Once a Soldier always a soldier

The trumpets of war

[Five days later]

It has been a ride I tell you what. After Zecora, Water and me arrived at the castle we were escorted straight to the throne room. Water stayed outside while me and Zecora told Celestia what we went through for the last week. It turns out that there was a bomb in Appleoosa but, only half of the explosives went off. Thank God that most of the ponies where on the east side of the town. Shining was just close enough to get injured but, not sever. The first good news that I have heard in a week. Celestia froze when I mentioned the name Discord. I told her that the Changelings in Fluttershy’s cottage said that they were transporting me to him. She was quick to change subject but, when she was going to ask where Shield was but, Zecora shook her head and looked at me. I told her that I was alright. She knew I was lying.  We were about to leave when she said that she was going to stay a little bit longer to talk to Celestia alone. Two weeks I have been here and I have lost nine of my friends. Josh, David, Mark, Dylan, Ryan, Eric, Cameron, Hog and Shield in two weeks. I don’t know what to do now. All of my life I have been either to talk or fight my way out of most situations but, I can’t do anything right now. Celestia said that I am on leave for another two days. Shield’s funeral was yesterday and that was the only thing I had looking forward to. Now, boredom is the only thing I know right now. I just… I miss everyone, home, my family or what’s left of it and my friends. I feel homesick. At least this place is not as doom and gloom as earth. Fuck it.

I sighed and climbed out of my bed wiping the drool off my face. I turned to see that Zecora was still with me. I smiled. She was with me the entire time during the funeral and during the night. I passed out on my bed when I got to my room. I was surprised to see her in my bed. My face became as hot as a campfire in winter. My ears were on fire, probably from the campfire on my face. I left the room and sighed. “What to do? What to do?” I said to myself. My stomach rumbled answering my question. “Food it is.” I said putting on a small smile as I walked down the hallway. I arrived in a fancy dining hall. The same one that I had the dream with Princess Luna in it. I sat down and almost in a flash a plate of eggs, broccoli, toast with butter, along with a glass of milk. I turned to my head to see that a chief was walking way with a big smile on his face. I began digging in as somepony came in.

“How is today’s meal, commander?” The voice said.

“It’s not half bad, General. But, let cut the formalities until I’m not on leave.” I paused to egg some of the runny egg. “The same should said to you too, Shining armor. How is your leg?” I said taking a drink of milk.

“It’s doing good and yeah but, your leave so going to be cut short as we need you again.”

I interrupted him by spitting out my milk onto a maid who was passing by. She glared at me. “Sorry.” I said smiling sheepishly. I looked at Shining Armor getting back to my surprise. “What?!?”

“The Changelings have grown quiet. Even, the griffins. I know a couple and I know that they are not the quiet type.” He slid the folder to me. I opened the folder to see some pictures of plains towns with fields of crops half of which were burning. “I want you and three others to see what is going on in the Griffin front. If you find any intel grab what you can carry and burn the rest. This is a take no prisoners mission. But, do not fire unless you are found out. If you find a high ranking officer like a general or lieutenant get rid of them. When you are done, fade away like ghosts ”

“So, in short this is a stealth mission. Grab what you can carry, destroy the rest, kill any high ranking officer silently then, fade away. If caught give them a big ol’ can of ass whopin’. sounds simple enough but,…” I paused taking a bite of toast. “Knowing my luck the moment we touch ground we would have griffins trying to rip our balls off.” I could hear Shining give off a painful groan. I drank the rest of my milk and ate my broccoli. “Or in deep shit. Either or. Both mean the same thing.” I finished off the last of the meal. “So, when is this going to happen?” I looked him in the eye.

“Tomorrow morning at 0400 hours. You will meet your team in the briefing in five hours in the war room underneath the castle where the Lunar guard is housed.” I looked at him with a raised eyebrow. “just ask one of the guards and they will show yeah but, if they give you crap, you have my permission to open that can of whope ass on them.” we both laughed at that. That was one the only times I have actually laughed in a while.

“Like I need permission to do that.” we laughed again. I heard a small chuckle behind me which made my smile a little bigger as I got up. “While I will see you in five hours.” I paused just as I pushed in my seat. “Zecora, I know that you are listening and I will be in town, to see if I can get anything with the bits I got. Half of them are in your bag. The money is  are as much your’s as mine.” I said walking toward the door when she came out from a shadowy corner. She came hugged me. I smiled and hugged back for a second. But, it felt longer than that. When I hugged her I felt a good warmth. One that I haven’t felt before at all. I let go and shrugged it off. I walked off to a balcony and took a deep breath. “Well, here we go.” I closed my eyes and jumped off. I began to flap my wings as much as I could. But, I kept falling. I could feel the air passing me and  I began to think of the first time I flew. I took a deep breath and began to flap my wings at a constant pace. I began to slow a little by little then, I stopped. I opened and looked down. I was a foot above from a VERY pointy statue of a Solar guard. I shuttered at the thought of getting impaled. I flew forward, still shaking in the air. I caught a few laughs from some of the guards. I flew to the bar that Shield showed me the first time I was in Canterlot.

I sighed and opened the door. The sounds of good times, drinking contests, and bar fights filled the air. But, it all stopped when I walked in. Everypony looked at me. A big green douche bag glared at me from a corner as I got on a stool at the bar. “Hey, Skillet give me two of your finest.”

“If you call this shit our finest then…” he stopped as he saw it was me. “I’m sorry. This one is on the house.” He said with pity in his voice as he slid two mugs my way.

I sighed. “Thanks, but I insist on paying.” I said placing several bits on the counter.

“I’ll just count this as a tip. But, I’m sorry about what happened.”

“I know, I saw you at the funeral.”

I was about to say something but, I heard big hoof steps behind me. I sighed. “Hey, asshole where is your leathery friend? Oh, that’s right his got his brains shot out.” he said while laughing.

When he said that I could feel something snap a little. I turned using the momentum of the turn to kick the asshole in the jaw where I heard a satisfying crack knocking him down. I drew a knife and placed it on his throat. Blood was coming from his mouth staining his green fur, his eyes were filled with fear. “You don’t get it do you, motherfucker?” I pressed the knife against his throat drawing a thin line of blood. “You don’t know the loss of your best friend and one of your only friends. You just sit here in this bar drinking your life away, thinking you’re a big shot but, all you are is an asshole and a loser. You don’t realize the sacrifices that soldiers make so you can sit here drinking beer and not giving a shit.” I paused letting the silence speak for itself for a second. “You don’t have to make sacrifices but, I do. I will not kill you but, I want too sooo badly right now. For making fun of my best friend and his death. It was thanks to his sacrifice that I was able to live. I will not waste his sacrifice on somepony like you. Now, I will let you go. But, if I hear you making fun of him or his death I will kill you.” I said letting go the pressure of the knife. The blood has went to his chest and won’t be coming out anytime soon. He gasped for air and he stumbled to get up. When he did he ran off. I sheathed my knife and took a deep breath. I opened my eyes and looked around. Everypony was looking at me with shock and surprise but, the most of all with a raised mug.

“To Shield!” they all yelled taking a drink.

I smiled and took a drink. “To Shield.” I said. Like I said before May you rest in peace dear friend may we meet again someday.

[Four and half hours later]

I have spent the last three hours just wining money on darts. Now, that I’m good at. I won about two hundred bits just in the first hour and ponies were getting angry. With the extra money I bought the whole bar a round. I looked at my watch and smiled. It was almost time for the briefing.

As I was about to leave I felt a tug on my shoulder. I turned to see the red unicorn mare from the second night I was here. My face began to blush as the memory of that night came to light. Oh boy. What in the hell got into me?

“Hey, I never got your name?” She said with a sweet voice made of lavender which made my face blush a whole lot harder. Her face got closer to mine and she began to pet the base of my  left wing and I began to pound my hind leg like a dog.

“Um… my name is… Nightwing. Your’s? Can you please stop? this is getting embarrassing” I said sounding like a nervous wreck along with the fact I‘m being petted like a dog.

“Alright, but you owe me.” She stop and I was about to able. “By the way my name is Velvet Wood.” Yeah wood is right. “ Nice to meet you but, I think it is a little late for that.” she said with small chuckle. It feels like my entire face is on fire. “So, how about you soldier boy ready to go?” GODDAMN IT! “We have to get to that briefing right now or we won’t make it.” Wait? WHAT!

“I’m part your team, I’m your sniper.” she smiled and tilted her head. My jaw literally hit the floor.

“Yeah, lets go.” I said moving out into the falling snow. Snow? Haven’t seen that in while. Well, living in Oklahoma the weather is something that NO ONE  can predict. We made our way to the castle. When we entered the guards showed us the way down to the Lunar guard section of the castle. The whole way down I was getting crap from every single guard about Velvet and me sitting in a damn tree and I nearly kicked the crap out of every single guard. When we reached the room I saw my team besides Velvet. I opened the door to see that Shining Armor was in his purple armor. Their were two other ponies, one was Water and another had a Stetson hat similar to the one the orange mare had when her and Zecora saved my ass. But, it was a guy. Velvet was the only mare on the team.

“Alright, I’m glad that everypony is here. Now, lets get to business.” Shining paused as a screen appeared showing the fields around the boarder town burning and the town being occupied with the griffins. “Operation Feather, this mission is simple, find any intel relating to any operations along side with the Changelings and find any intel on why they have joined the changelings and are attacking us.” Armor said as he passed folders of the mission detail. “If you find any High ranking officers kill them but, do it without being seen or heard. Suppressors must be used.” he looked at Velvet. “Velvet, you will be using the simi-auto SE-97 Sniper rifle with a day time scope with a night vision adapter. Everypony else well be using the standard assault rifle with suppressors and night vision goggles. Everything else is user’s choice.” he looked the cowboy. “Burntrum, you can use your revolvers only when your cover is blown.”

“Alrighty, then. What about my rifle?” Burntrum said in a country accent similar to mine but, more. Like I said Oklahoma.

“You, know what we are doing? It is not the time to be a cowpony. But, like your revolvers if you are caught you can use your lever action rifle. Just make sure that it can pierce their armor.”

“Can do.”

“On that subject, fill your guns with armor piercing ammo and only use none-suppressed or silent   back weapons if you are compromised. Don’t fire unless fired upon. Armory is open to all assault rifles, grenades, knifes and pistols. Crossbows are included for those good silenced kills.” I smiled as he said that. The rules of Engagement never change and almost free ranged armory  I remembered having a back up .44 magnum stub nose revolver along with a .45 ACP 1911 as a secondary along with my other secondary FNX .45 Tactical pistol. Now, the question is do they have .44 magnums and .45 ACP?  I looked around to see that Armor was about to continue. “Alright, you all will be going in by Chopper four miles away from the town  at 0400, you all will walk to the rest of the way to the town. Extract will be at the same spot as the drop at 2300 hours. As the time difference says for itself you 19 hours to complete your mission. When we are done we expect to have some vital intel and when you all get back come back here for the debriefing and next assignment. Dismissed.”

“Yes, sir!” we all said while we saluting.

“Velvet led Nightwing to the armory and get your kit we will be leaving at 2100. Also, everypony if you are compromised you will not get any back up. This is a classified mission.”  we all nodded.  nodded.

I looked at Velvet and smiled. “Led the way.”

“Don’t I always?” she said giving me a seductive smile. Thank God that I have black fur or everypony would see the red on my face. I rubbed the back of my head. She chuckled. “Lets go.”

About ten minutes later we arrive at a small door with two guards armed to the teeth with ammo, frags, knifes, armor and rifles. I looked at Velvet. “Remind me not to piss them off.”

“Alright, Don’t piss them.” she smiled. She went to the guards. “Anvil.” the two guards looked at each other and moved to the side. “come on we don’t have much time. How else are we going to get some time alone.” they guards looked at me with perverted smiles. I swallowed and walked in.

“Damn” is what I said the moment I saw how big the arsenal is. The arsenal seemed to be carved into a cave made of crystal and lit by flames. It gave it a eerie feeling but, it was mostly spears and bows. As we made our way back it started to be more and more lit and the weapons became more like rifles but, still crossbows. We came across another pair of guards in the same kit.

“Feather.” Velvet said and the pair stepped to the side and we entered. Now, I looked like a regular armory made of steel, lights, and tables. I looked on a table where a large rifle sat. Velvet went to it and took it down. It looked like the Sniper rifle from Halo. I began to look at the rifles and pistols. I nearly screamed like a little girl when I saw a stub nose revolver in a good caliber. .44 magnum but, as I look closer it had an engraving similar to the I had one mine. if you need to kill something, do it in one shot or you’re just wasting bullets. it was mine when I first came here. But, I looked on a table right in front or me. Full of boxes of .44 magnum. “You must love that pistol if you almost squealed like a little foal. As much as I do you.” Velvet said behind me scaring the hell of me so much that I jumped into the air flying right into the ceiling.

“Ow. Don’t sneak up on me like that.” I said gliding down rubbing my head.

“I’m sorry.” she managed to breath out from her laughing.

“No you’re not.” I said putting the revolver in my vest along with two boxes of thirty rounds in my pack. I took a suppressed assault rifle and pistol then, holstered the pistol and placed the rifle next to my pack. I turned to see that Velvet was bending over as she packed some extra mags and supplies. She turned to look at me and I was caught with my hand in the cookie jar.

“I hope you like what you see, but that can wait for later.”  she said closed her pack. She turned and smiled. She gave me a hug and a peak on the checked which sent my wing straight up. Damn it. My face was sent a blaze. “Lets go. But, we can stay longer if you’re not finished.” I smiled and the burning sensation went down.

I turned and grabbed and extra pistol and five more mags for my assault rifle and pistol. Have extra for your extra like my uncle says. So, fifteen magazines for the pistol and twenty for the rifle. Along with three days worth of food and water. About fifty pounds along with the stealth black armor that I got when I was out at the bar. Thanks to a friendly game of darts, I managed to win a brand new suit of stealth armor that could turn me partially invisible just leaving a simmering situate in my place but, it only runs for about two hours then, it needs to recharge. Reminds me of the Ghost recon armor a little. It turns out I won it off my quartermaster along with a battle rifle. It was a good day but, I left the rifle and took my twenty-five pounds of armor. I’m carrying seventy-pounds of kit with out ammo. I shrugged.  Pretty light considering most of the time I carry about a hundred pounds of kit but, that is with twenty pounds of heavy armor along with the twenty-five pounds of light armor. M4 and M9 pistol. That fifty-three pounds right there and three days worth of supplies. Food and water. Adds about twenty-five pounds of water and five pounds of food. Wait, why in the hell I’m doing this? I’m getting off topic.

I smiled and turned to her as I closed my pack and placed it on my back. “I’m ready. How long until we have to go?” I asked.

She checked her watch. “About half an hour, why?” she asked with a little cute smile.

“Nothing, I just want to take a nap.” I said with a yawn. “I’m going to the nearest couch.” I said as w were walking out of the armory and into the main part of the castle. Just as I was about fall asleep. “If you want to join me you can.” I said as I placed a cap over my eyes.  I took a deep breath and let it out just as another warmth laid to my side. I could feel her heart beat and breathing. I smiled and began to fall asleep faster. It was soothing to me. I don’t know why but, it did and I “like it.”

I heard her chuckle a bit as I realized that I said that last part out loud. I rested my head on the arm of the couch. As sleep was enveloping me a memory of my life on earth. The night on where my dad died. It seemed to be more clear then I usually do. It was the moment he was shot. I realized as the events unfolded. He saved me. If he didn’t get in the way of the gun, the bullet would killed me. Dad, I miss you so much. Thank you.

“Is everything alright, Nightwing?” I opened my eyes to see that Velvet was looking at me with worry.

“What? Yes I’m fine, why?”

“You’re crying.”

“Uh?” I said as I touched my hoof to my tear soaked fur. “I guess that I am.” I said smiling.

“What was it?” I sat there a little silent. “Nightwing, what’s wrong?” she said bring a motherly tone in her voice.

“Nothing, just a memory. But, what time is it?” I quickly changed subject.

She paused for a moment deciding whether or not to see what was wrong but, as she was about to speak her watch’s alarm bleeped. “It’s time to go but, I’m not done see what is wrong you know that right?” she said.

“Yes, I know but, we need to go.” I said shoving her off playfully.

“I’m going to get you back for that.” she said picking herself off the floor.

“You can try.” I said getting off the couch. We began to head to the top the castle and halfway up we met up with Water and Burntrum. We were all in the stealth armor but, each of us had something different. Burntrum with his Stetson, Water with a Battle rifle the was engraving that said Piss me off and lead will be the last thing you‘ll eat, Velvet with her BAG (Big Ass Gun) and me with stub nose revolver. We all made it to the landing pad just as the chopper touched down. We all climbed in and placed on the headsets. When the chopper lifted off the doors closed on their own.

“Alright, the ride should take about five hours. I would take a nap if I were.” the pilot said as we came over the mountain that held Canterlot.  “One more thing just hope none of you are AA magnets. Just barely survived the last the time.”  everypony expect Velvet looked at me.

“What?” I just shrugged off the looks and began to fall asleep.

********

My dream was about a couple days before I came to this place. At base camp, everyone was joking around, playing catch with a nerf football, telling stories and cleaning gear. Having a good time. Well, the best good time you can have during a war where one wrong step can land you on a bomb. But, it was a good time.

“So, this is your mind? Nice, so this what human look like.” a voice said.

“Ah, What the hell!” I yelled sending me into a small field under a cloudy sky with a small mountain range in the distance.

“Hey, don’t yell at me.” the voice said to my left. I turned to see Velvet without her kit. “Then, again I did kind of scare you. I told you was going to get back at you.” she said smiling while I just sat on my imagery ass dumbfounded.

“How in the hell are you in my head?” I said pointing at my head.

“Magic, ain’t got to explain shit. But, I want to talk to you on what’s bothering you.”

I sighed. “Alright.”

She smiled. “ Alri-”

“But, one condition.”

“What?” she said with a raised eyebrow.

“Don’t invade my mind unless I say you can.” I said giving her a wink.

“Alright, deal.” She said with a soft smile.

For the next hour I told her everything about me. about my first kill, all of the moves in my childhood, my friends on Earth, the ambush, Hog, Shield and my dad. Most of the time she was silent and observant (Probably that sniper training kicking in.) when I was done she hugged me for a good long time and I could “feel” the tears staining my coat. I just sat there laying in the field staring up at the night sky, petting her mane for a bit with a soft smile. She kept crying until I could see that she was asleep. “Good night. I will see in three hours.”

[Two and half hours later]

“Hey dipshit  wake up, we need to talk a bit.”  I heard a voice while he was shaking me.

“Uh, five more minutes.” I said placing my arm on my eyes.

“Get the fuck up.”  he said almost knocking me off my seat.

“God damn alarm clock!” I said smashing my hoof on a horn which jolted me wake. “OW!”

“Damn it, that hurt you know that!” Water said rubbing his horn.

“What do you want I was having a good dream.” I said rubbing my eyes.

“Yeah must be if your wings are as stiff as steel. But, that is besides the point. We are almost there and we need to do weapons checks.” he said as he woke up Velvet and Water.

“Alright, you want a weapons check I will give you a weapons check.”

“I smell a bet a brewin’.” Burntrum said as he raised his hat.

“Yeah, I love myself a good bet.” Velvet said with a small yawn.

Water and everypony else looked at me. “What’s the wager?”

“Fifty bits for the pony that can take a part their gun and back again. The winner gets a hundred-fifty bits. Deal?”

Everypony looked at each other with a smile. “Deal.”

“Alright, three, two, one.” everypony began taking apart their rifles. But, all I did was take out the cylinder pin and cylinder and back again. I spun the revolver and everypony looked up from their torn apart rifles.

“What the hell just happened?” Water said as he finished putting together his rifle.

“All I said was take apart your gun, I didn’t say your rifle. Now, where is my money you two?” I said handing out my hoof.

Water and Burntrum looked at each other then, at me. “What about her!?” they both pointed at Velvet.

I looked at Velvet then back at the two. “I like her.” she looked at them with a smug face. “Plus she would probably make me spend the money on her anyways.” I said with a smug face of my own. She looked at me and slugged my in the arm/leg what ever the hell it is. I rubbed my leg with my left hoof.

“No, I would not!” she said turning around away from me. I smiled as I poked her in the side and she squeaked. She turned around and slugged me again. “Don’t do that!” she said with a childish whine.

“You know you like it.” I said with another smug face.

“Get a room. Besides we’re here.” Water said charging his rifle. “Lets hit, Fillies.” Water said kicking open the door revealing a skyline and some ropes. I glided down on my wings adding covering fire as the rest repelled down. When they hit the ground the chopper cut the ropes and left. Mission is a go.

[an hour later]

The team was utterly quiet as we stalked the wheat fields, it was unnerving. About a third of mile from the town, Velvet placed a peck on my cheek, sending a small burning sensation threw my face and went to one of the odd hills here and there. As we left, I heard a small crack of a pistol. That’s one for you, lets see how many you get. I smiled as the light of the town got bigger.

We stopped about a hundred yards away from the town. Water looked at me and Burntrum. We all nodded. We all put up the black bandanas over our mouths, and we turned invisible. We split up as we made our way behind a building. Water and Burntrum went west toward the post office and I went to the Sheriff’s office. As I made my I saw a couple of Griffins in a guard tower manning a machinegun, smoking and talking out loud.

I raised my hoof to my com. “Red Pepper are you there? Copy.”

I released the button and got static for a moment. “Yes, I’m here Black Glass. Copy.”

“You see those two griffins manning the machinegun?”

“Yes, take them out?”

“No, but keep an eye out. I need to know if you see any guards coming my way.”

*static*

I took off my bandana revealing me. I looked down at the battery. May need to save the rest for later. I looked up at the corner of the building. “There is small patrol of three coming your way, lightly armored and armed. Watch out for their claws, one swipe can rip off you leg. Just click your radio three times if you need help. Or just blow me a kiss.” she said with a soft chuckle. “You know I can see you blushing from here.”

I face hoofed. “Not now but, thanks” I shouldered my rifle and faced the three griffins. The three griffins all froze as they saw me. I fired three suppressed shots into each of their chests killing them. I dragged the bodies behind the building and collected the brass. “Alright, take out the gunners when they get replaced, Red Pepper.”

“Roger.”

As I moved closer to the Sheriff’s office I could feel the sweat beating off of me. I looked up and down the street. The griffins were moving up and down it. Some of them were drunk and others were patrolling the ground and sky. When I got a chance I used the stealth armor and *puff* I disappeared. I moved to the office. I pushed the door and it opened with a squeak. No one was in the office. Looks like they didn’t expect to be infiltrated tonight. I smiled as I turned on my night vision goggles and began to go through the filing cabinets. One caught my interest. Operation Mouse. I quickly read it. In brief it said that the mission is to take control of border town and to kill or capture as many ponies as possible. It also said that in a time frame of two days a group of Changelings were to come and take any ponies that were taken alive to a unknown location. The Changelings were also going to meet to a spy that has integrated into Special forces unit of the Solar Army. The Spy is also going to have a… team moving in this morning at 0500. The Team consists of the human from the cave named Nightwing, a Sniper named Velvet and a breacher name Burntrum. Tactician named Water.  The human is extremely dangerous and skilled in Hoof to hoof combat, large amount of troops is recommended.

“Black Glass, a entire platoon is gathering outside the office and they seem to know that you are in there.”

“Red Pepper, We’re blown. Somepony has set a trap. Get out of here right now! They know where you are. Use your Stealth armor to get out of here and run NOW!”

“No! I will not leave you to die!”

“They won’t kill me. For some reason I don’t know why they want me alive. But, I don’t know you. Please, Run! Run until your legs give out. Then, you start crawling. I just don’t want you to die.”

“No, Parker I will not leave you and if I die I will take as many of those bastards down with me!” I started to hear her shooting and the griffins outside began to fall.

I lowered my head and sighed. Shit. I looked outside the window to see that there were 16 heavily armored and armed griffins. A well decorated officer was standing outside the door.

A knock on the door. “Come out and surrender or we will kill your team.” her voice sounded like a bicker chick.

“Ha and I thought you were room service.” I said checking my magazine.

“Fine then, I will show that I mean business. Bring her out!” I froze when she said that. I looked out the window. Their with a gun to her head was Velvet with blood stains on her green mane. My God.  “Come out or I will shoot her and I don’t want to waste such a pretty face.” the griffin got closer as she was about to kiss her.

“Fuck you, bitch.” Velvet said as she spat in her eye.

This only made the officer smile. “I shall and oh, I do like it when my toys fight rough.” She said in a seductive voice while wiping off the spit. This almost want to make me jump out and put a bullet in that bitch’s brain.

She turned. “Come out now and drop your weapons!”

“Then, you need to cut off my fucking hoofs if you want that wish!  Also, Fuck you!”

“Fine then, be a smart ass. Now, she will get that sweet sweet taste of lead.” she said cocking a revolver.

“Wait! I’m coming out. But, first you have to promise me something first.” I said through the door.

“What would that be?” she said decocking the revolver.

“I will give myself up if you let go of my team and set them free and unharmed. These are my few and only conditions.”

“Alright, we just need you anyways. Release them but, take their weapons. They can leave on foot from here.” she said as I stepped out kicking my pistol and rifle away from me.

“No, don’t do it, PARKER! Don’t do it.” Velvet screamed as tears streamed down her cheeks like rivers. In between sobs I could barly hear the words “I love you.” as she was being dragged away by Water and Burntrum. It felt like a knife to the chest when I saw her crying trying to get to me but, I had to do. I can’t lose anybody else. I don’t need another slaughter of my friends.  I smiled as they placed cuffs on my ankles and took my knife.

I looked at the officer. “So, where are we going Blitz?” I said with the same attitude I always use.

She smiled. “A very special place. One where we hand you off to our friends but, that is after I have fun with you.” she said with one of her against my cheek and she flicked it, drawing a little blood.  I mental gulped at the that. Well, I’m fucked. Velvet I’m sorry but, I had to do this. I don‘t want you getting hurt for me but, this will not be the last you see of me. Was the last thing I thought of as a bag got put over my head and I got the familiar feeling of a hard buttstock to the head. Not my day. God, I hate Mondays.