t you stop the war?” “James, during my thousand years away I met a brown earth pony who taught me that certain events cannot be stopped. This war was always supposed to happen and you were meant to help us win.” “Well what would happen if I did this?” Turning around I pulled my new .45 revolver from its holster, cocked the hammer, and held the muzzle to my right temple. Luna’s eyes widened as she attempted to talk me into lowering the gun. “James I am begging of you to put the gun down.” “Why?! At this rate I got nothing to live for! That idea to rescue Sabre is basically just a suicide mission! I figure I’ll end up six foot under either way!” “Nothing to live for? What about Typhoon and Lancaster? What about Equestria? What about your men? What about your father? What about your pregnant wife? That seems like plenty to live for to me.” “And how many of them would be unaffected if I pulled this trigger?” “None would go unaffected. Your children would lose their father. Equestria would lose one of its greatest military minds. Your men would lose their leader. Your father would lose his only son. And what of your wife? She would lose the love of her life. Every marriage goes through rough patches and nopony knows it like me. If you’d just lower the gun and let things take their course you’d see that it all works out.” Slowly I lowered the gun and removed the bullets before letting the hammer down. Luna held out her hoof and I gave her the gun and the bullets. She teleported them away before offering a room for me at the palace to stay at until the mission into Germareny. I declined multiple times before relenting and agreeing to stay at the palace where I knew she would have guards standing outside my door for any sign of trouble. ‘If she’s wrong I’m jumping off the god damned balcony.’