The Black Squirrel Brigade

How long can a secret be kept,

Once part of it has been revealed?

Whether it was on purpose,

Or by accident,

Eventually, it will all be known.

It was a few years into the Great War and the Changelings had pushed Equestria past their original fall backline that had been established, but a new one has since been established, which is currently where the United Ponies Alliance sits. As expected, the Changeling push had stalled, which slowed their advance until it finally came to a halt. In that time, the Equestrian army and air corps had grown into a sizable force, but it still wasn’t enough to push back into their stolen land.

The past few months had devolved into trench warfare between the two sides, spanning the entire front lines. Currently, the two sides sat between the Ruby River and Twilight River, an expansive swath of land barren of any features but endless plains. It was here that the trench lines dug into the earth, scaring it.

In the far south, at Mead Lake, Equestria was able to hold off the Changelings since the beginning of the war. Equestria finally ended up pulling back and fortifying it and it currently had the most expensive trench network anywhere in the world, along with having seen the most destruction. There were no trees around the current line, the soil had turned into mush and life no longer lived there besides the changelings and ponies that killed each other.

Up in the far north, the Changelings were still pushing into the Crystal Empire, but slower. The Changelings currently were fighting for the city of Hedgewards, the Crystal Empire’s southernmost city, while the Emerald Piedmont Mountain pass had been taken, which was one of the two passes into the yak’s country.

Near Hedgewards though, in Equestria, was a small city called Chicoltgo. It sat on the western side of the Twilight River, which was currently under Changeling control. As it stood now, Equestria held the western side of the river from the city, where the army was dug into trenches and bunkers. It was expected that once Hedgewards fell, this location would be next, as it would allow for the railway system to be connected between the two cities, letting the Changelings have a new city to fortify in and stage their next pushes out of.

But as it currently stood, Equestrian intel said that the city of Chicoltgo wasn’t that well defended as the main Changeling panzer unit that held it, was currently helping with the advance into Hedgewards. Because of this development, Equestrian high command had issued orders for a counter assault into the city by the 22nd ‘Everfree’ Division. They were the ones who were stationed across the river, but due to concerns about the strength of the division, special help was coming in to back them up, along with massive aerial support.

The plan was to push into the city and hold the western side, which had originally been fortified by the Equestrian army before they were pushed out. It would be then, once they held the city again, to defend it against the expected panzer division that originally held the city, but this time with help from the air corps, which they hadn’t had when they originally lost the city.

“SECOND SQUAD, GATHER UP!” Staff Sergeant Watch suddenly yelled out as he entered the bunker. Sergeant Shadow followed in after Watch and stood with him.

Suddenly, everypony within the bunker scurried to attention, dropping playing cards, books, and waking from their naps, or whatever else it was they were doing.

“We have just gotten orders from command that we’re going to be assaulting the city tomorrow. I need everypony to be ready before sunrise to head out. That’s when we’re heading out. That’s the brief explanation. Does anypony have any questions?” SSG. Watch asked.

Of course, there were questions, which prompted Pvt. Gust to raise a hoof. “Yeah, Staff Serg, what’s the long explanation?”

Watch waited for any other questions to arise before he sighed given that only Pvt. Gust had been one to ask a question. All of the other Pvt’s looked at Watch in anticipation of an answer, given it’s what they all wanted to ask. Watch was never keen on giving details which everypony in the squad hated, but that’s why they always relied on Gust to ask.

“Map.” Watch asked for, which prompted Shadow to dig through a satchel she wore before finally taking out a paper map.

Watch took it with his telekinesis and moved over to the table the others had been playing cards at and placed the map down, clearing cards and mugs out of the way, which more than likely disrupted whatever game the others were playing.

“Well? Gather around. You wanted a longer explanation, so I’ll give one.”

With that, everypony else started to gather around the table, some choosing to sit while others chose to stand. Watch and Shadow chose to stay standing.

The map Watch laid out on the table was of the city Chicoltgo and the surrounding areas from the east and south. On it, their own position were labeled, along with railways and enemy fortifications that were believed to be in the city.

Watch tapped the table a few times. “Ok, listen. The general plan as of right now that I’ve been told is this. Right before sunrise, we’ll have three Muletilda’s and two Stallion tanks roll over the trench crossing, at that time, once the last tank crosses over, us, along with all of 1st Company and 2nd company, will follow them across the bridge and setup on the southern side of the city. 3rd and 4th Company will do the same with the remainder of the tanks and set up on the eastern side of the city after crossing the bridge after us. Once we push into the outer parts of the city, the 5th company will come in behind us and push west while we continue north. 8th Company will push north once 3rd and 4th take the outer parts of their section. We’ll have direct artillery support if we make it to the western side of the city, until then, they’ll do fire missions on the western road.

We’re going to have a bunch of birds flying about if it gets hot up there, so we’re going under modified flight rules for all you pegasus. Unlike the low clouds you can use like normal, you’re restricted below fifty feet once the operation begins.”

As everypony listened on, there was some quiet complaints from the pegasus in the squad, but they remained quiet as Pvt. Snow pointed at the map.

“But what about the direct approach from the main road? Why do we have to go to the south and push in? That’s going to take a few hours just to set up before we’re all in position. Shouldn’t we send someone through that point?”

Watch had a frustrated expression form as he heard that question. It was a big oversight that was clearly in the plans he just explained, which now meant he had to further explain stuff. “Some random battalion is going to come in and push that direction, which brings up another thing I have to say.”

Watch had to clear his throat as he looked around the bunker at all the watchful eyes. “Whoever this battalion is, we aren’t allowed to ask questions. They’ll show up before tomorrow, and when they do, we’ve been told it’s best to leave them alone. They’re going to hunker down with us in the trenches and be the last ones to go into position tomorrow. Of those that are taking the direct approach that is.

Now, Celestia forbid us we actually take any prisoners, but if we do, this new battalion is going to lend us soldiers for the southern and eastern approaches who’re going to be in charge of any POW’s. We will be forbidden from interacting with any prisoners and are to hoof any over to whoever is assigned to us for that duty. It might be one, it could be five, I don’t know. No questions.”

Pvt. Blaze proceeded to ask a question. “But why?”

“Listen Blaze, in this world’s chain of command, not everything is passed down to anypony below, currently, of everything I’ve told you, is everything I’ve been told and currently know. No, I’m not keeping some classified info from you or keeping you in the dark purposefully, fuckin’ if I could though, I just wasn’t told, neither was Lt. Pain or Captain Oddity. The only one who knows anything currently is the Colonel, but they’re going to wait until this new battalion is here to sort things out with them before we’re informed about anything further.”

Pvt. Gust spoke up again. “And what about tanks for this new battalion? If we’re using them all, what’re they using?”

“Nothing. They won’t have any.”

There was a bit of weird looks between the Pvt’s as they heard that answer but continued asking more questions, some regarding this new battalion and others about the actual plan.

Once Watch finished up explaining the plan to everypony and the others finished with their questions which had obviously began to annoy Watch, he dismissed everypony and left with the Sgt. Once the two had exited the bunker, everypony wandered back to their spots as before, only a few of them gathering at the table to talk.

“Flight restriction?! We haven’t been under a flight restriction in eight months!” Gust asked the group at the table as he joined them.

“When was the last time you even flew up past thirty feet Gust?” Jackpot said as she began fixing up all the cards for a new game.

Chaser had gone over to his lavender rifle and checked its ammo count before chambering a round into it and going back to the cot he’d been napping at. “Last night myself. The moon was above the clouds and was peaceful.”

“I was asking Gust ya’ dumbo.” Jackpot turned to Gust again and began tossing out cards to the others, including Gust. They had been quick to shuffle them with magic.

Gust looked irritated as he thought about it. “Featherfall?”

Jackpot broke out into a laughing fit as she finished hoofing out the cards.

“What!?”

“Gust!” Hazelblossom said over their excitement as they examined their card. “Featherfall was two years ago.”

Gust looked less irritated and more upset as it was blatantly said out loud.

“One.” Snow said.

“Hehehe- Then why’re you complaining about a flight restriction?” Jackpot asked. She had a straighter face as she examined her own card before she placed it down and wrote down the number one on a piece of paper.

“One.” Blaze said. Jackpot wrote his number down as well.

“Well of course you’d ask, you wouldn’t know. Imagine if you were restricted to using magic as a unicorn?”

“We’d have lost the war before winter ended?” Jackpot asked.

Gust was defeated by Jackpots answer so he finally decided to look at his own card. “What’s been called?”

“Two ones.” Snow said.

“Already? Damn. Pfft, zero.”

Jackpot wrote down Gust’s number.

“Zero.”

Jackpot wrote down Hazelblossom’s number.

“Yo! Let me join in if you haven’t started!” Moonshadow said as she scurried over to the table from their kit. She had been rushing to make sure it was all together after the meeting with the Staff Sergeant.

“We have already passed out Moon!” Snow yelled! A friendly yell at least.

“Just the top card! It doesn’t make any difference.”

Jackpot sighed and just took the top card of the deck and floated it over to Moonshadow.

“You had all night to fix your stuff together, don’t let ‘em join!” Snow said in protest towards Jackpot.

Snow shook his head as Moonshadow looked over their card.

“One.” Hazel said.

There was a look of concern and worry between all the ponies at the table, including Snow, after Hazel said their number.

“By Celestia’s!”

“Gods damn!”

“Holy f–”

Jackpot was busy going over the numbers on the paper, in disbelief herself. “Are you sure Hazel? Really? One?”

Hazel had a smug look as she stared Snow down. “Yeah, I’m sure.”

Jackpot wrote the number down and announced. “Well, we’re currently over two, so I’m allowed to say whatever I want.” There was a brief pause from her as she looked at her own card and the piece of paper. She didn’t answer right away.

“SHUT THE FUCK UP, YOU AREN’T SAYING ONE EITHER ARE YOU!?!” Blaze yelled out.

“KEEP QUIET YOU DUMBASSES! I’M TRYING TO NAP BEFORE WE EAT!” Rain said in anger as they sat up from their own cot. They had nearly fallen asleep before Blaze yelled out.

As the room quieted down for a second, Chaser came over and stood behind Jackpot and stared at her card, and all he could do was laugh.

“Well?” Gust asked.

“One.” Jackpot said.

The entire table went quiet. Everypony else who had said one before was deeply worried now. Gust slowly began breaking out in a laughing fit while Hazel just waited for the game to continue.

“We’re all fucked.” Snow said.

“First play, all cards down.” Moon said as she laid her own card down faceup on the table.

“Whatever.” Blaze said in pure defeat as he also tossed his card out.

Everypony else followed suit and as every card came out, everypony just stared into the abyss of the card pile after that.

At this point, the silence was so loud, even Rain got up from his cot and came over to look at the table.

The shock of seeing what cards were laid out was enough to wake him up fully.

“Y’all weren’t betting on this game, were you?” Rain finally asked.

“Cursed game. I’m out. Nope.” Blaze said as he quickly got up from the table leaving the rest behind as he went for his helmet and gun before going out into the trench with some smokes.

Gust was just shaking his head with the biggest smile.

Snow didn’t know what to do, but he was the second to ask a question. “Dude! Why’d you bet zero on a king of clubs!” He asked his question directed at Gust.

“Hehe. Cause I don’t wanna lose, that’s why.”

“You NEVER bet zero with a king of clubs on the first round. I thought you weren’t a unicorn!”

“I ain’t, just played the game correctly, and realized I did so correctly once Moon and Jackpot said one.”

“Yeah, fuck this, I’m also out.” Snow said as he got up and went over to his bag to get a book out.

“I guess that’s the game then. Looks like I won.” Jackpot said with a grin that finally formed.

“How the hell do you get all clubs from ace down to a nine on the first round?” Rain asked the group.

Gust also stood up from the game. “You don’t.” He then went for his helmet and gun before going outside to also join Blaze.

Rain looked at Jackpot once Gust left, wanting her to confirm his answer.

“The odds are there, but I’ve never seen it, so don’t ask me. I just play the game as well.” She said as she began gathering up all the cards.

“What...” Hazel said as she finally began snapping out of what just happened in the game.

After that, everypony left the table and went back to doing their own things. Chaser and Rain went back to their beds and fell asleep, while Jackpot began playing a different game of cards with Hazel and Moon.

Gust adjusted his helmet and rifle to his body, so they were comfortable and snug once he was outside. Gust was quick to find Blaze, who was standing next to the entrance of the bunker currently preparing a cigarette.

As Gust came over and joined Blaze, he eyed the cigarettes Blaze had, who in turn noticed and took one out and floated one over for Gust.

Now that the two had cigarettes, without saying much of a word to one another, Gust extended one of his wings out to shield Blaze’s lighter as he lit up his own cigarette. Once Blaze’s cigarette was lit, Blaze floated the lighter over to Gust’s cigarette, who was quick to shield their face with their wing as it was lit up.

Once lit, Gust’s wings returned to normal while Blaze put away the lighter.

Taking a long drag of the first puff, Gust let smoke plume out of his nose until he let whatever remained escape through his mouth. After that nice first breath, Gust went to having small sucks on it as he left it within his mouth, while Blaze had the luxury of taking it out between breaths as a unicorn. Gust hadn’t bothered with perfecting his telekinesis.

Neither of the two said anything to one another as they stood outside. It was quite peaceful besides the distant sound of artillery, though at this point, it could be considered peaceful to most front-line soldiers.

The sun by now was starting to set and the amount of light was quickly diminishing, which meant a drop in temperature. It was starting to be cold now once the sun dipped away, which meant warm clothing had to be worn at night, which was apparent as a few ponies who were making their way through the trench showed. They were already prepared for a chilly night of sentry duty.

“I don’t think we’ve ever assaulted a city before.” Blaze said once a cloud of smoke cleared from his nose.

“We assaulted a small town in the beginning of the war, but that was before you and Jackpot replaced Dino and Domino.”

“When’d we do that?”

Gust made his cigarette glow red for a moment before shrugging. “Last year?” Gust then let the smoke that had piled up.

“Huh.”

“Yeah.”

The two once again stood in silence as they finished off their first cigarettes, and once they did, they were quick to light up two more and start on those.

Gust adjusted his helmet before leaning back against the trench wall and closing his eyes.

Moonshadow appeared from the bunker, peering around for somepony, who was obviously Gust and Blazer. “Preserved apples or old rations?”

Gust let out a puff of smoke. “We don’t have any of that new shit?”

“We do, but we’re keeping it for tomorrow.”

Blaze chimed in. “Apples.”

“Apples as well.” Gust added.

And without another word, Moonshadow dipped back into the bunker.

And with that small interruption, the two went back to standing in silence as they enjoyed their cigarettes.

Eventually Gust had a small coughing fit. Once he recovered from it, he looked at Blaze. “Where did these come from?”

Blaze took the package out and inspected it. “Puerto Caballo.”

“Yeah, no shit, I mean where’d you get them.”

“Oh, before we got kicked out of the city.”

Gust finished a drag with another few small coughs. “They’re kind of shit.”

“Go see if another squad will lend us some then.”

Gust looked around the trench, looking for the next nearby squad’s bunker as he debated it. “They’re good enough.”

“Hmph.”

Suddenly, a pegasus hopped down into the trench from above, which brought on the looks of concern from Gust and Blaze.

“The fuck you doing up there?” Blaze asked.

“They’ve cluttered the trench further down.” The pegasus looked obviously frustrated as they had just flown above the trenches to where they currently were. Blaze and Gust looked confused at the answer.

“Who is?” Gust asked before going for another inhale.

The pegasus looked like they wanted to hurry along, but Gust’s question obviously held him up. “You know those reinforcements we’re getting?”

With a few simple nods from Gust and Blaze, the pegasus carried on. “Yeah, well a few of them were chatting with a lieutenant and wouldn’t budge. They’re weird. Just- I don’t know, weird.” And before any other questions could hold the pegasus up, he left.

Just as the pegasus left, Gust finished off his cigarette, so he tossed it into the mud and stomped it out.

Blaze got to work prepping another cigarette for Gust.

Just as Gust’s third cigarette was lit, Gust motioned down the trench, from the direction the pegasus had come.

As Blaze looked in the direction, was when he noticed the five masked ponies making their way down the trench line.

The presence the five ponies had as they walked wasn’t ordinary. As the five approached, Gust backed against the trench wall as much as possible to make sure they had clear passage. As Blaze noticed, he copied as well but to a lesser extent.

Once the five ponies made their way past Blaze and Gust, it was then that they noticed the five had no markings or identifications of any form donning their uniforms. The only thing they had was a simple black striped patch on their shoulders.

One of the masked ponies carried a bolt action, while three carried limestone smg’s, while the last carried one of Equestria’s newest guns, which Gust or Blaze hadn’t seen yet, an Everfree SLR, which was a select fire light machine gun. It looked fancy.

None of the masked ponies acknowledged Gust or Blaze though. Only their eyes were visible between the mask and helmets they wore.

As they carried on and eventually made their way further down the trench and disappeared, Gust and Blaze looked at each other, until a smaller group of masked ponies started making their way down the trench.

As Blaze and Gust watched them this time, Gust blew out a cloud of smoke into the trench, which the masked ponies simply walked through without complaint.

After the second group went and passed, Gust looked down the trench to see if there was anything special down that way while Blaze looked up the trench, to see if anymore were coming. When nothing apparent happened, the two looked back at one another.

“The fuck was that?” Gust asked.

Blaze looked concerned from the situation, and with habit, he tossed his own cigarette butt to the ground and stomped it out. “Did you catch what unit they were with?”

“They didn’t have anything. Nothing. Just a random ass black strip on their shoulders. Did you see that?”

“Yeah, I saw that, but was that it? No ranks, names, nothing. I don’t think I even saw any dog tags.” Blaze said as he looked back up the trench in anticipation of more showing up.

And just as before, Moonshadow popped up from the bunker and smiled as she looked at Blaze and Gust with a smile. “Dinners prepped!” And without waiting for any response, she disappeared back into the bunker.

Without questioning the situation anymore, Gust put his cigarette on a wood beam for safe keeping until later. “As you said, fuck this, I’m out.” And Gust decided to join with the others inside of the bunker for dinner.

Blaze followed suit, but not before taking a hit off Gust’s cigarette. He knew Gust wasn’t coming back for it.

Jackpot and Hazelblossom were at this point the last two playing a game of cards while Snow was still busy reading while they all ate. Everypony else was sitting around listening to what Gust and Blaze were talking about regarding the strange ponies from outside.

“It was weird, like that pegasus had said, they were all wearing masks, so all you could see were their eyes. They all had plane helmets, no liners or netting, all with standard uniforms but with no markings but a single black stripe on their shoulder that I could notice as they walked past.” Gust said.

“I think one had their mask down actually.” Blaze chimed in through a mouth full of preserved apples.

“Which one? Were they in the first or second group?”

“Second.”

Gust thought about it for a moment. “They may have been looking down, right?”

“Mhmm.” Blaze mumbled through the apples.

“So, they’re the random battalion the staff sarg talked about?” Rain asked.

“I think so, I mean, who else would it be? They fit the bill of ‘no questions’.” Gust said.

“So, did you try asking them any questions?” Snow asked.

“They didn’t even seem irritated to the smoke ol’ wings blew at them.” Blaze said.

“But no, we didn’t. They just marched on through without a care in the world. They didn’t even acknowledge us. Not even a single eye glanced at us.” Gust added.

“Well, do you know where they went or where they were going?” Moonshadow asked as they stuffed themselves with preserved apples.

“Nah, we were just smoking out there. The only other ponies we saw just walked past off to wherever, that pegasus from the top and the black stripes.” Blaze said.

“Is that what you’re going to call them? Black stripes?” Gust asked.

“They were wearing black stripes and nothing else. What else would I call them?” Blaze asked back.

Gust just gave a shrug as he focused back on eating his apples.

“Well, whatever you want to call them, they were weird. I’m sure you’ll think the same thing once you see them yourselves.” Blaze concluded as he finished off his preserved apples with some water. They were quite dry.

“You know, one of them had that inverted gun that was just developed.” Gust added in real fast.

“Oh! The Everfree!” Rain asked. “Production of it only recently started. We probably aren’t going to see one ourselves for a few months then.”

“And this random group of ponies have one?” Moonshadow asked.

“At least one did. They still had bolties though.” Gust said.

“I’ve been itching to see an Everfree though. I’ve been curious since I heard the rumors about it.” Rain said.

“Why don’t you go off and ask them then?” Chaser asked.

Rain had to think about that for a moment, his bed catching his eye a few times as he did. “I’m done with eating, screw it.” And without much thought to that question, he was quick to stand up, gather up whatever he might need for leaving the bunker, along with whatever leftover apples he had left, and made his way out.

But before Rain could leave, Gust was quick to try and slow him down verbally.

“You should hold up for a moment though Rain. What we saw from when they walked past and from what the staff sergeant said, we really probably shouldn’t bother them. They really might not be worth the hassle if there’s something going on with them.” Gust said.

“You really think that we couldn’t ask them about the weapons they have? If we’re about to attack a city, that’s something I’m sure we’re fine knowing about them. We can’t be keeping secrets from ourselves now, can we?” Rain asked as he still did his best to scurry off into the trench.

Gust didn’t do much else, but Blaze yelled out instead. “They went left, but if they kidnap you, that means I can date your sister without permission, right?”

There was no response from Rain as he reared left out of the bunker once outside, either ignoring or not hearing Blaze’s comment.

“Well off he goes I guess.” Gust mumbled.

“You think they’ll harvest his horn?” Moonshadow asked.

“Probably just his organs.” Chaser said.

“Well, whatever-”

And not even a moment after Rain left, gunfire erupted outside in the distance.

With the turn of heads towards the exit, Rain came bolting back inside as some ponies ran past him yelling along the same thing. “ENEMY ATTACK!”