Conviction

The orange earth pony sat in the metal chair looking down as she recounted her time in Camelu. It was an awful sight for any rookie. Out in the desert thousands of miles away from home with only a few of her close friends. Twilight's superior magical skill kept her away from the field work back then. She was far to busy with the Manehattan Project to join her friends in the skirmishes of the Eastern lands.

Applejack, Spike, Fluttershy and Rainbow dash walked down the dustly streets of Dromedor. The scent of gunpowder and constant sandstorms forced the patrol to wear facewraps and wear flight goggles. It was so unlike Equestria's lush green forests. But they pressed onward joking to each other after securing the nearby village.

Little resistance was met. A few shots fired, but the team was highly trained and deadly. Some of the best the Canterlot Special Equine Division could provide. Of course, they were easily accepted into the rigorous program being Elements of Harmony. Spike too was accepted by a few strings pulled by none other than Celestia herself.

A mortar strike catching everypony off guard hit the ground killing Fiuttershy instantly. Applejack was knocked down and Spike was unconscious. Rainbow Dash tried to crawl away as the orange pony tried to pry her eyes open noticing the advancing camels. One came up and shot Rainbow Dash several times in the back. They must have thought Applejack was dead too because they didn't bother to finish her off. Fluttershy took the full impact scattering her remains in to a bloody carnage of organs and limbs.

Spike was taken captive. No doubt he would be. He was the squad leader. He had important intelligence the government of Camelu wanted. He was the closest one to Twilight Sparkle after all. She reported in the incident and moved onwards towards the last known location she saw the camels dragging Spike.

Shining Armor came over Applejack's comm telling her to stand down. She disobeyed the direct order and pressed forward. She didn't care if she was going to the labor camps for insubordination, Spike was the only one left in her squad she wouldn't let him die in a hellhole like this.

The pony picked up a common assault rifle from the land it was nearby made from. A Zebracan Mark 5. Pristine and wonderful. A simple, yet effect weapon. It was made for even the dumbest pony to use. A filly could fire it possibly.

The pony began her decent into the land nearby searching for her friend. Patrols were ahead and the pony had to take action. She shot the first one down and the two camels looked horrified at the sight and the orange mare took the remaining guards down quickly. Mud and clay houses close by created cover and she moved behind them.

Four more guards. Three standing on the ground and one on the roof of a building. The cowpony pulled the pin of the grenade away and she spit it out of her mouth. She tossed the metallic bomb as it collided against a fuel tank close to the guards. The blast blew the camels apart scorching their bodies in an intense heat. One survived and ran towards the building Applejack hid behind. The camel was still in flames screaming in agony. She shot him down and took the guard out on the roof as she scoured for the source of what caused the explosion.

The pony ran through the area, sliding into a mud and straw building. No fire came to her. She assumed the worst which would be an ambush. She crept out of the back slowly checking both corners. The pungent smell of burning flesh caused her to cringe and cough. She moved further into the village. It was a labyrinth a treacherous journey through each step.

Applejack made it to a large structure. She could hear movement inside and several voices. All foreign. She couldn’t make out what they were saying. It sounded like someone was being hit in there too. Spike might be inside.

The earth pony opened the door slowly. One guard, smoking a cigarette. She crept up behind the combatant putting her assault rifle to the camel’s head.

“ Drop your weapon and get movin’.”

The camel dropped his weapon. Applejack jabbed him in the back with the barrel of her rifle, “good, you can understand me. Now take me ta’ the camel in charge.”

They walked down the concrete building. The sweltering heat was the least of Applejack’s worries as the camel kept peeking back as if he was planning a daring escape. The earth pony was quick to display her authority by bashing the camel’s face with the butt of her gun as he looked back again.

“Turn ‘round again partner and I’ma drop you dead right here.”

She had no more problems with the hostage after that. They approached a metal door with a latch on the outside. It wasn’t to keep anypony safe it was to keep them locked up. Yelling inside stiffened Applejack’s resolve to find Spike.

“Open the door… slowly.”

The camel did as he was told removing the latching, pushing it upwards. The metal door slammed open when Applejack heard Spike’s voice. She shoved the came into the door and he stumbled through on top of the officer in charge. Applejack opened fired on them both spraying in a horizontal line. The camels’ bodies lied limb and lifeless. Blood seeped onto the concrete floor. Spike’s voice called out to the pony in question, “Applejack?”

“It’s me, bud, I’ma getting’ us outta here. I’ll call in an evac.” She shot the steel cuffs that bound him arms and legs to the chair. The dragon got up and picked up the officer’s pistol.

“This is Lieutenant Applejack. I need immediate Evac. I have Captain Spike. He’s unharmed for the most part, over.” Said the orange pony into her radio.

“This is Shining Armor, I copy, we’re sending gunship support and an evac to your coordinates. ETA, three minutes. Hold on you two.” Replied the stallion over the radio.

The sounds of incoming forces broke the moment of peace they had. Camel combatants were approaching for the front and sides opening fire. The dragon and pony returned fire with deadly precision.

Heavy machinegun fire pinned the two Equestrians down from making any more attempt to fight them. They were positive they were going to die today. Evac was still forty-five seconds away.

“Applejack,” said the dragon holding his right shoulder in pain. A bullet had grazed him tearing his flesh, “if this is the end-“ he was cut off by the earthy pony.

“Spike I won’t letcha’ die out here!” Shouted the teary-eyed pony, “I told Twilight I would bring you home and she would never forgive me if I failed her. Ah’ would never forgive me.”

A buzzing noise almost like an electrical saw ripped through the air. The sound was coming from the gunship above tearing through the heavy forces. Dozens of dead camels littered the ground. Brain matter and blood covered the walls in a macabre art.

“Choppers’ here Spike! I’ma getcha’ home I promise!” The earth pony helped Spike onto the gunship.

“No pony left behind Applejack!” Spike reached out his claw and grabbed the earth pony pulling her onto him inside the metal bird as it lifted off.