" AHHHHHHHH!". The pain in my leg only got worse as the sword went deeper. Level 3 was worse than level 2, way worse.

" Where are the other survivors?", the voice asked.

As much as I wanted to just scream it out, I held my tongue and waited for the newest form of torture. The blades, two now, pulled out of my legs and hid in the ceiling. More vomit wiggled its way out of my throat and splashed onto me, getting me to shudder from the feeling of it on me. Another whirring made me snap my neck to the right, where a club started its way towards me.

"How many survived?", the voice asked.

Again I said nothing, and the club smacked me across the face. On the opposite side it clubbed me again, and again, then my bloodied legs. I was just taking it, because I was not going to let these ponies get to me. When the beating stopped I could feel my cheeks swelling, and my eye had the feeling of a bruised one. Thankfully the club went back into the wall, bringing me my last torture device.

The stinger.

It was basically the ball of electricity, only more amped up. The only thing it did was make me vomit and twitch around crazily. But after the fire, the spears, daggers in my back, two swords, and a beating I could manage. I screamed, no doubt, but I pulled through.

The unlatching of the straps were music to my ears, and sluggishly I pulled myself out of the slightly less white room. The princess of the night healed me up again and I took myself to the showers. The best part about interrogation training was that once it was all done, I had the entire night to myself. And that I only had it once a week.

There were only a few bat ponies in the showers, since I start early. They still shoot me glares and some remarks, but other than that it's not so bad. Even Glider and Crawler got off my ass about me being ex-Solar. I let the hot water wash away the blood and vomit as I scrubbed it clear.

" Hey LT". I whipped around and saw Midnight smirking.

Okay look, I know what you're thinking. A regular stallion would eye this mare like a foal's tongue over a lollipop. Me, hay no. Being in the Solar Guard showed me that there were actually mares in service. I always stayed away from those showers, but some of my boys would get 'curious'. I'm no pervert, so I covered my stallionhood and made sure I could just barely see her.

" What are you doing here Midnight?!", I loudly said. " Don't you have your own shower?".

She walked into where I was looking, snickering slightly. " Nah, I'm the only mare so I shower with these boneheads", she nodded towards the exit. I turned back around and tried ignoring her. " C'mon LT, what happened in the Badlands?".

I spun around and got in her face, getting a small reaction from her. Why did she want to know so badly? And why couldn't she just let it go? I ignored how close I was getting and pressed my muzzle into hers, forcing her back.

" That, is classified on a personal level", I said in a hushed tone. " So drop it".

I swear, if Midnight were a stallion she wouldn't be standing there. She actually had the nerve to snicker, but at least she got the message. She finally shrugged and turned on the shower behind me. I finished up and dried off so I could get into my bed. It was a long time ago, and her bringing it up just made it worse. I could still see Corporal Shield's face when those splash spells hit. I owed him my life, but I'll never get to repay him or any of them for fighting so bravely.

The next morning...actually night was our second op. it had been another month since we had one, and in that time I got to Private First Class. I'm making progress, sort of.

So back to the mission, I met up with Rock outside and went in. The team was waiting, and I took my place beside Midnight. The Captain came soon afterwards.

" How's training been colts?", he chuckled. We said it was fine and he laid it on us. " Here's your new assignment. Apparently those griffons from last op weren't rogue. Turns out they never joined the griffon military".

" Terrorists sir?", Stalker asked. The Captain nodded solemnly.

" They were using the police HQ to get closer to Canterlot, but thanks to you six they didn't get the chance", he said.

" But sir, wouldn't the Solar or Lunar Guard handle a terrorist group?", I asked.

" Normally they would", he started. " However, these may be a new group. They aren't the Red Feathers or the Black Beaks. Before the princesses send the boys in steel in they need intel. Weapons, numbers, what species are in them, how coordinated are they".

" So recon?", Midnight questioned. " We can get it done nice and quiet".

Stone nodded and pushed the folder towards Stalker. " We need recon and another thing". Stalker's eyes widened as he read the file.

" You want us to blow their MBO?", he asked.

Main Base of Operations. Shit would this be tough. " Yes. Which is why I'm sending Charlie and Terra squad in with you", Stalker said. " Terra'll get you in, and Charlie'll get you out. Plain and simple".

" Sir, with all due respect where are we going to get the explosives for this kind of stuff?", Stalker huffed. There was unicorn magic, but Rock said they didn't accept them.

Captain Stone rose a hoof for silence. " You won't be needed them", he smiled. " The new group's got some being imported. And that's how you're getting in. You'll hide in the crates and blow the place inside out".

Actually, it kinda was starting to sound simple enough. I guess the others agreed too, because we all saluted and made for the door. The ride out was still dizzying, but I still held my lunch down.

" Ever been in griffon territory?", Midnight asked me. She had to get into my chariot.

" No. I never thought the griffons would attack us", I said to her. " Everything seems to be fine between Equestria and the Empire. There'd be no reason to attack right?".

" Just askin'", she shrugged. For once she kept silent until we entered griffon territory. They flew beside the chariots as we sped through the jungles of the Empire's land.

Before we actually went for the terrorists we had to speak with the General to clear things up. Stalker said he knew about the EUOD, as did most other nations. Just that civilians and military forces weren't informed of us, only the leaders.

The chariots of our entire deployment landed at the base of the mountain. We hoofed on inside and saw the black and grey feathered griffon. He was pretty big too, maybe bigger than Rock.

" General Talon", Stalker shook hoof and claw with the General.

" What is the meaning of your visit?", he cut to the chase.

" There is a terrorist group in the confines of your territory that both your Empress and our Princesses want gone", Stalker said. " We were told to inform you to keep any griffon dispatchments away from the target building".

Stalker showed the signatures of all three rulers to the General. " Very well", he nodded. " I'll have them withdrawn from the area".

" Thank you", Stalker nodded. " And one more thing. This meeting never happened, there are no terrorists in the area, and our rulers know nothing of this group".

Talon grinned and nodded. " Of course", he smirked.

We got back to the chariots and flew to the loading dock. Sure enough there was a boat coming in, holding the cargo vital to this mission. The chariots had an enchantment that turned them almost transparent. Using it to sneak in, the 20 of us jumped on and slipped into the dozens of crates. How ironic that my partner was Midnight, the two of us crushed against each other.

" You look more heroic up close", she teased. I can't believe how she could joke in the middle of a freaking mission.

" Shh", I hushed. She just rolled her eyes and snickered. Why does she do this to me?

The boxes swayed and jerked as the terrorist griffons started loading them onto portable wagons. Even without looking we knew there had to be ponies, since a griffon didn't necessarily pull these things. I tried looking through a hole to see where we were, but I still wasn't too good at seeing in the dark. No matter how much I squinted I couldn't see outside.

" Here, let me see", Midnight whispered as she leaned in to see. She was practically laying on me while she looked through. " We're in some kind of warehouse, lots of armed featherbrains".

I gulped as she looked through, ignoring the sudden rise in heart rate. No I wasn't in love with her, but I've only had two mares actually touching me. And not like that, like any physical contact. Those ponies were ma and my sis Blossom. Just...weird at least.

The chariot stopped and threw us around a little as they unloaded our crate. I scrambled off Midnight the best I could, but I could feel the familiar heat in my face. Finally, the mission started and the lid opened up. Before the griffon could cry out I got up, twisted his neck and threw him to the side. Midnight jumped out at the same time, going for the nearest griffon she could.

Everypony else pushed open the crates when they heard us, and soon a small skirmish started up. I focused on this one bastard trying to warn the others. Good thing my spear shut him up. But after I threw it I got tackled from behind, and the griffon started hitting me with a club. I rolled over and got back up, drawing my dagger out. He swung again, but this time I ducked under it and sunk my blade into his throat.

At least ten griffons were dead in the loading bay, and we hid the bodies in the crates. We started pulling out the explosives from the crates and placed them around the perimeter. Standard explosive rock tnt, just add a little fire and boom goes the weasel.

We still needed to save some, for the rest of the base. " Alright, Alpha squad get us a distraction", Stalker ordered. " Charlie, keep this area clear of any hostiles. We only have half an hour for this, so move it".

Alpha entered through the main hallways. Me and the rest snuck into a ventilation tunnel. The armor helped a lot, Solar or Lunar Guard armor wouldn't've been any help in those tunnels. Midnight had the female armor, which was about as sleek just heavier. We crawled for some time before Stalker halted us. I peered through the little ducts, and there I saw Alpha squad engaging another group of terrorists. I almost ran out there when I saw unarmored ponies attacking the agents.

Alpha was keeping them occupied while we snuck around. The last I saw there was thirty griffons and ponies coming for them. I know they're Alpha, but still hope they make it outta there.

" Eyes up, we're getting to the staircase", Stalker told us. Glider kicked the vent until the cover came loose, then we dropped into the hall.

Crawler took point as we went up the staircase. Rock covered our six just in case Alpha wasn't distracting all of them. I followed behind Glider and Stalker as we went up. The second floor was really just command and control rooms, rooms we had to clear out. We just needed to get the center and the building would collapse on itself.

" There's gotta be a dozen of 'em in there", Crawler whispered to us.

" Crap. Midnight, still got those smoke bombs?", Stalker asked. Midnight smirked and held her wing out with two small glass orbs with smoke inside. An enchantment I guess.

" Three...two...one". Glider creaked open the door and Midnight tossed the smoke into the room.

A big cloud of smoke kicked up from them, and we slipped inside.

" What the ha-ack!"

" What's going on-argh!"

" Guys?! What-"

The smoke cleared away and the last griffon slid off my spear. We moved the body out of sight from the door and Rock piled the explosives into a circle. The fuse would have to reach halfway to the base floor, either that or we'd have to set off a chain reaction.

" We don't have a lot of line", Rock sighed. " I could stack some to reach downstairs".

" No, then we wouldn't have enough explosives to bring it down", Stalker huffed. He looked away in thought for a solution. I just so happened to think of one.

" Actually sir, there is a way", I said by the door. " If one of us stays behind to set both fuses, the place would come down".

" And would you be willing to stay behind?", Stalker asked.

" Ye-"

" Actually", Midnight interrupted. " It'd be faster if two of us stayed behind to set the two fuses and get our asses out".

I spun around to see her smirking. " It'd be less of a chance of one of us getting hurt", I countered.

" And it'd be harder to set them both off without any support".

" Enough, both of you!", Stalker said louder than us. " You'll both stay and set off the charges. We only have ten minutes, we'll pull back to the dock and if you're still alive meet us there".

" Yes sir", Midnight grinned. Rock nodded to me as he followed after the squad.

" Why did you do that?!", I whispered harshly.

" Oh chill out LT", she chuckled. " Somepony had to stay and make sure you didn't die on your second deployment".

I was ready to argue back when a voice shouted in the hallway. We went to check it out and there was a griffon running to this room. I waited beside the door, and when he came in shoved my spear into his throat and dragged him in.

" So you got top or bottom?", I asked.

I could hear her snicker and I immediately facehoofed. " I do like being under", she said rather seductively. I glared hard at her, getting her to chuckle. " Bottom LT. Here, shake this when you want me to blow it".

She gave me a small transparent gem. " Okay, when you're done lighting it meet me out front. Now hurry up, and don't get caught", I warned.

" Like I would ever get caught", she laughed. She left down the hall and I waited.

I knew traveling in the vents would take some time, but I could only give her five. I heard another voice coming this way, and again I waited by the door.

" How goes the preparations in Trottingham?", one asked.

" The princesses know nothing sir", another answered. " Your chariot is on the roof".

" Go ahead, I need to see something first", the first said. He came straight for the door, and when I tried to stab him my spear hit the wall.

I didn't know what happened until I was against the wall with a blade to my throat. Holding me up was a pony, pegasi or earth pony I couldn't tell because he was wearing a hooded cape. He was wearing a cloth around his mouth and a skin tight black suit around his body. All I could see was his scarred eye and teal iris.

" I was wondering when we'd meet", the pony said.

" Good to know a terrorist like you knows who I am", I spat.

He just shook his head and put the blade closer. " You're EUOD, are you not?", he asked.

" The hay's that?", I calmly said. The blade pressed against my throat, the little pricks stinging.

" Just like I was taught", he said. " You'd better get out of here Lieutenant, this place is coming down".

Something flashed and I saw white. I fell forward and knew he was gone, but not if what he said was true. But I had to focus, and with a violent shake the gem turned green. Right after I struck the stone against the fuse and ran out of there. I didn't use the vent system, instead I ran through the building.

There were bodies all around the first floor, thanks to Alpha. I heard shouts about me running, but they were drowned out by the explosions. It was hard to not trip and fall with the force of my stack blowing up next. I still needed to get out, and the building was starting to come down on me.

I slid through the door just in time as the frame collapsed. The loading bay was out in front of me, and soon I was bolting for the open gate. The griffons and ponies still inside were trying to get out, but the falling debris took them out cold or blocked their way. They didn't even see me as I jumped on top of the stone and crates still intact. Before the entire thing went down I pushed off as hard as I could.

A cloud of dust and smoke from the explosions engulfed me. My ears were still ringing as I stumbled forward, and even with my blurry vision I saw Midnight shouting for me to hurry.

I forced my mind to concentrate as I followed her. My breathing was ragged and loud as everything around me was muffled. I didn't understand a word she said, all I did was follow her back to the exfil. Galloping was clumsy for me, but somehow I managed to keep it together until we reached the chariots.

Rock caught me before I blacked out.

" I knew he'd fuck up somehow", I heard Glider's sneer. " Solars can't handle this kinda stuff".

" He got out of a burning building with shit falling on him, and without wings", I heard Midnight fight back. " Think you could do that Glider? You barely made it out of our last op without LT".

" My wing was hit!", Glider shouted.

" He doesn't even have wings!", Rock's voice carried in. " Just scram Glider. Don't have to pick on him while he's in med bay".

I forced my eyes open, just in time to catch Glider storm out. A groan left me as I tried to sit up, but instead a huge migraine laid me back.

" Hey hey hey", Rock said as he eased me down. " Don't strain yourself. Took a pretty big rock to the head LT".

" Wha-? When? I...ugh, I got clear of the blast", I croaked. A pain shot through my head, making me raise my hooves to my head.

" Ya may have been a little too close to one of the explosives", Midnight chuckled. " And all that excitement made you ignore the hit to the head".

She gave me a mirror and I saw what she was talking about. It was covered by bloodied bandages, but I knew there was a nasty gash on my head.

" Its been a day since I pulled you onto that chariot", Rock chuckled. " Thought you'd be out longer".

" So did I", Midnight said. " Well, we got drills Rock, let's leave LT to get better". She left with a wink and Rock with a small nod.

My first injury so far. And boy how much it hurt, I've only gotten my face burned by spells but never a real hit. There's always a time for new things right?

Author's Note

It's been a while since I did this, but here it is! For those of you waiting for the sexy times, be patient. It's gonna be my first attempt, so be nice. Anyways, if you haven't already, like, fav, comment, and please CHECK THIS OUT! Peaces!