The Conversion Bureau-Night Terrors

As MOTHERBIRD soared through the South American skies, Travis, Cooper, and the rest of the team listened to Colonel Jackson's briefing.

"Spectres, listen up. We've received notice that an Equestrian General named Blood Strong is camped out in the Yucatan, at the abandoned Luminis complex. As you know, before the war, that complex was to be the crown jewel of South American cities. Now, the Equestrians are using it as a supply base and ops center for the whole Yucatan region. You're heading in to capture Blood Strong and any intel he has there. This complex is heavily fortified, so you won't be able to bust the door down."

"How are we getting in?" Adam asked.

"A Switchblade glider drop from low altitude. You'll need to land as close to the compound as possible, in order to minimize risk of detection." Jackson said. "Your kits are waiting for you in the drop zone. Light is green, Spectres."

As the squad saluted him and walked out, they put on the masks they had received after completing the Initiative's training program. Painted with a rough skull in white, Travis admired it before placing it on his head. The Spectres walked into the drop bay, where four US Marines handed them the Switchblades. The gliders were similar to wingsuits, only static placed on their back. They also featured a silent thruster to minimize detection.

"Switchblades are ready."

The Spectres jumped out and soared through the skies. Landing in a jungle clearing south of the entrance, the Spectres loaded their weapons and began the mission.

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Travis flicked the safety off his Honey Badger assault rifle, seeing two Guards posted at the entrance to the complex. Cooper was about to do the same with his M1014 shotgun when Jason shook his head.

"We can bypass these bastards. Silent takedown."

"Got it." Travis said. Sneaking up behind the guard, Cooper gave a signal, and the two Spectres planted the guard's faces into the wall, knocking them out. As Jason and Adam walked up, Cooper lifted the gate. The three other Spectres slid under before Jason let it close. The Spectres entered the Luminis lobby, now occupied by crates of weapons and boxes of ammo.

"Why'd they cache their weapons here?" Adam asked, noting the large caliber rifles were still oiled and factory-polished.

"Maybe because they're stupid." Cooper said. "See if we can find some explosives."

"We need to be silent." Jason said. "Let's find this asshole, bag him and get out."

"Right." the other soldiers said. Sliding into an elevator shaft lined with glass, Jason pulled out a pair of binoculars and scanned the large plaza below him.

"Target spotted. Down in the main office." Jason said. "He's guarded. Look's like he's accessing a terminal."

"You guys move." Adam said, drawing out his USR Sniper Rifle. "I've got overwatch."

"Got it. Team, on me." Jason said. As the Spectres jumped out an open window and slid down the slope of the apartment complex, they landed on a terrace. Adam adjusted his scope, and suppressed his rifle. Chambering a round, he put a guard's head in his scope.

"Ready." Adam said. Jason gave a thumbs up and brought his team to a platform two stories above the office window, with Blood Strong's back to them. Taking a carabiner clip and some cable, the Spectres rappelled to the office window. Placing their weapons to the glass, they waited for Adam's shot.

There was a faint crack, and the guard next to the door fell. The Spectres smashed through the window, and shot two guards who heard the crash. Travis pinned Blood Strong, while Cooper inserted a data probe into Blood Strong's terminal.

"Got the data. Let's move." Cooper said, pocketing the probe. As Travis knocked Blood Strong out, they grabbed him and rappelled up the cable.

"Spectre 1-3, this is Spectre 1-1." Jason said. "We've got the package and data. Meet us at the extraction."

"Roger that."

As the Spectres ran through the exposed plaza, a sentry noticed them and opened fire with his rifle. as the Equestrians raised the alarm, the Spectres radioed Motherbird.

"Motherbird, this is Spectre 1-1. We've got the package, but we're pinned down! Requesting evac!"

"Confirmed, Jayhawk inbound." Motherbird replied.

"Spectre 1-3, where are you?" Travis yelled.

"Taking shots and heads off." Jason replied as a guard dropped from a shot to the head. As the Equestrians took cover, Cooper and Travis provided cover fire for Adam to pull Blood Strong into the elevator shaft.

"Grapple hooks, now!" Adam yelled. Travis took cover behind the doors and shot a few guards, while Adam and Cooper took their grapple guns and scaled the shaft. Travis followed, as the guards below fired their rifles at the ascending Spectre. As Travis entered the arms depot, the sound of a helicopter could be heard.

"That's Jayhawk! Let's move!" Adam yelled as the Spectres took positions. Jayhawk soared into the sky, while rifle shots from the Equestrians missed or glanced off the helicopter's armor.

"Motherbird, this is Jayhawk. We've got the package and the intel." Adam radioed.

"Confirmed, we'll swing to pick you boys up. Well done, Spectres, I'm damn proud of you." Colonel Jackson replied.

============

Later, as the figure of Motherbird approached, Jayhawk radioed.

"Requesting nest open." the pilot radioed.

"Confirmed. Nest is open."

As the helicopter started to descend towards the center of Motherbird's body, The roof of the plane opened into two doors, revealing a small hangar and an opening big enough for the helicopter to fit into. As the Spectres grabbed the safety lines and walked over to a safe area, the pilot turned off the engine, and when the helicopter's blades stopped rotating, the doors joined together and sealed the plane. As the cabin pressurized, the Spectres unhooked themselves and entered the main part of the plane, where Colonel Jackson was waiting.

"Blood Strong is secure. I'm proud of you, Spectres. Job well done. Get some rest, boys." Jackson said approvingly, and the Spectres saluted and walked out towards the barracks.

=============

"We could do this all day, you know."

"Buck you."

"You gonna stop insulting us?"

"BUCK you."

"Really?"

"BUCK YOU!"

Travis sighed. Cooper had been given the responsibility of interrogating Blood Strong, and he, suffice to say, was failing. Travis sighed and walked out, towards the command center, where Adam, Jason, and Colonel Jackson were attempting to decipher the data they had stolen.

"Any luck on your end?" Jason asked.

"Nada." Travis replied. "Yours?"

"Squat." Adam said, as he was practically smashing the keyboard with his fingers, attempting to break into the probe.

"I have an idea." Jackson said. "Get the prisoner in here now. I think he's what we're missing."

Soon after, Blood Strong was sitting in a chair, facing Colonel Jackson.

"Here's how this is going to go. You're going to open up that data drive, and in return, we'll let you live."

Blood Strong spat in the Colonel's face. Jackson wiped it away before crouching in front of him.

"Well, shit. Lemme tell you something. You don't unlock that drive, well, you'll be taking a little...trip. I'm sure when you hit the ground, you'll be nothing but a smear in the dirt."

"You're bluffing." Blood Strong said. "Your Geneva Conventions state…"

"Geneva Conventions don't mean shit." Jackson said. "We can do whatever we want to you, and no one's the wiser."

Blood Strong started to sweat, but he kept on a stalwart face.

"We could vivisect you, find out what makes you tick…" Jackson said to him. "...Or cut off your horn, maybe use it as a paperweight. Or...we could always throw you out of the plane. I'd bet you'd make a nice snack for the jaguars."

Blood Strong looked away slightly.

"Fine. I'll open the drive."

"Good. Do it." Jackson said, shoving the keyboard into his hooves. Blood Strong reluctantly provided the passcode, and Adam took the keyboard and began to browse.

"What do we have here…" Adam said. "Defense plans for the whole Yucatan...Arms shipments from Rio...and...Jackpot! A schedule for the Elements of Harmony's visit to Earth!"

Jackson walked over and glanced at the screen.

"We've got two days before they head to Mexico City. Apparently for a big photo op. Spectres...we'll pay 'em a little...visit, courtesy of humanity."

"We taking them out?" Jason asked.

"Negative. You're bringing them here alive. Having them as prisoners of war will do wonders for morale." Jackson said. "I'll tell the pilots to change course."

"You wouldn't dare!" Blood Strong yelled.

"We dare, alright." Travis said. "I know...they're your princesses and all...but lemme tell you this. Royalty don't mean shit when you're dealing with the Spectres."

"Bastards!" Blood Strong roared. Jackson sighed, walked up, and smiled.

"You, on the other hand, since you know our plans…"

Jackson drew his pistol and fired. Blood Strong's head slumped down, dead.

"...You're going to hell. Spectres?"

"Sir?"

"Get kitted. You're going to be kidnapping the Elements of Harmony."

"Got it, sir."

As Motherbird soared towards Mexico City, the sun slowly set in the sky.

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