Author's Note

A lot of you are going to hate me for this chapter, but I needed for certain things to have certain impacts on certain characters. This was the first effective way that came to mind. Aside from things I'm not willing to commit to, at least not yet, it's also the only effective way that I can think of.

Hey, at least I only gave you a couple chapters to know them, rather than the whole story. Some authors even do most of a series of books before they do what I just did to a few characters.

Also, apparently molotovs isn't a word. Who'da thunk it? Oh well! Using it anyways.

Chapter 11: Betrayal, Coupled with Tragedy

A few days after, we got word from Celestia. Some of her Operatives had gotten Intel that a large base near Equestria’s borders had received at least a dozen squadrons of high-level operatives, along with enough supplies to outfit an army. It was a golden opportunity, if we pulled it off. And it was one we couldn’t pass up.

My team for this op ended up consisting of myself, Jackie, Leon, and Amber. We fitted up for the operation.

Everyone had Assault Rifles. Leon and I also had SMG’s, whilst Jackie lugged around a Sniper Rifle. Amber had a Shotgun. She’d painted it the standard camo of Police weapons. Kind of ironic, considering she used to be a vigilante.

We drove to an area about five miles away from the base, in order to rendezvous with a bunch of Elite Guard squadrons that Celestia had sent. It’d take longer than going by train, but we’d be able to hit harder, and move in faster. Technically, we’d be the reinforcements, not the main attack force.

Coincidentally, we arrived at the same time as the main force did. Sweet, no waiting. Maybe the rest of the op will go just as smoothly.

Whence we confirmed all accounted for, we moved out. We’d ride up to the base’s front outpost and storm it, giving us a clear path to the main base. Then we’d do the same to the base itself. We’d take them by surprise, and they’d never know what hit them, until it was too late.

Boy, were we wrong.

I rode in the back of the second Troop Transport Truck (TTT, or Triple-Tee) of our ‘convoy.’ After a couple minutes, the vehicle stops.

“Get ready.” Allen says quietly over the radio. A few seconds pass, and then, in the same tone, “Go!”

Jackie kicks the back open, and the late afternoon sunlight filtered into the dark interior. Everyone in the Triple-Tee – Me, my team, and a group of Elite Guards – poured out. We turned around, and either crouched next to the truck or stood either behind those that did crouch or behind the truck.

All of our ‘convoy’ was doing the same. Passengers and drivers stuck themselves and their rifles out of their rolled-down windows.

A Crimson Justice guard, accompanied by at least eight others, saw us. His face achieved an expression of complete shock before our barrage of gunfire not only cut him and everyone around him down, but also caused the one-man stations on our side of the gates to collapse inward, as well.

What can we say? Almost a hundred people with automatic weapons tend to ruin even a wall’s day.

It took only a single minute to make sure the outpost was secure. It was. We now had a clear path straight to the base itself. And one that was easily accessible by vehicles, at that.

We got back in our trucks and rode to the base. I’d switched seats with an Elite Guard. Now, I was in the passenger seat.

The base’s gates were open. We stopped just inside and piled out. No contact. Not even a peep. What's going on, here?

After a few seconds of stationary visual scanning, one person muttered into the near-silence “What the fu**-?”

Suddenly, doors opened and windows swung. Gunshots filled the air.

By dumb luck, no Wolves and only half of the Elite Guards were hit. My team and I sprinted to one building that seemed unoccupied.

We took cover, along with a team of guards. One was bleeding from a shoulder wound, but a closer look showed it was only a close graze.

We traded fire with the enemy, but we had to move. Our walls were getting shredded under the sheer amount. They wouldn’t hold up any longer than a minute, at best.

We’d come here with about a hundred people. By random guess, I’d say we were outnumbered at least 2-1, already. Ever since the ambush began, more had been coming out of the woodworks from all over the place.

A truck blew up nearby. Shrapnel pelted the walls, accompanied by even more bullets. One unfortunate guard was hit by the shrapnel, and he fell. Another ran out and grabbed him by the shoulders, intending to drag him to relative safety. They were both immediately caught in a blaze of gunfire. A third was hit in the head from his spot of cover, collapsing immediately.

We had five remaining guards with us. Unlike Wolfhound, Elite Guard teams were strictly four members, each. Somehow, each Guard's insignia was spotless, shining out to the world, declaring 'I am an Elite Guard, and proud of it.' I doubt they're proud of losing almost an entire team in less than a minute, though.

Suddenly, a small object flew past me. It looked like…

“Grenade!” Jackie yelled. She tackled me. We went straight through a window, and fell a good eight feet to the underground floor below.

I was facing up, towards the window, and could see the flame and debris follow close behind us.

We landed hard, but miraculously, neither of us were injured, as long as you don’t count scratches and bruises.

Once I’d managed to get some breath back, I groaned. I slowly got up, and saw Jackie doing the same.

“You good?” I asked.

“Yeah.” She nodded.

I put a hoof to my ear. “Wolf 2-1 to 2-3, what’s your status?”

Leon replied “We’re ok, but we lost a couple more guards. That window led to a lower floor, but you’re cut off from us. And… Wolf 2-1! You have incoming! A hostile squad just went below-ground! That’s the only other entrance we can see!”

The underground tunnels under our own base were unique in the way that there was only the one entrance/exit, and the fact that it was disguised. In most other bases there was a labyrinth beneath the entire thing, with almost every other building having an entrance.

We were about to have some rather rude company.

“Fan out!” A very distant voice called. “Search the area!”

Crap! Well, I guess we'll just have to be rude, right back.

I motioned Jackie to a metal locker, and she took cover. I did the same on the other side of the room.

I heard a door open, and footsteps went into the room. Jackie and I just looked at each other, and we were in sync with our ambush.

We came out at the same time. Of the four hostiles in the room, none of them got a single shot off. Jackie and I quickly moved through the open doorway.

Apparently, multiple squads had come in, because we definitely fought through more than one.

We worked our way through the tunnels, picking directions at random. Eventaully, we came across an exit.

“Wolf 2-1, Wolf 2-2, what’s your location?” Allen’s voice came from over the radio.

“1-1,” I replied, “2-1. 2-2 and I are underneath the communication’s post. We are unharmed, and ready for more.”

“Copy. Team Seven is having some trouble with the com post’s occupants. The tunnel comes up outside, right in the middle of the enemy.

“Roger, we’ll assist.”

Jackie and I ascended the stairs. At the top was a double door. We could hear gunfire in abundance on the other side. We stacked up.

“Ready?” I asked.

Jackie nodded.

Together, we shoulder-bashed open the doors. And went straight into a firefight.

30 Minutes Earlier

Quick Author’s Note: I’m not racist, and, other than the accent itself, this is not how my mind portrays Irish/Scottish people. I’m just picking on this particular character.

POV: Corporal Jukebox, Wolf 7-4

Whence we confirmed all accounted for, we moved out. We’d ride up to the base’s front outpost and storm it, giving us a clear path to the main base. Then we’d do the same to the base itself. We’d take them by surprise, and they’d never know what hit them, until it was too late.

Boy, were we wrong.

I was up front, in the passenger seat of the fourth vehicle. Next to me, driving, was team leader Daron. In back, we had a team of Elite Guards, along with 7-2, Soft Trickle; 7-3, Jeren; 7-5, Benster; and 7-6, Tom. The only one I actually really knew was Daron, though.

He’s an aggressive guy with a lot of anger towards groups like Crimson Justice, but he’s not too prideful to call for help, when needed.

I was born and raised in an Irish/Scottish city, so my natural accent was the same. My name fits with how I talk.

“Yo, Dare.” I used my nickname for Daron. He didn’t like it, which made it all the more fun to use on him. “Ya really need ta tell ‘er.”

Daron had had a crush on 6-2, Antalsa, for a month, now. He’d yet to tell anyone but me and our mutual friend, Wolf 5-4, Macksten.

Daron snorted. “And you’re one to give advice? I know you’ve had more mares than brain cells, but have you ever been brave enough to be the starter?” He flashed me a grin.

The jokester. I may not be the smartest guy around, but I wasn’t exactly dumb, either. Still, how he turns almost all of my teasing against me always baffles me.

I grinned back. “Yeah, Yeah, foyn; ya got me. Still, ya do. Oy’ve been lucky, but not all mares seek out their own stallions. Some wait for the stallion ta ask them. Antalsa might already know, and she’s just waiten’ for you ta ask ‘er out. Believe me, some women can be very patient.”

“Well, maybe you ought to lend me some of your leprechaun charm, eh, Juke?”

I laughed. “Oh, you’ve got plenty of yer own, mate! Ya don’t need moyn.”

“Yeah, alright, sh**head. If you say so.” Daron said softly.

I put a reassuring hand on his shoulder, and he smiled a little. As he drew his attention back to the road, though, it vanished. “We’re here, get set.”

I looked ahead. A small building sat behind a gate. On our side of the gate were a couple one-pony stations. This was built more like a fortified checkpoint than a base’s outpost.

I opened the glove compartment in front of me. Inside lay an Assault Rifle and a Shotgun. I set the shotgun down at my feet, and held the assault rifle below the dashboard, so it wouldn’t be seen.

A few people in Crimson Justice uniforms approached the gate from the far end. One of them went to the side and pressed something. The gate started opening.

“Get ready.” A familiar voice said over the radio.

Allen. Wolf 1-1. I cocked my assault rifle, then rolled down my window.

No sooner had I done that, then the gate finished opening, and Allen’s voice came again. “Go!”

I stood up, putting my upper half – gun included – outside. I saw the backs of the trucks in front of me open, and at least half a dozen people per truck poured out, a mix of Elite Guards and Wolfhound operatives.

I aimed at one of the Crimson Justice blokes that had stopped walking through the gate upon our appearance.

A barrage of bullets not only wrecked them, but also the stations.

“Yeah! Take that, you sons of bi***es!” Daron muttered as we got out.

I smirked. “Bit of an attitude, eh, fella?”

“I just hate their guts.” Daron said quietly.

After checking inside the remaining structures, we found no one. We got back into our trucks, and we drove to the actual base.

We got inside and disembarked. After I looked around, I realized we were the only ones there. Not a blooming peep of anything else. “What the fu**-?”

Suddenly, a door in front of me burst open, and I was sent sprawling onto my back.

Gunfire came from everywhere. Before the man who’d kicked the door open could make me kick the bucket over, though, Benster shot him.

Benster shouted over the gunfire. “Come on!” He offered a hand.

I used it to hoist myself up.

“We gotta get to cover! Over there!” He’d spotted the rest of the group.

“Royt behoynd ya!” I yelled back.

We bolted towards our team. When we got there, we found three other teams with them, all Elite Guards.

Daron stood up. “Come on, you ba**ards!” He screamed at the enemy. “Come on! You think you’re tough!?! Bring it!”

Well, they don't call him good for nothing. The guy's a fu**ing death machine, when he's got a rifle.

We shot baddies for a whole minute, or so. Things exploded all around, including couple trucks. I think Daron got the highest kill count.

“Team Seven, this is Wolf 1-1.” Allen said over the radio. “Wolves 2-1 and 2-2 are in the underground tunnels, and are about to have a whole lot of friends. Across the road from you is a building. On the far side of it, inside, is the entrance. Capture it, if you can.”

“We’re on our way.” Daron replied. He turned to us and yelled “Let’s go, people!”

We sprinted for the building. Somehow, we all made it. The Elite Guards, using the same radio frequency, had heard it all, and decided to help.

There was an enemy squad en route to the entrance that we came upon. They went down quick.

But, when we found the entrance, the tide turned.

There was one single door leading to the tunnels. Daron indicated it. “Jeren, Benster, breach it.”

I glanced across the room. There were a few horizontally large crates on the other end. They were wide enough for all of us to crouch behind. It was a good thing they were there.

Jeren and Benster reached the door, barely. Suddenly, the high explosive that had apparently been on the other side detonated remotely. Neither of them survived.

Benster’s body – what was left of it – slammed into me, knocking me down. I pushed it off of me, got up, and sprinted for the crates.

Seeing me coming, the people behind that crate made room just as I dived over it. I landed on the safe – comparatively - side on my stomach with a grunt. I pushed myself up to a crouch and planted myself against the crate. Taking a quick glance over, I saw how many we were up against.

Oh sh**. We were outnumbered more than two to one, and we didn't exactly have a lot of cover..

We exchanged fire, but it was a losing battle. Within a minute, our three teams of fellow guards had been reduced to only six individuals. We now had a total of ten people.

“Pull back!” Daron yelled. “Pull back! Now! Go!”

We ran for the doorway leading back the way we came. I heard glass breaking, and I smelled smoke. Heat was creeping up my back. A glance behind us confirmed it. “Molotovs! They’ve got molotovs!”

I got through the doorway and turned to see Daron and Soft Trickle covering those still inbound.

A Molotov cocktail exploded in the doorway. Daron had managed to avoid it, but Soft hadn’t completely dodged the flames. Her armor caught fire, and she screamed.

I ran to help her. Daron saw me rushing over, so he continued to suppress the enemy.

By the time I’d reached her, she’d extinguished the fire. But her armor was ruined. I had to help her peel off the now-useless-junk.

“Almost gotcha, eh, lady?”

“Almost. Thanks.”

“It was nothen’. Come on.”

We rejoined our meager group, which had started retreating again.

“Wolf 1-1,” Daron yelled, “this is Team Seven. Tunnel entrance is still under enemy control! Repeat, we could not capture the entrance! There were too many!”

“Roger Team Seven. New objective: The communications post is nearby. Shouldn’t have too many hostiles. Acquire it.”

By then, we were outside. “Copy. We see it. We’ll get it done. Okay people, you heard him! Let’s move!”

We got near it, but then we were forced to take cover against an onslaught of unfriendly fire.

“Wolf 1-1,” Daron radioed, “it’s us again. We can do it, but reinforcements would be a little handy!”

“Sorry, Seven, everyone’s tied up. Hold on over there!”

“As long as we can, 1-1!”

After two minutes, two of our guards had been taken down. We’d been a lot more cautious. Mostly potshots, but we were still taking damage. Then…

“Wolf 2-1, Wolf 2-2, what’s your location?” Allen’s voice came from over the radio.

“1-1,” a voice replied, “2-1. 2-2 and I are underneath the communications post. We are unharmed.”

No way.

“Copy. Team Seven is having some trouble with its occupants. That tunnel comes up outside, right in the middle of them.”

“Roger, we’ll assist.”

“You heard that, colts!” Daron yelled. “We’ve got some backup!”

After a few more seconds, a miracle happened. The double doorway leading down into the tunnels opened, and two people came out.

The enemy had had at least two dozen guys. With our fire, and the two newcomers moving among their cover, we won within half minute.

The male of the two came up to us. He raised an eyebrow upon seeing Soft.

“Molotov.” She stated.

“Ah.” The male turned to Daron, who had walked up to him. “Are you 7-1?”

Daron nodded. “Yes, sir.”

“Please, no sirs. I’m Firestar, Wolf 2-1. That’s Jackie over there, she’s Wolf 2-2. What’s your status?”

Daron turned. “Soft, that’s on you. Tom, watch that doorway.” He pointed towards the entrance to a building we hadn’t gone into yet.

Tom opened it up, and went just inside.

Soft stepped up. “We have two KIA. I’ve lost my armor. The Elite Guards with us were originally three teams.”

I saw Firestar cringe. “Yikes. Anything else to report?”

“The communications post is clear. We can move to our next objecti-”

A bang sounded. Soft gasped, and froze.

I turned to see Tom, with his pistol out, and pointing it towards Soft. Behind him were four Crimson Justice soldiers.

We opened fire, but they retreated through the doorway. When I got there, they were nowhere to be seen. “Da** it.”

I walked back over to see Firestar sitting cross-legged, cradling Soft’s head in his lap. She wasn’t breathing, or blinking.

“No! No, no, no, NO!” Firestar’s voice was filled with agony. “Soft! Soft, no! Come on, wake up! Wake up! Soft! NO!”

We'd started out with 70 Elite Guards, and 50+ Wolves. We ended with 25 guards and about 20 Wolves. Minimal injuries, but fatalities were over 50%.

We had secured the base, but was the price too heavy?