Sunrise over Equestria

As Walker and Patton got back to the barn the sun was just starting its downward decent. They opened the door to the makeshift base and shouted word of their triumph over hunger in the most medieval way they could. “Hear ye my fair warriors we bring food of plenty. Start a fire and prepare the feast!” Yelled Walker

“We bring word of a treaty with a small pony in the wood, a window to talk through into town.” Patton said relaying the info of his brother helping the small pony. They talked over what he did and decided that it could be a good thing. Though… they would have to try and keep them self’s under the radar. If anything or one came by they would have to hide… that is if she let them come around her little cottage again.

“Good job guys, this’ll work for now.” Matt said walking up,” Now how about this treaty?” he asked curiously.

“On our way back we found a little pony in the woods sobbing over her pets. I looked for them and helped her. We think this might, MIGHT, help us get around here.” Walker said.

“We thought maybe Walker could take a team up there and try and work something out… Me, you, and him leave or seconds here to command and watch out?” Patton threw out. Matt nodded and agreed.

“Tomorrow at noon, we make for this place and see what it’s about. Now one quick question; why are you taking us? Couldn’t you take your own men?” As Walker formulated his answer Patton spoke.

“The branches. We got three branches and that’ll cover all fields. You got air, Air Force and the high ground. I am army or the ground. The lower parts of the battle, ya know? Then Walker has the ground and the sea; Aquatic stuff and the other half of the ground plus a little bit of the air. The Marines are part Navy so we got all of it.” He answered the airman. Matt nodded and walked away.

“One more thing,” He asked. “Why the fuck is Walker wearing a bear skin rug?” He asked grinning.

They all started laughing, even the most rough assed of soldiers cracked up. With that they all headed to their small sleeping areas. The night was quick and progressed just so.

As they got up so did the flames of a fire and the thumping of boots on the ground. All the troops were doing something just to fill space. Some were working on the barn or cleaning their rifles.  Most were enjoying a nice breakfast of rations and bear meat…not that great.

Walker was tweaking the sights on his ACOG scope; trying to make the sights more accurate at long range.  Him along with Matt and Patton had all joined and signed to train as snipers. After a while they got their fill and wanted to get into the fight. Though… Walker did keep a scope in his bag and always tried keeping his combat scope at the furthest range he could. Since this mission was a stealth op he and all the others had silencers in their tac-pacs. He certainly hoped it was just going to be a pick up but the enemy hated plans it seemed.

On the roof Matt was looking over the countryside opposite of the town. He saw a dessert in the distance and remembered the hatred of Afghanistan. He remembered a small town his squad camped in where the locals were nice enough. They helped them hide their vehicles and scout the area… until one day. They were ordered to camp until further notice and just watch for any movement.

So they sat and looked through the dessert.  Always keeping note of anything weird; they decided to switch positions and let second squad or the other half of their team keep watch the road. As they moved to their makeshift base across the little town. A load rumbling came from down the street. A car with a local inside. Upon a closer look they saw the vest he wore was a bomb.

“BOMB!” someone yelled as they all jumped to the side. He shot past and into a building where he hit the detonator and the car exploded. At that moment as many other moments throughout the history of war it seemed that all hell actually broke loose and released its self upon them. Mortars rained down from all around and gun shots could be heard.

They ran for the small reinforced building they called a shit-hole but now it was sanctuary and the place they could be safe for even a second. Bullets whizzed by and impacted on random objects. As they ran civilians and ducked into houses. They knew the peace here wouldn’t last long; they were behind enemy lines as the normal role of a Tactical Positioning unit would disclose. This was different though; this location was devoid of any activity from the enemy, ANY ENEMY. The militias were gone, the Taliban didn’t need the area or care about its people, the religious quacks didn’t care; there was no church for miles in this place. Closest thing to an enemy was a rude old man who didn’t care to strongly because they were Christian and didn’t believe Muhammad yet accepted them for accepting god.

They raced to the base as a pair of trucks raced behind them. Now insurgents in a truck not that bad right? Right, unless they have a fucking machine gun on the back. Technicals as they are called are shitty pick-ups with old .50’s on the back. The trucks shot after them and fired the large guns straight at them. Now they were inaccurate but the bullets could be felt flying past them and impacting on the ground.

As they reached the building and ran in two men looked over the top of the small building and shot the gunners and drivers. “Command this is dark bird. We are flying on clipped wings here. We have at least sixty plus foot mobiles advancing on us. Heavy mortar fire is eminent. Back up requested; do you read?” said the comms operator into the radio.

“This is command dark bird we read. All force are currently engaged and cannot lend support. BUT there is a SEAl detachment in your area heading that way ETA five minutes. Be advised we will require you act while they move.”

“Understood command, Boys you heard him move out!” He said. They made for either the latter or the back door. Matt ran for the back looking over to see his battle buddy a guy named Heart just behind him. Heart was a good guy he always kept a heart poker card in his helm through a rip that had formed while in the field. The guy was his recruiter back home and now his best friend in the field beside the twenty year difference in their age.  As they filed out they ran for a near building. Smashing in the door they cleared the place and set up near the door till they heard footsteps.

“FRAG OUT MOTHER FUCKERS!” yelled one of the point guys tossing a grenade into the center of the insurgents. The explosion took out most of the bad guys and the assault rifles took out the others. That was fifteen down and 45 to go plus the mortar crews. But… where’d the fire from the mortars go.

“Heard you boys needed some help.  We decided to come and lend a hand. Going to have to skip the introductions looks like another wave is heading that way.” Said the seal over their radios. As they looked the guys on the rooftops saw a few flashes from the mountain and then insurgents were falling left and right. 40 left good. They went on the offensive. Pushing the enemy back and mopping up the stragglers.

When the smoke cleared and the cheering started Matt saw a group kneeling around someone. He walked close and finally saw the face of the guy. Heart was lying with a large bullet wound in his vest just above his heart. He was twitching and bleeding horribly. “M-matt h-here…” he said sticking out his hand. Matt reached forward tears in his eyes and streaming down his face. Heart gave him two things; one was one of his tags and the other was his playing card.

“I-I can’t take this man. I can’t...I” he trailed off sobbing clutching the items as Heart slowly faded into death. “NO, NO YOU CAN’T DIE HEART YOU CAN’T MAN THIS AIN’T RIGHT! YOUR WIFE AND KIDS MAN! DON’T FUCKING DIE MAN!” He screamed punching the ground in anger.

“He’s gone man…I’m sorry but he’s dead. We gotta move….” Said the SEAL walking up and putting a hand on his shoulder. He was unresponsive; all he did was stare blankly at the ground. “Ok… come on give him some space guys...” he said backing the surrounding soldiers away.

Matt just sat there for what seemed like hours. Eventually he got up and walked to their base camp.

The funeral was slow and silent. All his men gave their final respects and fell in line as the squad firing team gave the twenty-one gun send off. As they left Matt stood and dropped a pack of playing cards with a combat knife through the top into the grave. This pack was different though...  it was filled with nothing but hearts. He walked away and let the diggers fill the grave. He was...better now.