De Luce et Tenebris Umbra

Crepe, Serrature, e Portali.

Cracks, Locks, and Rifts

Canterlot, Equestria

Present Day

MoonShadow

Shaking and covered in sweat, MoonShadow slowly rose from her position behind the tapestry, the long gone sounds of the battle still ringing in her ears. Taking a deep breath, she realized that she no longer had the sheathe between her teeth. Looking around she found it protruding from behind the tapestry. She quickly retrieved it and moved to find her dagger.

As the tapestry fell back into place, she did not notice the door that was hidden behind it, nor its six locks. One lock was broken and it had the picture of a roaring bear on its cover. Another yet was slightly fractured, but had the picture of a door.

Moving away he started on her way down the hall, determined to finish her patrol and visit her wounded squadmate, he had thankfully survived his wounds and had just woken up from his coma. Her friends said that he had something very interesting to say, and give to her.

‘Probably another sketch of his,’ she thought, ‘I wonder what he drew this time.’

{-----------------------------------------------------------------------}

StarWatcher had been reached fairly quickly, so the medics were able to stop the bleeding and whisked him off to the nearest hospital for treatment. He, along with the surviving wounded were taken to nearby Ponyville where a certain yellow pegasus and the hospital staff were waiting. With the truce in place, the town had served as a temporary meeting place for the two princesses and their commanders.

Both sides had waited anxiously for the meeting to end, and orders to be given, but over the course of the following week they had only received one.

Cease-Fire

Neither side knew what to do, so the remaining commanders simply events let things take their course.

Both sides began to intermingle and friends, who had been separated since the beginning of the war, began to meet up at the local bar.

By the end of the week even the commanders from both sides had to admit that should the Attack! order be given, it would be highly unlikely that the fighting would resume. There were too many ponies from both sides that taken a stance to cease their fighting, and band together against the new threat.

It was no surprise to anypony that when the Princesses and their advisors returned, the war had ended by mutual agreement against a common enemy.

Survival takes precedence over ideals.

The being that had seemed to be the commander of the ape/bear-like creatures, had sworn that they would return, so preparations were being made while the Official peace negotiations were taking place. Needless to say that all throughout Equestria, celebrations erupted at the announcement, but at the same time, there were also dark feelings and fear circulating about their new foes.

Out of the original two armies, both 10,000 strong, only about 18,000 remained. The original casualty list that was presented to the princesses and their advisors at their meetings, were that approximately 400 ponies had been killed in the initial fighting, before the beasts had entered the fray. This had not been surprising as the original casualty projections had been around 6,000-10,000 total had the battle gone without interruption.

What had been surprising was that 1,600 ponies had been killed by the beasts, which were now being called Ursa Primors, but there had only been an estimated 250 of them, including their leader. The greatest shock was not the casualty list or the impossibly small, and deadly, force that had attacked them. It was the fact that only an estimated 5-15 were killed.

The correct number could not be obtained however, as it seemed that in every attempt to recover the bodies, they had disappeared in a flash of light and the ponies present reported that, “It had felt like copper was coating our tongues...”

Both princesses and their advisors were extremely worried. The technology and weapons of their new foes were far ahead of their own by hundreds if not thousands of years. The fact that no technology was able to be recovered did not help.

By the projections of a combined group of strategists from both sides, should the Ursa Primors attack again, it was still likely that they could be defeated, but at a horrendous cost. The best estimation was that only 4-6 companies of their forces total (1,150 at best) would survive, if the previous numbers were to factor in.

Full-Scale research divisions were set up in preparation for their next encounter which surprisingly, but thankfully, had not happened yet. Using new spells, the researchers had been able to view the memories of the ponies that encountered and managed to kill a ‘Primor. Needless to say that most were wounded, if not close to death when their memories were examined and stored. Defeating one came at a high price.

Now the recently rejoined country was on edge, waiting for the ‘Primors to reveal themselves again. Meals were had and last goodbyes were said. Anypony who were part of the quick response teams, spent as much time with loved ones as possible, never knowing when they would be called away, most likely to their deaths.

{-----------------------------------------------------}

Cherok IV

Planet’s Surface

1 Mile from Research Facility Theta

Charise (Char’)

We were approaching the facility from the North in a spread out 30-Pace Diamond formation, with Ghost on point. He had Rex and Bravo land their Valkyrie in a forest 15 miles from us and approach the facility from the West with the ‘Dillo.

I was on Ghost’s right as his Number 3 with Dan on his left and Pick covering the rear.

The dense foliage blocked our line of sight from each other. Even with our positions shown on our mini-map it was still reassuring when you could see your squad mates.

A small flash of blue drew my attention to the M-Map. Ghost’s small dot on the map had flashed blue twice. It was the signal to get into our positions so we could approach the base.

Even though I trusted his judgment, I thought Ghost was being a bit too cautious. We hadn’t detected anything from the ship, nor could see any hesitations or signs of foul intentions when we contacted the base commander. In fact, he only showed signs of relief. That could still go both ways of course, so we arranged to have a decoy Valk’ fly into the base as we approached it from the ground.

Arriving at my position on a hill that overlooked the base I could just make out Ghost’s silhouette as he and Pick slowly approached the base.

‘If you need someone to talk to, I’ll be there.’

My face flushed as I remembered our conversation on the ship. On the flight down, I had already decided to speak to him once the mission was over.

My face began to burn as I imagined spending time with him, alone, in a room. Not even the thought of having to relive my memories was troubling me. I knew that he’d be able to pull me out again. He wasn’t exactly the most handsome person on the team, Pick took the cake for that one, but he by far the most… mysterious. His mood changes quickly, and he’s almost unpredictable in most situations. When he puts on his mask before he puts on his helmet, he becomes a completely different person.

From a squad leader who’ll cheer up and play pranks on his team, to a cold-hearted, ruthless killer who executes the wounded ‘Van or terrorists who survive our encounters. Before I joined the team, I had heard rumors about how he could collect information from prisoners like no one else, both Human and Non-Human. How he wouldn’t allow anyone else into the interrogation rooms, or allow video to be taken, only audio too prove that the information he gave in his reports was true.

I still remember the day he came to the base where my old battalion was stationed at, right after we had left the Academy, to choose a new squad mate. We hadn’t even known who was coming, only that they were some of the best Special Forces teams in the field, who needed replacements.

{---------------------------------------------}

2 Months Ago

Rear Base Jefferson, Planet Timeon

“Hey Char’… Char’ wake up!”

“Mmmmnnnnnhhhhhh…..”

“Oh come on, you don’t have time to be sleeping. Two of us are getting shipped out today.”

My eyes immediately shot open. ‘Shipping out!?’

I jumped out of my bunk and started pulling on my boots, nearly knocking over my bunkmate in my haste to get to my locker to find my Class-A (or Dress) uniform.

“Whoa! Slow down girl!,” she said as she pulled me away from the locker towards my bunk, “The Recs’ won’t be here for another five hours.”

‘Five Hours!’

I groaned inwardly as the rest of my bunkmates chuckled at my frantic display.

‘Wait…Recs?’

“Wait a sec Claire,” I stopped and turned around, “You said Recs’, as in more than one?”

“Yep,” Claire said smiling. Then her face acquired a sneaky look. Leaning in she whispered, “We don’t know who’s coming, not even the base commander knows.”

“What!”

This time the whole room went silent, apparently this was new information.

Claire looked around, “Yeah, I just got back from listening in on one of their meetings. We won’t know who’s recruiting ‘till they get here.”

This was news to all of us. Usually we know who’s coming and that gives us a chance to decide if we want to volunteer and compete with the candidate that the Rec’ chose.

“You know what that means don’tcha?”

A voice came from the back of the room; even a deaf person wouldn’t miss the cockiness in it.

This time the whole room groaned.

“Gomez, the hell you talkin’ ‘bout?”

He leaned forward off his bunk.

“If they’re not telling us who’s coming, then that means they’re classified.”

Once again silence engulfed the room, everyone waiting for him to continue.

“And there’s only three teams that we can’t look up.”

There were sharp intakes of breath across the room and everyone got what he was implying.

He held up his hand to continue, counting off as he listed the call signs.

“1, Foxtrot; 2, Sierra; 3, X-Ray.”

Later

Main Auditorium

“Ladies and Gentlemen take your seats.”

The base commander stood on the stage in front of the microphone, the battalion arrayed in front of him, spread throughout the seats. They could just make out the two silhouettes that stood behind him in the shadows.

“Now, this is not going to be a usual recruitment.”

Heads turned at this, ‘What did he mean?’

“There can be no volunteers…”

I turned to look at Claire and mouthed, ‘What do you think?’

She just shrugged, a worried look on her face.

“Those who have been selected can either accept or decline. Your choice.”

There were murmurs at this news, it was nearly unheard of. The commander turned around and we could see one of the figures making motions with his hand, as if to hurry him up.

“And without further adieu…”

The figure gestured again.

“You know what, I think I’ll just let them speak now,” he said with a sly look on his face as he walked off.

“Finally!”

“Shut up Gomez!”

The first man walked up to the microphone, but we weren’t watching him, we were watching his friend.

I turned to Claire to ask her what she thought, but she was just ogling him. I shook my head and smiled, first hot guy she sees and she’s just about ready to jump on him.

Turning my attention back to the man in front of the microphone, I listened attentively to what he had to say.

“You know why we’re here, so I won’t draw this out and’ll get straight to the point.”

“We have selected two of you as replacements to fill up vacant positions in our squads.”

There were resounding murmurs traveling through the seated soldiers. They were all eager to hear who exactly had been selected by these mysterious men, but there was still an ever present question looming in the air.

“Before you tell us who you picked,” came the annoying voice of arrogance from the back, “Would ya’ mind letting us know who you guys are.”

I looked back at Gomez. He had his arms crossed with a slight smirk across his face. For a second it seemed as if the air behind him was shimmering in the heat, but it quickly disappeared.

I shook my head, convinced that the low-lighting and tension were getting to me. I quickly turned my attention back to the stage to see the reactions of the two recruiters.

They had their heads together and were discussing something between themselves. Then Pretty-Boy (as I decided to call him) decided to step up to the plate.

“We had a feeling that this would come up,” he chuckled, “After all you guys just can’t join up without knowing what you’re jumping into huh?”

He looked out over the group with an expectant face, as if waiting for a remark. Surprisingly enough, it came from beside me.

“So get on with it then!”

He smiled at Claire, almost as if he was grateful.

“I’m Alex the second-in-command of my squad,” then gesturing to the scowling figure beside him he continued, “an’ this is squad leader for the other squad in our company. As for which company we’re from, I ‘ighly doubt ya’ve heard of us. We represent two of the eight squads that make up X-Ray Company.”

There was a large reaction to this news. Actually there were no reactions to this news. We were too stunned to have any. There were some gasps from random people, but the lot of us simply sat there staring at them.

X-RAY!??

Naturally there was a flood of questions, but once we got that out of the way, we came back to the same problem that we had faced at the beginning.

Who Was Being Selected?

‘Alex’ walked up to the microphone and pulled a folded slip of paper out of his pocket.

Reading it in an exaggerated manner, he leaned forward slowly and said the first name.

“Staff Sergeant Charise Wilkenson.”

I sat frozen in my seat as all heads turned to me, and I met Alex’s gaze and saw that he had a slight smile.

“Char…”

‘I can’t believe it! They chose me!'

“Char!”

I looked up to see who was calling me.

“Sergeant?”

I glanced around, but no one was speaking to me.

Is it just my imagination?

“Kid are ya there?”

Everything was frozen around me.

Who was it?

{---------------------------------------------------------}

“Pick… I’m not getting anything from Char’, how ‘bout you?”

“Nothing… but she was having trouble with her comms on the way down.”

“Aye… do a roundabout and check on her would you.”

The world around me receded and I was once again in the tree fumbling about to keep my balance. Opening my comm. channel I sent a hurried reply.

“Sorry! I had to reboot the transmitter, this thing’s not working right.”

{-----------------------------------------------}

Ghost

“Sorry! I had to reboot the transmitter, this thing’s not working right.”

I glanced at Pick and he made a circle motion with his hand, asking if I still wanted him to check on her.

I shook my head and raised two fingers, indicating that he should wait a bit. I turned to see Dan poking his head out from behind a tree 30ft behind me. I motioned to him to move slowly to Char’s position, something didn’t sound right.

“Is it going to be a problem Lieutenant?”

“No sir!” She replied quickly, no static, and only a slight delay, typical of someone sending a response.

Dan stopped and looked towards me, his tilted head asking if I still wanted him to keep going. I just nodded.

“Give me a few minutes to look it over at the base would you,” called Dan, “We need everyone at their best before we try anything.”

“Roger.”

I lifted myself to a crouched position as I searched for Rex’s position. Using a laser pointer, I flashed it twice at his relative area.

“Rex, you got eyes on?”

“Aye,” came his reply with a responsive red flash.

“Alright, everyone move in.”

{------------------------------------}

We all fanned out as we approached the main gate, and I was about to step out into the open to reveal myself to the guardsman when Pick stopped me.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing just…”

I tilted my head and he got a michevious tone.

“Since we’re not getting a break anytime soon, can I have a little fun with this guys?”

I sighed mentally; I knew that something like this was going to happen eventually. The only problem with this, time is that we wouldn’t be able to shoot the guy that Pick decides to scare the living daylights out of. Though considering that either I let him do it now, or he was going to do it when faced with an actual enemy, it would actually be safer with a friendly, as his rounds wouldn’t penetrate our armor to begin with.

At least… a short burst wouldn’t.

Sighing and shaking my head or what seemed to be the umpteenth time today, I wearily agreed.

“Thank ya… Now…,” he chuckled slightly as he crept up to the edge of the wall activating his active camouflage as he went, “Let’s see what ya’ll do.”

He snaked a fiber optic probe around the corner and sent the video feed to our helmets.

“What’s going on Ghost,” radioed Rex, “Why am I seeing a base gaur… Oh no.. don’t tell me he’s gonna?”

“Aye.”

“Wait… what’s going on?” asked Claire worriedly.

“Picks’s makng an ass of himself again,” replied Rex with a groan.

I could almost imagine the idiotic grin on Pick’s face as he planned out his move. I’d never understand how he thinks.

Taking a gamble, I reached down and picked up a good size rock already anticipating his request. I could see that the guard was a good one and would need a distraction.

“Ghost could you… oh.”

I would only give him one shot at this so I lifted my hand and held up five fingers and counted down slowly.

“Oh you’re no fun,” he remarked as he prepared to jump the fence.

As soon as I reached zero, I tossed the rock towards the nearest building on my map.

Clack… Thump

“Birdy?” came the guard’s call.

I thought back to the message I had received from Mathias shortly before, that ‘Birdy’ would be the call and a three-note whistle would be the answer.

Turning my attention back to Pick, I could just see the slight blur of the optical camouflage as he scrambled over the wall.

“BOO!”

Thump!

My head snapped up and I could see Dan raising his rifle.

“Well… that was unexpected.”

What the hell?

“What happened?”

I could hear scrambling over the channel as Pick moved something.

“He fainted.”

………

The gate slowly creaked open as Pick walked out to wave us in.

I took one look inside and could see the body of the unconscious guard sitting upright by a wall on a patch of damp ground. I walked over to him and crouched to take his vitals.

“What did you do to the poor guy?” came Dan’s question.

“Nothing… I just dropped in front of him and released the camo.”

After checking to see that the guard would be okay I stood up.

“Let’s go find the Base-Commander,” I told them with an exasperated tone. In the background I could hear the snickers of some of the guys from Bravo.

“Should we introduce ourselves Ghost?”

I brought out my mini-map and saw Rex’s vehicles a short distance from their gate.

“Go ahead but head straight for the AOI, we’ll deal with the commander.”

“On it.”

I just started to walk to the main Plaza when Dan called me over.

“Hey Ghost? I see the BC can I go introduce us?”

“Sure, why not.”

As Dan and Pick walked over to him, I noticed a presence at my side.

“You okay Char’?”

She looked up at me, “Yeah I’m just fine.”

I nodded slowly and saw Dan waving me over. I gestured for them to go on without us and caught Char’ by the shoulder as she began to walk away.

“You sure you’re okay?”

“I’m fine…” she stressed, I could almost hear the disdain in her voice as she shrugged off my hand and kept on walking towards the others.

I took a look around and saw some civilians in lab coats grouped together and talking, occasionally glancing at me. I stared at them and shifted the color of my visor so that it became clear and stared them down, waving them along.

As they walked away I reached up to idly rub my arm, only for my hand to be met by a metal plate. Lowering my hand I slowly moved to follow the rest of my squad, settling to roll my shoulder to try and relieve the tingling that I felt.

I was feeling antsy. Something wasn’t right here.

{-----------------------------}

Unknown

Watching from two mirrors made of puddled water, a shadow watches the progress of the eight black armor-clad figures.

Hmm...these soldiers may be a problem...but no matter, they shall fall as easily as all the others that have gone against me.

He turned towards two of his minions, both officers of the Renton Van.

‘Go! Prepare our prisoner for the arrival of our guests.’

He clasped his hands together and began to speak again, but was interrupted by a fit of coughing. Fiddling with a canteen at his side, he drank some of the amber liquid that soothed his pains. Massaging the old scar on his chest, he shook the container, listening to the splashing sounds that revealed much more air than liquid. It was running out quickly, but finding more shouldn't be a problem. Creating it in its refined state while remaining unnoticed though? That would take quite a distraction.

With my power slowly returning, and that old meddler gone, nothing will be able to stop my plans...though I feel as if something is still watching me...

He thought back to the being he had discovered not to long into his journey to this dimension. The one who could enter dreams and monitor the night. The one who he had taken care to avoid ever since he first arrived, but no longer.

Pitiful fool...the night is simply another realm of the darkness that has been tainted by the light. Let us see how well you fare against my own terrors of the dark.