The UAF

-Europe-
-France-
-Thirty miles southwest of Pairs-
-2023-

The town that was located in this area was now a deep crater surrounded by a camp flying the blue UN flag along side the France national colors with many armored units and soldiers running about. Sadly the medical tents were completely empty due to not one person from the town survived nor did anything of the town it self as a perfectly round hole was left in its place. As the personal ran about moving supplies that most likely wont be used to help the town rebuild and were now just stored away for use later on if needed. Around the main camp flew a different flag with bold black letters on a bright blue background on it reading "UAF" from a flag pole on top of a large tent.

This was the command tent for the UAF and the operation that will be put into play very soon. As a clone officer in light tactical gear along with three others await orders from the general who is currently in a video meeting with a few UN members and the four men were starting to get bored, fast.

"Sergeant... why do they need us recon boys? Isn't it clear its just a few square miles wide deep hole?" The team's support gunner who goes by Jackson says as the weight of his M60E4 hung from his back while a short choked barrel shotgun was tied to his belt full of ammo.

"Oh shut it you bloody idoit. If you can wait just a moment the general will tell us." The sharpshooter says with a English accent from beside him who's name is Eric. On his back was a long barreled L115A3 sniper rifle along side a compact MP5 with a polished G17 on his hip

The sergeant turns his head and glares at them. "both of you shut up. If you were quiet you could hear the video meeting end."He says in a stern voice. This was Sergeant Franklin a veteran scout who has trained in the jungles of southern Asia to be a deadly hunter and with his M16A1 and a flare gun in his sidearm holster he has gained a rep for being a dependable recon team leader and he already had a guess for what their mission was. At the center of the massive crater was a glowing dark blue light that soon turned out to be a large round portal and it was now being looked into by many top eggheads from all over the world. Now the only thing left to do was to find out whats on the other-.

He was cut off from his thoughts as a old gruff voice was heard. "Alright lads... i'll give you the run down here." This was the general of the UAF elected from a selection from the top five nation's military's in the UN. He was a old man who has seen combat in both the middle east back in the 1990s as a young teen to combat in Poland and Ukraine when Russian terrorist made a large move nearly sparking world war three. "Today you four men will act as a forward recon slash vanguard for a small task force to move into this... unknown portal in ground zero here." He said giving a few pictures to the sergeant who looked them over before passing them to his three teammates.

"Permission to speak freely sir!" The last trooper said saluting. This was the team's field medic who had another M4A1 on his back and a M1911 on his hip, Dexter was his name. The general smiled at him before nodding his head. "Sir... do we have any intel about what will happen when we pass through the portal?"

The general merely sighed. "Afraid not trooper... the lab coats tried to send a drone through not more then two hours ago... they lost contact with it as soon it entered." He said causing the four to frown. "But we are picking up minor readings from the portal... But at times those drones aren't very reliable as a man in the field who can think for him self. So losing drones isn't that big of news to me." This seemed to ease the men slightly.

"You will take an American made Humvee and pass to the other side and scout what is there. After a maximum of two days you return back and report all you have found. If you do not return we will count you MIA and we roll in the main force and try to find you and then head to our main objective."

He looked over the team before Eric raised his hand. "Sir if i may... what is the main objective, sir?" He asked with a confused face. And the general gave him his answer.

"We find who or what is responsible for destroying this town and bring them to justice." The faces of the team were in thought before all nodded. "We're ready sir. Give us the order and we'll lead the way." Jackson said proudly.

The general looked him in the eye before smiling and patting his shoulder. "Alright men... head to the quarter master and get your ammo... get a lot of MREs and ammo also take a few suppressed weapons in case you need stealth in the right situation." He said turning and walking to his desk. "you are dismissed men... and good luck, you will heading out in a hour so make ready." With that they give a final salute and then leave the tent heading to gear up and mount up.

The team now sat in the Humvee riding down a ramp built into the side of the hole so its easier for trucks and other equipment to move up and down the walls much faster. Jackson happily sat behind the Browning M2 50. cal on top of the truck while Franklin was driving with Eirc riding shotgun and Dexter trying not to be kicked in the head by their gunner in the back. As they neared the bottom of the pit they saw the portal glowing, it was around fifty square feet wide and glowed brightly through out the night. And with it now looming over them as they now sat infront of it was a little unsettling.

"Alright boys... lets see whats behind door number one." Dexter commented quietly and they started to drive forward and soon disappeared into the blue swirling wall and all contact was lost from there on.

After a minute or two of driving though this sea of blue clouds and walls they were all blinded by flash before they found that they were no longer in the portal nor were they in a barren pit of brown dirt, but a open field of green grass that stretched for miles around them The Humvee came to a slow stop as the men opened the doors and stepping out to look around. And they all seemed to silently agree on one thing, the land was beautiful.

Eric grabbed his rifle and started to scan around with his rifle getting focused back onto the mission at hand and spotting something in the distance. "Uh... well chaps... It looks like a... group of people is moving this way... and it is a large group..." This got the other three to turn their heads and get their weapons ready. Franklin looked though his binoculars and spotted what Eric was talking about. The group consisted of about forty figures and strange thing about them was the bright gold armor that shined in the light worn by almost the entire formation while some seemed to be in normal clothes if not very colorful but at this distance he couldn't make out anything else.

"Alright boys... due to that we just arrived... and i doubt they have spotted us yet, we make a beeline away from them and keep hidden for the time being until we can tell if they will be friendly or hostile. Understood!?" The sergeant called out getting "Yes sirs" in reply and they returned to their seats. As he started to drive away he noticed something. "Men? Do any of you see those drones the lab coats sent ahead of us?" He asked and the others looked around confused as well.

"Not any i can see... but it looks like... hoof prints? yeah hoof prints are all over." Eric said from beside Franklin making him look out the window as well to see the same thing. But he pushes it to the back of his mind as he turns the large truck around and start to drive behind the portal that still stood tall over the land around them. As they picked up speed he saw a thick tree line ahead and altered their course to head to it.

"Alright guys we'll hide out in the trees here and start to watch that group to see what they do." Franklin said approaching the wood line.

They soon get to the treeline without trouble and dismount not counting Jackson who was glued to the M2 with a pair of binoculars looking over at the portal. Eric disappeared up a tree with his rifle while Dexter stayed close to Franklin. "Lets have a look at what we're dealing with here lads." They hear Eric say as he looks down his scope and then he goes quiet. "Sir... you see that they are... uh..." Eric says but can't find the words.

"They look... like humans... but weird faces." Franklin says looking at them. "looks like a horse or pony in the face." As he watched the group move around the portal but keeping their distance, but he soon noticed something. As he watch he noticed that they all seemed to have extra bits to them. Some had pairs of wings on their backs while some had horns on their heads but he couldn't tell if they were part of the armor or anything else. "This bunch has some extra bits... best be careful with the locals... and they seem scared or cautious around the portal. I don't know what to make of it but... keep an eye on them they look like they are armed and armored." He added before looking to his team. "What are you guy's opinions?" He looked to each of his team members.

Eric came down from his tree and sat beside Franklin and looked at the portal before back to the sergeant. "We're in a alien world... with humanoid natives... who seem to be in their medieval stages judging from their armor... and those hoof prints... those... things have hooves." He said pointing out in the general direction. "We can do a few things... make contact with this group or hold off and meet another group... or stay hidden all together." He stated from his observations.

The sergeant looked at him before the other two in thought. "How about we vote... who wants to stay hidden and watch.. or make contact with another group... or this group." He asked and all three shared looks.

Jackson spoke up. "I say we try to meet but... not the formation of soldiers who look ready for combat... i bet we could take 'em... but its not the best first impression to gun down a squad or two." He says jestering to the group of golden armored soldiers in the distance.

Dexter shakes his head. "I would prefer we stay hidden until we understand this place... if we expose ourselves and they prove to be hostile we blew our cover and they will hunt us down." He says making Franklin nod his head in agreement and starts to think.

Then he spoke his mind "Alright here's the plan... we will find the nearest town and set up to watch it and after a while we try and meet them... but not without it being on our own terms." He says and the other three go quiet for a moment.

Finally they all nod with Dexter adding. "We're with you sir... don't get us killed please."

This causes him to smile and he nods to the truck. "Lets mount up then, we got some ground to cover." They follow suit to his orders and the sounds of the heavy doors closing is all that is heard before the engine starts and slowly rolls from its hiding place away from the portal but not unseen as the moving green object attracted one keen eye.

After driving for a few minutes they stumbled onto a dirt road and after spotting a sign with a mile marker to a town on it they decided to follow the road for a bit. The following drive was quiet mostly with the clones staring out the window at the land around them and the large castle on the side of the mountain drew the longest stares. But once Franklin saw something ahead he called out. "Unknown target front!" This got all eyes forward and Jackson racked the M2 and took aim. The only thing they saw was the tops of houses from a town up head.

"Alright... lets find a place to watch this town... that thick forest on the far side should work fine..." Franklin said eyeing the land around them. Eric pointed to a small dirt path heading to the treeline and Franklin pulled onto it and not long after they pulled the Humvee into a nice place in the trees and started to pull a net over it with the men digging a small dugout to camp in. The following hour of dirt piling and tree cutting and the dugout took shape into a nice temporary home for the recon team along side their ride under the camouflage net.

The men gathered to look at the thing they made. "That should do just fine... now we just need to get to our objective to scout out the area. Also need to find a area for the FOB to be setup once the rest of the battalion arrives." Franklin said looking to the others. "We will split into a team of two. One goes to watch the nearby town while the other goes to servery the land for possible build sights for the FOB. Who wants what?" He said jestering out in random directions.

Jackson and Dexter walks up. "We'll go watch the crowd in the town. You two are better with the land and can get the base scouted out." Dexter said and gave Jackson a sideways glance. "And i'll keep an eye on him."

Jackson just chuckled. "All my little brother watching out for me?" He joked walking to get his gear he set aside during work.

Dexter gave the back of Jackson's head a death glare. "You are only older by a mouth... my batch got delayed... dumbass." Dexter complained before sighing and heading to grab his gear as well.

Franklin looked to Eric who was leaning on the Humvee. "Well lets get going then, we need to get a feel for the land and find a nice place." Eric nodded and pushed away from the truck and pulled his rifle's strap tighter.

"I'm ready." With that they head off deeper into the woods while the other two started a long crawl towards a hill over looking the small town. On a cloud high above though two natives were keeping a close eye on them two nearing the town of Ponyville.

Jackson and Dexter after collecting a new coat of dirt to their olive green combat armor made it to the hill and started to set up for observation duty. "I wonder how long it will take for this to go south?" Jackson said only making Dexter sigh rubbing his head and he turned his head out to the town seeing it was a busy afternoon in the market.

"Well lets get to work... after a while and the others return we work on the plan to make contact." he said moving to the edge of the hill and laying down with a pair of binoculars setting his M4A1 beside him in case he needed it. After hearing a heavy *thump* he could guessed Jackson has joined him laying down nearby to get a look too.

He feels the wind pick up for a moment before it settles but then he hears boot steps making him look over at Jackson. Said clone was on the other side of the hill placing a sleeping bag under the one tree that was on the hill, but as he was looking to Jackson he also noticed something was missing. "Where the hell is my rifle!?" Dexter called out then covered his mouth hoping none in the town was close enough to hear.

Jackson came running over M60 at the ready swinging it from one side to another before looking to Dexter then around for the missing M4A1. "Where'd you put it?" The gunner asked confused before giving him a blank look. "I know i played pranks on you before... but this isn't me i swear." He said defensively causing Dexter to rub his head and sit up and look at the grass he placed his gun.

"Ok... i heard a thud... at first i thought it was you but... you were way over there." He pointed to the tree. "What could of just come out of no where and took it... wait" He gaze went to a pair of hoof prints that were about right behind him. "How did those get here?"

Jackson followed his gaze and hugged his gun tight. "I don't know... but i don't like it." They look around before they hear the wind pick up and they see a rainbow streak shoot across the sky.

"That's not normal... even for an alien world." Dexter said watching it shoot to the town and stopping at the tall purple castle like building in the center.

"I don't think we're hidden anymore..." Jackson said watching the castle. "I bet what ever that was had your rifle." Dexter nodded his head in agreement and he soon adds. "And they have a rifle... i wonder if they know how to use it?" They soon get to gathering their gear to relocate.

A Young mare sat at a desk inside the castle of friendship reading another large tome of magic not knowing what was aimed for the nearby window. This was Princess Twilight Sparkle and she was about to be in a hot spot real soon. "TWILIGHT!" Rainbow Dash came crashing through one of the window's throwing it open and hitting the ground just behind the chair that said mare was seated making her jump in shock. She turns to look at Rainbow dash recovering from her hard landing but what really catches her eye is the strange grey metal object laying next to her.

"Rainbow Dash... are you ok? And where did you find that thing?" Twilight said helping her friend to her hooves while picking up the object in her magic. Rainbow Dash after recovering from her crash entrance turned to her friend with a serious look.

"Twilight there are two strange things in armor and has this weird gear, I followed from that portal thingy in that field and didn't tell you and the girls or the guards cause i wasn't sure what it was and then i found out there was four small ones and then this very big green thing they ride and-" Her mouth was covered by Twilight's hand while she gave the blue pony a blank look.

"Slow it down please, what you just said didn't make much sence. You're saying that something came from the portal, five in all?" Twilight asked her friend slowly removing her hand and Rainbow Dash begun again but slowly thank Celestia.

"Well i saw them go to the edge of the Everfree forest and left the big green thing. Then the four smaller ones that look almost like us but odd face and no hooves and wear this weird armor and had these." She pointed to the unknown object. "Each of them had one but all were different in shape and size... i think they were weapons of some sort." She informed her bookish friend who was now in deep thought.

Then she asked after a few minutes of thinking. "Where did you see them?" As she asked she gave a call for her young dragon assistant to fetch a latter and address it to her friend and teacher Princess Celestia. She turned her head back to Rainbow who was in thought with a hand to her chin.

"I saw them on the hill north of the town where the tree i love to take naps in is." She said pointing somewhere and was met with Twilight's blank look.

"You sleep in many trees... you have seven favorite apple trees on AJ's farm. Better details then that Dash." She explained before heading to the friendship map and got it to show Ponyville. "Point to where they were." She asked and Rainbow walked up to the map and went into deep thought. Her hands quickly shot to two areas one on a small hill north east of the town and the other on the edge of the Ever-free forest.

"I saw them set up a camp in the Ever-free forest here and the ones i ran into and got that thing was on this here hill." She said nodding her head to confirm it before looking back to Twilight "Should we get the girls together? We got to beat these invaders back! I want to see how strong these aliens are." She was now getting jumpy flying a little around the room throwing punches making Twilight roll her eyes.

She soon nodded her head. "You go round them up while i send a letter to the princesses and warn them about this. I hope they aren't to busy figuring out who caused that portal to open... i wonder if it was the ones who came from-" She was cut off as Rainbow jumped to a conclusion as normal.

"They are here to invade us! We got to get the royal guard and the Wonderbolts... then i can lead them to battle and beat these aliens and be a hero!" She yelled flying high and soon her high ended as she met the ceiling and came back to the floor in a heap with a *thud* while Twilight and the recently arrived Spike tried to hold back laughter.

"Rainbow Dash... its a good idea not to jump to conclusions so fast and the princesses have proven that the portal was opened by some pony or ponies's magic so it didn't come from the other side. They could be a group trying to see whats on the other side." Twilight said while she wrote on parchment about the recent findings. "Just like those metal things the guards recovered not long ago. They for sure was made by somepony and most likely it was those things you saw." She said before rolling the letter up and letting the drake spit his flames and the letter was off in green flames.

Rainbow Dash recovered from her moment and headache and blushed a bit. "Well i'll go get the others to-" The door opened and in walked the other four elements with a bouncing pink pony leading the way.

"Hi girls! I knew you were about to come get us Dashy and went ahead and did it for you!" She jumped up to the blue winged pony and wrapped her in a hug before going to Twilight smiling. "So do we throw them a welcome to Ponyville party yet!?" And the other five mares shared a laugh about their wacky friend's actions before it died down and got to work on the latest visitors.

After a good ten minutes of sharing the details and passing around the mysterious object for all to look at soon came the plan for meeting without making this grow into a big problem. "We... could... if they let us and... well... can we walk up to them and ask them nicely?" Fluttershy said from her throne, but she only gets shaking of the heads from the others.

"Sorry sugar cube but we can't jus' trot up to them and expect 'em to react well. Rainbow did say they wore armor and had some kind of marking on it as well like a flag or some fancy symbol." Applejack said looking over the metal object currently in the grasp of Rarity's magic who was closely examining it with her kin eye.

"Its best if we try to make contact but not directly, careful not to risk them taking us the wrong way... i hope the letter got to the princess and she is working on a plan. Maybe they can also help understand the portal, they did pass through it geared and ready for something it seems." Twilight said and the others nodded their agreement and another point was about to be brought up when the room was filled with a loud ear pricing *bang* causing all to hit the ground covering their heads and the sound of something metal hitting the crystal walls repeatedly before stopping.

After a moment they all slowly got up. "What happened!?" Rainbow yelled out in a mix of confusion and anger.

All eyes were on Rarity who looked at the object on the ground. "Yes well... you see darling..." She moved away from the weapon slowly and pointed to it. "That happened" She said and all the others looked towards the smoking object. "I was looking over it and found this... small leaver and when i pulled it... well." She doesn't finish her sentence but points to a few marks in the hard crystal walls made by the weapon firing.

"AND ALL FOUR OF THEM ARE ARMED WITH THESE THINGS!?" Rainbow yelled and then remembered how she once held such a powerful weapon and shuddered a little thinking of what would of happened if she touched it wrong. "Oh horse apples... and i saw one of those weapons on top of their beast they rode in it was so big they couldn't carry it... these guys are prepared." She commented and the girls were lost in thought of what horrors could follow if the visitors were provoked.

Applejack went up to the blue pony and grabbed her shoulders. "You, need to give back that weapon or they may come looking for it and put all of Ponyville in trouble." She fixed her with a serious look while Rainbow Dash looked at her like she was just asked to steal cake from Celestia in plain daylight and while she was in the same room and enjoying said cake.

"What! Hay no, no way i'm going to them just to be target practice for them. I saw them they were near eight feet tall and had armor way better and cooler looking then the guards in Canterlot."

Before she could spit out another reason not to go a yellow face looked her in the eye."You stole from them. You return it to them. I bet they wont be mad if you say how sorry you are for taking it and maybe we can see that they aren't really mean and are just exploring." Fluttershy's face went from stern to hopeful and Rainbow finally relented.

"Fine... i'll try to get it back to them... but sorry Fluttershy i'm not going to let them see me and i don't trust explorers this well armed, i'll fly by and stay out of sight and drop it off at their main camp." She stated firmly and the others found that reasonable.

Before she could set out the door was thrown open by Spike with a letter in his claws. "Twilight its from the princess and its very important." He ran to her and gave her the letter.

Dear My faithful student

The information you and your friends have gathered has been went over and I advise you for your own safety to stay away from these unknown creatures. I have dispatched a squad of my finest guardsponies to handle this with care. I wish to ask you and the other elements to keep the citizens of Ponyville safe if anything happens. This could end up as a first contact situation and if it goes smoothly I will allow you to join me and my sister in greeting these new comers. Until then please stay safe.

Your loving mentor Princess Celestia

Twilight was in thought before looking towards the others. "Well girls... looks like we sit this one out... its maybe best if we give that weapon to the guards when they arrive so they can have a look at the weapons they may face, and Rarity show them how you set off so they understand to be careful with it."

"I got eyes on ten gold armored, armed, white coated and winged pony people heading towards the shiny castle in the town." Jackson said as he watched from the new observation point they relocated to. Dexter was on the radio getting the others up to speed on recent events and what to do. "Well sir we're a rifle short and rather not go into a town full of unknowns trying to find it and some military ponies just arrived so taking a guess... they may know we're here." He spoke into the headset and awaited his answer.

Soon Franklin is heard through the static. "Well wait for us to regroup with you and... well, we try and make peaceful contact before we have to face their military if it goes south... well jackson will be on the M2 browning and Eric will be on over watch and if we are killed. An army of our brothers will come marching through that portal and give these things hell." With that the headset was filled with static and Dexter went back to watching the town with his partner.