Fallout Equestria: War, war, war...

I woke up at 0500 hours, as usual. Did my usual morning workout routine. Even after the scuffle at the bar last night I was feeling well rested and hadn’t heard anything of it.

I was in the chow hall finishing my meal when I noticed a figure in my peripheral approaching me. I casually looked to see who it was and almost choked on my food when I saw it was General Lightning Arc, and his eyes were locked on mine. FUCK! I quickly stood and saluted him. “Good morning, sir!”

He gave that friendly, casual smile of his. “At ease sergeant.” He sat opposite from me. I sat back down. “So sergeant, what happened to your cheek?” He asked with an all-knowing smile on his muzzle. “And did you have a good night out on the town last night?”

I swallowed and began, “Sir I can explain.”

He raised a hoof. “I don’t want to hear who started it sergeant. The fact of the matter is we need you out on the field. I’m giving you a pardon for you and your squads actions last night. I don’t want something like this happen again, are we clear?”

“Yes sir.” I replied

He stood and I did the same. We exchanged a salute and he went on his way. I sat back down and checked my watch. 0622. I had briefing for all the squad leaders taking place in the initial landing in eight minutes. I took my tray to the washing window and set it down and started for the logistics wing.

*** *** ***

I entered the conference room. Inside was Captain Flurry and four Lieutenants that I didn’t know.

“So this is the sergeant leading Cloud Crushers unit. Poor bastards. He doesn’t look like he could lead a foals daycare.” One of them said and the other three laughed along with it. Your average Lieutenant, a tight ass prick who thinks he’s the commander in chief.

“Sergeant Thunder, do you have anything to say to that?” Flurry asked. He actually wanted me to say something! He can bet his ass I’ll take the opportunity to put a cherry Lt in his place!
“I can lead a hell of a lot better than you four can read a map and compass.” Their laughing came to a stop and Flurry couldn’t help but chuckle.

I took my seat and Flurry began. “Anyways, Storm and Blue, you two and your squads will make up the right flank.” The two Lieutenants nodded. “Gust and Gale, you to will make up the left flank.” The other two nodded as well. “Thunder, you and your squad will form the spearhead of the force. I want all squads in a ‘V’ formation, except you Thunder, your squad will be flying in a diamond formation.” I gave a single nod in recognition as he continued. “Once you have secured a landing zone radio back to the ship and the raptors will land and unload one at a time.”

Blue, a red stallion ironically enough and the one that tried to insult me earlier, raised his hoof. “Will we have support from the ships cannons or bombing chariots?”

I personally wanted to know as well.

“Negative. Megaspells hit Aldorna at the same time they hit Equestria. Logistics states the only resists you may encounter will be raiders and wastelanders of the same sort, any chances of engagement are miniscule to begin with.” Flurry stated.

“I sure hope so.” Gust, I believe, said under his breath.

“Well gentlemen it is,” Flurry checked his watch. “0651. You deploy in an hour. Go brief your squads and gear up. Fly true.”
We all stood and saluted and repeated in unison, “Fly true.” We all exited the conference room and headed for our gear.

*** *** ***

I opened my locker and slipped into my armor. Once it was all secure I pulled down my goggles then started up the spell matrix from the pip buck that was integrated into the forehoof. I watched my E.F.S.(Eyes Forward Sparkle) come to life in my goggles. It was pretty amazing how it could sense the presence of a sentient being or form of active robot. It could even indicate whether it was hostile to me or not. It also shows a marker or indicator of my current objective. Crazy stuff, that’s why I don’t bother thinking about it. I hooked my rifles up to my battle saddle and gave a buck to load a fresh spark battery into it. My armor had a full supply of them, I could go days without having to refill my supply. Lastly I flexed and moved the scorpion like stinger that was attached to the back of the armor. I slipped the goggles back onto my head after seeing everything was operational. I made my way to the squad bay.

*** *** ***

There were five squads in the squad bay. Gales, Gusts, Blues, Storms, and lastly mine. They each had one squad leader and four other squad mates. Except mine. There was me and these three. Ill have to ask why were short a troop, later that is.

I started heading over to my squad when Hail Frost, the Quarter Master called me over to the wall where his window was. “Sergeant Thunder Wing! Come see me real quick!”

I altered my course. The Armory was built next to the squad bay with a window in the wall. It was convenient for pre-mission armament.

“Yes Hail?” I didn’t need ammo if that’s what he was going to offer me.

“All squad leaders are to carry two Novasurge rifles in place of their standard issue weapons.”

I blinked. I liked my SAER-21s.” Uh, is that necessary? I’ll be perfectly fine with the 21s.”

He shook his head. Damn. “Sorry sergeant. Orders are orders. They’re relatively the same though, semi-auto, just has an amplified gem core to make the beam more powerful and they’re lighter.” He said as I placed my rifles on the counter.

He took them over to a table and set them down. He then went into a large lock box and pulled out two Novasurge rifles. I’d never fired one before, but the way I look at it, you fire one energy weapon, you’ve fired ‘em all. I equipped the rifles and loaded a fresh pair of spark batteries and they hummed to life. “Thanks Hail.” I said as I began trotting back over to my squad.

Quick gave a whistle as I came to the group. “Nice pair of rifles ya got there sarge. Real swanky.” He spoke with his deep drawl. I couldn’t help but look at the rocket launcher on his right side. With a rocket belt feeder that connected from the launcher to the ammo can on the left of his battle saddle.

I looked over at Rod. He had a radio pack under his right wing and what I assumed was its battery or something under his left. He had a small energy pistol in a leg holster on his front right leg.

Finally I looked at Mistys load out. It was similar to Quicks. She had a long barreled rifle with a scope on her right side with a belt feeder leading over to her right. I blinked. She had bullets and a conventional rifle. I almost fainted. I walked over and began touching the rifle.

“Oh, um.” Misty quietly said.

“You okay sarge?” Quick asked from behind me.

“Yeah I’m fine. Its just. This fires bullets. Not lasers.”

Misty blinked and slowly said, “yeah…”

I realized how weird I was being and quickly composed myself. I cleared my throat and apologized. “Sorry, I didn’t know anyone in the Enclave got to use anything but energy weapons.”

“Hey Thunder!”

I looked over to see Blue calling me over away from my squad. “I’ll be right back.” I said to them as I started walking over to him.

“Yeah?” I asked, a little annoyed.

“Listen and listen good. The brass has put you in the lead for the landing party, for what reason, Luna only knows! But I swear to Celestia if you fuck this up I will personally pluck your feathers! Got it?” He sure as shit didn’t seem to happy.

I rolled my eyes a little and replied, “Yeah I got it, cool your shit. The last thing I need is some inexperienced lieutenant shooting at his own shadow.” I turned and began walking away. I could feel how pissed he was at that comment, but he kept his mouth shut.

“What was that all about?” Rod asked as I returned to the group.

“Oh nothing, just wishing me luck.” I lied with a satisfying smile. “Okay final weapon and system checks?”

We all checked our gear and weapons. I couldn’t help but take an extra moment to let my eyes linger on my new rifles.

The speakers in the bay came to life. “Formation launch in T-minus sixty seconds.”

“Lets do this!” Quick hollered as we all fell into formation.

I stood in the front, closest to the door. To me right and back, Misty. To my left and back, Quick. Directly behind me, Rod. Gust and Gale and their squads formed their ‘V’ formations and formed up on my left flank. Storm and Blue did the same on my right.

“T-minus thirty seconds.” The speakers boomed and the red light came on throughout the bay.

I Brought my goggles down over my eyes and stretched my wings.

“T-minus ten seconds.”

I was ready. I had all my training and a damn fine squad. We would do our job and be back on the Victorious by noon.

“Five, Four, Three…”

I narrowed my eyes, as the bay doors opened and let the sunlight in. Even with the goggles it was still bright.

“Two, One, Launch!”

The light turned green and everyone of us gave a powerful flap at the same time propelling us through the open doors.