The Watchdogs

Canterlot, Equestria

Canterlot Castle

1821 Zulu time

   Inside the castle’s luxurious dining room, the princesses walked towards the dining table with the eight humans and their liaison. The humans were in awe of all the gems and gold fixtures they saw on their way to the room, many wondered how such a place had yet to robbed.

“Please sit down, the chefs we have can prepare just about anything you ask for.” Luna said with smile as everyone found a seat at the large table, she sat to the right of her sister, the humans split four along each side, on her side was Kestrel, Ranger, Red and Shatter. While on her sister’s left were Thunder, Cobra, Sneezy, Lonestar and finally Subtle Sketch. As everyone sat down they all ordered their food, the humans unsurprisingly ordered different types of meat ranging from T-bone steaks to fried chicken, the waiter was a little more nervous when taking those orders. As soon as the plates hit the table, a guard came rushing in.

“Your majesties, we have a situation!” the guard said quickly as he was catching his breath “there is a hostage situation in Fillydelphia, several armed humans and ponies entered a bank just before closing, and took all the employees and few civilians hostage, local guards set up a perimeter and are trying negotiations.”

“The one time I get a steak,” Kestrel said as he started to stand, “let’s go team, time to get our feet wet.” he said as the humans quickly left to gear up, leaving the ponies stunned at the bad luck they seem to have.

“Guard quickly fetch the plans of the building and prepare the mages for a mass teleport.” Princess Luna ordered.“Sister, teleport the humans there, I while go and prepare a press release for later.” with that Luna was gone.

-Linebreak-

In the conference room from earlier Alpha team was getting ready or as one put it, “Get Tactical”, they all seemed the same in their dark colored uniforms and balaclavas, the only color was the pale blueish gray on the sides of their helmets. Within ten minutes, they were all ready for the operation. Kestrel was checking on his rifle a worn Knight’s Armament PDW chambered in 6X35mm. Next to him the other’s checked their equipment as well, Ranger checked his Steyr Elite, making sure the sight was correct; Thunder was mulling over whether to use his Pindad SS-2 V4 or his Saiga 12; Red was currently looking over his KSVK making sure not a scratch was on it; Sneezy was busy making sure his Zastava M21 was loaded with hollow point ammunition; Cobra was simply standing there having already checked his Scar-L; Lonestar was busy hefting his expandable ballistic shield onto his arm while ensuring he could still use his H&K Mark 23.

“Alright gentlemen let's get to the courtyard, when arrive on scene we’ll split up, Red, Ranger, find a good place overlook the bank, let me know when your set. The rest with me we’ll figure it out there.” Kestrel said as he fully went into his combat mentality.

Once they reached the courtyard a dozen mages stood ready with Princess Celestia, “Humans, we will be mass teleporting you to the royal guard perimeter, ready yourselves.” Celestia said with a flat voice.

-Linebreak-

With a white flash they all ended up at the guard’s perimeter slightly away from the bank so they wouldn’t be noticed by the x-rays. Quickly Red and Ranger found a nice little building across the street that was empty to set up in.

“We’re posted high, Kestrel.” Ranger called over the comms.

“Roger, give us a read.” Kestrel quickly responded

“We got six hostages, three employees, and a mother with two foals. I see two hotel x-rays, one uniform x-ray, what I got eyes on two more hotel x-rays, looks like they got ak’s with lots ammo. Will keep eyes on, over.” Ranger said as he readjusted himself to engage.

“Wilco” Kestrel said as a  guard pulled up the blueprints to the bank. “Alright, Ranger’s got four hotels and one uniform in the front, six hostages, two are foals, so no flashbangs. Looks like we should break up two teams one enters the side entrance here along the hallway behind the teller’s booth, the other engages from the skylight above. Me, Thunder and Lonestar will enter through the side, while Sneezy and Cobra engage from above, Shatter set up here and try to access the security camera footage, we need to know who they are and how this happened ok?” Kestrel finished briefing the team.

“Kestrel, we’re trying to achieve a peaceful solution here, your men will not kill, understood?” Celestia said as if she was in charge.

“Negative, there are hostages in immediate danger, we shoot to kill, here can’t risk a civilian down.” Kestrel said with no emotion as signalled to move on the bank. “Ranger, Red, line up with those closest to the hostages, when I say, take them out.”

“Roger, acquiring now.” Ranger said.

With that the ground team entered the bank and hugged the wall with Lonestar in front of the stack, while the skylight team lined up their shots. “Execute.” with that simple word the world went into slow motion as an uniform and hotel x-rays heads suddenly let loose a viscous spray of gore, then Sneezy and Cobra each put three quick rounds into the upper chests of their two targets. While Lonestar, Kestrel and Thunder entered, Kestrel and Thunder engaged the last two x-rays while Lonestar went for the hostages. All of this happened in a matter of seconds, before the first hostage could even let out a scream it was over, Alpha had just got their feet wet.