The Division-Lost Hope

As the Agents headed back to the base, Lt. Bering walked up and saluted.

"Agents, we're distributing guns to those who can use 'em. They're saying the food and supplies we brought were godsends."

"I don't doubt it." Nick said. "Where's Twilight?"

"Right here." Twilight said, walking up in her combat gear from New York. Her Navy MP5N and W1200 Shotgun were polished and cleaned.

"Good. Filters?" Anubis asked.

"Right here." Twilight said. "I've had some mechanics work on reproducing them for the Response Forces."

"Alright." Nick said.

"Um, Nick, was it?" Ember said, walking up. "We've got a problem."

"What?" Nick asked.

"Follow me." Ember said. The agents followed her to the gun stockpile, where a red dragon was arguing with two Minotaurs, who were in charge of distributing weapons.

"Ah, Dragon Lord Ember. Care to explain to this here minotaur why I should be in command?" Garble asked.

"Um, no." Ember said. "The humans are in Command here, along with General Razor. If you have a problem with that, talk to them."

"I already spoke with the General." Garble said angrily. "He laughed me out of his office!"

"Yeah, with your attitude, I don't doubt it." Kestrel said, walking forward.

"Who are you?" Garble asked.

"Kestrel. First Wave SHD agent. And frankly, you need to get an attitude adjustment before you get a command."

"What!?" Garble snarled, fire coming out of his mouth.

Kestrel was unfazed and stood defiantly in front of him."

"Frankly, I would like to know why you should be in command." Kestrel said.

"Because I am the best!" he said.

"The best, eh?" Kestrel said. "I'll give you a command, IF you answer me this…"

"...What do you fight for?"

"Easy. Glory, honor, and valor!" Garble said haughtily.

Kestrel smacked him in the face with the stock of his KSG-12 shotgun.

"Wrong answer, buddy." Kestrel said. "You think war's all medals and glory? I'll tell you this. Dying is easy, living is harder, my friend. Frankly, I'll tell you why I fight. I fight for something greater than all of those flashy medals and shit. I fight because there are greater things worth fighting for. Your flag, your nation, the friends beside you that will always have your back when shit hits the fan. You want a command? You fucking EARN It."

"You...you…" Garble said.

"You figure out your priorities, then, find me. In the meantime…" Kestrel said. "Get out of here, and get your shit straight."

Garble snarled and stomped off.

"Glad you dealt with him." one of the minotaurs said. "He was being a real pain."

"Glad to help." Kestrel said. "Get back to work now."

"YESSIR!" they both said in unison. Kestrel nodded and walked back to the squad, and Twilight gave him a small round of applause. Kestrel gave a mock bow in response. As they walked off, a Changeling came up to them.

"Agents, you're needed in the command center."

"Roger that." Nick said. They said goodbye to Ember and headed into the tent-covered command center, where General Razor waited for them.

"Agents, I've received news. Apparently a caravan full of uninfected survivors was ambushed on the way to the Gate. The attackers stole their supplies, killed the survivors, and fled to an abandoned fort near here, thanks to aerial recon from the Equestrian Wonderbolts. Can you find the bastards that did this and bring them to justice?"

"Yessir. We'll need backup, though." Nick said.

"I have ten Response units, already armed and equipped with masks, ready to move in with you. They're former Griffon Military, and they're good swordsmen too."

"Roger that. We'll head out soon." Nick said. As they walked towards the gate, Twilight and the Agents strapped on their masks.

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

As the Agents stood in front of the gate, along with seven Griffons and three minotaurs, the bubble enveloped them and their method of transportation, a Griffon vehicle similar to a fan-boat, called a "Skimmer" by the Response units. As they boarded, a Griffon fired up the engine, and they lurched forward. Nick and the squad loaded their weapons as the Skimmer entered the forest where the caravan was attacked.

===========

Meanwhile, at the fort, several Griffons in armor fashioned from scrap metal carried a body along with them. Throwing the corpse into a pit, they growled.

"We'll find that courier eventually. That letter could save us all."

"Still, we don't know the Vault exists."

"If it does, we'll be the first to know."