Battle for Equestria

"Confessions"

08:02

"Stinger"

Mane 6 team

ENS Celestia, Medical Wing

UEAF

"Identity scan required... Scan complete. Welcome, Warrant Officer Stinger."

I was in the hospital wing of the ship. it was almost overflowed with patients. From small stuff like a cold or a few scratches to bigger and more severe stuff like missing limbs and broken bones. I was there to visit Butterfly, or Fluttershy as most of you would probably recognize. During one of our other missions, a team of DEA demolitionists blew up one of their abandoned bunkers right before she could get out. Her back's burned very badly. Celestia knows if she would ever be able to fly again.

D-2... Where's the D hall? Oh wait, there it is.

It took me a pretty long time, but after a while, I found a way to the D hall. She was in a medium-size bed next to a drawer. The drawer had some flowers with balloons attached to it. Some were plain colors while others had messages on it, mostly get well messages anyway. The D hall rooms had a beautiful view of the ocean. All rooms in the hospital wing were built on sort of a gyroscopic ball on the ship so the patients wouldn't fall out of their beds or get seasickness. A mare was sitting on a stool next to her bed. She had a white lab coat on with glasses. She appeared to be giving Butterfly a shot. She turned to me.

"Am I interrupting anything?" I asked.

"Not at all." said the mare in the lab coat. She turned back to Butterfly and said, "Ok. Now just take these shots twice a day and your back should heal very quickly."

"Thank you."

"Of course. Now, I'll let you talk with your friend there. Call me over if you need anything."

She then left, leaving me alone with Butterfly. For a few seconds, it was quiet, but then I brought out the picture of me I found in her medi-pack.

"Was there something you wanted to talk about?" she asked.

"I came to give this back." I gave her the picture. She began to blush.

"How did you get that?"

"I found it in your medi-pack when you burned your back there. How's it feeling?"

"It could be worse."

"Good to hear."

More silence. But I gained enough strength to do what I really came here for.

"Hey, Butterfly. Do you like me?"

She turned right towards me, seeming sort of both shocked and flattered. She didn't say anything at first. All she did was look out the window to look at the passing waves. But finally, she answered, "Yes, I do." I couldn't believe it. For once, a mare I liked liked me too! Happy day!

"R-really?"

"Oh yes. Ever since I first saw you at the UEAF recruitment camp near Manehatten."

"Wow..."

Then, the intercom picked up a voice. It was the commanding officer and third-in-command of the UEAF, Shining Armor. His codename is Gleaming Bullet.

"Warrant Officer Stinger. Please report to the bridge."

"I guess I should go see him."

I looked at Butterfly, who was staring at me. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll let you rest now. I'll drop by later today, ok?"

I was just about to walk out the door when something grabs my hoof. A chill ran up my spine. I turned back to see Butterfly holding my hoof. Her beautiful, slim pink mane covered her left eye, leaving only one eye visible and complimenting her shy personality. I loved that about her. I felt like I melted. That's when I realized that she was out of her bed. I immediately jumped and walked her back to the bed.

"Don't do that to me, Butterfly. You scared the hell outta me! Now come on. You can't be out of your bed yet."

"I'm sorry. I just didn't want you to go."

"I"ll stop by later. We can talk more then. Ok, Butterfly?"

"Ok. And, it's Fluttershy."

"Facial scan required. Insert face into scan area."

I placed my face on the scanning panel. A green line went up and down. But it didn't irritate my eyes. Blinking will mess up the scan. There was a incident where one of the soldiers accidentally blinked, which made the scan incomplete and faulty. The automated defense system opened fire on him. I'm sure you know what happened after that.

"Facial scan complete. Acces granted."

The door slid open. Fleet Admiral Shining Armor was talking with the rest of my team.

I saluted. Shining Armor saluted back.

" As I was saying, the Black Sea fleet has reported being ambushed by a squadron of DEA helis and IDAV Hydras."

"But how in tarnation did they get that kind of technology? They're pretty outdated when it comes to war tech." said Bucker.

"I'm not sure. But Bucker, you're the team engineer, am I right?"

"Yes siree."

"Ok, good. After you land on the ship, you and the ship engineers will repair the automated anti-aircraft launchers. That will give us a huge advantage over the DEA."

Something popped in my head. "But sir, what about DEA soldiers that are already onboard?"

"You're the Mane 6 team right? Surprise me."

"Yes, sir!"

"They have requested backup. But all units in the area are either engaging DEA scouts or dead. I want you all to assist Rear Admiral Babs Seed long enough for our URVs to transport the survivors out of harm's way."

Sparkler spoke up. "Consider it done, sir."

"Very good. You will deployed in 60 minutes. Dismissed."

Barracks

My squad mates were on their bunks, preparing for the mission. Rainboom was already suited and was on her phone, listening to music. I was putting on my helmet, which contained a picture of my family inside, when I spotted a note on my bunk. It had three butterflies on the envelope. All soldiers in the UEAF are required to have their real cutie marks on any form of message to verify that it is not a trap. Spies are known to make fake notes that have mini-bombs. Mini-bombs aren't exactly big, but the explosion is big enough to kill anypony holding the bomb. I opened the envelope.

Dear, Stinger

I heard that you and the rest of the team are heading out to save Rear Admiral Babs. I just wanted to let you know that I hope you succeed.  Be careful. Please stay safe. For me, please? I hope I can get back in bed without anypony seeing me. Probably not, but it's worth a try.

-Butterfly

I couldn't help but chuckle. I finished packing and switching to my suit. I still had time, so I began loading bullets into my J58 Stingray Assault Rifle. After what felt like a million years, a voice spoke from the speaker.

"Mane 6 team. You are needed in the launch bay F3. All units report as soon as possible."

I grabbed my helmet and rifle and started for the launch bay. I was facing death in the eyes all over again.