Fallout Equestria: Shaping Shadow - Book 5

Colonel Golden Dawn was cruising over the buildings She knew so well, just not from this angle. It had been two years since she had been back home. But now, she was the leader of the Equestrian Pegasus Military's forces sent to take out GPE's troops that were stationed in Twin Clouds. Now, the city was foreign to her as she looked for troops and ambushes.

She was a few hours ahead of the rest of the ACUs and she had Unit 47 with her. It was an all ACU military division sent to Twin Clouds to deal with the Renegades. They would have no cloudship support, meaning the troops had to be fast and efficient on the flight all the way to Twin Clouds. They were not in the sky either. Most of the trip had been made close to the wasteland ground and the camps were made on the ground. It did cut down on the chance of them being detected, but it wasn't easy being below. They had passed far north of the Canterlot ruins. Below, Twin Clouds was nestled to the Northwest of the Hollow Shades, in the middle of nowhere.

As the lead officer in charge of the assault, it was odd that she was on a short scouting mission ahead with her whole team in tow. Especially when they had already planted ACU units to recon the city as soon as the shit hit the fan and the Enclave struggled to react to their failed Operation Cauterize. As Shock Troopers, nopegasus batted an eye. Colonel Safe was a good choice as her second in command, but he was more reserved. They wanted somepegasus more daring. Their assault would set how the others happened. The food distribution center was not in a residential area. They got to solve some of the logistical and strategy problems of safely taking a fortified building from their fellow Pegasi.

But Golden Dawn had given Unit 47 a mission before anything went down. Twin Clouds was the city she knew and loved, which is why she was the colonel in charge. This private mission was a very important one that would save lives. Some very important lives.

Golden Dawn turned down a very familiar street and brought her team down to the clouds. They quickly entered the building and took the stairs all the way up to the needed floor. It was still mid evening, most of the families that resided in the building would be having dinner, but things didn't always go as planned.

They avoided detection and got to the desired door. Golden Dawn pulled out a key and unlocked the door. They slipped inside and were greeted with the sounds of laughter and normal dinner conversations.

"Mom, Dad, Raid! It's Golden Dawn!" Golden Dawn called as she locked the door behind them. It was loud enough to be heard in the house, but not so loud the neighbors would hear.

All three popped their heads out of the dining room and then were even more confused about her troops behind her.

"I need a place to store our armor," Golden Dawn immediately explained. "I need to do something important here and that's all I can actually say right now."

Dawning Radiance sighed. "Fine. But how long are we talking?"

"An hour tops," Golden Dawn stated. "Two if things go wrong, but they won't go wrong. We are professionals."

"Right," Dawning Radiance said rolling his eyes. He knew his sister. She had a habit of getting in trouble, deeper than she could get herself out of alone.

"Our armor is too high profile," Golden Dawn's second, Hellfire, said. She clarified what she meant before they thought there was a civil war happening. "We don't want to scare the citizens with the power armor. But we couldn't stash it below the clouds. Golden Dawn suggested here. It's a very short mission before we need to meet up with another unit."

"Understandable," Batten Sword nodded. "Put them in our room."

They quickly got out of their armor and headed towards the balcony to leave from it. Two armed Pegasi landed on it. A second later the unlocked door was forced open and four more came out. All 6 had rifles. Golden Dawn's unit only had pistols and knives. They were clearly outgunned and out maneuvered.

"Golden Dawn?" Vengeful Blade asked as he pulled off his helmet. "What are you doing here? Right now?"

All of the military Pegasi relaxed, but Colonel Vengeful Blade was still needing a straight answers, fast. And Golden Dawn hated being held up with shit she didn't have "time for."

"I could ask you the same thing," Golden Dawn fired back, annoyed. "I need to do something in the city? What are you and Unit 99 doing storming my brother's house?"

"We flagged a moving Pegasi team in power armor. And then they oddly entered a residential unit. We have been in the city since shortly after Shadow was found. General Firestorm sent us here to keep watch over it."

"You couldn't tell it was us?" Golden Dawn quietly quipped. She wasn't going to alert the entire floor to soldiers being there. "Only a few of us are in power armor. And our power armor is painted."

"It's dark," Vengeful Blade shot back. "And it's your fault, you are early."

"I can't waste time on you, I have a mission to complete."

"And that would be?" Vengeful Blade pressed.

"None of your business," Golden Dawn growled. She was weary of Vengeful Blade. She hadn't seen him in weeks and too many ACU teams had flipped sides by not going back when recalled.

"Don't get mad at me for doing my job," Vengeful Blade growled back.

"I am wasting precious time on you right now. I can, and should, bury you in treason!"

"You would not dare," Vengeful Blade said stepping into Golden Dawn's personal space.

"Enough," Hellfire said, forcing herself between them. It was not an easy feat. "We all are on the same team. You two are just getting ahead of yourselves."

Hellfire had an idea. "We don't need 6 soldiers on this mission. 4 is better and quieter. Golden Dawn, take Purple Sky. Colonel Vengeful Blade, grab a second. You four can do the mission."

"And what mission is that?" Dawning Radiance asked. "Our home now is storing your power armor after all. I think we have the right to ask."

Vengeful Blade deserved to know as well.

"The Pegasus who is the administrator over the food distribution center is my father in law," Golden Dawn explained to Vengeful Blade. "We need to make sure he takes a little unexpected vacation time. Shining Ire will kill me if we don't get him to. Plus, I do want him to meet his grandfoal."

"Shit," Golden Dawn swore. Her family didn't know that they were expecting. Neither family did. "Look, I don't have time to talk about it. But yes, we are expecting."

Before Golden Dawn could move Bobbin hugged her daughter. "Go. We trust you."

Vengeful Blade snickered.

"I will," Golden Dawn said. It was also a warning to make Vengeful Blade shut up as she walked to the balcony. "And I will live through the upcoming shit storm. You won't have to worry about that."

Vengeful Blade pointed to Thunderstorm and they headed out of the balcony.

Glass Window, one of Unit 99s newest members, looked at Hellfire. "Ever get the feeling Golden Dawn just needs a dick?"

"Hey!" Batten Sword barked. "That is my daughter you are talking about."

"Sometimes," Hellfire chuckled, ignoring him. "But then the next day or two she comes back in fine. Her relationship with Shining Ire is amazing. It's strong. Cardinal Spitfire strong. She wouldn't do anything. And have you seen Shining Ire? She makes even me drool!

"Golden Dawn does spend a lot of time with Vengeful Blade, but it's often with Gunmetal and Striker. The four of them were a strong team for years. I really am sure they have nothing like that between them, despite how close they are. Despite how odd they can be together."

"We know what you guys were doing 5 weeks ago in your Shock Trooper training," Glass Window continued. "I sure hope it's not Golden Dawn who is pregnant."

"Golden Dawn,. pregnant?" Hellfire chuckled, along with the rest of Unit 47. "No. That will never happen unless she can't continue to serve. She loves jumping, explosions, and gunfire too much. I doubt she could slow down for the time required for safely carrying a foal.

"Now," Hellfire grinned mischievously. "I could see Vengeful Blade being the other half for Shining Ire. That is quite likely. But none of them would tell."

"Do you know what she meant by treason?" Glass Window asked.

Hellfire snorted. "Considering it's them, it could be anything. And it probably was soon after they joined the ACUs, but that was before my time. It probably doesn't have to do with anything involving Safe or Striker, they are too straight to get into trouble with them. But Gunmetal could easily be involved in whatever it was."

"The threat was interesting," Glass Window added. "Not so much the threat itself, but the direction it was intended."

Hellfire shook her head. "I have no idea, and I know I don't want to know. That is dangerous. Beyond poking your head below dangerous."

"What had my daughter been getting into?" Batten Sword politely asked.

Hellfire looked him over and smiled. "Well, I guess since we are here, I might as well share some stories with you. It's not like the Colonel can stop me or slap me on the back of my head. Plus, we didn’t get orders to not squeal on her to her family."

The four of them flew through the streets to save time. It was a risk, but with Vengeful Blade's knowledge, they had less of a risk. Besides, no troops had been spotted in the residential areas.

They got to the rich part of Twin Clouds and landed in front of a building. The front had several building staff that they had to avoid. Purple Sky picked the Lock on a service door and got them inside. They made it to the stairs and it was safe. Nopegasus used the stairs in this building.

Checking the hallway on the floor proved they were clear. But they couldn't risk somepegasus going in or out of a door. It was still early enough for the upper class to be prancing around at their will. They quietly moved through the hall to the right room.

Golden Dawn pulled out a key. Vengeful Blade raised an eyebrow.

"This is my in-law house!" Golden Dawn quietly shot at him. "Having a key is not weird! They gave it to me!"

They opened the door and slipped inside. It was a lavish house of gold and ivory. The noises inside were different from what had come out of her brother's house. This was company over for a nice dinner. A high class dinner.

Vengeful Blade followed Golden Dawn down the hall. Golden Dawn peered around the corner to see what was up. She immediately pulled her head back and flattened herself against the wall. Vengeful Blade took his turn and immediately was back next to her.

On the other side of the dining room table was General Cloud Ridge. He was in charge of the group that had been assigned to hold the food distribution center. That was the worst Pegaus to be in that room. It also provided an interesting opportunity.

"This just became more than a sudden vacation," Vengeful Blade quietly shot. "This just became a high profile hit. If we…but if we don't…"

"I know," Golden Dawn growled back, caught between a rock and a hard place. "If we…then they have to run rather than take a vacation."

"Ahem!"

Golden Dawn and Vengeful Blade looked at the doorway they had peaked around. In the middle of it was Shining Ire's father, Yarrow. He was named after a flowering herb and his confidence in his name was always stunning.

"Sir," Shining Ire nodded.

"You never were good at sneaking around," Yarrow said. "Never. And you don't entirely know how to whisper either."

Golden Dawn rubbed her shoulder where Vengeful Blade had just punched her. "Sorry, Sir."

"Just because you are in town for business without Shining Ire doesn't mean you are not welcome here. You are just as welcomed now as you are with her. The same with your friends. We just finished eating and we're about to move to dessert. I am sure some of you are hungry."

Golden Dawn shrugged to all of them and walked around the corner. They followed her.

"General Cloud Ridge, this is my daughter in law, Golden Dawn. She has been serving in the military for almost a decade now. What was it, the ABCs?"

"ACB," General Cloud Ridge corrected him with a sigh.

"I always mix it up," Yarrow admitted. "I am so good in plenty of other areas, but it got confusing. It just was a bunch of A abbreviations. All I remember is that she is in an aerial unit."

"This makes things…complicated," Golden Dawn said calmly to General Cloud Ridge.

"That it does," General Cloud Ridge replied with a calm nod. "But it seems this wasn't the intention."

"I'm confused," Yarrow said. "Do you already know each other?"

"No," Golden Dawn replied. "We are not friends either. We are on the opposite sides of the current split."

"Split?" Yarrow asked. "What split?"

"I was just told to take my units and secure the Twin Clouds food distribution center. That's all and it is all I have done. I have stayed out of the main set of arguments."

"And I am here to make sure he doesn't go to work over the next few days," Golden Dawn shot back.

"Tsst!"

Golden Dawn looked behind her at Purple Sky. The others were taking possessions under the windows.

"Keep talking," Golden Dawn mouthed.

"A daughter in the military is a special thing," General Cloud Ridge said as Golden Dawn slipped under the closest window. "Even a daughter in law, it is a special thing. A good thing to be proud of. We need every Pegasus to be doing their duty to our race as a whole. That doesn't always mean the military, there are plenty of other jobs like yours that are a true duty. But the military is always special.

Golden Dawn heard the device on the window one last time and then it was free from its restraints. It was forced open and a figure jumped in with incredible skill. Golden Dawn tackled the intruder and ended up top. She drove a hard hood into the masked head of the intruder.

"Golden Dawn!" The Pegasus said pulling her mask off before Golden Dawn could hit her again.

"Cloud Vapor?" Golden Dawn said shocked, hoof pulled back to strike again. It almost looked like she was about to anyway.

"You two know each other?" Vengeful Blade grunted. He was locked tight with his intruder. They were outnumbered by two.

"Yeah," Golden Dawn said not dropping her hoof. "It's Squad 37. Commander Cloud Vapor was under Cardinal Spitfire for about 2 years."

Golden Dawn's eyes viciously narrowed at Cloud Vapor. "But what is she doing here now?"

"Umm…" Cloud Vapor stalled. "Well, we had orders. To prepare for the morning. To make sure it went off without a hitch. We didn't know General Cloud Ridge was here though. That actually makes things easier."

Cloud Vapor was good, but Golden Dawn's hoof slipped past her distracted defenses. It was a savage strike to the face. The second one was a tough hook to block from her compromised position under Golden Dawn. The third was an uppercut to Cloud Vapor's chin.

Golden Dawn got off her and then pulled her to her hooves.

"I forgot how good you were with those hooves," Cloud Vapor said as she wiped the blood from her face onto her black jumpsuit. "Firestorm is still mad at you for declining her offer."

"Fuck her," Golden Dawn laughed. "I am a Shock Trooper. Arrow and I built them. I'm not leaving."

"She still is mad about it," Cloud Vapor chuckled. "It was a legendary refusal. A real Golden Dawn moment."

"What can I say," Golden Dawn chuckled. "You have to have something to laugh about, and I gave it to you."

The others had disengaged from their initial struggle.

"Now what?" Cloud Vapor asked. "You are early. What exactly are you doing here? Especially with only Purple Sky and with parts of Unit 99."

"They almost killed us when we arrived ahead of schedule," Golden Dawn explained. "But Vengeful Blade and I go way back. Us joining the ACUs back. And then we joined forces tonight Briefly. Administrator Yarrow is my father in law, and I was going to convince him to take a few days of sudden vacation."

"Ah," Cloud Vapor nodded. "Now I get the third hit. But why is General Cloud Ridge here? I thought he was being watched?"

"99 was on other duties," Vengeful Blade replied, sitting down at the table. He grabbed a carrot off a serving plate. "142 was watching him."

"Can one of you ten please catch me up?" Yarrow asked.

Golden Dawn glared at Cloud Vapor, forcing her to explain.

"Well," Cloud Vapor said, composing the explanation. "The current rift in the military is about to no longer exist. There are now to clear sides, those who support the Council, and those who support continuing the war. Your help with the General over your food distribution center made you a liability. You had clearly sided with them, the ones who are going against the Council."

Cloud Vapor pulled out a combat knife from a hidden shoulder pocket. She placed it on the table in front of Yarrow.

"We can't have that food staying in the hooves of the Renegades. And our squad was sent to fix that."

"You mean kill me?" Yarrow asked, appalled. "Why! I have done nothing against the Council, and even then that doesn't make for due process."

"Dad," Golden Dawn said. Calling Yarrow dad was not a normal thing Golden Dawn did, but she did see him in a similar role as her father was to her. "You have been putting your life and duty into that center. And I doubt you stopped because soldiers were sent to secure it. But that made you a target, because you appeared to be working for the Renegades, and we can't have that happening.

"But I also think, from what I heard, is that the troops here in Twin Clouds were deployed right after the clouds were removed."

General Cloud Ridge nodded. "Two days after we were sent here, under direct orders from General Fighting Spirit. It's been quite here, and news has only come from him."

"Ah," Golden Dawn nodded. "Dad, General Fighting Spirit is one of the three military leaders who broke most of the military off from the Council. The Council was deadlocked in a decision about what to do, and they decided they would act without the Council."

"Wait," General Cloud Ridge asked. "He said he would act without them?"

"Admiral Tungsten and General Hayworth are his acting conspirators," Golden Dawn replied. "The Council still hasn't made a decision, but it's left only a precious few of us under General Firestorm, Admiral Ruby Snow, General Marble Falls, and a few others that are still loyal to the Council and their decision. And right now, that means we have to deal with the renegades who also stole the name 'Grand Pegasus Enclave.'"

"Then who are you?" Yarrow asked.

Vengeful Blade swallowed the food in his mouth and answered. "They have forced us to take on the name Equestrian Pegasus Military. I actually prefer the new name."

"You know," General Cloud Ridge said, stroking his chain in thought. "Now I see why we have not been able to get the reinforcements we asked for. We could still use them."

"Are you soliciting us?" Cloud Vapor asked, shocked and confused.

"I see," Golden Dawn replied, ignoring Cloud Vapor. Golden Dawn sat down at the table. "That would solve a few problems. But how would your soldiers respond?"

"They have been working overtime and on little sleep to secure the facility. It's a big job, and it's been a long one with shitty food. I think they would quickly welcome reinforcements and it would not be hard to send them all to bed while the new troops took over the defenses."

"Now I am confused," Cloud Vapor said. "I'm still off the not killing the Administrator part."

"I'm still on why kill me when I have just been doing my job?" Yarrow shot back.

"Administrator," Cloud Vapor said. "It was nothing personal. We need to thin the numbers in key points because the bulk of the military walked away from the Council. We don't even have a quarter of the total surviving military under our banner. You are the only administrator who kept working despite the troops taking over."

"Why would I stop?" Yarrow asked. "It's my job to keep that facility running, even with the soldiers there. Pegasi need that food!"

"The only Pegasi who will get it is the Renegades," Vengeful Blade interjected. "All in the name of the Grand Pegasus Enclave. They now hold all the food, but they don't care for anything but to squash us and the Council, and to continue a war that we can not. They still want to destroy below. Except we clearly don't have the strength to do it. But they won't give up the old ideals."

"Nopegasus is taking or stealing my food for this city!" Yarrow declared, slamming hoof down on the table.

"But that is what has happened," Golden Dawn added. "It's not been moved, but it's not going to the citizens with the military holding it."

"And what makes you better?" General Cloud Ridge asked.

"We won't be holding it," Golden Dawn explained. "I have strict orders to take the facility and then to give control of it over to the neutral party, the Law Enforcement Division. They are the only ones who are clear on their duty and not in the argument. The Equestrian Pegasus Military had agreed to give the facilities over to them if we take them. They will keep them and make sure the food goes to the citizens as it should."

"Reinforcements would be very appreciated," General Cloud Ridge said again.

"I think it can be arranged," Golden Dawn replied with a smile. "They are my troops. I can do whatever I need to in order to secure the facility."

"And likewise, mine are my charge, to use as I need to. But I care about them. I won't sacrifice them without a real need."

Golden Dawn smiled warmly at General Cloud Ridge. "A real officer. One who actually understands the importance of his position and the value of his soldiers. They are lucky to have you."

"Thank you," General Cloud Ridge replied. "I want them to hear the news. My eyes were opened and I don't like what I am seeing. I now know I was purposely kept in the dark since our communications have been compromised."

"That was fixed within a week," Vengeful Blade stated. "It took a bit longer for the Equestrian Pegasus Military to get our secure ones set up, but those encryptions are now rolling again. The Wonderbolts have to have everything super precise."

"Dad," Golden Dawn said, taking charge. "In the morning, please head to the office of the Law Enforcement General. Purple Sky, please go get the others. I need them back here, along with our power armor. Venge, go find that unit that was supposed to be watching the General. Beat them into submission. I won't let them fuck this up for me. General, with my Unit with me, we will head back to the center and get things started. Cloud Vapor will let us know when the rest of my division is arriving so we can transition things smoothly."

"This is stupid," Cloud Vapor protested. "We shouldn't trust him. The risk is too high."

"What? Are you going to try and pull Wonderbolt status on me? You know it won't work. Colonel Safe will defer to me, and so will the ACUs."

"We should just cut him out of the picture," Cloud Vapor said. "It will make things easier."

Golden Dawn stood her ground. "Easier? For who? My job is to retake this facility and turn it over to the Law Enforcement Department. If I can do it without risking any lives, I will take that risk upon my own head. And if they were to try and flip things on us, then they will find out what exactly Shock Troopers means. The hard way.”

"Now go!" Golden Dawn ordered. "Find Unit 142, go get the rest of the unit here, and prep for the division arrival so it can be smooth. We can't afford to look like ACUs, we need to look like a regular unit broken into normal platoons."

General Cloud Ridge picked up the knife. "I think I will keep this as a forever reminder to listen as well as respond to orders. Blindly following them can certainly get Pegasi killed. I thought I was paying attention, but apparently I am not. This second chance will not be forgotten."

"Thank you General," Golden Dawn said kindly. "I know this can't be easy. But I know you are making the right choice."

"I am supposed to be dead," General Cloud Ridge replied. "This makes it a fairly easy choice to think about. Especially when you have Wonderbolts trying to kill you. I didn't know they did that."

"They do a lot of things we don't know about," Golden Dawn grinned to herself. "I've picked up on some since I am good friends with one, but a lot even I don't know. They stay aloof and private for a reason."

Golden Dawn looked at her in laws. "I didn't mean to, but I already messed up. Besides, this is the eve of battle. I don't think this will go wrong, but I have no guarantee. I also have no guarantee that we will survive this entire war.

"Shining Ire is carrying a foal. It is still early, but she is carrying a foal. A lot could go wrong. That's why I came here tonight. I didn't know about any hit orders being given to Wonderbolts. But I know that I want that foal to grow up with both sets of grandparents."

"It's been a wild ride," Yarrow said, sitting down next to Golden Dawn. "I know you have loved us in your own way. Combining two families is never easy. And I am sure you felt a lot more pressure than we ever intended on giving you because of the big social catechism that separates your family and ours. But we have never looked down upon you, ever. Your parents are good friends of ours. We go to each other's houses all the time. Still, the choice wasn't easy. I wanted to thank you for risking it all for us. Plus, you beat up a Wonderbolt."

"Ha!" Golden Dawn snorted. "Cloud Vapor is a solid Wonderbolt, but she isn't like some of the others I know. They have skill that is above and beyond that. I can't beat Cardinal Spitfire or Marble Falls.

"Shadow Flare would destroy either of them, and he isn't a Wonderbolt. He is an old friend and the recon soldier we recovered during Operation Cauterize. I saw him slice through 20 enemy raiders in seconds on his way to me after I ran out of ammo. Just a black blob in his armor. And his friends, though exotic, are quite impressive on their own. He did train them. Simi is no joke."

"Simi?" Yarrow asked.

Golden Dawn chuckled. "I probably shouldn't tell you this, but Shadow Flare lived with and brought some Zebras to this fight. Some very powerful Zebras who want one thing: to restore him to his home like he restored their home. Apparently he got into a lot of stuff in the south and rebuilt a village and the safety of the area. And they trust him and look up to him greatly for it. This was after he got booted from Equestria for carving it up and destroying hundreds of enemies of the Enclave. And then being forced to run as several powerful forces hunted him. He also stopped at least one assault on the wasteland by Zebras."

"That sounds impressive," General Cloud Ridge smiled. "A powerful friend to have."

Golden Dawn made a bold statement. "He is one of the most loyal soldiers and Pegasi above the clouds. He is a Homestead Farmer too. If anypegasus knows what is best for the citizens, it is him. He lived below, experienced below, and problem solved below for us."

"I hear you," General Cloud Ridge replied. "And I look forward to hearing more. I look forward to hearing you make your case to my soldiers."

"I'll do everything I can to explain the full situation and be as bipartisan as possible. It won't be easy, because I am missing information. I've not been privileged to some of the debriefs he has done."

"Information is always a tricky game," General Cloud Ridge replied. "But let's not get bogged down with that right now. You interrupted dessert. After such an amazing meal, I know the cake I have been eyeing must be divine."

"I like this Idea," Yarrow said. "I will get it for us. There is plenty for us all."

They sat and enjoyed the cake Peony had expertly made. She could cook, but her expertise was baking. If she hadn't been so high in the social standings, she would have become a baker to support herself and her family. The rest of Unit 47 arrived in full gear, coming in through the open windows. They also took a break to eat the rest of the cake.

Vengeful Blade was tracking down the elusive Unit 142. They were doing their job, staying out of sight as they watched and scouted the city. But they also were not at their designated post. Vengeful Blade brought Unit 99 to six different post locations, all without any luck.

They didn't need to discuss splitting up. If they found them, they were outnumbered 3 to 1. That would not do as they tracked down the Unit that had apparently betrayed them.

The night was growing old. There was time for them to check one last place. But it was a risk. The Scout position was almost exposed to the food distribution center. Visibly exposed without needing to really look for anypegasus. The safest place for Unit 142 was there.

Vengeful Blade split his team to outflank them. But they were not going to dive straight in. They got into positions to affirm their betrayal.

Vengeful Blade was closest. He could see them, finally. They were not as attentive to their 6 as they should be.

"What is going on?" Lieutenant Commander Blood Moon asked. "Where did he get a heavy unit from?"

"Wait?" Lieutenant Ray said. "LC, that's Colonel Golden Dawn's team, Unit 47. She is friends with that recon soldier. She is deep in this thing. So why is she with General Cloud Ridge? And so calm. They are just walking and talking without a care in the world. She has to know who he is. Why hasn't she jumped him? Why didn't she earlier, out of sight? She isn't normally this calm."

"Something is off alright," Lieutenant Commander said. "We should make an approach. As one of her units. Throw them off by accident. They are close enough to the facility to catch her unit in a trap."

Vengeful Blade stepped out from around the corner he had been watching from. The rest of his team was right behind them. Before Unit 142 could stand, Vengeful Blade slammed the Lieutenant Commander's head into the railing and pulled him back out of sight. The rest of 142 had been jumped, gagged and pulled back. But Unit 99 didn't stop there. It was a savage beating.

Vengeful Blade rolled Lieutenant Commander Blood Moon over to finally face him. He was still clearly in the superior position. "Why?" He spat. "That is one of my best friends out there and a Pegasus who would risk her neck for yours!"

"She is a traitor," Blood Moon declared. "She is against the Council. Do you think their deadlock would have stopped them from breaking off? It was a convenient solution to that problem. The idiots pulled away from the Council too soon. If they had just waited a few more days, you lot would be in their position. You would be the renegades you actually are. You are playing a technicality to your advantage. And it's a pathetic one that most of the military sees through."

"And you are using it to not have to fight your so called friend. I've seen you two. You should be together, not Shining Ire. You two have more in common than those two. You two could make the life together that you always wanted. But instead, it's not you. It's not even another stallion. It's a mare. And the two of them have given up on the rest of us because they are Pegasi who knowingly decided to not he able to reproduce. A shameful choice. One she has obviously tried to cover up by joining the military."

Vengeful Blade snorted. "You have that all wrong. Their greatest pain is that they could not have foals the same way. Yet they carry one now because of medical science."

"I…" Lieutenant Commander Blood Moon stuttered. "I didn't know."

"Now you do. But you made your choice."

The strike with the hoof was unforgiving. They couldn't use their guns, or it would blow the whole operation. Unit 99 was Scout qualified and knew how to be discreet in their operations. Two more blows and Vengeful Blade drew his combat knife.

It wasn't a standard knife. Gunmetal had made it for him. It was a single edged blade whose backside danced with sharp barbs. It matched how most Pegasi found his name to be: revolting and wicked, meant to kill with nothing good. And Vengeful Blade always kept it ready to grab with his mouth and use. It was his first time using it in combat. The blade drank Blood Moon's blood gladly. Behind him, the others in Unit 142 met similar, quiet fates.

Vengeful Blade left the body for the others to dispose of. He needed to see what was happening with Golden Dawn. She was at the main entrance with General Cloud Ridge, and their entrance was barred.

"I understand sir,” one of General Cloud Ridge’s soldiers replied. “But we know Pegasi Soldiers are scouting our lines. At least one team is. I can let you in, but we won't let her and her squad in until we get confirmation from your superiors. I won't compromise our soldiers. As tired and stretched as they are, they deserve that at the very least. They can last a little while longer until you and I can verify they are reinforcements for us."

Vengeful Blade had one option available. He was almost visible. If he stepped out and shot Golden Dawn, it would look like she was truly with them. She had power armor on, so did her team.

"Prepare to run," Vengeful Blade ordered. "I have to do something risky."

He didn't wait for a response as he blatantly stepped out into the open, loudly clicked his rifle off safety and loaded a round. His shot was perfect. It slammed into Golden Dawn right above her heart. He didn't have time to wait around. Two of Unit 47 turned and opened fire. Three of the defenders shot at him as well. At least three bullets found the weak spots in his armor.

Vengeful Blade ran. It had worked. He was sure about that. Nothing else mattered. If his blood was shed taking the facility, so be it.

Golden Dawn heard the bullet hit, but she didn't feel it. They got her and her Unit inside to safety. The rest of the ACUs would be arriving in an hour, as two troops. Now, they trusted her. Her allies would not shoot her, or so they thought. But Golden Dawn knew who it was. And Vengeful Blade's gamble had paid off.

Only time would tell if he survived that gamble. Only time would tell if he got to reap the rewards of his choice. Only time would tell if he got to see the foal he helped create be born and watch that foal grow up. And only time would tell if that foal grew up in a disgraced and destroyed Enclave, or a Pegasus Race that was once more connected to its brethren below, as it should be.

It became a waiting game. And a game that was a minefield. If she said or acted the wrong way, it was over. They were taken on a tour of the facility. Its focus was on their defenses and properly swapping out his troops with hers.

A sergeant ran up to them, throwing a salute. “Troops approaching on wings. They are spread out wide.”

“Looks like your soldiers have arrived,” General Cloud Ridge stated. “We should go greet them.”

“Sir,” the sergeant protested. “They are wide spread out in their formation.”

“This is a city,” Golden Dawn stated. “Do you expect them to fly in a pattern like we march in? A blind enemy could down an entire unit in a single go.”

They got outside in time to watch them cruise in. The units further back were spread out, but in groups of 10. They were tactical in their spread. And they were moving slowly. There was no sign that tipped them off for them being ACUs. At least not that any Golden Dawn saw.

Colonel safe was clearly at the head of his troops. He flapped a few times to come out of his easy cruise and gently touch down. He saluted with his wing.

“Reporting in as ordered,” He said saluting. “Everypegagus is here as ordered.”

“Colonel Safe, this is General Cloud Ridge. “General, this is my second in command, Colonel Safe. I was placed in the senior position for both of our Battalions as we came here to assist you.”

“Wonderful to meet you,” General Cloud Ridge said, shaking his hoof.

“It is wonderful to be here. And even better to finally be off our wings. We are not trained for such a long flight without clouds.”

“I am not surprised there,” General Cloud Ridge replied. “We at least were able to be transported here. But I guess the cloudships are distracted at the moment.”

“Sadly they are,” Safe replied with a nod. “The devastation was worse than initially estimated.”

The last of the ACUs landed and formed up in groups of 42. 7 ACUs to a platoon. It looked very good.

“But,” Safe continued. “We slept on the ground last night. We are fresh and ready to take command as soon as possible.”

“Good!” General Cloud Ridge exclaimed. “Colonel Dawn and I were going over the positions. My soldiers are tired. They need the break. Immediately.”

“We are at your disposal,” Safe said with a salute.

“I will have assignments shortly,” Golden Dawn stated. “Give me five minutes.”

Colonel Golden Dawn, Colonel Safe, and General Cloud Ridge walked down the platoons, inspecting them. It was not a real inspection. Golden Dawn was figuring out what Units had formed what Platoons. She had to have them switch out with the soldiers in their Platoons, or fire teams inside those platoons.

There were seven sections to protect: The four corners, the front door, the loading zone, and the roof. She had 58 ACUs under her, or 6 and a half platoons. It was just shy to fully cover the areas they had control over. They would need them to all blindly just go to bed to pull it off.

Golden Dawn gave instructions. The half platoon was given charge of the front door and the rest moved out. All they were told was to inform the officer in charge of each position that they were replacing them and that General Cloud Ridge’s orders were to head to bed.

It worked except for the roof. The current platoon designated to cover the platoon didn’t want replacement, they wanted support. They wanted both to be there. General Cloud Ridge went up onto the roof, alone, to order them to bed.

On the roof, Colonel Safe posted up. He was looking out for the law enforcement team that would be taking over. Each position lost half its soldiers as the ACUs fragmented to prepare to arrest the units. They all slept in the loading zone, spread out on sleeping pads. The ACUs were stuck stacking up in the hallways and outside to make sure they got a clean jump on them. But they had to give them time to rest so that they could better judge for themselves the new information.

General Cloud Ridge and Golden Dawn met General Blue Stripe outside the front of the food distribution center. With him was Yarrow and Cloud Vapor. Most of his law enforcement officers were present and looking stellar. All were wearing their special combat gear they had been forced to be issued after the near riots the Pillars of the Community had caused.

“General,” Golden Dawn saluted. “I am Colonel Golden Dawn. Equestrian Pegasus Military. The ACUs are almost ready to surrender the facility to you. Currently, General Cloud Ridge’s soldiers are sleeping and resting in the loading zone. We can not remove the guards at the loading zone yet either. Before we make their arrest and case, we need the exhausted troops to rest up so they can better hear my pitch.”

“Understood,” General Blue Stripe nodded. “May we take over the rest of the defenses?”

“With a warning.”

“Speak.”

“Things may turn bloody if the soldiers decide to fight. And we can’t guarantee the safety of any of your staff. We will do all we can-”

“Understood and risk accepted!”

Golden Dawn gave him the locations of the defenses being held and he gave orders for his law enforcement officers to take charge of them. The ACUs peacefully surrendered them and moved to back up positions to support their fellow ACU soldiers. They were outnumbered a little over 2 to 1 and although they held the upper hoof, they would need to be careful since the General’s troops were backed in a corner. Anytime anything, be it animal or pony, was backed into a corner, they tended to fight. Viciously.

Shortly after noon General Cloud Ridge woke his soldiers up and had them form up. He took a position on a group of boxes stacked up high to talk to them. The ACUs were not not showing themselves, outside of the normal guards in the loading area.

“Soldiers!” General Cloud Ridge greeted them. “You have done a good job securing this facility with such low numbers. I learned from our reinforcements that our communications had been restored for quite a while now. And I confirmed this. We were intentionally kept in the dark.”

General Cloud Snow took in a deep breath. “The Council was betrayed.” The statement brought a lot of murmurs. “Several military generals decided that the Council’s inability to come to a decision meant they would take things over by force. That they would continue the war below. But, while I have gotten caught up on the current situation, Colonel Golden Dawn has more information and will explain the situation in full. She is the officer who was our back up.”

“SIR!” a captain called out.

“Yes?”

“They are not our reinforcements are they?”

“Excuse me?”

“They currently hold every defensive position in this place. They are outside in the halls, aren’t they?”

Golden Dawn landed beside General Cloud Ridge. “Forgive me. I did not bring a dress uniform. And yes, my soldiers are outside, ready to react to you.” Golden Dawn’s wing flew out to stop any responses. “Please, let me explain the situation in as best of detail as possible. I was born here in Twin Clouds. My father-in-law is the head administrator over this food distribution center. A lot rides on the next hour. I stand to lose a lot. Please, let’s stay calm and just talk. I want to talk straight with you.”

They didn’t riot like Golden Dawn expected. “I will start by stating that this facility has been turned over to the proper authorities. The Law Enforcement Division is neutral in all of this, because their duty to the Pegasus Race is clear. No side of the military should hold the food hostage.”

“Hostage!” A staff sergeant objected. “We were not holding it hostage!”

“Not intentionally,” General Cloud Ridge shot back. “Now quiet while she explains the situation!”

He nodded to Golden Dawn and she began to brief them on the current situation with the Council. She didn’t give them their location, only that they were safe in a secure location with the Wonderbolts. Golden Dawn explained Shadow Flare and the importance of his recovery. She explained the actions of the Renegade’s choice and decision to cut out the Council. The last bit she covered was their movement to “secure” the food distribution center and what it actually meant, including why they were kept in the dark.

The soldiers were split. Half believed the war should continue, the other half was for a new direction considering. A few wanted nothing to do with the situation.

General Cloud Ridge cleared his throat loud enough to quiet them. “Thank you Colonel and thank you, my soldiers, for listening. I realize this was a lot to take in. I was almost assassinated last night to make retaking this facility easier.

“New Cloudsdale has already gotten heated for having soldiers at their food distribution facility. Their actions have been dangerous to the ponies around the distribution center. It is true, we do not have to worry too much about them here because unlike theirs, this is isolated from the public and theirs is surrounded by housing units.

“I chose to keep this as peaceful as possible. They were going to kill me and be in the position to slaughter you. We would have drawn their blood, that is true, but I was not going to let you be needlessly slaughtered trying to hold this facility that was not threatened like we were led to believe. Especially once I learned that it was us who were the aggressors. I love and care for you too much to let you die needlessly.”

A lieutenant stepped forward. “Thank you, Sir! I may not agree with the Equestrian Pegasus Military’s beliefs, but I do recognize your care for us. You wouldn’t send us into battle that was unnecessary. But where does that leave us exactly?”

“We haven’t figured that out yet,” Golden Dawn admitted. “We were sent to do battle. This was a much better option. My superiors were thrilled to hear we only fired one shot.”

“One shot?” a soldier asked.

“An ACU unit sent to scout your forces shot at me to help justify our early arrival. It was a big risk. I do hope he is fine because our return fire hit him. We have not been able to track down any information on him. They are probably too scared to show themselves this early.”

“You shot one of your own to sell this switch!” A corporal exclaimed.

“Yes,” Golden Dawn proudly stated. “What is the life of one in comparison to all yours? We knew we were going to battle, you did not. It was unfair to you.”

“And that leaves us where?” the lieutenant asked again.

“Where do you want it to leave you?” General Cloud Ridge asked.

“I don’t know, Sir,” He admitted. “You are my general. I want to make you proud of us. I want you to shine out for being one of the best in this conflict.”

“Then do you trust me?” General Cloud Ridge asked. “Because I have spoken to the Equestrian Pegasus Military officers. I know where I can send you into battle, for them. They don’t want this. They want peace.”

“Have you spoken to General Fighting Spirit, Admiral Tungsten, General Hayworth?”

“Not yet,” General Cloud Ridge confidently admitted. “I know General Fighting Spirit purposefully kept me in the dark and lied to me. I have not wanted to confront him on that yet.”

“Can you?” he asked. “Give us the speaker but only talk through your mic?”

It didn’t take long for it to be set up. The call was made for all to hear.

“General Cloud Ridge, you are not supposed to be calling me. The communications are not secure.”

“Yes, about that. Why not? This shouldn’t take this long.”

“Sabotage! A rogue group was wormed their way into our com lines and sabotaged our efforts to restore them.”

“We desperately need reinforcements. I don’t have enough soldiers to cover this place all the time. I might have to pull in the Law Enforcement Battalion.”

“No! They are not happy with us for securing our resources. We are looking into their involvement. They have been aggressive against us in NC and that includes unfounded arrests.”

“I see. But reinforcements. We can’t maintain things.”

“I can’t spare any.”

“And why not?”

“The citizens are very uneasy. They are close to rising up. And we have to protect the Council.”

“Fine, then I will contact the Council about getting support.”

“They are unreachable.”

“I see. Tell me, how expendable are we?”

“Expendable? What do you mean?”

“I would rather be sent to combat the Equestrian Pegasus Military than try and steal food from the citizens for your military actions.”

“They are hindering our job and must be killed on sight! General Firestorm has outright gone against the Council to secure power. She is a coward and so are the Wonderbolts who follow her!”

“General, what do you plan to do? Do you really think you can go against the Council?”

“Follow your orders and do your job!”

“I need to know what my orders truly are and why.”

“Why? Why! Because we need to secure the food we have left in order to fight this war!”

“What about the citizens? This food belongs to them. Or so I thought.”

“It belongs to the Grand Pegasus Enclave Military! And make sure of it.”

“I am going to have to surrender it to the fine officers and soldiers in the Law Enforcement Battalion in Twin Clouds.”

“If you do that I will have you branded as a traitor! You have your orders. Stick to them and I will contact you as soon as we have secure networks again.”

The line was hung up and Golden Dawn immediately had one going to General Firestorm.

“General Cloud Ridge, it is good to hear from you.” Her voice was calm and sweet. She was genuinely happy to hear from him. “What can I do for you?”

“I just got off a call to General Fighting Spirit. How long have the communication lines been secure?”

“Oh, it took about 3 days since the clouds were gone. Really, just a day and then it was making sure we had several sources from below fully blocked out. A few more days we danced around trying to figure out who was with who and trying to maneuver without sparking a civil war as like minded pegasi gathered. The Wonderbolt lines took a week to be fully operational. We do have to keep track of our lines, because we have had several attacks from below, but it has been handled. It’s mostly the civilian communication lines, not the military’s. But we discussed this earlier.”

“Yes, but I was not with my soldiers, who are listening in.”

“Ah, I see. Shots have not been fired I assume?”

“Thankfully it has been avoided. And the Law Enforcement Division has control over most of the facility. The ACUs haven’t even needed to draw weapons or show up, however they are ready to respond immediately.”

“I am glad it has been peaceful. This is not an easy situation. I am sorry you all had to get caught up in this troublesome position. We never intended for this to happen. But the Renegades have you stamped as one of their own. I assume there are questions some of your soldiers want to ask. I will answer anything I can.”

General Cloud Ridge nodded to his soldiers and began to ask their questions.

“They want to know where you and the Council are.”

“I can’t divulge the Council’s location. Fort Griffin's Gate, the home of the Wonderbolts, was attacked by black ops soldiers. Somepegasus in the Renages has made multiple attempts to kill us, and even attempted to eliminate several retired staff like the previous commander of the Aerial Combat Battalion, General Shielded Vengeance. He was not happy.”

“They want to know what has the Council deadlocked.”

“Initially, Three said change, three said war, and one wouldn’t vote, because that Councilor isn’t sure how to best represent their charge. That changed early this morning, when the same black ops soldiers I just spoke about attacked the Squad Barracks at Fort Wind. The Wondercolts have a barracks there, and it had intel on the Council’s location. The soldiers were after it, to kill the council. They were stopped, but we got what we needed from the survivors. It was a blood battle that they started. They tried to sneak in and kill us in our sleep. They failed to remember why we are the Wondercolts and what the silver wings of the Aerial Combat Units actually means.

“Before the bloodshed a decision was reached by the Council. Well Councilor. We have a ship headed to Twin Cities to pick up several refugees and move them below. The Second Councilor took his economics charge to relocate them to a friendly group below, to help reduce strain on our food shortage and help them farm below. A mutually beneficial choice, and one that has stopped several groups from trying to strike out on their own.

“So, not a lot of good news, but some.

“They want to know if they join you, what you will do for them.”

General Firestorm sighed. “I hate what I will have to do. They would get deployed to face off against the Renegades who also stole the name Grand Pegasus Enclave and formed their own Council because they couldn’t wait for our Council to make a decision. They want to continue the war until we have nothing left to throw at the wasteland. After this morning’s attack, I am starting to believe they knew the council was not going to side with the war and that is why they made their bold move and declared the Council to be compromised.

“Our sources say they are trying to figure out how to conscript the citizens and arm them. That will include any they can get ahold of who can wear a battle saddle. Young, old, mare, or stallion, it doesn’t matter. They don’t even have the facilities to train them. Which is the most concerning. The weeks you and your soldiers went through in Basic Training won’t happen, let alone any form of secondary training school. And they will all be given combat army roles.”

“That is concerning," General Cloud Ridge stated. "None of this is ideal."

"It's all pretty fucked up," General Firestorm replied.

"But you got some stellar soldiers under you," General Cloud Ridge said. "They did everything they could to not kill us."

Firestorm laughed. "Before you called me I only got a report about the facility. It just said: taken without a shot. I almost shit myself in surprise. Only Golden Dawn could pull that off. Which is why I sent her as the head."

"We still haven't discussed the attempted assassinations."

Firestorm's jab was playful. "Well who got their ass put in a position for the Wonderbolts to have to consider that?"

"Golden Dawn saved me there too. And her father-in-law who was also a target."

"Shit!"

"Yeah, we will be discussing that when I get back," Golden Dawn interjected.

"Well," Firestorm stammered. "Join us and you could have been in the loop! Ish. Those assignments are mostly private. But we sent you to Twin Clouds because you know the city."

"I've applied to leave to visit them!" Golden Dawn fired back. "And personally applied to you!"

"I can't keep track of everypegasi's family members! And this is off the subject! You made sure nopony got killed or shot."

"Well, 99 is currently MIA after they killed 142 for backstabbing us. They were watching General Cloud Ridge's movements, but when we found him, we realized that they had back stabbed us. And we shot Vengeful Blade a few hours ago when I first arrived at the facility. Our legitimacy was questioned and he took a shot to make it legitimate. They already were aware they were being scouted."

Firestorm's concern was apparent. "MIA? You can't find them!"

"We have been a bit busy, but we can't. And the Law Enforcement Division has put what little effort they have left to try to track them down. We will be able to put a real effort in as soon as we sort out the final details here. But I think it is safe to say that they don't want to be found, and they will make it difficult. But we have medical care, and we are certain that one of the shots got past his armor."

"A tough price to pay," Firestorm said solemnly.

"It is. But one he would find worthwhile. After all, he shot me first, but he knew where to put it so I only heard it stop on my armor."

"Alright," Firestorm sighed. "But now, we need to focus on the immediate moment and the bomb that is sitting in front of you. General, how are you troops doing?"

"Calm," General Cloud Ridge replied. "Surprisingly calm. The question is, who will acquit themselves, who will follow me into the Equestrian Pegasus Military, and who will be detained until the conflict is over?"

A sergeant spoke up. "Did the Grand Pegasus Enclave really go against the council?"

"Yes," Firestorm snorted. "They did and they did it over open channels when they declared the Council compromised and then blatantly took control. We are preparing a response, but the attack on Ford Wind a few hours ago has shifted that and it's taking a little longer than anticipated. Simply put, the Councilors are not happy to be sidestepped in their authority and replaced."

"Then it is time,” General Cloud Ridge said to his soldiers. “If you wish to acquit yourself from this conflict, please sit down. There is no dishonor in acquitting yourself from this shitstorm. If you don't agree with following me into the Equestrian Pegasus Military, please move to the inside wall. Let's not turn this to blood. The ACUs are armed and outside. They out class you with ease, and I know how good you are."

Five stallions and two mares proudly walked over to the wall. Seven others sat down and acquitted themselves. The rest decided to follow their general to battle.

Seven ACU members stepped inside and escorted each of the “enemy” out. It was calm and clean, with every ounce of respect given to each pegasus as possible. They didn’t use any unnecessary force or excessive numbers. They went out of their way to not cause an issue.

“You are awake and at least partially rested,” General Cloud Ridge said to his troops. “Let’s pack up and get out of here so that the Law Enforcement Division can take complete control. They are neutral after all.”

“Sir?” One of the soldiers who had acquitted themselves called out from their seated position. “I may have acquitted myself from this war, but if the Law Enforcement Division is neutral, and doing its duty to protect the citizens, can I join them?”

“That is not for me to answer,” General Cloud Ridge replied with a warm smile. “We can talk with General Blue Stripe about it though. This is his city and citizen to protect.”

Golden Dawn reconnected with Safe on the rooftop. Unit 47 was there too.

“Go find them,” Safe said. “Quickly. We will need them in the upcoming battles. And we will need you too. I will get things finalized here, and then mount a full mission to canvas the city with every single soldier under us.”

“Thanks,” Golden Dawn said with a nod before taking off.