The Nights Darkness

"Echo three-five please reroute your course you are about to enter restricted space in which you do not have clearance.  If you do not reroute we will open fire onto your vehicle.  I repeat we will open fire, you have one minuet to comply."  I looked down at the communication's monitor and pressed the vocal command to so I could speak.

"Fire Base three-five-one this is Echo five-three we read you but are not rerouting course of action.  We have a cargo load of black and are requesting permission to release package before shuttle take off.  Over..."  There was static for a few seconds before Fire Base responded.

"Echo three-five you have clearance to land at docking bay 'thirty seven B'.  There will be medical personal along with a squad of to escort the cargo."

"Rodger That setting course for docking bay 'thirty seven B'."  I turned to look at my copilot and gave her a sly grin.

"What did I say these damn rebels are as dumb as nails.  However we are going to have to deal with guards and that is going to make our mission even harder for they are going to set off the alarm as soon as they realize who we are."  I flipped on auto-pilot and made sure that the course was set correctly.  I then stood up from my chair and went to the arms locker a few feet behind it.

"In the mean time gear up we land in five minuets and everyone needs to be ready."

"Got it I'll head back and tell the boy's and if the commander ask's I'll give him the usual."  She stood up exited the bridge heading for the cargo bay.

"You never fail to amuse me chell."  I turned my attention back to the locker and grabbed my N-23 Arbiter assault rifle and checked the chamber.  I then clicked the safety on and off before slinging it to my side.  I reached in and grabbed six mags putting one into the gun.  I then picked up my    S-72 Casket sniper rifle taking five fully loaded mags for it as well.  After that I took all other things I needed before putting on 'Mark-7' power suit and adjusting my helmet to display the rest of my squad.  It showed that all where up and fully equipped.  I brought up my left arm and set up all other functions needed before radioing the commander.

"Sir the bridge is ready and I am returning to the controls to dock the ship when ready.  But we are on stand by for there are two other's docking before us."

"Alright understood I'll send Night back up to fill you in when I am done until then don't fuck up."

"Understood returning to controls now."  I sat back down in my chair and turned off auto-pilot and did a quick check to make sure the cargo ship was still in the same condition I left it in.  I also checked all exterior cameras to see if there was any change.  I switched through the first two cameras but stopped when I saw something interesting on camera three.  There was a small drone above us scanning the ship and I could also see two fighters coming in just at the last second and switched to the next camera to identify them.  I instantly used the ships com system.

"Sir we have two rebel fighters coming in fast and I think they are lining up to open fire.  I request that you and Night come quickly."  I took my finger off of the button that let me speak and only two seconds later both the commander and Night came into the bridge.

"Report."

"Like I said sir two fighters they have stopped behind us but I am still working on getting the scanners running to get a more accurate read on them."

"Well then hurry the hell up!  Night get the deference turrets ready just in case this goes to hell."

"Yes sir."  Night raced to her seat and started to play with her controls as I worked on the scanning.  In which seem to take forever before it finished.

"Sir scans complete. They show that their primary weapons are ready to fire but it seems the they are waiting for us to make a move or are waiting for orders from their command."  He let out a sigh before speaking in a lower tone.

"Night activate the turrets and open fire and god damn it Shadow get us in that damn hanger now!"

"Yes sir!"  Night and I both spoke in unison as we both started our task's.  I punched the throttle forward and the ship quickly accelerated as an array of fire opened as we shot the fighters behind us and those unfortunate enough to be in our path.  I fired a single torpedo into the hanger bay to stop the doors from closing and made a hole just big enough for us to use before the closed completely.  I then switched to the front rail guns and opened fire on everything that moved before landing the ship.

"Ok now get the rest of your gear and meet us at the door!"  We all ran out but Night and I stopped to get our packs and I also grabbed my survival knife and put it in it's place as I had forgotten it earlier.  Night and I then made our way to the door.

"Alright everyone you stick together and shot anything tat moves.  We are not here for a mercy task we are here to get the data chip set the charges and then get out.  If you fall behind either return to the ship or you will be left behind.  AM I UNDERSTOOD!!!!!"

"YES SIR!!!"  The five of us said in unison.  The door then opened and we all ran to the other door in the hanger that was trying to seal its self but couldn't for there was a body in the way.

"Open the door and secure the area.  Shadow, Night you two are the pilots stay with the ship and make sure it is ready when we get back.  Also engage all emergency practicals that ship has for if we fuck up or if this place blows before we are at a safe distance it will pull us in with it and there will be a..."  He stopped himself and we all looked at him for orders and stood in a defensive position.

"Well it will be very bad in the long run.  But you two know what to do now go do it!"  Night and I saluted him and ran back to the ship as fast as we could.

"What the hell do you think is going to happen if he is acting like this.  Do you think we should be worried?"  I got in the ship and waited for her to enter before closing the door and facing her.

"I don't know and I don't want to find out.  Besides I'm sure that he has his reasons for his actions.  These are just percotions that I hope won't be necessary but if they are we need to get on".  She nodded to me and we both put our gear in our strong storage and made our way to the bridge.  I put my weapons back and locked them in place before closing the locker as well as Night did the same for her's.  We both then got into our chairs and started to get to work.

"Hey after you get the defense turrets down hack the door to keep it open I'll radio when you do."

"Got it."  I turned back to my controls and turned the ship so it was facing the hanger doors.  I then turned off all nonessential equipment so to keep as much battery and fuel as possible.

"Engaging emergency brace's for cargo hold ... now."  The ship started to shutter and shake as it held down everything and extended extra restraints for the crew member's seats both in cargo and in crew hold.

"I've hacked the hanger door's standing by to open and pressurizer the hanger."

"Right, I'll message the Commander and tell them to approach with cation.  Transmitting signal in three, two, one.

Sir this is Shadow responding on the ships radio we are opening the hanger door's and pressurizing the hanger approach with cation and brace if you did not seal the door."  There was little to no hesitation in the response.

"Copy that Shadow we are arming the bomb now and will brace until we receive zero gravity."

"Rodger that sir.  Opening hanger in three ... two ... one."  Night pushed the button to open the doors and everything that was not buckled down flew out of the hanger as the force field fell to allow us to exit the hanger and was also a downside to hacking.  It didn't take to long before the Commander responded to us.

"Ok we have received zero gravity and have armed the bomb we are on our way back and have the objective in our possession.  We will be at the ship in about fifty seconds.  The bomb will blow in a minuet and thirty make sure that we are ready to take off instantly got it!"

"Yes sir we are ready for you and have to cargo door open.  The ship has all air taken out so you will need to wait before we repressurizer the ship."

"Doesn't matter we are already here and are strapping in.  Take off now!"

"Rodger that."  I got the ship up and exited the hanger as fast as possible and set course for a slip space jump to a safe location when there was a bright light and the whole space station started to explode and fall apart.

"Shit we are out of time Shadow jump now!!!"  Night was hitting every button she could while I did the same to get us out of here as quick as possible.

"Got It jumping in three, two, one.  Jumping now!"  The whole ship jerked forward as we entered slip space and then almost instantly exited.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa what the hell just happened!?!?!?!"

"I don't know but we cant stay here hurry and move!"

"Trust me I a-"  There was another jerk and the whole ship started to shake.

"Oh shit this isn't good!!!"

"Status report what the hell is going on up there?"  I pressed the button to reply but Night beat me to it.

"Sir we jumped to slip space but some how we where pulled out of it!  We are still in the danger radius and are now being pulled into some sort of worm hole that was started after the explosion."

"Fuck!  Turn the ship so you can see where we are going and try to get us through safely.  It is not a worm hole but a portal and everything we don't know is on this damn chip!  Send out a distress signal and an emergency message saying we entered the portal and need help ASAP!  Other than that everyone brace for impact!"

"Y-yes sir!"  She turned off coms.

"Oh fuck what do we do?"

"Fly and try not to die!"  We both scrambled with the controls and turned the ship to face the 'portal' that we opened and watched as many things where being sucked into it like a black hole.

"Night set up rail guns and shot what we cant go around!"

"Got it!  But are you sure that this is a good idea?"

"No but it is not my idea to go into a random portal.  Hang on we have about ten seconds before we enter the portal and I don't know how this will play out...."

"If we live I will have to do that thing we bet on before the mission started aren't I?"  We both laughed.

"Sorry but I don't think that the bet is going to be a problem ..."  We entered the portal and everything was just pure bright light.  However this didn't last long for soon we where in a large debreeee field.

"Shit rail gun now!!!!!"  I used every last maneuver that I knew and made a few up as I tried to navigate through the destruction.

"Shit Shadow do something!"

"Doesn't it look like I'm trying?!?!  Look there is a clearing and we are almost out of this shit just need to get a little further before we-"  We broke free of the debre field and made it to clear space with barley a scratch.

"Holy shit..."

"I think I owe you that bet now."  We both started to laugh again before She pressed the com button.

"We have cleared the portal and all debre.  Orders sir?"

"Well done you two however this is no time to celebrate find the closest planet and bring us in for a landing."

"Rodger that sir but you should stay seated until further notice we are already entering the atmosphere of a planet and will land soon.  The other derbee is also going down but is small enough where it will burn up it is night on the planet and it looks hospitable.  Stand by for landing procedures."  The ship started to shake and shutter as we entered the atmosphere and soon could see the land's below us.  There seemed to be settlements of some sort dotted on the landscape but from where I could see we were over mostly forested landscape.

"Shadow find us somewhere to land and fast this planet has life on it and it would be best if we are not noticed."

"Working on it."  I turned the ship and decided just to make my own clearing for we where coming in to fast to slow down."  I got on the coms.

"Brace for impact!"  Only seconds later we hit the ground hard and skidded for almost forty feet.  Luckily the landing gear was up and most likely didn't break.

"I think we landed."  I turned to look at Night and simply laughed.

"I think half of us just shit ourselves."  She then laughed as well but both of us stopped as the door opened and the Commander walked in.

"You lucky bastered's you did it!"  We both stood up and saluted him.

"Oh don't give me that shit you landed and managed to keep us all alive!  Come on we have to get our gear together and set up us a camp."  He walked out and we followed however I stopped to get my weapons and gear.  Night noticed this and did the same.  But we both made our way out to the cargo bay at the same time.

I was surprised to see that nothing had even moved in the cargo bay but also was surprised to see that the rest of the squad was setting up camp both inside and outside of the ship.  The Commander came back up to us and put his hand on my shoulder.

"Shadow I know that you have been through a lot and all but you are our only sniper and our best scout.  I need you to recon the area and report back to us with everything you find.  I want you to take whatever you think that you will need and then some.  Also you are aloud to use lethal force if necessary and suggest you take a suppressor if you weren't going to already.  At the most I expect you back in forty eight hours and the least five.  Is that understood?"  I stood at attention intently.

"Yes sir."

"Good you are free to leave when ever but if you aren't gone in one hour I am going to send you out then."

"Yes sir."

"Sir if I may?"  Night broke in before he could salute me and make my orders final.

"I wish to accompany Shadow on this recon mission.  We are far more effective if we work together and I am already his spotter."  He stood there and looked at her for the longest time before he spoke again.

"Fine you may join Shadow on this mission but I want to be updated every hour understood?"

"Yes sir!"  We both said in unison as he saluted us and we returned the salute before I let out a large sigh.

"Why do you want to come exactly?"  I started to make my way to the strong hold where we had put our extra gear and she followed me.

"I still have a bet that I have to pay off that's why besides I don't want to be stuck here doing shit I don't want to do I would rather be stuck with you than here."

"Thanks..."

"Are you seeing this shit?"  I asked in disbelief looking through the scope of my rifle to see many small horse's walking about and talking to one another.  However these horse's where all colored and some could fly, hell there where even fucking unicorns.

"Yeah I see it but ... I don't think that we should tell them about this?"  Night put her hand on my gun and lowered it.

"What the hell do we do?  They aren't going to believe us if we tell them this plus it looks like they have some sort of military set up and they are searching parts of the forests.  The worse part is that I say a few enter not to long ago and it looked like they where coming this way.  I don't know if we should kill them or not but what do we do if they find us?"

"I think that we should try to avoid pissing them off just long enough until someone comes looking for us.  But if they fire we fire.  Seem's fair to me even if they use swords and bows they can still kill us."  She nodded to me and I went back to look through my rifle but the whole town was empty.  It seemed that everything had just disappeared and gone into hiding.  Then I saw a lot of the horse guards running into the forest and right at our location.

"We need to go I think they found us."

"Um Shadow..."  I turned to see Night with a sword to her throat and a whole bunch of flying guards pointing spears at us.

"Soooo ... I think that I owe you an early apology for this"  Night started to tilt her head as I set off a flash bang right in between us and activated my active-camouflage turning invisible.  There where many grunts and screams from the guards and I grabbed Nights arm and pulled her with me as I jumped down from our vantage point.

"What the hell!"

"Night shut up and listen.  I am going to follow you every step of the way and will be in contact with you.  If you feel that you truly need me I will come but until then I'm going silent.  We've done this before but this time you are going in.  We on the same page!"  She looked at me and then gave me all of the gear that she didn't want them to get there hands or hoof's on and started to run in the direction of the settlement.  I followed her from a distance and climbed a tree to get a better view.  I turned off my camo as well to save it for when it is more needed even if it has an unlimited battery life it needs time to recharge to full capacity.  I took my rifle out and zoomed in on Night's position.

She ran from building to building and weaved around ally's and other things in her path.  She soon came to a dead end though.

"Shadow I don't know if you are there but if you are I could use some help with directions..."

"Go back the way you came and go left.  You will run into at least two guards, bypass them and go down the other ally from there it looks like you will reach one of the main roads.  Try that and I will try to keep you updated and reroute you if need be."

"Got it, moving now."

"Tracking."  I wasn't lieing either for my scope had the ID tag for everyone in my squad and I could completely see her no matter what with a green outline of her.  Which is needed for most missions we do.  I watched as she continued her way through the settlement and found that the path I gave her was a bad idea now that four of them where airborne and following her every movement.

"Shadow I think I need some help here."

"Got it."  I switched off the safety on the rifle and started to shot and the feet or hoof's of those following her on the ground.  This made them all run and panic trying to figure out what it was doing that and in turn started the whole place to come to life.  It must have been the sound of my rifle firing that got them started for all who where in building where now on the streets running everywhere and trying to get out of the place as best they could.  This panic however made it possible for Night to make a run for it and she started making her way to the closest part of the forest she could and disappeared without one of the guards or other horse thing's seeing her.

"I'm setting a rally point two clicks from your position.  Meet me there."

"Got it I'm on the move."  I put my gun back on safe and slung it to my back and also made sure the grapples held it in place so it not move while I do and get in the way.

"Ok listen I will say it slower for you this time and hopefully you understand me the fifth time.  The natives of the settlement are not horses but pony's and they can all talk normally like you and I.  When they cornered me the first time they said something like 'By Celestia stop monster' or something very similar to it.  That makes me believe that this Celestia person is either a god or their ruler like a Queen or something.  They are also not a hostile beings and are far more peaceful than you think for they kept using manners and such and half the time they didn't even take their weapons to me.  Finally like I said before we need to tell the Commander our report on this as soon as possible so we do't go over our hourly report on what we find.  We already missed two of them and he won't be happy about that."

"So you want to just tell the Commander that natives are just a fuck ton of rainbow shitting pony's?"

"They don't shit rainbow's Shadow I almost fell on an out house and it was not full of rainbow's let me tell you!"\

"God's ok, ok fine they don't but either way the Commander isn't going to believe any of this.  There where fucking Unicorns Night, UNICORNS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  If that doesn't make us sound insane I don't know what will..."

"Well we don't have much of a choice now do we?"  I shook my head no and she let out a large sigh.

"Let's just get this over with so we can make our way back alright?"

"Alright..."  I stood up and fumbled through my bag to get my medium range transmitter and then started to make the call.

"Commander, this is recon reporting in with our information."  There where a few seconds of static.

"Damn I thought you two had been killed our captured when you missed two of you reports.  Then again I'm not to surprised seeing how you where the one I sent Shadow, none the less what have you got for me?"

"Well sir believe it or not but..."  I hesitated for a moment and didn't speck until Night kicked me.

"Well the native population consists of pony's but not just normal pony's really colorful ones with what we believe to live under a monarchy and is not hostile towards other's.  However they did try to capture us and we had to fire off a few shots to try and get away.  Luckily the sound scared the shit out of them and when the ground around them started to explode they started to make a run for it in all directions.  We suggest that you all stay at the ship and try to stay hidden and out of the way so that we do not draw more attention to ourselves for things can go bad very fast with these pony's."

There was a more static before he responded.

"Well if what you just told me isn't complete bullshit it would explain some of the weird ass things that we have found just around the camp.  I want you two to try and dig up some more information about this monarchy thing for that can be quit useful if we are going to have to use more drastic measures.  But over all good work and report anything that you find that could be remotely helpful to us.  Call the ships main frequency from now on so all may hear what you have to say but until then Fire Base one is out."  I turned the radio off and then looked over to Night who was sitting with her head in between her legs.

"This is not going to end well for us is it?"  I sat down opposite her and looked up at the sky.  Then sun was setting and darkness would soon be upon us.

"Most likely not but we need to get more info. on this Celestia person so we can report back to the Commander.  But night is falling so we better get moving and try to find out where we can find the guy so we can set up a camp before morning."  She lifted her head and looked at me most likely giving me a dirty look or something close to it for I could not see through her mask.

"Sure lets just get going then it will take us a while to reach that big mountain I saw when we where coming in for our landing."

"What the hell makes you think that is where this guy is?"

"I big castle with golden towers on top of a large mountain isn't enough for you?"

"Not really it could always be better.  I mean I didn't see any chocolate there so no if there was more chocolate then I would think that there was someone important there but no."

"Do you always think about your stomach rather than your mission Charles?"

"What did you just call me?"

"Charles, you know your name.  Not the title you where given for your position and whatever the hell other things  the Commander decided had something to do with you."  I couldn't help but laugh at that.

"That is not my name. It is my middle name but I prefer to be called by that for it was my grandfathers name and he is someone that meant a lot to me even if he died when my mother was very young.  But lets hurry up and get going then if you think that is where it is it will take a while before we get to a good position and we don't have all night so lets go and hurry up before I start to call you by your name."  I then grabbed the last of my things and followed her into the darkened forest.