Author's Note

Lets See who knows their Mando'a

Demagolka

They had dropped Delta squad several clicks away from the castle allowing the squad to move in stealth. Celestia monitored the video feed from their helmets as they trekked through the thick woodland. Scorchs question kept coming back to her.

"You joining the fun princess? and the not entirely truthful answer she had given to explain it.

"No this mission needs stealth something I personally was never good at." But in fact, she was genuinely itching to join the fray to lead from the front lines, Not from behind. Like the posh general, she'd doomed herself to be due to title and position. She had wished them luck and sent a prayer for their success. She watched as they drew near the waterway that was their entrance.

Their armor kept out the northern bite as they trudged towards the objection. Each Delta keeping perfect speed and time with each other. Moving as one they made it to the Iron gate right on time. Fixer looked over the entrance. The moisture and cold had rusted it to a dull orange pulling out the cutting laser he set to work.

"ETA Delta?" Boss asked keeping watch with the other three.

"Two minutes, Sir" Fixer replied already halfway through the old metal. The grate started to groan as the weight threatened to do the rest of the job. Sev grabbed an end before it could make any more noise and Fixer finished. Moving it to one side, they filed under the castle. The water came up to their thighs. Scorch called out a simple wooden door off to the side. Fixer was ready to take out his lockpick and get to work, but Sev knocked on the door causing the green commando to look at him like he'd lost his flipping mind. Until the door opened and Sev staked an unexpecting Elk in the Neck. They all looked at him.

"What! it worked didn't it." He defended, and Boss shook his head before signaling them to advance. After an empty hall and no hostiles yet Scorch couldn't help it.

"How'd you know one was on the other side?"

"There was recent waste meaning they tossed their garbage into the stream. And Tracks leading to the door."

"Keep the coms clear you two." Fixer reprimanded they returned to silence.

The trek through the castle was smooth and thorough. Dodging enemy patrols was second nature to all of them. A couple translated signs later, and they were in a long corridor with doors every couple feet, with one large door at the end. Boss pulled the Element of Harmony our of his pack to check they were going in the right direction. The blue diamond light up and pointed a laser light right down the hall towards the giant door.

"Well, that's pretty cut and dry, Sir." Scorch let out amused sweeping his side with his rifle.

"Think it could be a trap, Sir?" Fixer asked Celestia chimed in

"Biggest room for the biggest catch."

"Copy Advisor. Delta's move up." Boss gave the signal, and they moved through the Hall slowly. The halls carried noise they could hear Elk chatter from a level up. What sounded like a pained gasp caught Oh-Sevens attentions. He looked to his right to see a slightly opened door with small light coming through the crack in the door.

"Oh-Seven breaking off to investigate. Hate to get flanked here, boss."

"Copy." Boss let out, and Sev approached the ajar door. The noise got louder more distinguished. He heard a male and a Female voice. It didn't sound friendly. He crouched and pushed the door open slightly to get a visual. It was an Elk standing over a light brown pony. Blood fell from the cut on her side. The cause of the wound floated in the Elks red magic. A curved knife it floated and pointed as he threatened her again. She tried to curl in on herself.

"Boss I don't like what I see here..." The translation scrolled along his screen, and he gripped the rifle a bit tighter. He liked what he was reading less. Time slowed as Sev weighted his options. Save the civie and risk the primary objective or walk away and leave no one the wiser. He was dragged back to reality as the mare let out a cry as the elk tried to drag her towards him.

"Orders?" He asked calmly, but 38's voice didn't come. Like a goddess passing judgment, Celestia's voice rang out with sweet music to Sev's ears.

"Eliminate Primary Target." Sev could almost feel a tear come to his eye.

The mare kicked out at the Elk. But he dodged it, and there was a cruel smile as he enjoyed her struggles. With one last pull, she was under the cruel Elk. She started to cry again knowing she was powerless she prayed it would be fast. When a loud knock on the wall caught both their attention.

The Elk cursed and turned his head to the left. A white gauntlet came out on his right introducing a glowing blue blade into his throat. Turning his annoyed What to a gargling sputter. Another white hand grabbed his muzzle, and with a practiced twist and sharp snap, the guard transformed from a cruel beast to a loose pile of fur and bones as it fell revealing the white and blood red Commando. The mare watched him. Mouth hanging out stunned. He turned to her, and she scrambled back till her back hit the wall jarring her wound. She covered her mouth as she shook. Her body trying to recover from almost being raped, to whatever this creature wanted with her.

The blue T-Shape on its head watched her unblinking it moved a hand, and she flinched. It put the hand on its head and bobbed like it was saying "ok" She nodded her head when the head moved slightly if it wasn't already looking at her it was now. Was it gonna hurt her?

Then it spoke in plain Equestrian.

"Can you understand me?" He sounded scary she nodded quickly "Can you walk?" She tried to stand but fell her legs shook too much. She felt him watching her she tried again afraid of what would happen if she couldn't. His hand went back to his head and nodded, and she nodded to trying to show she was trying. Her knees gave out, and she started to cry again. Sending a silent prayer to Celestia that she could at least see the sun one last time. It crouched, and she shut her eyes tight. The white hand touched her side where she was cut, but no further pain came. She heard the gravelly voice again.

"Are their other prisoners?" She snapped her eyes open and looked into the blue T. She nodded trying to swallow the dryness in her throat.

"What are you gonna do to us?" She asked shakily. She got the feeling the strange white and Red creature was smiling, and she was terrified. The hand patted her on the head like she was a foal. Right now she felt like one small and helpless. He perked up acting like he was listening to something and nodding his head

"You have a name?" He asked

"Almond..." She managed to croak out.

"It's your lucky day Almond I'm part of a squad sent by Princess Celestia do you know where the rest of the prisoners are being kept?" She brightened up hope splashing over her like a cold wave.

"Yes, I can take you there."

"Good we're gonna make every one of these blasted Elks pay. You interested?" He offered, and she looked at the dead Elk and nodded slowly.