Broken Mirror, Part One

Manehattan Wire

Throughout the early hours of the morning, a small mob had assembled at the abandon Manehattan Wire factory. The mix of humans and ponies were milling about with no clear rhyme or reason when the Pelican carrying Lasky, Palmer and Lord Hood landed near the old hangar building.

“And why are we out in the middle of nowhere again?” questioned the Admiral as he hobbled down the Pelican’s ramp.

“Didn’t I say it was a breakfast meeting?” quipped Lasky as he dragged a large hardcase off the Pelican.

“You didn’t say where Captain.”

“There was a reason for that.” said the Captain as he started walking over to the old factory.

______________________________________________________________________________

Dusk was up in his old office reading over some reports that Patch had brought on the Enclave spies when Dart slipped in.

“Hope I’m not interrupting.”

Dusk smiled and put down his reading material. “You’re not. I’m betting either Patch or someone else will go over who we’re looking for anyway, so it’s no loss.”

Dart sat in Dusk’s lap, smirking. “Really?”

“Yes, really.” groaned Dusk. “Look, now really isn’t-”

“Dusk, you in here?” said Lasky as he opened the door, his back turned as he dragged the hardcase into the room.

Dusk was quick to move Dart up onto his desk with a brief telekinetic spell before sitting back in his chair. “Where else would I be?”

“Probably off getting some coffee, how the hell should I know?” said the Captain as he plopped down on Dusk’s couch while Lord Hood hobbled into the room, followed by Palmer.

“Lord Hood-” said Dusk as he got up from his chair and strode over to the Admiral before grabbing the man’s hand. “-welcome to Equestria.” Dusk quickly glanced over at Dart. “Kick my chair over here.”

Dart swung the chair out from behind Dusk’s desk before pushing it over to the stallion. Dusk presented the chair to Lord Hood before grabbing a spot on his couch. “Captain Lasky was telling me about some sort of ‘breakfast meeting’?” asked the Admiral.

“Just a mission briefing.” noted Dart.

“Mission briefing?”

“You do tend to need them when some jive-ass fuckers think they can waltz on in to one of the most secure events in all of Equestria.” said Tremble as he walked in with Patch, Star and Violet before tossing a box of doughnuts down on the coffee table in the middle of the room. “And yes Dart, I did remember breakfast this time.”

“Joe’s Doughnuts?” asked the mare.

“Where else?” quipped the Sergeant as he pulled some files out of his bag before passing them around the room. “Now, anyone want to remind me why we’re here? Anyone?”

Dusk just gave Tremble a blank stare. “Tremble, leave the briefings to the professional.” said the stallion as he got up and levitated Tremble over to his now-vacant spot on the couch. “Alright, listen up. We’ve got a group of Enclave agents that are planning on sneaking into the Grand Galloping Gala this evening. I don’t know what these fuckers are planning, or what they’re looking for. Hell, they could be looking for the Princess’ own anti-son-of-a-bitch-machine, but they won’t get it. Tell em’ why Patch!”

“Because we know they’re coming?” asked the mare before leaning over to Dart. “Has he done this before?”

“Sadly…” said Dart as she shook her head.

“Moving on, we’ll have six of us on the ground. Violet and Star will be watching the door, Dart and I will keep an eye on the garden, while Palmer and Lasky keep the main hall under lock and key. Thorne is going to be on stage with the band, so he’ll be as close as we can get to eyes in the sky inside the castle.”

“As far as backup goes,” stated Tremble “I’ll be with Patch and Steeljack on sniper detail. Anything happens outside, we’ll try to engage-”

“And if anything happens in the castle, you want me and Palmer to handle it?” asked Lasky.

Tremble shrugged. “You’re the one who said it, not me.”

“Do we have any other support?” asked Dusk.

“Zulu Company will be on standby onboard the Regent, while Commander Sentry will have Hammer and Aurora Squads in the castle in case they’re needed.”

“Good… Any other-”

“Let’s back this up for a minute.” said Hood. “Captain, this meeting was a mission briefing to take out some agents that are trying to sneak into a party?”

“Lord Hood, with all due respect, shut the hell up.” said Tremble. “Most, if not all of the public servants, nobles and members of the Equestrian government attend this ‘party’. If the Enclave want to have some of their guys sneak in, then why shouldn’t there be a plan to take them out?”

“While I don’t really agree with Tremble’s manners-” said Dart “-we’ve both been fighting the Enclave and ONI for three years. ONI gives them the gear, and then the Enclave uses it as they both see fit. At this point, casualties for civilians and military personnel stand at just over 2000-”

“Wait, over 2000?” asked Dusk. “Where have these guys been hitting?”

“Dodge Junction was attacked a second time about three months after you disappeared, followed by a number of raids on Appaloosa, and Dodge City over the last three years. The more recent siege of Dodge City saw 527 casualties, while their attacks on Vanhoover, Baltimare and Manehattan have a combined 1602 casualties.” stated Tremble before he turned his attention back to Lord Hood. “It’s for all of those ponies and marines that we’ll put these fuckers in the ground. The Enclave deserves nothing less.”

“I see…” said the Admiral. “What do you need me to do?”

“I’m sorry?” asked Dusk

“I said what do you need me to do?” reiterated Hood. “We had enough people die fighting the Covenant, and now Osman thinks she can enable that same behavior among members of another species that can barely defend itself?” Hood rose to his feet, leaning on his cane as he stood. “That won’t happen. Not on my watch”

“Just keep Infinity here for now.” said Dart. “For the moment, that ship is our best chance to establish a decent defense so we can actually try hitting back against the Enclave. All I’ve done for the last three years is damage control. Take a squad here, go help defend a town over there-”

“No need to try to sell me on anything else. As of now, Infinity and her escorts are staying here.” Hood looked over at Lasky. “For the time being, you’re going to be taking orders from the Equestrians, it’ll be the same deal with the Spartan detachment. It’s long past time that someone draws a line in the sand-”

“-and it might as well be us.” finished the Captain. “I’ll have marines start setting up bases along the southern border immediately.”

“Good. Commander Palmer, I’m putting you back in command of the Spartans on Infinity. You’ll also be charged with coordinating operations with the Equestrians. I’d also prefer if you kept a team down-”

“Already done.” noted Palmer. “Majestic is in the capital. I’ll just have their gear brought down from the ship.”

“Glad to see you’ve learned how to read minds Palmer.” Hood looked around the room before he smiled. “Well then, I think it’s about time we make an impression.”

______________________________________________________________________________

Canterlot

It took a few hours for the group to get ready and head for the castle. The group decided to travel to the outskirts of town by Pelican, before walking the rest of the way. Dusk had seen to it that everyone was prepared in advance. Dusk had picked out a simple black tuxedo, made of similar material to Dart’s dress. Lasky and Hood both came decked out in their dress uniforms, while Palmer trailed behind with Violet and Lilith (both of whom had used an illusion spell to mimic the appearance of two solar guards.), more downtrodden due to her forced attire.

“Something wrong?” asked Lasky as he fell back alongside Palmer.

“Oh, no I’m just late for tea.” snarked Palmer. “What do you think? I’m a soldier. Last I checked, soldiers don’t go to fancy parties dressed like some sort of goddamn princess.”

“Look, I’m not exactly a fan of hanging around with a bunch of rich assholes either-”

“Oh really? The great Tom Lasky doesn’t like making himself look good?”

“Palmer, if we take out these Enclave agents in front of the majority of the government of Equestria, think what that would do for our standing with them? We might be here awhile, so having a few favors we can call in might not hurt.”

“Doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

“No one said you had to Palmer!” yelled Dusk, before he turned back to Lord Hood. “Anyway, Celestia should be at the front door. She’ll be the one you want to talk with about all of that diplomacy bullshit that your government wants you to pull off.”

“While I don’t agree with your gross oversimplification of the idea of diplomacy, thanks for the heads up.” replied Hood as he hobbled off down the street.

“You even know where you’re going?” asked Dusk.

“Hard to miss the giant castle in the middle of the city.” said the Admiral as he kept walking.

______________________________________________________________________________

“And where are we going again Patch?” asked Steeljack as he followed the mare up a dark stairwell.

“I told you already. We’re going to the roof to watch the outside of the castle, Tremble is going to hide out in one of the towers overlooking the castle garden.” she stopped and turned around before shrugging. “Did I forget something?”

“Ya, you did.” quipped Steeljack. “You forgot I wasn’t at the briefing.”

“And who’s fault is that?”

Steeljack facepalmed. “Well I’m sorry that you neglected to mention that there was something more than ‘oh, by the way there’s a bunch of Enclave bastards that’ll be sneaking into the Grand Galloping Gala tomorrow so I’ll need your help’.”

Patch didn’t say anything, instead turning and continuing her walk to the roof. As she swung the door open and walked out into the cool night, Steeljack ran up in front of her. “Is it just me, or do we have a problem?”

“We’ll deal with it later.” groaned Patch as she brushed past the stallion and went to the edge of the roof. “Tremble, you there?” said the mare as she clicked on her radio.

“Just setting up now.”

“Alright.” Patch pulled her rifle off her back, fitting a bipod on the underside of the barrel before laying prone on the roof, watching the castle through her scope. “I’m clear on my end.”

“Same. I’m just seeing a bunch of stuck-up snobs starting to walk outside back here.”

Steeljack set up his DMR, attaching the sniper scope he had salvaged off a broken rifle. “We know what we’re looking for?”

“I do.” quipped Patch. “I’ll let you know if I see anything.”

Steeljack lowered his rifle. “Then why am I here?”

“To watch my back.”

______________________________________________________________________________

Celestia was greeting the arriving nobles as Dusk walked in with his group. She didn’t pay much attention to the two guards that were tailing them who took over from the guards at the door. What she did pay heed to was the older human who was hobbling over on a cane.

“I take it you’re Princess Celestia?”

Celestia nodded. “And you are?”

“Lord Terrence Hood, Commander in Chief of the UNSC.” said the human as he held out his hand.

The Princess waved off the gesture. “Lord Hood, no need to be so formal around me. It’s just a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance.”

Celestia walked away, only to have Luna take over. “You might want to follow her.”

The Admiral nodded before hobbling off after the diarch. He entered a darkened corridor off the main entrance, before he was grabbed by the back of his collar and dragged off to the side, before he felt a brief pain in his knee.

“That should fix your leg.” said the Princess.

Hood whipped around, finding that the Princess was walking through a passage that had opened in the wall. Rushing in after her, he found himself in a long stairway. “What the hell’s going on?” he asked as he followed the Princess.

“There’s much more going on here than you realize Lord Hood.” said the Diarch as she continued down the darkening passage before lighting her horn. “By now you’ve heard of the Enclave?”

“Ya. Bunch of terrorists that ONI has been supplying with equipment.”

The Princess nodded. “Indeed, but that is simply one part of the equation. The Enclave have advanced technology of their own, however ONI gave them superior equipment after they arrived in Equestria.”

“After they arrived?” questioned Hood. “I thought they were already here.”

“They didn’t originate here.” corrected the Diarch. “The found a portal that linked our world to their own.”

“So they’re alien?”

“They aren’t from this universe.” As the two reached the end of the passageway, Celestia parted the wall to reveal a large chamber at the very end, bathed in a soothing green light. Around the room were floating images, almost portal-like. Each showed a different world, ranging from nuclear wastelands to pristine utopias. Off in the corner were a series of crystal structures that resembled cryo-tubes.

“Where the hell are we?”

“The Nexus.” said the Princess. “This world sits at a unique position in the universe, where multiple planes intersect. Through here and the other portals that I’ve hidden away across Equis, you can access a near infinite number of realms.”

“You’re kidding, right?” questioned Hood.

“I wish I was.” sighed Celestia as she walked over to the crystals.

Hood followed, before his eyes went wide. While some of the tubes were empty, a handful were occupied by individuals. Wiping the dust away on one, he found himself staring at the scratched helmet of a Spartan. “What the hell…”

“His name is Paul Demarco-”

“I know who he is. The man died trying to save our asses back on Ealen Four.” Hood looked over at the Princess and furrowed his brow. “What the hell is he doing here?”

“He was brought here by the Nexus, as he was judged to be of sound mind to help protect this place from the threat that now looms ahead of us.” Celestia waved her hand, showing the visage of an older human woman, a handful of ponies and Commander Palmer. “Catherine Halsey, Steeljack, Meteor Shower, Dusk, Dart, Sarah Palmer. They are all key to the defense of the Nexus.”

“And why are you telling me this?” asked Hood.

“You need to understand the stakes we’re facing.” Celestia paused before turning to the entrance. “They’re here.” She lit her horn, and the crystal that had preserved the Spartan began to melt away. “Time to wake up Paul.”

______________________________________________________________________________

Palmer and Lasky were milling about the main hall for the better part of the first half of the gala. Eventually, Palmer made her way to the bar, where she was unsuccessfully trying to drown her gloomy attitude in alcohol.

“Still trying to find out how long it takes a Spartan to get drunk?” asked Lasky as he grabbed a seat by Palmer’s side.

“Unsuccessfully, I might add.” said Palmer. “We haven’t even seen these ‘agents’, or heard anything from Dusk or Dart.”

“Probably because they’re too busy on the dance floor.”

Palmer turned around, spotting the two doing an impromptu waltz through the crowd of nobles. As they cleared the crowd, the broke character and walked over to the bar.

“Am I the only one who’s bored out of his mind?” asked Dusk as he signaled the bartender for a drink.

“Join the club.” said Palmer as she downed yet another glass of whiskey.

“Then allow me to lighten the mood.” said a human as he walked up to the bar. He was decked out in a black tuxedo, with a red corsage in the breast pocket. “Bartender, hard cider.” As the bartender slid the glass to the human, he turned and gave a wry smile to Palmer. “You look good Commander.”

Palmer and Lasky both had to do a doubletake. “DeMarco?” she asked.

“The one and only.” said the human as he downed his cider before sliding the glass back to the bartender. “You do realize that those agents are already in the building, right?”

“What?” asked Dusk.

“The Enclave. Their guys are already inside.” said DeMarco.

“Shit. DeMarco, you're with me and Dart. Palmer, Lasky-”

“Dusk, I need a word. Now.” Palmer dragged Dusk away from the bar by his collar. “He’s supposed to be dead.”

Dusk glanced around Palmer. “Well, he doesn’t look dead.”

“Look, DeMarco died-”

“Stow it Palmer.” said Dusk. “If he’s here, and he can fight, we need him in our corner. We can deal with the specifics of this little miracle later. In the mean time, get Thorne and head for the Armory. I had some armor racks set up for your gear in there.” Dusk brushed away from Palmer before beckoning for Dart and DeMarco to follow.

“What’s the plan?” asked Dart.

“Find Tremble, get the word out that the perimeter has likely been breached and then clear the hall.” said Dusk.

“You do realize that the nobles aren’t their targets, right?” asked DeMarco

“Come again?”

“They’re after something under the castle.”

“And how would you know that?” demanded Dart.

“Your Princess was the one who woke me up down there.” said the Spartan as he kept pace with the two ponies while pulling a small medallion out of his pocket. and putting it around his neck.

“What’s that for?”

“Just my gear. Needed a place to put it, and your Princess so kindly provided… Whatever the hell this thing is.”

The group walked into a side hallway, before catching sight of Tremble sprinting towards them.

“We’ve got a problem.” said the marine as he slowed to a stop. “Enclave sent a full platoon of soldiers. Patch and Steeljack have them engaged, but I lost contact with them. Supposedly Star and Violet showed up once the shooting started.”

“How long ago was this?”

“About two minutes ago.”

“Fuck.” Dusk tapped his foot. “Alright, we’re hitting the armory. Get in touch with Flash, tell him I need those teams in here now.”

“What about Zulu?” asked Tremble.

“Get them into the city.” ordered Dart. “We’ll need them there for crowd control.”

______________________________________________________________________________

Steeljack ducked down behind a rooftop vent for the third time that evening, trying to avoid the fire coming from a mob of Enclave soldiers that was pursuing him and Patch.

“Shit shit shit shit!” yelled Patch as she dove behind an air conditioner before sticking her rifle out of cover and shooting blind.

“We having fun yet?” yelled Steeljack as he leaned out of cover before exchanging fire with the advancing soldiers.

As Star crashed on a roof opposite of them, Patch sighed. “Of course I am! What’s better than getting our asses kicked?”

Steeljack didn’t have a chance to offer a rebuttal before an Enclave soldier punched through the air vent he was hiding behind and ripping him through it before tossing him off the roof. The stallion crashed through a window of an apartment building across the street, interrupting a family’s quiet dinner.

“Don’t worry, I’m OK.” said the stallion as he clambered to his feet. Looking over at the blatantly surprised family, Steeljack rolled his eyes, before he ducked out of the apartment and ran down the stairs to the street while he pulled out his radio. “Tremble, where are you?”

“At the palace. We just got word that the Enclave is already inside.”

“Got it. Me and Patch got separated. No idea where Star and Violet are.” As he burst onto the street, Steeljack saw a guard sprinting down the street towards him, yelling something about bombs on the pillars before Steeljack grabbed the panicked stallion. “What’s gotten into you man?”

“The Enclave, they’re planting bombs on the support pillars-”

Steeljack went pale. “Tremble, we need to evacuate the city now!”

“And why would we do that?”

“One of the city guards just informed me that there are Enclave soldiers planting bombs on the city’s support pillars. If those go off-”

“Then the entire western half of the city collapses. I’ll get the word out to start evacuations.”

______________________________________________________________________________

Lasky, Palmer and Thorne arrived in the armory to find that Dusk and DeMarco had armored up, and were preparing an assortment of weapons. Palmer and Thorne were quick to change into their undersuits before going to the armor rack, while Lasky grabbed a basic tactical vest off of one of the wall racks.

“Alright, what’s the plan?” asked Palmer as he broke free of the rack.

“We get the nobles out of the castle and-”

“Not gonna cut it!” yelled Tremble as he stormed in. “Just got word the Enclave has been planting charges on the support towers for the city.”

“Well, that’s news.” said Dusk as he picked up a SAW.

Palmer tapped the side of her helmet. “Dalton, you there?”

“Online Commander.”

“I need any Pelican you can get down here now. We’re evacuating Canterlot.”

“What?” said Miller as he chimed in. “Why the hell are you evacuating an-”

“Miller, they’ve got bombs on the support pylons for the western half of the city.” said Dusk. “We’re going to get the civilians out of the way, then see if we can actually disarm those charges.”

“Understood. I’ll scramble whatever I can. Dalton out.”

“New plan then.” said Dusk as he swung the weapon onto his back while grabbing a handful of magazines. “I’ll take DeMarco, Thorne and whatever marines we’ve got to try and hold off the Enclave, Dart and Lasky coordinate the evacuation, Palmer keeps the castle all nice and cozy and then we worry about the bombs.”

Dusk walked out of the room, waving for the Spartans to follow before he tapped the side of his helmet. “Dusk to Zulu Company, green light for deployment. Landing zone will be marked in the city by the yellow smoke.”

“Dooley here. We’ll be on station shortly.”
______________________________________________________________________________

It took Steeljack some time to track down Patch once he got down to the street. By then word had come down to start evacuating the western half of the city, with the guards trying to protect the main streets from Enclave attack as the locals started to flee.

“Steeljack!” yelled Patch as she ran up to him. “You alright?”

“Could be worse. Do we know what’s going on at the Gala?”

Patch shook her head. “Not a clue.”

The pair began to walk down the street, following the sounds of gunfire as they went. “What about Star and Violet?”

“Supposedly Violet found Star and they’re trying to find the Princesses.” Patch stopped and looked at Steeljack. “You got any idea why the order to evacuate-”

“Supposedly the Enclave has bombs below the city.” quipped Steeljack. “Those go up, half of the city goes down. We just need to make sure nopony is in there when it happens.”

As Patch stood in the street, trying to comprehend what she just heard, the ground shook beneath her, followed by a dull thud. “Is that what I think it was?”

“Fuck!” yelled Steeljack. “Tremble, I think one of the charges just went-”

“Ya, it did. Just took out the northwest corner of the city. We already cleared it, but the other sections are being held up by Enclave barricades.”

“They’re trying to bottle us up.” Steeljack groaned. “Tremble, where are those blockades?”

“There’s three of them set up on Main Street, Canterbury Street and Gold Oaks Boulevard.”

“They must’ve cut across the blocks to set them up.” noted Patch.

“Tremble, Patch and I are going to try and clear the roads. I’ll keep you in the loop.” Steeljack clicked off his radio and started walking.

“We’re gonna do what?” asked Patch as she walked after him.

“It’s simple.” stated Steeljack “We’re gonna be heroes.”
_

_____________________________________________________________________________

“Dusk, Palmer, someone there?”

Dusk tapped the side of his helmet. “You’re on Miller.”

“That last blast was radioactive, looks almost like-”

“I don’t need to know Miller.” said Dusk. “Just tell me how the evacuation is going.”

“There are some blockades on Main, Canterbury, and Gold Oaks. Steeljack, Patch and some of the marines are trying to clear them, speed up the evacuations.”

“Copy that, we’ll hit Gold Oaks then link up with the others at Canterbury.” Dusk swung his machine gun off his back before checking to make sure it was loaded properly. “Gold Oaks is about two blocks north of here.”

“Then let’s go bash some heads.” said DeMarco as he readied his rifle.