Like a Bullet from a Gun

Alex was making his way down the corridor that lead to the courtyard, and he had a lot of things on his mind. Most of it was along the lines of 'I'm in charge of a squad of ponies. Mother could you see me now.', but one thing was really bothering him. Since he had been given a new squad, would he still be able to see his own? Having a large platoon at his command was admirable from his standpoint but Alex always had had a special connection with the people he had worked with. Daniel, for example. Alex and he had known each other since university, and they both pursued the military track career. The face that Alex had when he saw Daniel in the recruiting centre was a picture frame moment. When he enrolled, he met up with another four people. Rhod, Connor, Jacob and Adam. Jacob and Adam had been assigned to different squads years ago, and Alex could barely remember what they looked like. Alex was quickly jerked out of his daydreams by a voice protruding from behind him.

"Sir!"

Alex whipped round and saw a grey pony with a dark red mane, and in his forewrist (Alex had no idea what it was called) was a spear.

"I know you, Shockwave, wasn't it?"

"Correct, sir! Our squad advisor, Bronze Shielded, has requested that you attend a meeting with him. The squad has been asked to come along as well."

"Okay, lead the way, Shock. Also, don't call me sir. Call me Alex."

"Roger that, s- Alex!"

Alex then proceeded to follow Shockwave through the interlocking corridors that made up the Canterlot Palace Barracks. It turned out to be much larger than Alex thought, as it took nearly 25 minutes to reach the meeting room. Inside were a collection of other ponies, along with Rhod, Daniel and Connor. There was also the remainder of Alex's squad. A earth brown pony stepped up to Alex.

"Ah, you must be Alex."

His mane was a metallic grey, and had streaks of white running through it. The same was to be said for his tail.

"And you must be Bronze Shielded."

"You catch on quick dear boy. Now, please take a seat. We have a pressing matter we must attend to."

Alex sat down next to Cyclone, and proceeded to listen to Bronze.

"Now, I know it is very quick of me to ask you of this, considering you have only been enlisted one day, but we have some distressing news to turn to. A changeling hive has been sighted to the north of Appaloosa, and we need you to clear it out. Are you up to it?"

There was a corresponding cheer of 'Yes sir!'s from everybody, except Rhod. He looked pale, and he was writhing in his seat worriedly.

"What's the matter Rhod? Please don't tell me changelings are immortal now..." inquired Alex.

"They're not immortal, just they are... disturbing, to say the least. From what I've seen in the show, they can turn people into zombies. I don't wanna become a zombie!"

"You're not gonna turn into a zombie. Simple as that. Now buck up, "Die for Peace", remember?"

"Yea. Die for Peace." said Rhod, as he bro fisted Alex.

"That reminds me," said a familiar voice. "Why do you all have the same cutie mark? And on your foreleg? Fascinating."

"Miss Heartstrings," began Bronze. "May I ask how in tarturus did you get into the barracks?"

"I have my methods. Alex?"

"They are not cutie marks. They are tattoos."

"Ta... toos?"

"Umm, how do I put this, since humans can't get cutie marks, they are like manual cutie marks. They don't represent our talents though."

"Yea," chuckled Connor. "I can't see a human's special talent being the Chinese word for soup."

Alex snickered.

"How would that even be a talent?"

"Ah-hem." said Bronze. "May I remind you you are still in a military establishment?"

Alex gulped. "You sound exactly like Merit... Fuck."

"Merit?"

"Look in the dictionary. Ass. 1. A species of donkey. 2. An insult, e.g. 'Charlie Merit is an ass.'"

"Oh, for my own sake i'm just not going to delve into this."

"Good idea."

"Back to buisness, you will dropped off near the hive via sky chariot. Daniel, your squad will flank the hive to the right. Connor, the left. Rhod, your squad, them being pegasi, will provide air support. Alex, your squad being the bulk, will attack through the main hive enterance. Understood?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good. You set off at 0500 tomorrow. I suggest that tonight you prepare."

Alex was in the shared storage room, where Celestia had place their weapons, ammo and supplies. He was checking over his list of essentials.

"Rifle, check. Pistol, check. 10 clips of ammo for each, check. Matches, check. Glowlights, check. Silencers, check. All clear."

"Alex," began Connor. "Do you really have to read your checklists out loud?"

"It helps me concentrate."

"Whatever. It pisses me off."

"Everything pisses you off, Derps."

"How many times have I told you not to call me that? You know that I dropped out of college."

"That's the whole goddamn point."

"Well stop it."

"Free country, dude."

"You don't know that! We are in Equestria, remember?"

"Equestri-wha?"

"Equestria. It's the name of the continent."

"Wow. Derps has a measurable intelligence. That's new."

All that came from Connor was a low growl, close to that of a threatened cat. Alex looked down at his bag. The bag had been lent to him from Celestia after the briefing. He noticed the pistol shining from the single light bulb in the room. That reminded him, how did ponies discover electricity? He glanced down at his watch. 11 pm.

"Hey, Connor?"

"Yea."

"Wanna grab our pistols and silencers and head out for some target practice? Gonna need as much skills as we are gonna get."

"Yes, I suppose. Come on."

And with that, the two made their way to the courtyard. To their surprise, when they arrived there, Rhod and Daniel were there. They were popping shots at the manikins, probably practising their skills aswell.

"Hey guys!" called out Alex.

As soon as Alex called this a gunshot was heard coming from Daniel.

"Dude, what the fuck?! I nearly shot someone!"

"Oopsie. Anyway, you here to practice your skills too?"

"Nah," replied Rhod. "We just wanted to fuck up some mainkins." His words were dripping liquid sarcasm.

Alex and Connor pulled up next to Rhod and Daniel. It was there after Alex had taken a few pop shots that he realized.

"Hey guys?"

"Yea?"

"I've only just realized, but this is the first time since yesterday that we have been together."

"So? It's only been a day."

"Yes, but remember that we are going to battle tomorrow. I'm not being pessimistic, but we may not be able to see eachother after this."

"Aww. Way to lighten the mood, dumbass."

"Ah. Daniel and his use of the word dumbass. Sometimes I wonder what my life would be like without you."

"You'd be fucking dead."

"Maybe."

"Anyway, what was your point?"

"I just want to say thank you to all of you, just in case we don't make it out tomorrow."

"Yea. Thanks, buddy."

"Thanks."

"Thank you."

And with that, they fired shots into the night, preparing for what to come next.