Cold War: The Global Threat

by GeneralSniperplayer

Chapter 4 - A "Glorious Victory"

August 15, 50 | 4:11 pm | cloudy.

We arrived in Equestria with the documents that we stole the day before at the compound at address 3, we got off the plane and were received by the Minister of Defense, who had come out of a limousine with an escort and everything she was entitled to:

"There you are!" Dash received us.

"Good afternoon ma'am." I greeted her.

"What did they get?" Dash asked.

"Documents, some even from Star Powder and Black Plate." Stone informed.

"…" she had no reaction.

"In the compound we went to, there were Claw soldiers!" I informed.

"Perfect... well, let's go, we have a meeting to go to, is your group coming too?" she said.

"Yes ma'am!" I stated.

"Great, get in the car!" she spoke.

We got into the limousine and were escorted until we arrived at the Palace of the Equestrian Government, in Canterlot, we got there around 6 pm, getting there, we got out of the car and entered the Palace, thus going underground, in a bunker, there we entered in a meeting room, there were the other Ministers:

"You arrived earlier than expected." Rarity said, after looking at us.

Rarity, white skin, purple hair, blue eyes and 1.63 tall, the Minister of Information, she managed a part of Equestrian Intelligence, took care of the country's media, defining what was or was not public and how it would be told, in newspapers, radio, even in music publishing, she also promoted advertisements in Equestria, Ministries, the president, flyers, billboards, she also helped in the search for spies:

"Good afternoon everyone!" Twilight greeted we all.

Minister Twilight Sparkle, purple, pink, and lilac hair, purple skin, purple eyes, 1.65 tall, also known as Minister of Science, she worked in the part of scientific discoveries and laboratory management, she also worked closely with Rainbow Dash and AppleJack, thus also helping in the development of new weapons, mainly chemical weapons:

"Erh…hello…" Fluttershy said.

Doctor Fluttershy, yellow skin, pink hair, aqua green eyes, 1.75 tall, the Minister of Health, produced medicines and sent medical teams to outposts in cases of war, in general she managed the pharmaceutical industry:

"Commander, who are these?" Pinkie questioned.

"My team ma'am." I answered.

"Lyra, Sweetie Drops!" AppleJack said, after see Lyra and Drops

"How long has it been!" Lyra replied.

"You can sit down!" Pinkie said.

"Right." I stated.

We sat down:

"We're thinking about who to call to form the investigation group." Dash said.

"Oh, yes." I replied her.

"We just need to wait for Screen to arrive with the other commanders!" she informed.

"While they don't arrive, what did they discover?" AppleJack asked.

"That…" I spoke, putting the stolen Star Powder and Black Plate documents on the table, she was shocked to see this.

"There are other things too, but I don't…" Crow said.

"How did they get that…" AppleJack was surprised.

"There would be spies in the headquarters." I supposed.

"It's not possible...we always check everything!" AppleJack exclamed.

"Better beef up security, where do you normally keep documents?" Dash asked.

"We always leave them in the file room, but those must have been inside a maximum security room!" AppleJack replied.

"Who has access to these rooms?" Pinkie asked.

"The CEOs, and that Black Plate Inc document should have the BigMac!" AppleJack explained.

"It's not possible that your brother is a scapegoat…" I supposed.

"An’ he's not, he would never do something like that, I know him." she said.

"If I may, what is this document for exactly?" Dash asked.

"We’re starting to develop artificial intelligence, both for military and civilian use." AppleJack replied.

"Are you talking about the Sprite-bots I use for spying?" Pinkie said.

"A new project I have in mind." AppleJack replied.

Celestia, water green and lilac hair, white skin, purple eyes, 1.80 tall, entered the room and we all stood up, me, Rainbow and the other military saluted:

"You can sit down!" Celestia said.

We sat on the chairs, they were common armchairs for any meeting room, leather upholstery, black, next to a wooden table:

"Nice to see you, President!" I said.

"The pleasure is all mine." she replied.

"So can we start the meeting?" Dash said.

"Of course." Celestia stated.

Celestia was my teacher when I was in high school, she motivated me to join the military so I could pursue a good career, she was also principal of Canterlot High, her sister Luna was vice principal, she became president of Equestria in 1946, thus changing the type of government to Unitary Autocracy, appointed the Ministers and changed some laws, leaving some more rigid and others being relaxed:

"Sniper, tell us everything you found!" Dash said.

"Yes ma'am!" I stated.

I got up and put all the files we stole in the compost on the table:

"Here we have files on criminals who are imprisoned in Equestria and the names and aliases of spies behind enemy lines." I reported.

"Very well." Pinkie congratulated.

"We also have info about cont…" I was going to say ‘contraband', but at the same moment Pinkie looked at me" ...contracts between Stallliongrad and the Ponrea guerrillas!

"Contracts?" Celestia questioned.

"Yes, they have contracts on tanks, amphibians and weapons for the guerrillas." I detailed.

"Bloody Poreans…" Dash exclamed.

"And in one of those contracts it said that Stalliongrad plans to bomb our outposts in exchange for raw materials!" I continued.

"…" Celestia had no reaction.

"But...this will…" Dash was horrified.

"Yes, the guerrillas have already done their part of the bargain…" I completed.

"DAMN…" Dash shouted.

"End of war!" Celestia said.

"How so?" I was confused.

"Get ours out of there, we can't take any more losses!" she ordered.

"And as for our…" Dash: said.

"Forget the deal!" Celestia spoke.

"When do I ask everyone to leave?" Dash asked.

"Before Stalliongrad threatened to bomb." Celestia repleid.

"Crow, call your old outpost now and tell everyone to go back home!" Dash ordered to Crow.

"Yes ma'am!" Crow stated.

"What will the newspaper say?" I asked.

"I'll take care of it, darling!" Rarity replied.

"Okay…" I replied back.

"Remember, we're doing this because it's what's best for Equestria, I want it announced that we've won the war and are withdrawing our troops!" Celestia explained.

"But... there must still be wounded on the battlefield, what about the Poreans who are with us?" Fluttershy asked, showing concern.

"Flutter, you have to understand that you can't save everyone, and we shouldn't save our enemies." Dash explained.

"O-okay…" Fluttershy showed understanding.

Crow returned to the room, maintaining the same posture as when he left:

"I told them, they'll be back next week!" - Crow said.

"Serves." Dash replied.

"What about…the investigations?" I asked.

"We'll see that at the Pentagon!" Dash replied.

"Right…" I said.

"How about a photo for future history books?" Celestia broke the mood.

"Good idea, this will bring even more credibility from the population!" Rarity said.

"General Commander, would you like to join?" Celestia called me.

"I don't know if I…" I was uncertain whether to show participation or not.

Deep down I was weighed down by the knowledge that I could do nothing about the lives we could save and the truth that could be disclosed, the cowardly way out of a war, instead a glorious victory, was no longer an omission , it was a lie, but with the changes to the Constitution in 1947, with the onset of threats, this was not wrong in the law, but it was still immoral:

"Bring it on!" Dash said.

"Okay…" I accepted.

We went up to the floor where the normal meeting room was located, a white room with armchairs covered in black fabric, a circular table and the national flag, we stood in front of the national flag, Rarity had a smile that looked natural, she fixed her cloche hat blue, fixed her lavender blouse and checked her makeup in a mirror to see if anything was smudged, Twilight fixed her Ministry of Science pin, and fixed her dark gray Pillbox hat, Fluttershy, who was wearing an aqua green cocktail dress and snow boots brown, looked in the mirror to see if there was any dirt on her face, Pinkie Pie straightened her burgundy Bucket hat and adjusted her dress with puff sleeves and pastel colors, AppleJack adjusted her leather jacket leaving the butt of her revolver more sample.
Celestia appeared in the room with a white imperial dress, Rainbow Dash moved her beret, I did nothing, I just stood there, but Rarity caught my attention:

"Darling, smile, victory is ours, by the way, I recommend you wear your uniform, you look beautiful in the uniform." Rarity said.

"If you say so…" I said, going to the bathroom.

I changed my clothes, then I looked at myself in the mirror, feeling bad for having accepted the departure of the troops, and even more guilty for having to say that the victory was ours, in the meeting room I could see it in the eyes from Fluttershy the feeling of regret, what we were doing wasn't right, but there was nothing we could do, so I took a deep breath and went back to the room, everyone was already there, ready to take the picture, I stayed a little away, but Rainbow Dash asked me to come closer, I approached and keeping a serious expression and keeping my hands behind me, we took the picture and ended the meeting:

"Oh, guys, this photo is amazing, I already know the title of the article, ‘End of War and victory of Equestria’!" Rarity said, excited about the forthcoming publication

"Good." Dash replied.

"Oh, and darling, I'm going to need you to give a speech!" Rarity said to Dash.

"All right!" Dash replied.

"I'm going to ask them to write their speech, and it's going to be live!" Rarity said.

Okay… Dash replied.

"I turned to leave, but Pinkie said" Sniper, wait!

"Huh?" I turned myself to her.

"How about we celebrate the victory in the cafeteria, you can even invite your new friends." she said excited.

"It's fine with me." I replied.

"I'll throw parties all over Equestria, people will be distracted long enough for us to catch the informants." she spoke her plan.

"What time are we going to the cafeteria?" I asked.

"Cafeteria? Let's go to the Wing Pearl restaurant!" Rarity said.

"Great idea!" Pinkie replied.

"Everyone there at 10!" Rarity warned.

"Okay." I replied.

"Until then." she said goodbye.

"See you later!" me too.

I let the whole group know about the invitation and went back home to Ponyville, showered and washed my face, looked at myself in the mirror for a while, reflecting and absorbing everything from the meeting, I could do nothing but obey the Ministers and the President, and even if I disobeyed, there was still a risk that they would erase me so I wouldn't reveal anything, even though it was something somewhat light, saying that we won the war instead of fleeing, it was still a lie, I had no way out.

August 15, 8:58 pm, cloudy.

I started to get ready for dinner at the Wing Pearl, I put on a suit and my hat along with my jacket, when I was ready I looked at the nightstand, there was my holster and my revolver, so I took off my jacket and put the holster, leaving the butt hidden, as usual, I locked the house, started the car and drove to the restaurant, I got there around 9:42 pm, got out of the car and went to the reception:

"Excuse me, I'm with Miss Rarity Belle." I said.

"Let me see...ah yeah, she's at table 39." the receptionist looked at the list.

"Thanks!" I thanked.

I went to table 39 of the restaurant, there was Rarity with Twilight, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy:

"Are you early too?" Rarity greeted.

"Yes ma'am." I answered.

"Nice jacket!" Pinkie complimented my outfits.

"I...always have this jacket on." I replied.

"Take it easy, we're not on working hours right now." Rarity tried to make me more comfortable.

"Right." I said and put the jacket and hat on the chair.

"Why...did you bring your gun?" Rarity asked.

"Caution!" I replied.

"…" Rarity stayed quiet.

"So... what about the rest of the people?" I asked.

"They should be coming soon." Rarity replied.

Then Crow arrived:

"Good night!" Crow greeted.

"Good night." me, Rarity and Twilight replied back.

"I don't even remember the last time I wore a suit." Crow said.

"Last time I used it I think I was 29." I said

"When will the meeting with the intelligence officers be?" Crow asked.

"Let's set the meeting for the day after tomorrow!" Pinkie said.

"Come on guys, let's enjoy the night instead of talking about work!" Rarity crossed her arms.

"Right…" I said

"Yes ma'am!" Crow agreed.

"How… are you?" Fluttershy asked.

"I do not know…" I replied.

AppleJack and Rainbow Dash have arrived:

"Jeez, the traffic was horrible!" AppleJack said, sitting down.

"Don't tell me…" Dash replied.

"Good night." I greeted.

"Good night." AppleJack and Rainbow Dash replied.

"Look, who knew the Minister of Defense would wear a dress?" I laughed and said.

"Don't bother..." she laughed and replied.

"Look, even I was impressed that the two of you were in business attire." Rarity said.

"Hmm, sometimes we have to!" Dash replied.

"Just AppleJack who's always wearing the same jacket." Rarity pointed it.

"Force of habit, sugarcube." AppleJack replied.

"How about after dinner we go to the casino?" Pinkie gave the idea.

"Last time I went on one, I ended up in a razor fight." I told.

"Oh…" Pinkie exclamed.

"I think I remember the story." Dash said.

"Those dice were rigged so I never played again." I replied.

"Good." Dash replied back.

"I can see you guys can't stop talking about work…" Rarity complained.

"We're not even celebrating a victory, we just left the war in a cowardly way!" I said the truth.

"He's right!" Applejack agreed.

"And what would we say to the people? That we leave with our tails between our legs and lose credibility?" Rarity argued.

"If they find out the truth outside of the media, they'll lose credibility." Crow had a point.

"Anyway...did you send scouts to catch the spies?" I said.

"That was the easiest!" Pinkie replied.

"I imagined…" I replied back.

"Stone and the others don't see?" Dash asked.

"Stone said nothing…" Crow replied.

"Right…" Dash said.

"If Celestia finds out about contraband Mint-als, we're dead." Pinkie said.

"Well, you're welcome for saving the lady's ass." I replied.

"Thanks!" Pinkie thanked.

"One thing that still hasn't stuck with me is: why were the Claw in the compound and on the battlefield back in Ponrea?" Dash asked.

"I have no idea…" I replied.

"Whatever the reason, that's not a good sign." AppleJack said.

Then the waiter arrived:

"What would you like?" the waiter asked.

"That special salad, please." Rarity said.

"Pasta and cheese, please." Rainbow replied to him.

"Just one chicken soup for now, and put it all on my bill, please." Pinkie placed her order.

"Of course ma'am." he said.

"I'll have vegetable soup, please."Fluttershy ordered.

Some chicken soup too, please. AppleJack replied to the waiter.

"Ratatouille, please." Twilight said.

"I'll have lobster, please." I placed the order.

"Shrimp cocktail." Crow said.

"Noted...anything else?" waiter said.

"A red wine for everyone, please." Rarity replied.

"Okay, wait a moment, please." he left.

"No need to hurry, darling!" Rarity said.

"What if the spies actually want us to think we've got them, but we really haven't?" Twilight asked.

"How so?" I was confused.

"You know, making your enemy think you're far away when you're close, and so it goes!" Twilight said.

"Your point is an interesting one." I said.

"Pinkie Pie, you thought about that possibility, right?" Crow asked.

"No…" Pinkie replied.

"Damn... what if they get the wrong people?" I was amazed.

"…" Pinkie had no answer.

"It could be too late now to avoid this…" Dash said.

"I already gave the orders, and there's no going back now, I ordered them to act when the streets were less crowded so there would be no witnesses, and the murders against suspects at parties would take place in more reserved places." Pinkie replied.

"And then the police wouldn't find the bodies…" Dash replied back.

"And if they do?" I asked.

"The agents will make the deaths look like accidents or suicide, i.e. we would hang them, cause the accidents on purpose, and so on." Pinkie replied.

"An overused but effective tactic." I said.

Later, Pinkie paid the dinner bill and we went to the exit:

"Whoever is armed, I recommend being prepared…" I had idea what could happen at that moment.

"Why?" Dash asked.

"There was a group at a table not far from ours who were watching us." I explained.

"So they…" Rarity said.

"I'm unarmed!" Pinkie warned.

I threw my pack of cigarettes on the floor to bend down and pick it up, with that I took advantage and looked back, there was the group a group of 20 people leaving the restaurant, that table with 5 people, in fact it was in a larger group, and the restaurant did not search people for weapons:

"There are 20 people, let's cross the street as if nothing is happening…" I told the plan.

"Right…" Crow stated.

We crossed the street as if we were carefree, I was already prepared to draw my gun, but I kept the posture to look like I was carefree:

"AppleJack, is your gun loaded?" I asked her.

"It always is, but it's stuck!" she replied.

"My gun is under my dress." Dash said.

"Understood!" I replied.

"You're the most experienced here, just say when." Crow said.

"Now…" I gave the sign.

I drew the gun, AppleJack also pulled her revolver, removing the lock and aiming across the street, Rainbow lifted her skirt and pulled a pistol:

"DOWN!" Dash shouted.

Everyone ducked and started shooting, Crow grabbed an Uzi from inside his jacket, the enemies were shooting with Uzis too, the civilians who were on the street ran desperately, hiding behind cars, establishments, trying not to be hit by a bullet lost, my car was on the other side of the block, with the trunk facing the opposite direction of the entrance to the restaurant, and on our side of the street, I always do that for cases like this, Rainbow Dash killed one of them, so I had a idea:

"Cover me!" I requested.

"What are you going to do?" Dash asked.

"I'll get my rifle from my car!" I explained.

"Are you crazy?" Dash questioned.

"It's not the first time I've done something like this, I just need cover." I said.

"If you die I'll kill you!" AppleJack replied.

"Understood." I said.

They started to cover me, and I ran towards my car, opened the trunk, taking out my rifle:

"SNIPER, RUN HERE!" Dash said.

"I am going!" I ran over there and almost got shot, and said" Pinkie, use my gun, I'll go with my rifle.

"Right." she took my revolver and started shooting.

Crow killed one more with her Uzi, Pinkie was shooting in blind fire, but she ended up hitting someone, Rainbow hit 2 more, and AppleJack one more, Crow got up and started shooting:

"CROW, NO!" I get chocked.

"ARGH…" he fell on the ground.

He was hit in the shoulder and belly, I pulled him and continued shooting with my rifle, until I saw 3 people across the street carrying Tommy Guns, they were intelligence agents, they shot killing the remaining enemies and leaving 5 wounded:

"How did they know we needed backup?" Pinkie asked.

"Sniper, did you know this was going to happen?" Dash questioned to me.

"I am not." I said.

Lyra came to us:

"Is everyone okay?" she asked.

"Crow got hit!" I replied.

"He needs to be taken to the hospital now!" Fluttershy said.

More Intelligence agents came, they began to carry Crow, and others who came also went to arrest the enemies, Fluttershy went to the other side of the street to see the wounded, Rarity looked at Crow being taken away, she looked worried:

"Relax sugarcube, he's going to be fine!" AppleJack tried to comfort her.

"Captain, how did you know we needed backup?" I asked to Sweetie Drops

"When the meeting was over we went to the Pentagon, and there after checking everything, we discovered that they were planning to commit an assassination against you, they were spying on Minister Rarity Belle!" she replied.

"You did well, but why didn't you tell us before?" I said.

"When we found out about this, it was already 9:50 pm, and since you were going to be here, we already prepared ourselves, because you were already here." she replied.

"Makes sense…" I said.

"But these guys were common criminals who were hired by Stalliongrad, and Stalliongrad has no idea what Ministers look like." she informed.

"Have a good night, Captain!" I said and left.

To be continued!!!