Blood and Shadows

Operation: Wounded in Action

Location: 91st Pegasus Division Base Camp

Date and Time: September 23, 2037. 10:02 hours. Ten Year Anniversary of the Equestrian Takeover.

Subject: Rainbow Dash

Objective: Transfer to new compound and retrieve new orders

I woke with my hair tangled and my pillow on the floor. I reached over the edge of the bed, looking for it, until I hit something else, my footlocker. I leaned over the edge and looked down to find it opened, but I didn't open it, somebody else did. I looked around for the pillow, until I found it. It was across the room. How that happened, I'll never know. I got up, careful not to wake Soarin, and retrieved it. Only on my way back, did I realize why my footlocker was open. Soarin had taken something out of it, and was holding it in his arms as he slept. It was a picture, of me, him, and Delta. We were all in uniform, standing out in the courtyard, smiling. I guess when I leave, if I can't come back, that'll be Soarin's one souvenir of me.

I slid on my clothes, and closed the footlocker after packing some of my more precious belongings in it. A couple medals and some other memories that I wasn't going to start thinking about. I looked at Soarin, just now realizing that he had been crying. The fur around his eyes was matted and wet. Either I was a really good love maker, or Soarin loved me more than I knew. I kneeled down beside the bed, and looked Soarin in his closed eyes. I nudged him with my elbow, "C'mon sleepy head, time to wake up."

Soarin stirred a bit, and mumbled, "No mom...don't wanna go to school..."

I giggled at that. In a soft tone, I said, "Soarin, honey. You have to wake up to say good bye to your captain."

Soarin rolled over, still holding the picture, mumbling, "Five more minutes..."

I giggled again. Then, I rolled him back over, grabbing him on both shoulders, and started humming the Reveille. That got him up fast.

He shot out of bed, dropping the picture and nearly knocking me over, and stood up to salute. He yelled, "Lieutenant Soarin reporting for duty!"

I lost it at that, and just sprawled out onto the floor, laughing. After he snapped out of it, he realized how idiotic he looked, and started laughing too. After I finished my laughing fit, I went to pick up the picture. It had cracked where he dropped it, the crack running through the middle of the picture, right in between me and him. I frowned, he instantly clammed up and sat down on the bed.

"What's wrong?" Soarin asked

I set the picture down on the bed and sat beside him, "I...I think this might be the last time we're gonna see each other...They're shipping me out to who knows where."

"No," Soarin said, "Don't talk like that, I'm sure we'll see each other again!"

"I dunno Soarin, " I replied, "The General wasn't even allowed to tell me where I was headed. Said it was some undercover mumbo-jumbo."

Soarin seemed to ponder that for a moment, then he reached past me to pick up the picture, "Can I keep this then?"

I smiled at that, "It's yours."

He returned the smile, "Thanks cap'n." He held out his arms for a hug, which I gladly gave him. A kiss, and I was walking for the door, a small bag of my belongings in tow.

I was just about to walk out of the barracks when Soarin called out, "Hey, Dash!"

I turned around to see him saluting to me, I returned the salute.

He shed a single tear, "It's been an honor serving with you."

I held mine back, "Same. See ya later, Foxy."

He grinned, "See ya, Foxy."

I walked out of the barracks. Captains had to be strong in front of their squad mates. Other than that, I could cry all I wanted...

I sucked it up best I could as I approached Delta. He was playing basketball with the other Wonderbolts. Funny, wings were never involved. Ever since the Wonderbolts became the special operations military force, flying wasn't a priority. In a game where shooting a ball into a raised hoop, wings seemed like an advantage. I guess that's why fliers weren't typically playing.

It was fun to watch Delta play. It was almost as if watching a dance. I didn't know much about Delta, he never shared his name, or much about his interests. He was very secluded, especially for how laid back he was around me and Soarin. Even if he always was straight to the point, I'd hoped that one day I'd finally get to know his real name. Maybe today would be that day.

The sun reflected all of the beads of sweat running along his brown fur and black mane. If I didn't know any better, I'd say he was an Elite. Those monsters took everything, I can't even begin to compare Delta to one of them. He was normal, he played basketball and went on missions. He did his job, I just can't say I knew him that well to say he was a good guy.

"Corporal!" I called out.

Delta turned to face me, only to get smacked in the head with the basket ball as it was passed to him. All the guys started laughing as he fell down. An entire war and all it took to down this guy was a basketball to the back of the head, why didn't I think of that?

I walked over and helped him up, "I have some bad news, Delta."

"What? The intel was shit?" Delta asked.

"No no, nothing like that. I'm getting promoted."

Delta cocked his head, "How is that bad news? That sounds great!"

"...out of this base..." I added.

"Oh...that sucks...I kinda liked you too! Who's taking your place?"

Okay, not the exact reaction I expected, "No idea. I should probably add, I might not be coming back. Ever."

"Well, captain, all you can really do is just go with the flow. That's just the way protocol is." Stoic as ever.

"I was wondering if I could finally get your name? So I could properly wish you my farewells?" I asked.

"Sorry, captain. You know the rules." He wagged his finger with a smile.

That broke my heart. I thought we were closer than that, "Yeah," I replied lamely, "rules...are rules..."

He held out his hand, "It was an honor serving with you captian."

I grabbed it, "You too."

He pulled me into a hug. Delta, the guy who never opened up to anybody, pulled his captain into a hug. In front of the entire base.

He simply whispered, "I'm gonna miss you, cap'." Then released the hug.

I looked around to see we had many onlookers. Even the guys had stopped their game to stare. My cheeks began to burn.

Delta saluted, I could see tears welling in his eyes. He simply said, "If you ever need me, Semper Fidelis..."

I returned the salute, forming tears of my own, "Stay safe, soldier."

I turned and walked away, feeling all the eyes on the back of my head. I didn't look back.

But I thought back...

"Captain, callsign Alpha," Carrot Cake started the speech he did every time somebody got promoted, "It is my honor, to promote you to a ranking far above even my own. I know not what will happen to you, that is classified. I wish you luck on your future missions, and may you forever serve a greater purpose. I know, that one day, you will play a big role in taking back our rightful home. May your path lead you into evil, so you may smite it. Because as always, the only good Elite..."

This was a classified promotion. Where there were normally hundreds of Wonderbolts in attendance, it was only me and Carrot. I finished the line, sobbing with each word, "...i-is a d-dead one..."

"I know this is hard Dash. That's the whole reason it's a rule to not be on a first name basis. Forming bonds can be painful when you have to sever them." The general said.

I sucked it up as much as possible. Still semi-whimpering, I replied, "I'll be fine, but there's one thing I gotta know, how did you manage to clear out the barracks like that all night?"

The general let out a big smile, "Being second in command to Luna has it's perks. Plus, she seemed very fond of you for some reason."

I held out a hand, "Thanks, Carrot. It's been an honor serving."

He shook it, "Same to you, Dash. Now, get out of here before I start crying."

I chuckled at that, and walked off to the armored truck they came to get me in. No windows, I wouldn't even be able to wave goodbye as we drove off.

A soldier helped me into the back, and shut the doors. There was a small cushion laid out on the floor like a cot. I laid down, and got comfortable, looking at the ceiling in the dark as the truck started. I began to think back about the first missions I had with Soarin and Delta. How we would hang back behind the frontlines, goofing off and taking pot shots at encamped positions. I remember when Delta stubbed his toe, and cussed loudly, giving away our position to a few enemy troops nearby.

Then I remembered back when I was in the New Equestrian military. All the missions I had were always from private contractors, and normally very boring. Then I thought way back.

Back 10 years ago. When I was separated from my closest friends. Where this all began.

The takeover of Equestria...