Brothers of War

Chapter 2: Deploy Black Team

Written by Scope (me). Edited and illustrated by Mailbox of d00m)

Scope walked through the halls of the barracks. He turned in the hallway that connects the barracks to the social center. The more he kept walking in the hall the more he heard loud music being played.

“ Yep…they’re there alright.”

Scope walked into the room and found a bunch of different creatures doing different activates. He saw a zebra reading a book on the couch, a diamond dog taking a nap…on the pool table, and then there was a gryphon that was next to the radio listening to the loud music.

Scope walked over to the zebra first. He looked at him for a good minute or two before he knew something was off. Scope pokes the book a couple times, and then he heard snoring. He’s sleeping…. Scope picked the book of the zebra face and shook him.

“Wake up old man”

The zebra started to stretch and yawn from his disrupted sleep. “Hmm…oh morning sir…”

“Its 2 pm…”

The zebra looks at the clock and squinted his eyes at it. “Oh…”

“You’re getting to old for this Mocobra.”

“Ah shut up you I’m only 34…”

This is First Lt. Mocobra. Codename: Elder. He specializes in stealth, recon, and short to mid range combat and he favors the MP5. Even though he’s only 34 he still acts like an old man. Not only is he the oldest on the team but he’s also the wises too. When the team, or anyone for that matter, needs advice they go straight to him first. “Suit up Mocobra and get to the Pave Low we’re out in 10 minutes.” Mocobra got off the couch and left for the barracks mumbling curses on the way out.

Next up was the diamond dog. He was snoring louder than Mocobra was. So loud it can gave that radios music a run for its money. Scope shook the diamond dog and called his name several time before he finally just got the pool stick and smacked the dog across the head. The diamond dog rolls off the table and onto the floor yelping in pain.

“OWWWWW WHAT WAS THAT FOR!?”

“I’m tired of seeing your lazy ass sleeping on everything.”

This is Sergeant Major Jericho. Codename: Echo. He specializes in explosives, explosives, and more explosives. He’s the newest member and also the ammo carrier for the team. He mostly deals with short range situations. He’s 20 years old and favors the USAS-12(mostly because it’s a loud shotgun) but the team hides the frag rounds from him. Celestia knows what will happen if he gets his paws on them again. He had brown fur and green eyes. Just like any dog Jericho is always loyal to the end for his team. Even if it was the dumbest plan on earth he would be on board with it in a second. When his friends are in trouble he’ll be there in a flash, but due to all the energy he exerts daily he’s usually asleep (on surfaces he shouldn’t be on) when he’s off duty.

“Get off the floor and get prepped we’re out in 10.” Scope slammed the stick on the table.

“Fine fine I’m going shesh….” Jericho walked to the barracks rubbing the red spot on his head.

Last but not least the gryphon. Scope walked over to her. She had her eyes closed bobbing her head to the beat. Scope turned the radio off. She opened her eyes and looked at Scope. She reached out to radio and turned it back on and continued bobbing her head to the beat. “I don’t have time for this crap…” Scope pulled out his m1911 and unloaded his entire clip into the radio. The gryphon stood up and looked at Scope with rage in her eyes. “WHAT THE FUCK BRO!?”

“Sorry my hoof slipped.” He replied sarcastically.

“…You owe me a new radio…”

“Nah how about this, I can get you a new one that comes out of your paycheck, or you can stop bitching.”

This was Warrant Officer Hawkeye. Codename: Harpy. She is the team’s medic. She mostly deals with mid to long range engagements so her weapon of choice is the Mk. 14. She’s 19 years old but she still acts like a 16 year old teenager who could care less about the rules. Her feathers are blue as the sea with matching colored eyes. Even though they may not be related, Scope and Hawkeye couldn’t be any closer to being brother and sister then it possibly could for them if it wasn’t for the fact they’re different species. They both looked up to Logan like a father and they’ve been together their whole lives. The only thing that can truly separate them is death it’s self.

“Let me guess new mission?” She asks. “Yep.” She sighed as she left for the barracks.

“Finally got that done with…time to head out then.”

This is Captain Scope. Codename: Boss. He’s 18 years old and the youngest on the team. He specializes in tech and engineering but he’s perfectly capable in doing any other job the other team members have and much more. Some call him a super soldier but he just tends to do the most. He is the leader of Black Team and also the team's sniper. He favors the M95 so he’s typically in long range engagements. Scope is a bit of a quiet pony but he talked and got loud when he need too but since he was sarcastic most of the time you couldn't really tell if he meant what he said. Scope is dedicated and loyal to his job, others tend to wonder if he even took his job seriously, then again everyone in B.O.W. wondered if anyone on Black Team took their jobs seriously.

10 minutes later.

The team walked together to the Pave Low. It was already prepped to take off anytime. The team got in and took their seat as the helicopter took off. For their equipment they had on Black combat uniforms, helmets, their favorite weapons, frag and flash grenades, sunglasses, canteens, gas masks, knives, and digital cameras. After a few minutes of flying the team’s helmet radios came on with Colonel Vic speaking.

“Good day Black Team. Since the rebels are our enemies now we need intel on them to gain the advantage on them.”

“Didn’t those royal guard pansies give us intel on them since we agreed to work with them?” Jericho asked.

“They did, and basically we got this” the colonel cleared his throat. “They have a lot of guns and really big tanks.”

“…”

The team remains silent for few seconds. Scopes shakes his head while face hoofing. “So…basically they don’t got jack shit on the rebels?” Scope asks.

“Exactly, we need you to infiltrate their base and see if you can retrieve any info on them. Equipment, tech level, documents. Anything will do.”

“So what’s our mode of infiltration?”

“We’re dropping you off few miles away from the base, how you get in is up to you. We’re extracting you in three hours so don’t fuck around this time. If you miss your ride well then you got a long walk home. Also be sure you don’t get detected by the enemy, hopefully you figured that out by now.”

“What if we get caught?” Hawkeye asked.

“As usually Harpy since this is a black op if you get captured by enemy forces your name will be blacked out from existence and we will deny our involvement in the situation and you’re basically on your own, hence the name Black Team.”

“Are you sure it’s not because of our uniforms?” Echo replied.

“…Yes that too Echo. Is your team clear on the mission objectives Boss?” The team looks at Scope and gives him a nod of approval.

“Affirmative.” Scope replied.

“Then good luck Black Team. Colonel Vic over and out.”

1 hour later.

“Hey Mocobra.” Scope asks.

“Yes what is it?”

“I got some letter today from this little filly all the way from Ponyville.”

“That’s interesting.”

“You’re telling me; anyways in the letter she tells me about her father who’s in the Canterlot Royal Guard. She told me her father has been “missing” for the last nine months now. ”

“That’s quite sad to her.”

“The thing is though…I just feel guilty.”

“Why is that?”

“I already know her father is dead but I told her I tried to find him if I could. I don’t how I could actually feel good about myself knowing I lied to a filly with hopes.”

“Well sir, maybe you didn’t lie after all.”

“What do you mean?”

“If she thinks her father has been missing for nine months now, obviously somepony already lied to her. All you did was kept the lie going.”

“How is that suppose to make me feel better?”

“Who ever lied to her probably cares for her. They didn’t lie to her just to be mean; they probably lied to her to protect her. You mostly likely don’t know this, for understandable reasons, but young girls are probably the closest things to being fragile as glass, very easy to break you see.”

Scope looked at Hawkeye who wasn’t paying attention to their conversation. He had a worried feeling growing in his heart for some reason.

“Knowing the truth right now isn’t the best idea, when she’s older and understands the concept of death better she’ll understand. Don’t worry Scope, by not telling her the truth you probably did her and whoever is protecting her, a huge favor.”

Scope was still looking at Hawkeye. He gave her a weak smile even though she wasn’t looking.

“Thanks Mocobra, I needed to hear that.”

“Anytime sir.”

The Pave Low started to slowed down a bit and pilot looked behind him at the team.

“Alright we’re here. Good luck guys.” The Pave Low slowly made a smooth landing to the ground. The back of Pave Low opened up and the team got off the helicopter. They turned around and watch it fly off into the distance. “Alright then let’s get movin. Double time it.” Scope ordered. They began jogging off to the north in the scorching hot desert.

2 hours later.

“Are we there yet…” Hawkeye whined.

“No…” Scope said.

“Are we there yet?”

“No…” Mocaba moaned.

“Are we there yet?”

“No…” Jericho said with an annoyed tone.

“…Are we there yet?”

“JUST SHUT THE FUCK UP!” The three of them shouted in unison

.

“Shhhh you gonna give us away!” Hawkeye whispered.

Mocobra and Jericho both drew their weapons ready to end the madness.

Scope lowers their weapons to avoid friendly fire. “Wait she’s right, we’re here.”

The team looked at the base in the distance. “Ok Boss what’s the plan.” Mocabra asked.

“Alright let’s split up. Elder see if you can infiltrate the base without being detected. You two stay by him until I give you new directions, I’ll get up in the clouds and keep over watch. Go.”

Scope quickly flew up into the closest cloud he could find. The others jogged the rest of the way to the base. The three stopped instantly and dropped prone on the ground. They saw a line of trucks driving into the rebel base. Scope kept watched over the group with his sniper scope.

“Elder, there seems to be a back way into the base where its unguarded, get in through there. Echo, where ever those trucks are going I want you to get there, Harpy go with him ” The three followed their commands. Jericho crawled to the back of the line of trucks and hid in the back of the last truck in line unnoticed. Hawkeye and Mocobra made their way around to the back of the base.

Before they entered a unicorn guard was at the back keeping watch. Mocobra took out a small digital camera out and snapped a shot of the guard. He slowly came behind the soldier, when the guard turned around she was tackled by Mocabra, he covered the unicorn’s mouth, took out his poisoned knife and stab her in her throat. She barely managed a scream before she had the look of death in her eyes. Mocabra pulled out the knife as some blood squirted from her neck. He wiped the blood of his knife and took cover behind a wall.

“Alright listen up we don’t got much time before the others find out she’s gone. I need you need two to split up. Elder keep taking pictures of the soldiers so we can get a look at their standard load-outs, Harpy there’s a small office building to the west, get inside and see what you can find. Echo I saw those trucks head into a depot, when you get in there i want you to standby and wait for further orders. Boss out.” Scope looked up and noticed a balloon floating right about the base. He was worried the others were about to get compromised but he notice the guard pony in the balloon was asleep. Scope kept his eyes on it.

Meanwhile Hawkeye managed to slip in to the building unoticed. Upon entering she notice the facility was load with scientist and guards. She ran to the first corner she saw and hid there. She got on her radio and contacted Mocobra.

“Elder I’m in a tight jam here and I haven’t even searched the whole building yet. They’re ponies everywhere and I don’t have any flash bangs. I can’t slip through all of them.”

After a few seconds he finally responds. “This is Elder. I can already tell these soldiers trust their eyes more than their instincts. Just by looking at them you can tell all they’ve been trained to do is point, aim and shoot. All you have to do is make sure they don’t know what they’re shooting, Elder out. ” The radio beeped off.

“Hey wait, shit…” Hawkeye looked around the corner. She noticed a power box at the end of the hallway. She took out her Mk. 14 and got a good aim at the box. She took the shot and all the lights went out.

Everypony in the building panicked.

“WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT!?”

“IT’S AN INTRUDER!”

Suddenly one of the guards shot an unarmed pony thinking its Hawkeye. “SHIT THERE HE IS!” The soldier shot the soldier who shot the unarmed pony. Then mass chaos broke out and everypony who had a gun was shooting in every direction. Anypony that didn’t have a gun was easily mowed down. Hawkeye joined the gun fight and picked off anypony that was left standing.

After everypony was taken care of Hawkeye started searching every office gathering any papers she found. She heard the door open as more soldiers entered the building to investigate the sounds. She jumped out the closes window she saw and made her escape.

Meanwhile on the other side of the base Jericho made it to the depot. The truck he was in suddenly park and turned off. He heard two soldiers get out of the truck. They stood around the truck for a bit making some small talk. Jericho quietly exited the back of the truck. He slowly made his way behind one of the soldiers.

With swift movement he grabbed the soldier by the neck with one paw and took control of his rifle with the other. He shot the other soldier in the chest, right after he took the paw that was choking him by the neck and switched to his mouth, he took a big chomp out of the soldier’s neck. He could only let out a hard but muffled scream trying to get help, but the more he yelled in pain the harder Jericho bit down growling with excitment. He tore of a part of his neck with his teeth, he let go of the soldier as he tried to gasp for air while his neck turned in to a blood fountain, after a few moments of trying to breathe the solider dropped dead on the ground as the blood continued to create a puddle around the dead pony.

“Ok Boss I’m in.” He reported as he licked his lips snickering like a maniac.

“Echo I need you to take pictures of whatever is in there first.”

“Yes sir.”

He looked around the depot. He realized it was unguarded so he turned on the lights and saw rows of T-80's, Bradley's, and transport trucks. Echo pulled out his camera and started taking pictures of everything he saw.

“Ok Boss it’s done.”

“Echo, Harpy alerted the guards so we’re gonna need some cover for our escape.” Echo couldn’t be happier to hear this. He chuckled and responded back. “Oh Boss please tell me this means…”

Scope sighed. “Yes Echo, we’re going to plan B.” Echo was about to have a field day.

Scope was still looking at the balloon; the guard was starting to wake up. “Team this is Boss, we’re out of time. I’ve spotted an enemy balloon. He’ll sound the alarm once he sees the damage we did here. We need to get the fuck outta here now.”

"So what’s the plan Boss?” Mocobra asked.

Scope sighed. “…We’re going to plan B aren’t we?” Hawkeye asked nervously.

“Unfortunately, yeah we are.” Scope, Mocobra and Hawkeye sighed in unison.

“You two meet Echo at the depot, I going to call for evac. Get moving, Boss over and out. ” “Copy that. We’re moving. Harpy out.”

Mocobra, Hawkeye and Jericho waited for further orders at the depot.

Scope got on the radio and proceed to call the pilot that dropped them off “Lancer this is Black 0-1 we’re gonna need an evac over.”

“Sure thing Black. Evac will be there in 10 mikes, out.” The pilot replies back.

“Ok team let’s do this.” Mocobra says. The three enter the transport truck.

“I’m driving!” Hawkeye yells out.

“AWW HELL NO!” Jericho yells back. “THE DAY I LET A LADY DRIVE IS THE DAY I EAT PUPPY CHOW. GET THE FUCK OUTTA MY CAR!” Jericho pushed Hawkeye onto the other side and got in the truck. “Why you sexes son of-.”

Before she could finish her name calling Mocobra interrupts.

“Both of you knock it off now! This isn’t the time, Echo just drive, Hawkeye we’ll let you drive next time, but right now we need to go so just get in and shut up.”

“Yes grandpa…” She says sarcastically. She got into the truck slowly with a annoyed look. Jericho pointed and laughed at her defeat, he hot wired the trucked and started to drive out the depot. They drove up to the checkpoint, the guards started the move to the truck to investigate.

“Ok now Boss!” Jericho yelled.

Scope aimed his gun at the hot air balloon. He took the shot at the balloon, it fell straight down in a 90 degree angle. The pony in the balloon screamed for his life, the balloon crashes with exploding force. The entire depot explodes with flames branching out everywhere, the fuel line that goes across the base from the depot blows up turning the entire base into a blazing inferno. Ponies left and right screamed in agony as the base was turned into hell its self.

The trio speeds off out of the base just in the nick of time. The three cheered with excitement watching the base being turned into a fireworks show. “Holy shit Jeri! Sometimes I love it when we go to plan B!” Hawkeye yelled over the loud explosion.

“The beauty of c4, I never leave home without it!” He shouted with pride. Scope was flying right above the truck. He flew into the back of the truck and knocked on the window separating them. He waved at his comrades and smiled. “Job well done guys, let’s go home.”

15 minutes later.

The team was on the helicopter taking a much deserved rest they needed. Jericho was sleeping on the floor. Mocobra laid down on the seats. Scope was sitting up on the seat with Hawkeye taking a spot on his shoulder. Hawkeye was mumbling in her sleep and kept shaking.

3 years ago

Scope was running faster than he ever did in his life. His right wing was broken and was wrapped in bandages. His head was bleeding with bandages wrapped around it also. Behind him was Hawkeye and Logan. Both we’re running for their life as well. Behind them we’re soldiers chasing after them with guns blazing. A black hawk flew above their head, it made a quick landing a couple yards away.

“COME ON COME LETS GO!” Scope yelled behind trying to hurry the two behind him.

Scope made it to the chopper and jumped in. “WAIT FOR US!” Hawkeye yelled out. Her sides we’re a bloody mess and needed immediate medical aid. Logan had a bandages wrapped around his left eye. Due to his age he couldn’t as keep up much with them.

Hawkeye made it to the helicopter, Scope reached his hoof out and Hawkeye grabbed it. She climbed into the chopper gasping for air. “Where’s…Logan…” She ask trying to catch her breath.

Scope looked out the helicopter. “He…HOLY SHIT RPG!” he shouted. The pilot pulled up the helicopter as he dodged the rpg. Logan finally got to the black hawk, as he reached out to Scope. For some reason he put his hoof back down. Instead he took out his sunglasses and ripped his dog tags off his neck. He tossed them up to the helicopter; Scope barely caught both of them.

“WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING LOGAN!?” Scope yelled out to him.

“Go Scope just go! Hawkeye take care of your brother for me!” Logan yelled out. “WHAT!? LOGAN NO!” Scope yelled out. The pilot started to pull the helicopter up and fly away. “WHAT ARE DOING GO BACK!” Scope yelled at the pilot.

“You wanna die!? Hell no!” Scope and Hawkeye looked out the helicopter and saw Logan getting beat down by multiple soldiers. Hawkeye tried to jump out the helicopter to go rescue him, but Scope immediately held her back. She started to cry hysterically reaching out the helicopter.

“LOGAN! LOGAN!!”

Hawkeye wakes up in the helicopter with Scope shaking her. Hawkeye’s pupils widen as he was trying to figure out where he was at, her eyes were a bloodshot red with streams of tears going down her face like a waterfall. She saw the team look at her with a worried looks. Scope walks up to her and pulls her into a tight embrace. She began crying again as she give Scope a hug in return.

“We let him down Scope! We just left him there to die! What were we thinking!?”

She cried even harder onto Scope’s shoulder. He patted her on the back trying to comfort her. “We didn’t let him down, we did exactly what he told us to do and he wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. He be proud of us sis.” She continued to cry as Scope held her. Mocobra and Jericho just sat and watch. Jericho thought about saying something but decided it wasn’t the right time.

After about 45 minutes of flying the Pave Low landed on the helipad back at the base. The colonel was waiting there for the team to arrive. As they got out of the helicopter the colonel approached them with a stern look on his face. The team saluted the colonel holding their heads high.

“Sir, mission accomplished sir!” The team proudly said simultaneously.

The colonel slowly walked up to Scope practically face to face with him. “Mission accomplished…MORE LIKE MISSION FUCKING FAILURE!” The team jumped out of surprised.

“B-but sir, didn’t we complete the objective?” Scope said nervously as he held out the documents and photo’s. The colonel slammed them out of his hooves.

“RIGHT NOW I DON’T CARE ABOUT THE OBJECTIVE! WHY DO YOU THINK I SENT YOU IDIOTS IN TO GET THEM AND NOT A DAMN STRIKE FORCE!?” Scope couldn’t figure out what he did wrong. Colonel Vic took a deep breath. “Look… I know I didn’t tell you this but I didn’t know you four would pull a stunt like that despite your teams history…I was hoping you wouldn’t do something like you did before.”

The colonel took another deep breath and spoke again. “We didn’t send the ultimatum to the rebels yet…we we’re hoping to get at least a good amount of intelligence on them to strike them quick and hard and end this war before the end of the year.”

“But sir wont they think Equestria did it?” Jericho asked.

“Of course Echo, but do you think Equestria is going to take the blame for us?”

Wow I fucked up big time… Scope thought to himself.

“Son…met me in my office.” The colonel walked away, the team sighed in relief.

“Well buddy, your fucked. See ya!”

Jericho patted Scope on the back and walked away. “Good luck sir.” Mocobra said as he walked away.

Scope looked at the ground with a disappointed look. Hawkeye put her claw on Scope’s back. “You ok bro?” She asked.

“Yeah don’t worry about me.” He said back. He looked up and gave her a reassuring smile. Scope went back inside into the main building to face the music.

A little later Scope walked into Colonel Vic office, from the looks of it the colonel was packing bags. “Um sir…what’s going on? Scope asked.

“Son, I got some good news and some bad news.” The colonel replied. “The bad news is that thanks to your little stunt I’m being transferred.”

Guilt immediately struck Scope. Colonel Vic was another role model for Scope. Vic was Logan’s best friend and was Black Team’s commander for countless years. The thought of losing the last person he looked up to is devastating. To make things worse he let him down because of Scope’s dumb decision. Scope had his ears folded back and looked down.

“Vic I…I’m sorry I didn’t mean to…I’m sorry …..”

“I haven’t got to the good news yey Scope.”

Scope instantly looked back up. “You’re coming with me.”

“W-what?”

“That’s right. While high command is still pissed about you prolonging the war, they we highly impressed by your teams skill in taking out an entire enemy base by yourselves. We’re getting transferred to HQ. They said they have better uses for us then just going out to collect some papers. Get your team and tell them to pack their bags because we’re going to Baltimare.”

Scope had the biggest smile on his face he has ever had. “Sir yes sir!”

They saluted each other and went about their own way.

Things are starting to look up for us, let’s hope it stays like that. He thought to himself.