I woke up with a cold sweat like I was running a marathon. I sat up but, I winced when the pain on my shot up my body. When I looked down to see where I placed my hoof. It was bandaged real well. I sighed at the fact this is the like the fifth or sixth time I was injured in like four or five days. I was in a medical bed in a makeshift tent. I looked down at my right to see that Velvet fell asleep right next to me. I smiled and petted her mane. “Thanks for staying with me.” I whispered. I once again looked at my wounds. It appears that I took some shrapnel from the RPG hitting the barrier and grazing from the bullets. I sighed and moved a little to get comfortable and laying my head on the pillow again. “I really hope that my brother and sister are doing ok.” I said to myself with a sigh. Which made Velvet stir. I looked at her as she woke up. “Morning sunshine.” I said with a chuckle. Without saying a word she hugged the breath out of me, she hugged me so hard. “Need…Air…Please.” I said through the constriction of air I had.
She pulled away and wiped away a tear then, she slapped me with her hoof. I swear, I thought I heard my jaw pop. “You stupid son of bitch.” She said through the tears and then she hugged me again. “I thought you were going to die. When I saw you on the ground bleed from your head and other places. Oh Celestia.” She said burrowing herself into my coat.
I sighed. “I’m sorry. But, I had too. If I didn’t then the Zebras would have those rockets on our tanks and birds. I had too.” I said hugging her head.
“Well, it looks who’s up. The same asshole saved me twice.” said a voice to my left. I knew that voice.
I turned to see Silver coming to me with a toothy smile. “Hey, Silver how are you?” I asked.
“Well, I would have been shot and killed by a Zebra but, he was cut to pieces by the .50. And who was using it? You. Now I owe you two drinks.” He said slapping me on the back. I groaned when he did that. “Sorry, I forgot that you took an RPG. I’m surprised that you are even still alive after a hit like that. Hell, even the doctors are baffled, that you survived. You had mass internal bleeding from the concussion of the blast, some bullets in your ass, and busted open head. You’ve had so many injures they were about to give up on you but, Velvet pushed them to help you.” I looked at Velvet now, and now she isn’t hugging me.
I looked back at Silver. “So…let me guess Maple sent you?” I asked.
“Yup. You are to report to him when are able to move around and walking.” he said with a smile and looked at Velvet. “Both of you.” he said turning around and walking away. But, stopped before exiting the tent. “You saved a lot of lives, back there. Be proud of that. The ponies that you saved may save you when you need it. After all of this is over, we should meet up sometime and have a drink over a game of darts.” he said exiting the tent.
Me and Velvet looked at each other. “Well…we can’t keep him waiting.” I said getting out of the bed.
“Wait, you just woke up! You can’t walk yet! You’ve out for three days!” She said in that motherly voice.
I chuckled . “Hell, I was out for two weeks because I decided it was a good idea to scale a house just for the hell of it. When I woke and after getting my butt beat in by my mom; I jumped up and ran to my best friends house.” I said with a shrugged. I jumped onto the ground next to my bed and winced in the pain but, hid the grunt. “I’m alright. Now, after I get my kit. We’ll see the General.” I said putting on my suit? “What the hell?” I said looking at my kit. It was darker and looked like it went from hoof to neck. Covering my some of my mane and all of my tail. Its helmet looked like it had something inside of it. The body suit had protected knee pads and hoof covering boots with hard plates on the belly, back and sides. It was made for protection and mobility in mind. “Damn.” I muttered.
“They replaced your old new one with a tougher one. Since, nopony listens to me when I say that you are a bullet magnet.” Velvet said while I got a sheepish smile. “It is the same weight but, it has a couple of better features .” Velvet said levitating it up on the bed. “The armor is enchanted as when you are shot, the bullets are pushed out as the armor repairs itself and thus can take more damage. But, it will take time and if you are shot while it is repairing itself, then it will take longer for it to be fully repaired. Another feature is that you will have a gas mask in case of chemical attacks. It will deploy the moment it detects any hazardous chemicals in the air. So, you can keep smoking if you want.” She said stick you tongue out.
I stuck mine out. “Ehhh.”
She chuckled and took a deep breath “But, yeah. It will help you. But, don’t lose this. This is a prototype with only five being made. The others are in Canterlot still being tested and improved. Plus, it is every expensive. If you are say a lawyer making, 85,000 bits a year it would take you twelve years to replace it, without spending a single bit for yourself.” She said poking me in the chest making me almost pass out at the amount of bits. “So, yeah don’t lose it.” But, you don’t have to worry about that. Now, I’ll get my gear and go but, I still think that you should stay in bed for a while longer. I began to put on the body use and felt a magical energy go through me as if it was scanning me. Then, In my vision I saw something. It appeared to be a green grid pattern scanning everything I was looking at then, it was gone. I shook me head. ‘What the hell was that?’ I thought as I began to put on the body armor. It felt the same weight as the last one. I moved around my shoulders and legs to see the mobility. It felt good as I moved the straps into their places with a couple of clicks, tugs, and Velcro. I placed on the helmet and clicked it into place. For a combat helmet it felt pretty good.
I stopped right in front of the exit. “Remember, my siblings are still out there and I will find them. I don’t give a shit for those who get in my way. They are my only family. But, before I wind up going on a rampage looking for them. Let go see the Gen.” I said exiting to unveil the amount of ponies in cots, with nurses and doctors going from pony to pony. Checking on them. I sighed as my gear weighed me down. It was uncomfortable but, bearable. The only thing that wasn’t covered was my face, due to the weight it was kind of hard to breath, but I could tell that this was well made and won’t let me down. The guard at the door saw that it was me and opened the door. “Thank you. Sir.” I said going in.
“Thank you.” Velvet said to the guard as he closed the door when were in.
It was the same dark stairwell, before the battle. We walked up the stairwell up to the first floor recipients office. She looked up from her computer and smiled at us. “He is waiting for you.”
“Thank you.” We said going by.
We walked up the two flights of stairs to get up to the third to the room which the Gen is in. We walked down the corridor to the broadcast center. We walked in to the same chaos as before the battle. Papers, ponies and pots of coffee everywhere. I chuckled at it again. We went though the mess the Gen’s desk. He was surrounded by two ponies that appeared to be radio operators from the group we just passed. “What do you mean the Zebras have taken the entire east coast!”
“Sir, from the scattered reports, it appears that the Zebras have taken all major cities on the east coast but, with our military holding them off. It appears that is where they are staying for now. That is some good news.”
“But, we’ve more bad news.” A pony that appeared to be wearing a doctors coat stepped up. “We are starting to run low on medical supplies and with the amount of ponies flooding in for support we don’t have long until we run out.
Maple rubbed his eyes. “How long do we have until we run?”
“We have a months supply of supplies but, the amount of ponies continuing to come it that number as been reduced to two weeks. But…” The doctor paused for a moment thinking of what to say. Gen. Maple looked at the doctor with a questioning look. “This is a long shot but, the Baltimare City Hospital that has been captured by the Zebras, have had reports from runaways that the hospital is fully stocked for about eight months in combat scenarios. But, the long shot about it; is that it is heavily guarded and occupied by a two companies of Zebras of about two hundred each. That is why I highly recommend that you think about it before sending ponies there, Sir.”
Maple sighed. “Alright.” he looked up to me standing there in my new suit. “Alright, you all are dismiss and return to your posts.”
“Yes, sir.” They all said saluting except the doctor. They turned around and left the room through the way we came.
General Maple looked up at us and smiled “I see that you’re up and kicking again.” he said leaning back in his chair. “I’m surprised that you are even alive.”
“You’re not the first to say that, sir.” I said with a smile.
He chuckled. “I don’t know another single pony that was hit by an RPG explosion and lived to tell about it. Also, by the way, I like the suit. It matches you somehow. It gives off the survival look that seems to define you. First, surviving the execution squads, destroying a outpost, taking down two enemy birds, and repealing an entire attack force while taking an RPG blast to the face. I‘m really surprised to that you are alive.” He paused for a moment. “But, we need to talk about your next mission.” He cleared his throat and leaned by into the desk. “I think you were standing there to hear about the hospital?” we nodded. “Rabbit, Velvet I want you two to go the hospital with a team of six other ponies codenamed Snake team. I want your team to infiltrate the building and take as much medical supplies as you can. If you can, kill as many of the Zebras as possible. Starting with the top floor and make your way down to the first floor. If you can free any hostages, do it. Dismissed.” Velvet and me saluted at the general. He waved us off. “Don’t salute. Remember your not soldiers.” he paused for a moment when he said that and looked at me straight in the eye. Which kind of made me nervous for some odd reason. “That reminds me. You’re not a soldier and never was right?” I nodded. He paused for a moment. “From your age you were just one year shy of being drafted during the Changeling conflict meaning you got no tactical training whatsoever but, you’ve fighting like a professional soldier. I don’t get that. You took down a outpost, two helicopters, and an attack force. With just the help of a mare you barely know and captured enemy weapons. When you come back from your mission, I want you to tell me how in the hell do you fight like the way you do. Dismissed.”
We saluted again and he didn’t say a thing. We turned around and left the chaos of the room. When we were in the stairwell going down into the garage Velvet stopped me and made me look her in the eye. “He is right. How do you fight like the way you do. Is there something you are not telling me?”
I was in utter shock when I looked back at the actions of what I did. “I… Don’t know. I just do it. Like its second nature. I only used a gun when I was helping one of my oldest friends tend his cattle and to get rid of coyotes that were attacking his chickens. I swear.” I said pressing my back against the wall raising my covered hoofs. She looked me in the eyes to see if I was lying or not.
She sighed as she couldn’t tell. “I’m sorry but, the Maple’s question made me think. How can you fight? You told me that you were never a fighter or soldier. But, we can dwell on this later. We’ve got a mission to do. We need to gear up and mount up.” She said backing off away from me. I took a deep breath as she began to go down the stairs. We went down the last floor of the garage where the armory was. She opened the door and stepped into the lot but, was stopped by a pair of wings by two guards.
“Only authorized personal allowed in the armory. State your business.” The brown guard on the left said.
I cleared my throat. “We are here to obtain weapons and ammunition for a mission assigned by the general himself for Snake team.” That all I said before the guards looked at each other and then, at me.
“Access Granted.” The green mare said as both of the wings went down.
Velvet looked at me with a flat face. “Show off.” She said as she entered the armory.
When I walked in I was surprised at the extent of the weapons. Racks upon racks of weapons. From pistols to rifle. From grenades to RPGs. From the average metal helmet to the most advanced armor with regenerating Kevlar and hard plate. The ammo is a different story. On the racks was a piece of paper that said: Attention, soldiers. If you are out on regular patrol, only take half amount of ammo per kit. If on recon, supply runs, or spec ops take only four-fifths ammo per kit or eight magazines of rifle and four magazines of pistol. We are trying to conserve ammo as much as possible. Same with food and water. Down to two meals a day and half the rations of water. If you find any supplies please, turn them into the nearest officer.
“Well, damn.” I said scratching the back of my head. “Well, lets gear up and met Snake team at the humvees.” I said taking a suppressed rifle that said on the side of the mag well was ACR and the entire gun was painted black with a reflex sight. I grabbed the eight mags of rifle and four of pistol and placed them in my vest. I got the same pistol that I had during the attack but, the suppresser was screwed on.
I looked Velvet and she picked up a suppressed SMG with a red dot and picked up a smaller pistol with the same suppresser. She looked at me and back at something on the rack. She held a revolver and tossed it to me. I just barely caught it with my magic. “I think this is yours.” She said turning around and up the stairs toward the top level. I followed her into the dark stair well. Even through the professional stare. I could tell that the buck had a smirk in his eyes. I sighed silently as we reached the top floor of the garage. We walked out to see that six other ponies were around two humvees, talking and getting their weapons ready. As we got closer to the humvees we could see each pony had a patch on their shoulders that depicted a Snake slithering around a sword with wings at the hilt on top it was a ribbon with writing said: silent, hidden, deadly.
They all went silent when they saw us walking toward them with the weapons and armor. One that was sitting the hood looked at us like he was pissed. He jumped down and began to walk to us. We met half way from the humvees and he stopped in front of us. He just stared at us. I stared back. “Can I help you, civ? You seemed to be lost and in possession in some gear that doesn’t belong to you. Now, why do…”
“How about no.” I said looking him straight in the eye. “We are your new teammates whither you like it or not.” I said poking him in the chest. “So, my name’s Rabbit.” I said sticking out my hoof.
He looked at Velvet when I finished with a smug look. “We?”
I felt annoyed and responded. “Yes, we as me and my friend Velvet here are apart of your team.” I said gesturing my hoof to Velvet. “What’s your name?”
He looked back at me. “Are you two dating or something?”
“What!? Hell no!!” Velvet and me said in unison then, we looked at each other. I looked away blushed then, I sent a glare at the kd
“Woh woh who; take it easy, kid. Just playing with you. But, the name‘s River pebble.” He said with a laugh while patting me on the back. “Welcome to Snake team.” he said pushing me toward the other ponies with Velvet in tow. When we got to the two humvees the other five ponies looked at us. “Ladies and Gentlecolts, I would be glad to introduce you to the new members of Snake team.” He patted me on the back. “This is Rabbit and this is Velvet.” he patted velvet on the back. We both waved. He pointed to a giant pony with a cherry red coat with a black mane on the side of his armor was a battle saddle with a fucking mini-gun with a hell of a lot suppressors on the barrels. “That’s Tiny mouse.” Tiny nodded at the mention of his name then, went back to cleaning his pistol.
I looked at River with a questioning look. “Yeah, I don’t know either.” he looked at a pair of twin Pegasi both with long rifles with suppressers on the ends of each one. One was fucking huge and the other was smaller and lighter. “The twins; Spring and Autumn are our snipers.” The twins looked up at us and smiled. The both were a shade of green, the darker one I think was autumn and the lighter one was Spring. “Also, what ever you do don’t piss them off with a rifle in their hoofs. They can shoot off a single feather off of Spitfire herself while doing her Wonderbolt maneuvers.” River said with a hearty laugh. River pointed at the unicorn on the turret of the second humvee. “That’s Soft Song; She is our medic.” She looked at us and nodded. She was a egg white with purple mane and green eyes. Kind of cute. I thought as River looked at another pony who appeared to be sleeping with a suppressed shotgun across their chest in the driver’s seat.
He looked at a unicorn completely covered in a armor suit; similar to the armor that I was wearing but, had the mask on so I couldn’t see the face other then, a gas mask that had red eyes. No hint of color or gender. River sighed “That’s Calamity; our demolition and explosive expert. When you need something to go boom then, ask him. He also has a temper so just watch out.” he stopped and turned around to us and smiled. “I hope that you do good; from what I hear you not that bad. Now, we leave in ten, if you need to do anything right now; I suggest that you do it now.” He paused looking from Velvet and me. “Besides fucking, we don’t have time for that; plus we don’t that smell in the humvees.” he said with a chuckle. I looked at Velvet as my face began to burn. She was looking down her mane covering her eyes and her normal green coat turn red from blushing.
“Oh my god.” She said with a soft whisper. “I’m going to get you back for that…” She began to mumble as she plotted revenge just barely audible.
I decided to kill the time and clean my weapons. I walked to the humvee that Calamity was sleeping in and I sat on the ground in front back seat. I took out my pistol and rifle. Without even thinking about it; I began to take apart the weapons with ease as if I was doing it for years. It took my only thirty seconds to completely field strip and rub down the bolt and chamber of the rifle. I then placed the upper receiver onto of the lower and pressed the two pins locking them into place and completing the gun. I ran the bolt a couple times and when I was satisfied I placed the magazine back into rifle and clicked the safety on. I smiled as I went to my pistol then, from the corner of my eye I could see that Tiny was looking at me with a questioning look in his eye. He then shrugged and went back to cleaning his pistol. When I went back to my pistol I found that I was using my magic to clean it without me realizing it. I loaded the 14 rounds of .45 into the pistol and racked the slid, cambering a round of woopass then, holstering it into the chest holster for an easy reach. I checked my mags and saw that I had the right amount for both weapons. I took out my knife and I realized that it was the same one that I used against the sleeping guard before the metro fell. I took out the small whetstone from a pouch and began to sharpen the dull knife.
About a minute later Velvet sat down next to me as I was about finished sharpening the knife. I looked at Velvet as she took out her canteen, tipping it up in the air so the water flowed into her mouth. When she was finished taking the drink with her magic she handed it to me. “Here, you might need some.” She said as I took it into my magic. I let the cool water flow into my throat with a satisfying ahh. I handed it back to Velvet.
I placed the whetstone and knife back into their respective places. I looked at my watch that was scratched to hell but, still working said that we had five more minutes left before go time. I sighed then, took out the pack of cigarettes and lighter. I took out one cig and flared the lighter. I offered one to Velvet but, she shook her head as she took another drink of water. I took a drag and let out the smoke through my nose. I could smell the smoke as it floated in the air. I sighed as I took another drag of the cig. It was then, that River walked where everyone saw him…While except for Calamity as he is still asleep.
River cleared his throat. “Alright, everypony we are going on a recovery mission. That means that we are going to retrieve as much medicine as ponyly possible. We need at least a months supply of meds for this mission to be a success. If you find any medicine put in your bags and continue to search for more. This is a stealth mission, so we are as quiet as possible.” he turned to Spring and Autumn. “Autumn, Spring. There is an apartment building across the highway that is located in front of the hospital.” He looked at Tiny, Velvet, Song, Me and Calamity. “Alright, the rest of you are going to be inserting into the hospital via the roof door with me. We’ll be using the apartment building to get on the roof. When we get inside watch out for any Zebras and Civs. It is rumored that the Zebras have hostages holed up in the basement and other parts of the hospital.” When I heard that I was speechless. He continued with the plan. “If you find any Zebra sentries or any guards then, dispatch them as quietly as possible. If we’re compromised then, get ready for an all out gun fight.” He looked Tiny. “Tiny, if we are compromised then, I give you permission to use the mini-gun.” Tiny nodded as River looked over all of us. “If we are separated then meet up at the elementary school three miles away from the hospital. There an chopper will be waiting for us if the Humvees are non-operational.” He sighs. “If any of us are caught…” He looked up at us from the ground as he paused. “If any of us are caught and captured then…Pray that all you get is a bullet.” He said with a dark tone. “If they don’t shoot you, then you are going to be captured, tortured, raped and they are going to try to pry out as mush information as possible from you; Don‘t let them and endure until they stop or…you die.” He took a deep breath. “I can’t guarantee that all of us are going to make. I know, I was part of glass team during the initial invasion. Most of my entire squad was wiped out as we tried to fight back. We just barely made it and when we made it here only two of us were left. Me and Calamity; trust me if you need back up he will fight for you and make sure that are out of their safe. He did on several occasions for me.” He chuckled. “Well, there I go again spilling out stories like an old buck.”
He fell silent for a moment before looking at Velvet and me. “If you two are good to go then, you are riding with Calamity and Soft Song.” when he said that I got up and then, I felt the heat of the cig as it crept to my lips. I spit it out as I stood up and smothered it. Velvet got up without saying a word and got in the back seat.
“Hey, lover colt why don’t you sit shotgun and we can chat.” A voice coming from behind me. It sounded muffled. I turned to see the it was Calamity at the wheel. “Come on, we don’t have all day and I want to kick some ass. So, get your ass into gear.” He said as I went around the humvee and took the passenger seat.
When I got in the humvee its engine roared into life. The humvee in front of us began to move out of the garage and Calamity hit the gas and we followed them. A voice that was a little deep came out of the radio. “This is Snake 1, do you copy Snake 2?”
I got on the radio instinctively . “This is Snake 2; We copy.”
“Good, we connected. Get ready for a little trip. About twenty-five miles away from the hospital we are going to hide the humvees and hoof it from there. Do you copy?’
“Yes, we copu. Over and out.” I said placing the radio back on the consol.
We sat there for a few moments in total silence as Song manned the bigger version of a mini-gun. I looked out the window as went over the bridge towards the hospital from living here for about eight years after moving to avoid the fighting from the Changeling conflict; I could tell that it was going to be an hour drive. I sighed as I saw a smoke stack coming from the direction of my home.
“Quit that moping, I hate it when ponies mope; It just gets on my nerves.” The muffled voice of Calamity said making a right turn behind River. “Besides we should talk for a while. With our friends back there looking out the window for Zebras.”
I looked at him and his red eyed mask. “Sure, what’s on your mind?”
“I want to know if those stories I keep hearing about you are true.” he said flatly.
“What stories? You mean the choppers and surviving the RPG?” I said with a confused look.
“Yeah, that’s what I mean. I heard my fair of heroic acts of ponies taking down tanks and other shit during my time in the Army. But, from what I hear is that no matter how much damage you take you keep getting up and asking for more.” he said flatly. “Because you getting shot at by an RPG and surviving; I call bullshit.”
I just shrugged. “I don’t know what to tell you. I just did. I don’t know how I survived but, I know one thing for sure.” I said with a grin.
“And what would that be?” He asked sarcastically.
“That I’m going to kicked their striped asses. Then, I’m going to find my little brother and sister.” I said with determination.
Calamity fell silent for a moment. “You have family still inside the city?” he asked with a little concern.
I sighed. “Yes, I do. It is what keeps me fight until the end. At first I was fighting just to survive when I was being shot at by the execution squads. When I got here, I realized that I made it and then, I realized that my siblings still have a chance that they are still alive and kicking.” I chuckled for a moment. “Well, after that I don’t know what to do. If I find them I will just probably leave the city or something. I don’t know.” I looked at Calamity. “What about you?” I asked
Calamity sighed. “I don’t know. My wife died two years ago from cancer. My kids I don’t know. I…I just don’t know. I haven’t seen them since my wife died. I know that two of them are in college and the other I don’t know. My oldest he was full of joy and high spirits but, when my wife died; his spirit died a little. That was the last time I ever saw of him. I hope that they are all doing alright and not in this hellhole. It‘s weird the same thing happened to my brother but, it was a few years farther back.” I just stared at him in shock. “I’m sorry…I just don’t know why I did that but, thanks to for listening a little.” He sighed a little. “Alright, if you tell anypony that I was being mopey, then I am going to kill you got that?” he said sounding really defensive.
I chuckled. “Alright, I’ll won’t tell anypony about this. But, about me doing all that shit during the attack; anypony would’ve done it.” I said looking at the noon sky.
Calamity laughed really hard almost wrecking into a building; he got back on the road then, looked at me. “Bullshit. Nopony, I mean nopony besides my teammates would have the balls to deliberately run into oncoming fire to get to a .50 cal just so that others didn’t have to. Then, take a fucking RPG like the way you did and then, wake up three days later; just to come back for more punishment.” He paused a moment and looked back on the road. We took a right turn then, he looked back at me. “You know… I like you; you kind of remind me of myself when I was younger.” he said chuckling. “So, where did you met that lovely mare back there?” he asked with a chuckle.
My face began to burn like a fire. “Well…She saved my sorry ass from bleeding out. I met her in maintenance tunnels of the metro system. I was stumbling around for a bit before I found her in a lounge for the employees. For the most part she had a gun to my head.” I said with a chuckled as we made another left turn.
“Hmm…Not the weirdest way that a couple met but, hell what do I know.” he said jokingly.
A voice came from behind us and began to speak with a little annoyance. “For one we are not a couple, two we’re just friends and three I’ll kick your ass if you say that again.” Velvet said with a huff as she sat back into her seat with red cheeks.
I chuckled. “Sure, thing sweet cheeks.” Calamity said chuckling.
“Why do I even try?” She said with another huff.
I shook my head with a smile. “Because, who else is going to drive you crazy?” I said looked up at the sky through the windshield. I don’t know why but, I began to tune out everything around me for a brief time as I saw a few clouds in the sky and smiled. It reminded me for a moment of time before all of this shit happened.
I was in a field just a year or two before the Changeling conflict. The field went over miles of prairie. There was a small river a little to the east but, you can still hear the water flowing; the air smelled of rain and storms. I loved that smell; it always calmed me in a way I didn’t know about. I was laying down starting to take a nap when a hoof poked me on the nose. I jolted awake and rolled away from reaction. I looked at the pony that poked me. It…was my mother. Her Olive green eyes greeted my along with the flash of her silvery coat mixed with a light brown mane. She was giggling at me as I shook the grass off. I sighed. “You really got to stop doing that.” I said taking another breath. “I was taking a nap.”
When she was about to speak; she used a sweet voice that was filled with love and care. Even when I was rarely in trouble she still used to same voice and it sounded wonderful. “I know but, we need to get inside. There is a huge storm coming from the west and I don’t want you to get sick. Plus, I think that there are a couple of siblings that want to play with you before the storm.” I was confused for a moment before I was tackled to the ground by a little colt and filly that were a couple of blank flanks. I was on the ground with the two siblings high hoofing each other in victory as they sat on top of me..
“Yeah, we won!” The colt said with a joy fill squeak.
“Yeah, we did it!” The filly said with the same joy filled voice then, came the sound of them high hoofing.
I chuckled. “Yeah, you won but, only if you can take me down when I know your there.” I said with a smile as I got on my hoofs with them on my back. They began to laugh as I began to run with them. I smiled and laughed when until a flash of lighting struck the sky. I stopped at the flash. I looked behind me to see my brother and sister were gone. I looked back at the sky. It was covered in grey clouds that made you dreadful. The field was a dead grey and I was alone. In the vast dead field. “Whisper! Brush! Mom! Where are you!?” I yelled looking around me until I saw something walk towards me. I squinted my eyes to see the figure.
From what I could see it was a Buck but, I couldn‘t tell who it was with most of his face covered by a black bandana. He was covered in dirt and grime, like he hasn’t bathed in weeks. He had worn out armor; it was burnt, torn, stained and had holes; similar to the one I was wearing. He had scars that covered him from his parts of his face to his hoofs though the holes. He had a bare M4 with a single red dot sight that had was almost on the verge of breaking. The M4 looked like it has been fired a lot as the flash hider looked a little burnt and the rifle itself looked like it had a lot of wear as the finish along the mag well and receivers had began to rub off some revealing the shiny aluminum underneath; there was some chips from the rails and butt stock. His eyes looked tired and like they have some much sorrow and despair. His mane was messy and looked like it was burnt in some places. He looked tired and ready to pass out. He stopped in front of me and took a deep breath. “Be ready for what’s about to happen.” he said with a dry voice that sounded like he need water. “Just remember you are just a pony and you couldn’t do anything to stop what is going to happen; it wasn’t your fault.” He said while looking at me with blank eyes and then, flaring his horn he lowered the bandana . I froze when I realized who it was. I couldn’t believe that it took until he was right in front of me to realize it but, it was me. “Just be ready.”
I was speechless at what I was seeing then, I felt a hoof on my shoulder. I turned to see my mother again. She looked tired and sick like her final days before she died; her mane and coat have lost a little of their color. She wore a smile as she stared at me with her tired olive eyes. “Be brave.” She said as put her hoof on my cheek taking a look at my face. With her hoof still on my cheek. “I couldn’t ask for better son. I was lucky to have a loving son that would put other ponies above themselves. I’m so proud of you, son. I’m proud of what you are doing.” She said as a sudden weight went over my body. I looked down to see that I was full grown and had my armor on. I looked back at my mother as she took her hoof off my cheek. “When you are at the hospital be sure and go into the psychology section of the third floor down from the roof. There is something that’s yours.” She took a breath and backed away. I felt the tears flowing from my eyes as they soaked my coat. “I’m so proud. I love you Jack Rabbit and I always will. Remember that. but, now you need to wake up now. Wake up.”
“Hey, wake up!” Calamity said as he shook me. I woke up and looked around. We were behind a building in a back ally.
I looked at Calamity in confusion. “What’s going on?”
From his voice I could tell that he was irritated. “You fell asleep on us for a bit then, about five minutes ago, you began to cry as if your mother died.” I just stared at me as I placed my hoof against my cheek. It came back wet. I was speechless for a moment.
I looked to my left to see that Velvet had an concerned look on her face; while still keeping vigilante. “We thought for a moment that you were having a mental breakdown and we were going to have abort the mission.”
I shook my head. “I’m sorry, I just had a dream. We will continue on.” I said as I flared my horn picking my rifle that was next to me as I got out the humvee. I cocked the charging handle, chambering a round. I looked at Calamity as we began to walk out of the alley. “So, how far are we from the hospital?” I asked in a hushed voice.
“About klick and half out. Or about a half a mile away if you want don‘t know a klick is. We should get to the apartment building in about twenty to twenty-five minutes if we don’t get hung up.” he said pumping his shotgun and running down the ruined sidewalk.
********
We went down the war torn streets as stealthily as possible, going though alleys and backstreets the only sounds were the winds blowing around useless paper and the scent of death. I can’t believe just a week ago and half ago these streets were filled with ponies going on with their daily lives and now most of them are dead. I thought as we turned down an alley getting closer to the sounds of vehicles and troops. River waved down for to keep low and stop. He turned to Spring and Autumn. “Alright, Spring and Autumn set up that building over there across the highway.” He said pointing to building across the street from us. They nodded and flew up to half way the building and began to make their way there. River handed me a pair of binoculars. “See what we are up against if we are compromised.
I levitated the binos to my eyes and I got a clear view of the hornets nest from hell. “They have five captured humvees, ten of their own, about sixty or seventy troops outside at least. There are two makeshift guard towers with heavy duty MGs on them.” I said looking over the small plaza. I turned my attention on the roof to see three Zebras with long rifles on their saddles. “I spotted three snipers on the rooftop with high caliber rifles.” I said lowering the binos.
“What about the inside?” Tiny asked as cracked his neck. He had a low voice, it reminds me of the buck from sweet apple acres when I went there for some of the cider.
I hummed to myself for a brief moment as I put the binos back on my eyes. I scanned the windows. The halls were crawling with Zebras and Zebra doctors as they sent Zebras into the ER. “Well, fuck. It appears that the lower halls are heavily populated like rabbits.” I chuckled. “Somepony should teach them about protection.” I said with a smile. Nopony said anything but, I swear I heard a cricket. I shrugged. “But, besides the snipers, from what I can see is that the upper floors are being used as storage. There is still blood covering a whole lot of the walls; Some seem fresh.”
Velvet’s voice came up as I glassed the hospital. “What about the apartment building next to it?”
I looked back at her. “I don’t know but, I will check.” I said as I began to scan to the apartments.
“Well, it appears to be in shambles and it looks like it might just fall it is hit with a few more bombs but, for now its good. I can’t see Zebras but, I’m sure there are some in there.” I said as lowered them and gave them back to River. “We can sneak in the side door of the building and work our way to the roof. Spring and Autumn can take out the snipers then, we can repeal down the three story drop. It is just brick walls facing the hospital until three stories up.” I said looking at the team with a chuckle. “I hope that you all love heights.”
Nopony said a word as we backtracked towards the road from earlier. We made our way though a block before we made sure that we wouldn’t be seen. Calamity looked up and down the street before signaling us to run in three. He waved his hoof three times and we all sprinted across the ruined highway. I jumped over a concrete barrier to get over to the other side. I looked behind me to see that Tiny can run, even with the heavy minigun he still was hauling ass. Note to self; do not piss him and run because he can catch you. I thought to myself as we got into the comfort and relative safety of the alley. When we got behind the building with Calamity looked around the corner; see if it was clear. He motioned forward and we followed him as we made our way. I kept my rifle close as we got closer to the objective. “I don’t like this.” I said as we got to the objective.
Calamity was pointing his shotgun at the lock but he looked at me. So did River and everpony else. “What do you mean, Rabbit?” River said peering around the corner next to the highway.
I unfolded the stock on my rifle with a click. “I mean this is too easy. The only Zebras that we have seen have the ones in the Plaza. No patrols, no tanks, no birds; Nothing.” I said getting closer to the door.
Everypony looked at each other with a questioning look until River cleared his throat getting our attention. “It doesn’t matter; we have a mission to do. Nothing more; Nothing less.” he turned to Calamity. “Bust the lock.” he said flatly.
Calamity nodded and the sound of a suppressed shotgun going off along with woods breaking and metal hitting metal. It was quieter then, it would’ve been but, still; it got the job done. We ran and cleared the room. There was nothing in the room besides dried blood and rubble. We quickly moved to the next room…nothing. The rest of the floor was like that until we got to the stairs. No signs of life beside the occasional rotting body and dried blood. River was on point as we got up the next floor and began to go up the stairwell. No signs from the Zebras even in the damn buildings except for there killings “I thought that this building was supposed to be occupied?” Velvet said coming up behind me as I got on the floor that we were supposed to repeal from. We cleared it and still nothing.
A sweet voice began to fill the room reminded me of my…mother. I mentally sighed as I followed the voice to Soft Song. “Guys, I really don’t like this. We haven’t seen anything in this building and Velvet is right; this building was supposed to occupied by the Zebras.” we all looked at River.
“That doesn’t mean that we don’t have a mission to do.” he looked at me. “Rabbit what’s the time?”
I looked at my watch to see that it was 5:39. “seventeen thirty-nine hundred hours.” I said putting my hoof down.
“Alright. We go at eighteen hundred hours and get the ropes ready, Calamity.” Calamity nodded taking two long rolls of climbing rope and began to make anchors on the walls with his magic. River looked at the rest of us. “Alright, before we go in. I’m going to signal Spring and Autumn to take out the snipers. Tiny you are going to go down first and cover us as we come down. From there Song, Velvet, Rabbit, Calamity and me are going down in that order. Got that?” we didn’t say anything but, nod.
The next twenty minutes went by slowly and quietly like the calm before a shit storm. All we did was sit back and wait for the go ahead. Calamity finished the rig in a couple of minutes and he tested the strength with a tug of magic. Everypony did a last minute check on gear, ammo and other supplies. It was nerve racking as the seconds went by. I realized that this was the first offensive mission I was doing during the battle. Can I do it? Can I actually kill in cold blood? All this time I’ve been fighting to survive but, now I was the one attacking. I thought as I was mental freaking out but, I felt a hoof on my shoulder. I looked over to see Velvet looking at me with concern. “I know that you are freaking out a little, I’ve been with you for about a week and I can already read you like a book. Remember, they are the ones that attacked us out of nowhere. Now…” She paused grinning at me. “It’s our turn to kick down their door and say hello.” she chuckled as she sat against the wall next to me. “This is going to be interesting.” She said checking her SMG’s magazine and reinserted it back into the gun.
My watch beeped; signaling that it’s six. I looked outside that sun was almost drowned by the night. I felt a little safer in the darkness as I can’t be seen. “It’s go time. Now lets hit the road.” the moment River said that three thumps come from the roof of the hospital. Tiny without a word came to the window and clipped the rope to his harness then, climbed out the window. He began to repeal down for a few moments until the rope went slack then, three tugs on the rope signaled that he was down. “Song and Velvet; you go next.” They nodded and clipped to the ropes and at once to repealed down about a few more moments longer then, Tiny the ropes went slack and three tugs. “Calamity and Rabbit you go next and I’ll follow.” River said patting me on the back. I looked up at him and his grin. “Don’t fall because that is a long way down.”
I decided to make the dumb mistake of looking down after he said and I gulped. “Gee, thanks.” I deadpanned.
“No problemo.” He chuckled as I clipped on and climbed out the window holding onto the rope for dear life. I took a deep breath and began to descent slowly until I hit concrete. I took a deep breath and I looked around to see Velvet giving me the ‘good job’ smile and nod. I unclipped and began to walk toward the group. I heard a thump behind me to see that River had landed and unclipped.
“Good job everypony. Now, we all know the plan. Collect meds, recon, and evade. Make no contact unless you have too, like with sentries. Everypony got that?” we nodded as we made our way to the door which Calamity was getting ready to shot off the door off its hinges. We stacked up against the sides of the door. With three suppressed shots the door fell and we ran in. we went down the stairwell with caution and speed. We got to the first corridor and the first thing that hit us was the smell. The walls still had fresh blood on the walls, there were bodies everywhere. I put the pit of my knee in front of my mouth. Damn, that stinks. I thought as we made our way down.
River stopped at the corner and we pressed against the wall. He waved at us after he peered around the corner. We went down the corridor with our weapons at the ready. There was a sign on the ceiling and it said: Cancer Center for the youth. When I saw that and I remembered the bodies it made me sick. They killed sick fillies and colts and now they are going to pay. I thought in anger as we made our way down to the stairs. We stopped just before the stairs. We were going to continue but, we started to hear hoof steps and voices. “I fucking hate when we have to patrol this stink hole. Why in the hell would anybody come in here?”
“I don’t know Zanthros but, Major General Xuanlong says that this places needs to patrolled just in case of infiltration.” I could hear the other one growl in annoyance. “Hey, don’t blame me; Take it up with her.”
“Fine, lets get this over with before I vomit from the smell.” The Zebra said as he continued walking toward the corner. I counted two Zebras but, River shook his hoof three times; meaning that there were three Zebras coming our way. The moment that they came around the corner they were met with three bullets, well… Two bullets and a load of buckshot. One from Calamity, Velvet and Me. They were dead before they hit the ground.
“Velvet can you teleport the bodies in the alley behind the apartment?” Calamity asked loaded his shotgun back to full capacity. Velvet nodded and she flared her horn and the bodies were gone. She took a deep breath as she hasn’t use that magic at once in a while. “You good?” She nodded and as we went down the stairs avoiding the blood. When we came down there was less blood but, it still stunk. When we got to the sign on the ceiling it said: Burn warden. Then next to it somebody painted: Damn it Karl. I just shook my head and sighed. We continued down the corridor in single file keeping watch for anything.
We navigated the corridors for any sign of Zebras. When we began to make our way to the last Stair well that we need to get to we heard the sounds of laughing, bottles, cards and a thrown punch or two. River turned around and looked at us. “Alright, there are two ways to the main stairwell is located. Velvet, Song and Me are going back and taking them from the side while Rabbit, Calamity and Tiny take them from the front. But…” He didn’t get the finish when five suppressed shots from Calamity.
“There you go, problem solved and lets get to our objective. The more time we spend here means the more likely we get caught and I don’t need my balls stuffed in my mouth, thank you very much.” he said in a hushed tone reloading his shotgun.
River sighed and followed Calamity down the stairwell with his rifle in front of him. We went down the stair with even more caution as the number of sounds began to come to our ears. I had my rifle ready for action and decided to flip it to full auto. We came around the corner to see two Zebras coming our away but, it seems to be more then two. “Hey, Autumn. Spring. How many Zebras are coming our way?” I asked through the coms as silently as possible.
I got a single answer and I did not like it. She said “Eight. Proceed with caution as they have heavy machineguns and assault rifles. They have also have heavy body armor with hard plates from this point.”
“Fuck.” I murmured as they got closer. But, as they were getting closer, they turned to their left and went down a corridor. I think that everypony sighed in relief for a moment before we moved on toward the corridor where the Zebras came from. As I went by the hallway from where they went down, I decided to look down it and saw nothing. “What the hell? Where did they go?” I said to myself as we went under a sign that said: Storage up ahead. I quietly preyed to Luna as we made our way to the storage. The walls on this floor were cleaner and it didn’t smell as bad but, it was still there. It is never going to go away. We made our way to another corridor that had another sign. It said: Psychology and medical research. I stopped when I read the sign and the dream with my mother in it. Velvet noticed this, stopping and following my gaze. We were at the back so they didn’t notice us stopping all except Calamity.
“What’s wrong, Rabbit?” Velvet said in the motherly tone she uses sometimes.
I looked at the corridor and the flash of the dream came to my vision. “What are you two doing?” Calamity said as I began to walk down the corridor following my vision. “What the hell is he doing?” Calamity said with a tone filled with confusion mixed with irritation.
“I don’t know but, it seems that he is looking for something.” Velvet said with a shrug. I heard her follow me as I continued down the corridor.
“Celestia damn it.” Calamity said under his breath but, I could hear it.
I walked down following the vision of my mother walking in front of me then, when I came to a door at the end of the corridor she went into the door. I blindly followed and opened the door. When it swung open it reveal a huge room filled with shelves upon shelves but, what was on them confused me. There was briefcases, on every shelf in the room. I raised an eyebrow then, one final flash of my mother looking at one in the middle of the shelves then, back at me. She was crying with a smile then, with a gust of non-existent wind she was blown way like dust. I walked up to the case that my mother was looking at on the middle shelve. I heard Calamity and Velvet come in the room with a gasp from Velvet. “What are these?” Velvet said going to a briefcase with a curious look on her face.
“I don’t know but, I have a feeling that you don’t want to be messing with that, Velvet.” Calamity said looking out the door.
I flipped open the latches and with a little clank and opened the case. The case revealed an orb that was olive green and black. It had a note inside. Flaring my horn again I picked up the note and unfolded it. It was a short note and it read: I’m sorry that I had to leave you like the way I did Jack. I’m so very sorry. When you were born you made me the proudest father… I almost dropped the note when I was it was from my father. I…I couldn’t believe it. It was from him. It was the first time in eight years that I’ve heard from him.
Gunshots from the hallway took me out of my shock. I turned around to see that Calamity was unscrewing his suppresser. “Well, it looks like it’s time to play.” He turned to us and sighed. “It looks like this mission is a failure but, we can’t leave this place to the Zebras.” he said taking off his left saddle bag and it hit the ground with a dull thud. He used his magic to bring out a small metallic switch. He flipped it and hooked it to a small box with a lever on it. “When I press this, this all of the magic enhanced C4 will go off then, this building will go down.”
I looked at him when I closed my bag. “What?! ” I yelled getting up and hoisting my bag onto my bag. “Why in the hell did you just arm magic enhanced plastic explosives?! What the fuck are you? A pyrotechnic psychopath that has a fucking fascination with blowing shit up?”
Gunshot came over the coms before he could make a witty remark. “Fuck! How did they find us!!!” a voice came over th coms that sounded like Spring along with more automatic gun fire than, something hard and heavy hitting soaked wood. “AUTUMN!!! You striped bastards I’m going to kill all of you!!!” More automatic gunfire erupted from my ear piece almost making me yank it out. When it stopped sobbing began to come through. “Au…A…Autumn…Why… WHY!? CELESTIA FUCKING DAMN IT!” she yelled then, came the noise of more gun fire. “They keep coming… They knew were to find us! TO THE REST OF SNAKE TEAM GET OUT!!! GET OUT NOW!!! SOMEPONY SET US UP!!! R…” Then, silence as a volley of gun fire filled it then, the sounds of blood caught breath. “R…Run.” Then, the radio went silent with a single shot.
We all looked at each other. “What does that mean?!” Velvet said confusion and panic beginning to build.
Calamity sighed before looking back at us. “It means that there is a big shit sandwich and we’re all going have to take a bite.” Calamity said putting more rounds into the shotgun. “We need to find the others and get the hell out of here. Rabbit, your on me and Velvet you bring up the rear.” he said looking out the door for any signs of enemy.
I looked at Velvet; she looked scared. She looked back at me then, took a deep breath. She looked me back in the eyes filled with determination. “Alright, lets find our friends and get the hell out of here.”
I nodded without saying a word getting behind Calamity. He looked at us and nodded. “Alright, we go through the back way towards the storage.” was all he said before we began to move. We went down the dark hallway. The sounds of voices became clearer and clearer as we neared the storage area. We all looked at each other as one of the voices was familiar.
We came to another corner and it only turned left. Calamity’s body stiffened at what he saw. He backed up a little and putting me up front. He pointed with his hoof to look. I lowered my body almost to the ground and peered around the corner. What I saw struck fear in my heart and made me sick to my stomach. I saw Tiny; his entire body was stripped of his armor and weapons then, it looked like he was beaten to death; his face was beaten in along with most of his teeth. His black mane was almost as red as his coat. Then, I saw that Song with tears in her eyes as she laid on the floor dead with her throat cut. Her expression was absolute terror and pain. Her blood was still pooling around her body. It made me sick as the familiar voice came again. “Hey, I told you that I got them. I’ve gotten you one of the best field medics that we have. Along with the two best snipers, and heavy gunner.” My gaze followed the voice to River. The bastard. I‘m going to kill him. I thought with anger starting to build.
Then, a feminine voice snapped me out of my thoughts. “But, you said that you would get us the ponies responsible for Outpost Charlie-46. You also said that you would give us the last of the Celestial rangers.” My gaze found where the feminine voice coming from and it was coming from dare I say a sexy Zebra mare. She was dressed in a Officer’s uniform that fits her just right, not too tight, not too loose. Just right. Her mane was kempt with no flaws. Her voice was filled with warmth but, it had venom behind it. She had a pistol on her leg in its holster, it was a revolver with a Zebra print finish. Her eyes were looking around after she finished speaking for the moment as if she was looking for something.
River seemed to be sweating a storm. “Well, they were with us but, they wondered off and I didn’t notice it. But, if you find one then, the other two should be close. I swear, they are probably coming here right now from the gunshots from earlier.” He said backing up a little.
In a flash, the Officer drew her pistol and had it in her mouth but, she could speak clearly as if it wasn’t there. “You better not be lying because, I don’t like liars.” She said with a sharp edge that could kill a dragon.
“I’m not. I’m not. When they get here will you do your part?” he said with a little desperation in his voice.
The mare chuckle. “Yes, when we kill those three ponies then, we will let you leave the city.” She said an icy grin beginning to form on her face behind the pistol. A few moments passed before the mare spoke again with some irritation in her voice. “Where are they, River? You said that they would be here.”
River backed up a little as the Zebras behind the mare. “Just wait, just wait. They’re going to be here.” The mare was starting to grow impatient as she began to look behind River. Her face produced a smile that struck fear in my heart.
“Thank you for your service, River. Now you may leave us.” She said shooting River in the head at point blank. “Come out, now and we will make your deaths painless.” she paused for a moment then, she continued. “Except for the blue one. I’m going to have some fun with him.” she said licking her lips; making me cringe.
I felt a tug on my shoulder, I turned around to see where it was coming from and it was Velvet. “We need to go now!” She yelled running with my in tow.
“Follow them and bring the Blue one to me!” The officer yelled along with the sounds of heavy hoofs hitting the tile floor.
We began to run like our asses were on fire and the only water was on the roof. We ran down the hallway; when we made it to the end Calamity stopped and began to fire his shotgun. The shots echoed through the hallway. We ran past him as the sounds of gunfire roared through the hallway. I stopped to see that Calamity was still firing. “CALAMITY COME ON!” I yelled as Velvet began to tug on my shoulder.
“GO NOW! I‘LL GIVE YOU TIME BUT, THAT‘S ALL I CAN PROMISE!” he yelled as he shot a Zebra in the face with the shotgun making a blood mist. He continued to pump shell after shell into the hallway until a click was heard. “shit!” he said turning it over and using it as a club bashing the next Zebra’s head in spraying blood in all directions .
I was still shocked as he stood there taking on fire. I would’ve stayed there unlees Velvet pulled my shoulder and pushed me up the stairs. “He can take care of himself but, we need to the fuck out of here!” She yelled as we began to run. The sounds of gun fire was starting to become less and less until we got to the roof. We looked around trying to find the ropes but, they were gone. “Where the fuck are the ropes!?!” Velvet yelled as she looked around. When that was happening, gunfire began to come through my ear piece.
“Come you striped bastards! There is plenty of me to go around!” I heard Calamity’s voice as he was firing an automatic weapons.
I looked around to see that the spotlights on the tower were pointing at us. “Hit the deck!” I yelled dropping on my stomach, the wind of the high caliber bullets went by my head. “Today is not my day!”
I looked a Velvet as she was flaring her horn. “Get ready!” But, as she said that the door busted open, to see five Zebras rushing us with their weapons blazing. I brought up my rifle and began to fire. The bullets began to hit the Zebras but, as that was happening Velvet was sent tumbling to the ground. I turned to see blood pooling around Velvet. I turned to the Zebras as they kept coming. I continued to fire at the Zebra horde as they kept running at us until I felt the bolt retract to the rear.
“Damn-” I tired to yell but, several bullets hit my side and I think one penetrated. “Fuck.” I was barely able to say as I slammed a new mag home. I pressed the bolt release, chambering the round. Without realizing it; I began to run towards Velvet; who’s blood was starting to spread around her. The Zebras were still coming when I got to her. My magic was still firing my rifle on them as they came. With my magic I placed her on my back adding the pressure on my legs, starting to make my way to the edge. I looked back at the Zebras and more were coming then, I could kill them. Several bullets hit my rear right leg as I made my way to the edge of the roof. I’ve got to make it. I’ve got to. I thought as I made it to the edge. I won’t let them take us. I thought, turning my head firing my rifle back at them taking a few down.
When I was firing I saw a small light on my side. I looked a little more to see that Velvet’s horn was still glowing just barely. I stopped as the firing stopped to see the Zebras surrounded us in a half circle. I tired to fire but all my rifle did was click. Damn it. I thought as realized this and dropping the empty mag. I just slammed a new mag home and I was about to fire until I saw that they weren‘t firing. In the middle of the group came out the Officer. She looked…Impressed. When she was in clear view of us she began to clap with her hoofs. “Not bad. Not bad at all.” She said with an impressed expression in the moon light. I didn’t say anything but, glare at her as Velvet was doing what I think she was doing. “Hmm. You know…” She said, beginning to pace back and forth. “When I heard that River said that the ponies that destroyed our Outpost were just Civilians that escaped the Execution squads. I didn’t believe him, but I had too. You see, he was so desperate to get out of his place that he wouldn‘t lie. He was an old soldier, fought the Changelings at their full strength and still came out on top but, alas him and Calamity were the only surviving members of their group. The Celestial Rangers.” she paused for a moment thinking of what to say next. “Yeah, yes. They were a elite group of Rangers that did the same kind of missions that you tried here. But, to much greater success.” She said looking at me and began to come closer to me. I tried to step back but, my hoof hit a little of the edge and it sent a small chuckle of concrete twenty-five stories down. I looked down then, back up at her.
“Who are you?” was all I asked making her stop half way between us and the Zebras soldiers but, making her smile bigger.
She chuckled. “That would be Major General Xuanlong to most of my bucks. But, you can call me Silent Strom if you can’t pronounce that.” She paused as she noticed Velvet on my back. I glared at her that moment she chuckled at her. “Ah, it looks like you have a little marefriend. Ain’t that just precious. Too bad that she is going to die of blood loss but, there is a bright side.” She said shooting a seductive gaze at me.
I gulped a little at the gaze but, I held my glare. “What would that be?”
She started to look over my body, making me cringe on the inside. She looked back up. “That once she’s dead then, you will be all alone with me. Then, we’ll have some fun you and I.” She said with the same seductive gaze making me cringe. I flinched a little without realizing it then, she was on me. Before I could react she had her pistol against the temple of my head but, what shocked me was that it was in the air in a magic aura. Before I could speak she laughed. “You should see your face, right now. If you are wondering how I’m going this then, it is thanks to a device that was found in the hospital.” She said slowly pulling up her sleeve on her uniform revealing a large bracelet type device that almost covered her entire foreleg. “I don’t know what’s it called but, I do love it. Don’t you sweet cheeks? It can only do simple spells like levitation but, still. I think that it was for unicorns in rehab.” She cleared her throat and looked at me again. “Now, why don’t you just back away from the edge and I will make sure that your friend doesn’t die or get raped. That sounds like a fair deal. Do you think so?”
I just glared at her then, with a speed that I didn’t know I had. I flared my horn sticking the .44 magnum revolver to her temple. The sounds of the Zebras aiming their weapons at me filled my ears. Xuanlong waved a hoof; making the Zebras lower their weapons. “I won’t go down without a fight, bitch. If you threaten Velvet again…” I said cocking the hammer. “Then, I will blow your brains out across this Celestia forsaken roof.”
She smiled again and pressed the pistol against my head harder. She walked closer to me unwavering that I had the pistol to her head. She got a little too close for comfort as I could feel her hot breath, it smelled a little like mint. “I always like a Stallion that even with his back against the wall still continues to fight.” Before I could react she pressed her lips against mine invading my mouth with her tongue. My eyes went wide when I realized what she was doing and I immediately jumped back out of shock. I forgot for a moment that I was at an edge and I began to free fall. I looked at Xuanlong as she was smiling as I fell bringing my revolver with me. She said something but, I couldn’t hears as the wind of Velvet and me falling blocked a lot of my hearing. I bet it was something witty.
We began to fall as fast as gravity would let us. But, it felt like it was all going by slow. I could see my black mane waving through the air upwards and the windows of the hospital and apartments went by us some broken and some that were intact. I could feel something pressing on my back as we fell. I looked on my back to see that it was Velvet. I completely forgot about her when I was talking to Xuanlong. I muttered “Fuck” as I realized that we were half way down the building. That life flashing before your eyes crap is total bullshit as all I could think of was how in the hell am I going to survive this. All I saw was Velvet and her still glowing horn. I looked at her and she smiled.
Then, a sudden flash of light engulfed us then, the next moment we were submerged in water the sudden pressure launched the air out of my lungs nearly making me black out. Water took the air’s place in my lungs then, they were starting to burn. Before I knew it to we began to sink then, the weight on my back was lifted. I looked down to see Velvet sinking into the bottom of the deep river. Her eyes were half way closed and the water around her was starting to turn red as blood was coming out her wounds. I began to swim down toward her, my vision beginning to blur as I got deeper into the water; the pressure on my lungs started to increase as I was within a legs reach of her. The current was starting to move us downstream as I just managed to get to her front legs and I began to swim upwards as fast as my legs would let me. It wasn’t easy as my armor and her armor was weighting us down. But, we had no time to ditch it. The simmering of light was my guide as I got closer and closer. My lungs were really starting to burn from the lack of air. I was kicking my legs as hard as I could and still felt like I wasn’t going to make it. Then, the light jumped and I came out of the water like whale. The moon light assaulted my eyes and I was blinded for a moment then, it became clear. I began to cough erratically, I pulled up Velvet from under the water and placed her on my back then, with the last of my strength that I had, I swam as fast as that my legs would let me.
I swam and swam for what it felt like hours before I made it to the shoreline. I began to drag myself onto the beach, coughing up the water in my lungs. Then, I remembered that Velvet was on top of my back and with my magic I set her down on the ground. I looked at her then, shock went through me. She wasn’t breathing. Without caring if there are other Zebras near by I began to perform CPR on her. I flipped her on her back and began to pump on her chest hoping that she would breath. “Come on!” I yelled as I pumped into her chest couple more times. Then, she sat up coughing up water and taking short breaths. “Take Celestia!” I said hugging her. I could feel tears starting to form on my eyes but, I wipe them way as she laid back down looking around and taking deep breaths.
She looked at me and smiled. “Where… Are…We?” She said taking a breath between each word. She looked back at the sky.
I looked around and saw that we were at a river that was running through the middle of Baltimare. “At the Apple River shoreline.” I said falling down on the rocky sand covered beach.
We laid there in silence for a minute or two catching our breath. “We’re the only ones that made it aren’t we?” She said out of the blue. Her voice was void of emotion.
I sat up and looked at the setting moon thinking for a moment. “Yeah. River betrayed us. Song, Tiny, Autumn, Spring are dead but, Calamity I don’t know. He is a tough son of bitch so he should be fine.” I paused for a moment before feeling my neck with my hoof to see if my earpiece was still there. When I found it, I followed it to my radio and took out the plug then, we could hear Calamity’s voice. Velvet sat up holding her side then, looked at me. I looked back her then, we looked at the radio.
“Why don’t you go sit on my horn and spin bitch.” He said along with the sounds of spitting.
“Well, that wasn’t nice. Now, was it Lieutenant Calamity?” A familiar voice said flowing out of the speaker of the radio. “Now, tell me were is the detonator?” the voice said then it clicked. It was Xuanlong.
“Go suck a hairy dick.” Calamity said with a chuckle.
“Now, now. Let’s not go to petty insults.” She said then, a sound of electricity jumping through the air was heard. “I don’t want to bring out Mr. Zinger. But, it looks like you gave no choice.”
“AHHHHHHHHHH!” Calamity screamed as electricity jumped though his body. Then, he stop screaming. “Fucking bitch.” he said through his breath.
“Where is the detonator?” Xuanlong said. Her voice was starting to get irritated.
Then, the sound of electricity came again, hitting Calamity. “AHHHHHHHHH!” Then, when it was done, Calamity was starting to laugh out loud.
“What’s so funny, Calamity? Do you realize that you are beaten?” Xuanlong said with a dark chuckle.
“No, you fucking whore.” He said then, getting a what sound like a slap. “Ha, it looks like I found your little soft spot. You cock sucking motherfucking whore.” Then, the sound of a pistol cocking came through.
“You will tell me where the detonator is or I will blow your brains out.” She said her voice full of rage.
Calamity laughed out louder and harder then, the last time. “Alright, I will give you a little riddle. What’s blue and black and a bullet magnet, that has a soft spot for a green mare? Once, you figure it out then, you will find the detonator. But, it will be too late.” The moment he said that I threw open my bag with the orb inside.
Next to it was the Detonator that was wirelessly linked to the explosives in the hospital. The sounds of irritation and frustration came through the radio. “Fine me that Blue one!!” Then, the sounds of a metal door slamming shut. All that was left was the heavy breathing of Calamity as he sat wherever he was.
I grabbed the Detonator and looked at the radio. “Rabbit…if you can hear this, send me off with bang.” Calamity said with a soft yet dark chuckle.
I levitated it out into the open; staring at it for a moment, then I got on the radio. “Good bye friend, I’ll never forget you.” was all I said before I squeezed the trigger. His radio went silent then, a large explosion came from behind us that almost knocked me back into the water then, came a giant pillar of smoke shooting up in the setting moon light. I got up and shook the sand off of me. I looked at the detonator and placed it back inside my bag. I looked at Velvet and it looked like she was having a hard time getting up. I gave her a hoof and she smiled.
“Thanks.” She said taking my hoof and I placed her hoof across my neck; helping her walk. “Lets get out of here and someplace where we can treat our wounds.” She said adjusting herself.
I looked at the smoke stack then, about a mile west. “Lets see if we can get one of the humvees that we left.” I said helping Velvet walk. I looked at the rising sun and sighed. I didn’t say anything as we made our way up the hill then, onto the street. I looked at my rifle that was slapping me in the chest. I was surprised that I still had it. The magazine that I had in it earlier was gone so I placed a new into it. We could of really used that ammo. I thought as we made onto the street. After I was done I could hear a rumbling coming towards us. Me and Velvet realized that it was a tank. We hobbled toward a run down shop that had seen better days. I kicked in the door and had my rifle at the ready. When there was nothing in the room besides the fallen selves, products and rubble; I slammed the door closed and throwing a self in the way. There was almost no light besides the light coming through the shops little windows. I looked around for a spot to place Velvet.
She pointed to the area behind the cash register. I opened the little door and let her sit against the wall. She was sweating a lot after I sat her down. She is starting to go into shock! I thought as I took off my bag and tore out the trauma packs. “Stay with me, Velvet!” I softly said as I tore open the trauma pack and began to work on her. She had five bullets wounds up and down her flank and leg with blood coming out of the holes in her armor. With my magic I took off the pants revealing her wounded side. She was bruised along her body then, when it came to the weaker parts of the armor they went through. Blood was still flowing out. I opened a Quick Clot package and poured it onto three of the wounds when the powder ran out. I was patting it down making the blood stop in the wounds that placed it in. I looked at one of the wounds and it was all the way through. “Velvet, you there is still a bullet in your leg. I’m going to need to get it out.” I said taking out an IV, placing a tourniquet around her leg constricting to blood to her leg as I inserting the needle into her upper leg. “This is our only IV pack. It’s Saline and I’m going to inject a vile of Morphine, so you won’t feel as much pain.” I said letting the fluid drip into her, I then placed the IV hook on a nail that was in the wall. Her entire body was starting to relax as the morphine was taking effect. I sighed a sigh of relief as the muscles around the wounds were starting to relax, making my job a little easier. I took out a pair of tweezers and took a deep breath, then I stuck the tweezers in to the hole and I started to search it with the blood slowing but, still there until I found the bullet. I grabbed the edge of the mushroomed bullet and pulled it out. Once I got it out I tossed it to the side. I grabbed another thing of Quick Clot and I tore it open, I began to put the powdery substance on the last of the wounds.
I sighed in relief as the blood was stopping as I placed on the gauze and pressure bandages. Her leg and flank were covered in bandages. “Thank Celestia that they didn’t hit any bones otherwise we would be screwed.” I said with a chuckle. I checked her pulse with the tip of my hoof against her neck, I looked at her eyes and saw that she was sleeping. She was stable and was going to be alright. I looked outside the window and the sun was fully in the sky. I looked down at my watch, it said: 7:16 AM. I sat against the wall right next to the sleeping next to me. I put my back against the wall and was starting to relax a little. My eyes were starting to get heavy and my vision began to double. “Fuck it, I’m going to sleep.” I said to myself as I closed my eyes .
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“Alright, General Maple is starting to get suspensions about your fighting abilities after you survived the RPG blast. When you met Snake team, you almost got into a fight with them over your equipment and other gear. But, on your way to the hospital you wind up falling a sleep and dreaming about your mother and siblings. Then, it turns out to be a vision as you see yourself along with your dying mother. She tells you to get the orb inside the hospital. You don’t know why but, you kept it with you. You also heard Spring and Autumn being killed over the radio. Then, you heard gunshots in the hospital so you decide to investigate. When you got to where the gunshots are you saw that Captain River Pebble has betrayed you and your team by turning you into the Zebras. It turns out that he made a deal with Major General Xuanlong, if he gave the Zebras the ponies of Snake team and the ponies responsible for the Metro outpost collapse. When Xuanlong saw you, she shot River in the head and that’s how she was going to let him go.” The pony in the suit taking a drink of apple cider. Then, looked at Jack Rabbit who was looking around the room.
The pony in the suit sighed. “But, after that. You, Velvet, and Calamity made a run for it then, before the first set of stairs he stopped and gave you some time. It was thanks to Velvet that you got to the roof, but when you were looking for a way down, Velvet gets wounded. Then, after a brief conversation, you wind up being kissed by one of the most powerful Zebras in the upper half of the seaboard. Then, you wind up falling off of the roof to be teleported by Velvet into the Apple river. You then, saved her life twice. Once, saving her from drowning then, a second time by taking out the bullet lodged in her leg. But, before you tended to Velvet. You heard over your radio a interrogation of Calamity by Xuanlong. When they finished he asked you to trigger the detonator. You did, taking out the hospital and yet another base of operations for the Zebra forces. Thus pissing them off again.”
Jack Rabbit nodded and yawned a little. “Yes, I did all of that, I did what I believe what was right. Should I continue with my story or should I let you summarize everything I say?” Jack rabbit said with a laugh getting a glare from The Pony in the suit. “Alright, alright. Don’t need too serious, you need to lighten up.” Jack Rabbit said before taking a deep breath. “Ok, now for the next part. Now, this is where it gets kind of creepy and confusing.”