Special Operative Sunny Starscout crouched on a mountain ledge. This mountain was parallel to her true destination, a medieval looking castle atop a mountain, equipped with the highest state of the art security and Starscout was tasked to break in. Next to her, Operatives Zephyrina Storm, Misty Brightdawn, and Izzy Moonbow crouched next to her. They were currently, like her, looking through binoculars trained on their target. Below them, that is, below the ledge they were currently on, was an immense drop that would sure lead to somepony's death. Between the mountaintop that they were on and the mountaintop their target was at, lay a treacherous valley with sharp rocks that jutted out of the ground in a irrational and frequent manner.
"Storm." It was not a request, it was a command. Starscout watched in grim fascination as Operative Storm snapped a quick salute before launching herself off the cliff. She plummeted for a few seconds before leveling out. The remaining three operatives watched as Operative Storm weaved through the rocky outcroppings, never going above the detection line. Starscout watched with bated breath as the daredevil dashed along at speeds any pegasus would not consider safe, not to mention all the surefire ways to kill a pony literally growing out of the valley. Operative Storm weaved through it all with ease.
***
Starscout waited outside the stunt team room patiently. After receiving her orders from brass, with the notable inclusion of 'you may choose whomever in your mission,' Starscout immediately made her way to the top performing stunt team in all of Equestria. With a little persuasion, she was able to get into the back areas without much trouble. The pony she had her eyes on was a certain Zephyrina Storm. While not considered to be the best stunt pony on the team, Starscout wanted to scout her out specifically due to her willingness to try things that have never been tested as well as her incredible need to do such things. This made the target quite susceptible to a little persuasion.
The door opened.
"Zephyrina Storm." The mare in question looked at Starscout with a scowl. Starscout noticed, with a hint of a smile, that the target didn't seem to have flinched or even betrayed any sense that she was surprised.
"And who are you?" The target didn't appear to feel threatened, instead she even placed herself in a position that allowed her to either fight or flee. Even better.
"I am Special Operative Sunny Starscout. I have a proposal." Starscout flipped her badge before continuing. "This proposal is in regards of a highly dangerous and secretive mission. Should you wish to hear more, then follow me."
Starscout turned around and marched away. There was a slight hesitation then hoofsteps as the target began to follow. Starscout allowed herself a small smile. She turned the corner and entered a door to the right. She waited for the target to enter as well before she closed the door and locked it sufficiently. She then placed a small amulet on the door handle, which would prevent any eavesdroppers.
"Alright, I followed you. What's this job?"
"I've been tasked to infiltrate the Sibylline Fortress." Starscout paused and waited for the inevitable gasp. Sure enough, the target's mouth was open.
"Wait wait wait, you want to infiltrate the most secure place in the world, 800km behind enemy lines might I add."
"Yeah."
"Alright, what do you need me to do?"
"I thought you would say that." Starscout pulled out several maps that laid out the castle and the surrounding area as well as its height above water level, the temperature levels, and even the compositions of the ground. "You see the land underneath the castle? The terrain that makes it impossible for anypony to walk or fly through. I need you to fly through it."
"...Why do you need me to fly through it, why not over it?" The target moved her head at various angles as if trying to see something else in the maps.
"Because the castle is equipped with scanners. Anything living above the crags are flagged and documented. If an unregistered pony is documented, they are immediately shot. Also, I need you to fly at a certain speed. Faster than your average stallion galloping. This is because there is a second scanner that combs through the rocks, albeit at a slower pace than the one above the crags. This gives you the chance to fly faster than the scanner can pick you up." Starscout leaned back and looked at the target in the eye. "Are you in?"
***
There were a few heart racing moments where Starscout was certain that Operative Storm would've smacked into a rock or went above the detection line or something else entirely. Her heart was in her through the entire time. After a few nerve wracking minutes later, Operative Storm stood proudly at the base of the castle, completely intact and undetected. She waved a complex pattern that the team had agreed upon several weeks prior. This particular pattern announced that she was commencing the infiltration and was now just waiting for the insider to disable parts of the scanners so Operative Storm could slip over the walls.
This part of the plan required two more ponies. The Distraction and the Butler. Luckily, the two of them were already inside the fortress playing their parts. Through the binoculars she spotted a carriage that had just rolled up in front of the castle gates. A yellow stallion in a butler's outfit jumped out and then scrambled to the other side to open the carriage door. From Starscout's angle, it was hard to make out exactly what happened after that since the open carriage door obscured her sight. But if everything went according to plan, she knew exactly what was happening. Operatives Philomena Petals and Hitch Trailblazer were exiting the carriage and trotting up to the gates. Operative Petals is hosting a concert tonight as the pop star, Pipp Petals.
***
"So, Boss. Who else do you need for this mission?" The newly inducted Operative Storm panted slightly as she rested from her training to overcome the stone crags. "I've got connections, maybe I could help."
"I need a distraction. I've got ponies in mind for the other roles, but I'm not sure who would be willing to go along with our plan." Starscout admitted after a moment of consideration.
"What kind of distraction do you need?"
"The Baron in charge of the Sibylline Fortress is having his birthday in three months. He likes performances. If we could incept a certain performer to be his guest of honor, the distraction would be enough. The performer needs to be of a certain standing in the entertainment world, otherwise the Baron would not consider them." Starscout sighed. Her hopes were not high with this one. She had considered asking Ruby Jubilee, however Starscout wasn't confidant enough in her ability to persuade that particular can of worms.
"How about Pipp Petals?"
"I'm sorry?"
"You know, Pipp Petals? Pop star? Influencer?" Operative Storm spoke of her casually. Starscout took particular notice of this.
"There appears to be a bond I do not know of and I know a lot. How do you know of her?"
"She's my sister."
"And she'd be willing to do this?"
"If I asked, yes."
"Will you ask?"
"I would."
"Great."
***
Starscout waited patiently alongside the other operatives. It might take a while before Operative Storm is allowed entry. She took the momentary respite to analyze the terrain and the castle's exterior as best she could. Maps and diagrams can tell a pony a lot, but looking at it in the flesh, even from a distant mountaintop, can bring a newer perspective.
There was a loud cheer coming from the fortress. It appears Operative Petals has arrived on scene and the target is thoroughly enthralled. Distraction completed. Now for the potentially harder part. Since their diagrams and maps are of a different era from when the castle was first built, there is a possibility of the interior changing. However, Starscout had accounted for that and recruited Operative Trailblazer. One of the most, if not most, competent tracker and bodybuilder in their country. He sells the butler/bodyguard look very well.
***
Sunny trotted through Maretime Bay with a small smile. It's been a while since the last time she was here and the sea spray felt great on her fur again. She shook her head and pressed on. This wasn't the time to be dilly dallying. She made a beeline to the local Sheriff's Station. She tampered down another whimsical smile as she knocked on the doors.
"Come in!"
Sunny took a deep breath and pulled the doors open. Behind the desk sat a very surprised Hitch.
"Sunny!" The doofus scrambled out of his seat and all but tackled Sunny, landing the two of them in a heap on the floor. "It's been forever! How are you?"
"I'm great!" The enthusiasm felt forced. It probably was. That made Sunny wince. Hitch frowned. Damn. He noticed.
"Are you sure Sunny? We've been best friends ever since foalhood, I know you. Just tell me what's wrong." He then sat there, patiently.
"Well...my job."
"Right, you're in the military."
"Yeaaaah...not really. Well, yes, I am. But, I'm more than military." Sunny hesitated, unsure wether or not this was considered to be a breach in her contract. Then she remembered what the brass had said. Sunny, no, Starscout steeled her nerves and plowed through, like a true earth pony. "I'm spec ops and there is this job that I've been tasked with that might end the war. I have come in ask of your talents in tracking and navigation. I am in need of your well toned body to sell a ploy. I have considered other possibilities, however, you are the most viable pony for this job. It will be incredibly dangerous, however, I believe the rewards are worth it." She paused and looked at the target anxiously.
He nodded once. "Got it. When and where do you need me?"
"Now. I'm giving you 30 minutes to pack essentials, then we are leaving."
***
The beauty behind the Butler is that by their very nature and training, they are felt but never seen nor heard. They are invisible without being inconspicuous. They can traverse the halls of a foreign castle without being stopped. If the plan was to be followed, Operative Trailblazer would have maneuvered his way through the winding halls of the castle and into a room where the controls are. He is to temporarily shut down a specific matrix which would then disable one of the scanners for a few seconds. This will allow Operative Storm to sneak over the walls. This method will also make the operators not concerned as the assumption will be slight interference with the terrain or some other explanation.
Then, if it went accordingly, Operative Trailblazer would've provided a personal maid outfit for Operative Storm and the two would split up. Operative Trailblazer would make his back to Operative Petals' side to keep up appearances. Even butlers have their limits. Operative Zipp, in the meantime, will make her way to Control Headquarters. The method is up to her, although Starscout prefers it to be gentle and subtle, and the sensors will be shut down. Starscout spent a month alone teaching Operative Storm the various ins and outs of a system like that one in order to make sure that Operative Storm would not be able to make a mistake in the process of shutting down the sensors without triggering anything.
And just like that, an hour after Operative Petals' concert started, a small flash of orange light bounced off a window before cutting it off. That signaled that the sensors had been successfully turned off and now it was the three's turn. Operative Brightdawn casted a spell without much flair. Without warning, the three skyrocketed into the air and past the cloud layer. The spell released its hold on the ponies and they soon found themselves falling. While they've practiced this specific move to death, it still has Starscout on edge. Right before they plummeted to their deaths, however, the three landed softly on the cloud layer.
***
"Special Operative Sunny Starscout requests an audience with the Archmage Opaline Arcana!" Starscout bellowed at the base of a very tall tower. Inside housed the sole Alicorn of the country as well as the most powerful mage to have existed in a millennia. However, she was not the pony Starscout was looking for. The double wooden doors opened to reveal a timid cyan unicorn.
"The Archmage Opaline Arcana accepts your request, Special Operative Sunny Starscout." The target bowed and exited to the left while gesturing to the spiraling staircase on the right. Starscout obliged. Twenty floors later, the two arrived at the top where the purple Alicorn awaited.
"Special Operative. What is your purpose here?" There was a silence, one that Starscout was willing to let linger. Then the Archmage smiled ruefully. "You may speak."
"Your Holiness, I have been tasked to infiltrate Sibylline Fortress. I am in need of one of your students in order to make my plan come to fruition." Starscout bowed then stood straight up and looked the Archmage dead in the eye.
"One of my students you say." The Archmage inspected an abnormal object before returning the gaze. There was a mirage of a flickering flame dancing in her irises. It entranced Starscout, but she knew better. She kept her willpower strong and continued the contact. The Archmage smirked after a stretch. "I like you. Yes, you may have one of my students. Knowing you Special Operative types, you already know which one you want. You have my blessing to take them. You are dismissed."
"Very well, Your Holiness." Starscout bowed once again and pivoted to look at her target. "Misty Brightdawn, you have been chosen."
"Misty." Starscout could practically hear the devious smile in the Archmage's voice. "An interesting choice. Go, Misty. And do tell me what happened when you return."
"Your Holiness." The two bowed before exiting.
***
The three ponies half galloped and half bounced their way across the clouds. In her head, Starscout made mental calculations and on the fifth hundred bounce, she had her team stop. She poked her head through the clouds and sure enough, they were right on top of the castle. She popped back up and nodded once to Operative Brightdawn. The unicorn nodded back before releasing the cloud walking spell. The three plummeted.
While they fell, Starscout motioned for the three to grab onto each other. It took some finagling, but they were able to latch onto each other and made a triangle out of their spread out bodies. Their freefall slowed a tiny bit due to drag, but it didn't contribute all that much. The courtyard beneath them was packed with ponies enjoying the concert and there was a small moment in which Starscout did not believe they would make it, but Operative Brightdawn eased those worries with a small silent blast that pushed them slightly towards their target landing spot. The roof of the castle came ever closer and just before it seemed like it was the end, Operative Brightdawn unleashed her magic once again and the three gracefully slowed to a halt before being softly let down on top of the roof.
The moment her hooves touched the roof tiles, Starscout made a dash to the edge of the roof that faced the opposite direction of the concert. Behind her, Operative Moonbow followed quickly. Operative Brightdawn was left to hide and recover form her mana exhaustion. Starscout dangled off the roof's edge for a spell before launching herself to a window that was left open by either Operative Trailblazer or Operative Storm. She scrambled in as quietly as possible and made space for Operative Moonbow to do the same. Once the two had their footing did Operative Moonbow cast her spell, effectively cloaking the two.
***
Starscout marched into prison with a goal in mind. The guards let her through without much trouble, one even offered her a cup of coffee. Starscout refused and continued forward. She stopped in front of Cell 14. Inside, a magenta unicorn lounged on a straw mat. Next to her lay a pony made out of metal and wood parts.
"Izzy Moonbow, otherwise known as Sneaksy."
"Sunny Starscout, I finally get to meet you!" The target jumped up with a large grin. She even spread her forelegs wide as if she was going to give her a hug through the bars. "What can I do for you, Special Operative?"
"I have a job. If you are to comply and execute your function, your sentence will be reduced considerably."
"How much is considerably?" The target giggled and tilted her head back in a very awkward looking position.
"Considerably."
"...Sounds reasonable. Count me in!" The target patted the fake pony before marching to the bars with an ecstatic grin. "What do you want me to do, Special Operative?"
"Quite simple. You just need to cloak me and you in that mystery."
"Ooooh, I do love using my mystery. Count me in!."
"You already said that."
"Well, now I'm in twice!"
***
Shrouded in mystery, the two made their way past guards and the help who were not able to leave their posts and into Control Headquarters. There, they met Operative Storm who was lounging on a pile of unconscious ponies. She held up an empty sleeper gas container for an explanation and gestured that there wasn't much time left. Starscout nodded and motioned that the two continue forward, after giving Operative Storm a headpiece.
They met up with Operative Trailblazer and together, down into the castle they delved. Starscout shuddered at the thought of what they might've had to do this without Operative Trailblazer's uncanny knowhow to navigate tricky terrain or nigh impossible mazes. What might've taken them an hour, it took only 20 minutes to reach the bottom and the Vault Room. Starscout tapped on her microphone which then bounced into Operative Storm's ears. She tapped back and then released the timed lock on the vault. Starscout motioned for the other two to remain there while she entered the vault.
Inside, it was a large room with too many secured hard drives under lock and key, both digital and analog. Starscout, however, was a Special Operative. She quickly spotted the safe that she needed and got to work. She picklocked and hacked her way through the defenses with ease and soon enough, came out of the vault with the hard drive in tow. She tapped the microphone and the vault was locked once again. The three made their way back up. Operative Trailblazer split off from them and Operative Storm joined them after placing a timer on the reset of the sensors.
Quickly and under the guise of mystery, the three got on top of the roof where Operative Brightdawn was waiting for them, rested and ready. A quick flash of magic later, the four were on top of the cloud layer once again and the four bounded or flew their way West where safety lay. Underneath the cloud layer, Operative Petals was finishing her concert and Operative Trailblazer defended her verbally and physically, made a few excuses to the Baron that she was needed elsewhere, and essentially hustled the two of them out of there. They were on the carriage Westbound within 30 minutes.
Hours later, they were safe and they all returned to their respective housing.
