H.E.R.D.

HERD

By: Mischief

Prologue

        “WE’RE TAKING FIRE FROM OUR NINE O’CLOCK!” screamed Smoke Haze, the squad leader, as they were held up in a house. Shots were starting to come from every side as Griffons took sniper shots at the small squad of ponies. It had already been two hours as the third crept on them, they wondered if they would ever get out of the house. Yet they still returned fire in burst and didn’t stay in the windows for long.

        “WHEN IS THAT AIR SUPPORT COMING?” screamed one of the squad members Flare. They all looked at him and sighed as they focused back on the incoming fire.

        “WHAT?! DON’T TELL ME THEIR NOT COMING! THEY HAVE TO!”

        “ABOUT A HOUR AGO THEY TOLD US THAT WE WOULD GET IT, BUT THEY SAID IT WAS TO HOT.” yelled Smoke Haze back. Flare stared at him astonished, this is what it felt like to be forsaken left to die by these monsters hands. He peaked out the window glancing at the hill as he saw more griffons fly in and take positions against them. “Dammit!” He mumbled under his breathe, they were just getting settled in to wait us out.

        The gunfire stopped coming in.

        “Hold your fire!” ordered Haze he didn’t know that they were settling in.

        “Why you reckon they stopped?” Whispered Mist into the headset.

        “They’re settling in.” Flare responded, he knew that this was not going to end well.

        “Well then so should we. Every pony hold positions.” Haze commanded. What was a routine patrol had turned into the longest standoff they had been in yet. Before this there were four of them now three remained after they had lost about ten plus before we took cover.

        Soon night came and news that the Shadow Bolts had been called off as the zone we were in was now behind the front line, and that did not sit well with the squad. They asked themselves “How bad was it that they couldn’t get the Shadow Bolts in?” They gathered in one room finally and started counting ammunition.

        “I got 47 AR rounds and 50 pistol rounds.” said Haze.

        “I have only 20 Sniper rounds and 10 pistol rounds.” said Mist.

        “I got 70 AR rounds and 55 pistol rounds.” responded Flare as he stared at the two clips of AR ammunition.

        “Okay so here is the plan I will go set traps then we will take shifts. Copy?” said Haze.

        “Copy.” responded Mist.

        “Copy. Sir, can I take first shift?” asked Flare

        “If you want Flare.” said Haze.

        Ten minutes later the traps were set and the others settled down for their naps as Flare propped up on a wall watching the two doors. They were screwed.

From Flares perspective…

        Pinned. Trapped like rabbits in their hole with nowhere to run. What could they do? I kept finding myself looking at Hazes extra clip and then the suppressor that they called me stupid for bringing. Why don’t I just deal with them myself? No it was suicidal! But were they not already dead? I heard that the griffons don’t take prisoners. Would I die here? Fuck it! I levitated the clip over to me and twisted the suppressor on. Standing up I carefully made my way to the window I cast the night vision spell and the surroundings became clear as day.

        Sliding out the window he hit the ground and crawled for the ditch. I landed back first into and then I realized there were griffons in it too, Sleeping. I aimed at the one to my right, a perfect shot yet I held the gun there. Why could I not pull the trigger? What makes him different? Then the griffon to my left woke up and without hesitating I placed a round in his head and he fell limp back to sleep. I looked back over and the one on the right still slept with his comrade dead. Again I pointed the barrel at him then looked away and pulled the trigger. The soft Pfsss then his breathing stopped.

        Crawling along the ditch I took out four more griffons, now I had to clear the hill and maybe we could get out of here. I slowly made my way up the hill avoiding any noise maker or loose dirt that could fall and make noise. After the long climb it was clear there was only ten left as they scanned the house and ditch. Had they not seen me how could they? I made my way around taking…Pfsss… every last… Pfsss… one out. Finally it was clear, as far as I could see, I swept the sweat of my brow and trotted to the east side and took position to cover them.

        “Haze… Mist… Wake up!” I softly yelled into the headset. I still thought there had to be more.

        “Hmm… Flare where are you?” said Haze.

        “I am on the east side keeping an eye out. Get Mist up and your asses out of that house!” I said.

        “Wait what if you’re being held hostage? Remember…” asked Haze, it was a test to see if I was okay I was supposed to finish the line. The code was Remember Hoofington.

        “Hoofington! Now get your ass out I am not sure I there is any pony else left.”

        “Okay! Mist get your ass up we are moving!”

        Within moments their heads popped out of the window and they made for the ditch. I noticed movement on the other side as Haze and Mist made their way up hill. I zoomed in and saw a Griffon picking up a rifle and taking aim. I reacted and Pfsss he was dead. I saw two more and Pfsss Pfsss they hit the floor. Haze and Mist finally got to me and we bolted towards HQ.

        “That was damn near heroic Flare!” Haze said as we galloped with our gear.

        “You can thank me when we get to HQ in about 3 Kilos.” I replied.

Weeks later Flare was given a promotion and a medal of honor. Within that week he was approached by a man about a job. A secret job. Flare signed up immediately and got a place as a spy. He was assigned his first mission and in that mission he was killed evacuating a VIP taking a bullet for him allowing the VIP to be evacuated. The agency began searching for his closest next of kin and his wife and only son were on the list.

They went to his home and they attempted to give his second medal of honor to his wife, but she rejected it saying she wanted her husband not a medal for him. The medal was given to his six year old colt. Then like that a wife was widowed and a son fatherless.