Battlefield: Equestria
Chapter One: Leading the Way
Once upon a time, the world was at peace. There were civil disputes between several countries in the European Union, the Russian Federation was having a crisis of their own, the so-called 'war' in Iraq and Afghanistan still remained, and America's economy was still declining with no hope of ever recovering anytime soon. Reports of terrorist groups such as Al-Qaida, the Taliban, and ultra-nationalists from several countries in Europe and in Russia vanished without a trace. But countries around the world still remained on high alert. On top of that a teleporter that was being developed in Japan, with a joint effort with the American, European, and Russian governments, was stolen buy a group called "The New People's Republic". It was so-posed to be a cost effective and safer way to teleport supplies and parts to the International Space Station. But it was still in its testing stage
As for Captain David Cortez of the US Army Rangers, it was just another day on planet Earth.
Fort Sitting Bull
Eastern Georgia
September 17, 2015
10:23am local time
Capt. David Cortez
U.S. Army Rangers
A large group of soldiers sat in a dimly lit room talking amongst themselves. They shared stories about missions they went on and others shared about their families. One soldier remained quiet as he sat in the front row of desks. He was about 6' 2 and had short, but not buzzed, black semi-curly hair. He had his helmet off as was staring at a picture with his light brown eyes. He just stared at it not paying any attention to a soldier that sat down next to him looking at the same picture.
"You know Dave if it's any conciliation it wouldn't work out since, you know, you being in the Army and all and that little mishap in Du-"
"I know James, I know." he said as he cut him off, "I just wish that the way she called it off was under better circumstances"
Several months ago David was engaged to get married to his long time fiancee but due to his tours of duty she called off the wedding because she was afraid that he was going to get killed or never come back to the States. But it was mostly due to his court-marshal. He was now battle hardened to the point where he didn't need to be in a relationship anymore, but for some odd reason he decided to keep that picture, he says it brings him 'luck'.
"Why do you even keep it, the picture? I mean doesn't it bring you painful memories?"
He flipped his helmet over and placed it on the desktop and looked over at the lieutenant
"Let's just say it brings me luck." He said with a smile
"With all of the luck you have I'm wondering if you're even human." Said James
Suddenly two men came in and walked towards the front of the room. One was older with brown hair with grey streaks on the side. On the side of his Army combat uniform had the ranking of general. The soldiers stood up, including David and James, saluted. Next to him was a younger man, he had black hair and light brown eyes and wore an Army combat uniform. In his right hand he held a steel briefcase. He placed it on a table in front of the room and opened and pulled out a large file.
"Good morning gentlemen, I'll make this quick. At 0440 yesterday morning, a Russian military convoy was ambushed here." The room was lit up from a early green light of a hologram map. The general pointed to a spot on the map, "We believe they were carrying radioactive materials that was on its way to a nuclear power plant that is under construction near a small town next to the Caspian Sea."
David rose his hand, "Does this have any connection to the disappearance of the teleporter that went missing from Japan a few months ago?"
"Captain, we are not sure at this point. The Russian Federation government is also questioning the Japanese government to the disappearance. Our government is investigating as well"
"Can it be used to teleport bombs?" asked James
"We are not sure" said the other man
He stood up and pointed at a picture that was on the screen
"Gentlemen this is Agent Santiago from the CIA, he'll be attached to your company" said the general. He then sat down next to David and let the agent have the floor.
"This man, General Baryshnikov, was last seen with the convoy before it was ambushed." He said as he pointed at a picture that was on the screen, "After they were ambushed the Russian soldiers followed their attackers all the way down south towards the Azerbaijan/ Iranian border where they were shortly stopped by Iranian soldiers. The Russian government is demanding to be let in to Iran to retrieve the stolen items but the Iranian government is denying the attack. We have reason to believe that was a decoy that fled to Iran. From what little Intel that I could collect that the real attackers fled into this mountain range here in Georgia. I believe that the NPR was behind this and may use the nuclear materials to build weapons of mass destruction. Right now we want to prevent conflict between the two nations."
The general sat back up and stood in front of the room
"Gentlemen, I want this done quick and clean. You are all dismissed. Hooah"
"Hooah!" said the soldiers
The soldiers stood up as long with David. James stood up right behind him. Just when they where about to walk out the door the general placed his hand on David's shoulder
"Cortez, I want to have a word with you." Said the general
"Yes sir." said David
David looked over at James
"Stevens make sure that the men are fully supplied"
"You got it sir"
David followed the general into his office. The general sat down behind his desk with an 'old man' grunt. David sat down in one of the chairs that were in front of the desk. The general then reached behind his desk, slid open the bottem drawer and pulled out a bottle of whiskey and two shot glasses. He popped open the bottle and poured the alcohol into the glasses.
"Cortez, you're probably wondering why I asked you to about this mission?" he said
"Well I thought the original plan was for me train the recruits and- "
"Captain, that little fuck up you pulled in Dubai didn't set well with the other generals. They wanted to extend your court-martial, throw you in the brig for more then 6 months for disobeying a direct order, and pointing a loaded gun at a pilot."
"I understand sir, but I told you in my report-"
"I had to pull a lot of strings to get this mission for you. Don't fuck this this up captain…I have faith you will get this done. You're the best I have seen in all of my years of serving in the Army."
He held up his shot glass and David picked up his and held it in the air.
"Hooah…" said David
David walked out the office and out the main building that had the briefing room. James was standing in front of the group of soldiers awaiting for orders form their superior officers. They stood up straight as soon as David came into view.
"We are all ready to roll out sir" said James
"Everyone fully supplied and armed?"
"Yes sir." James looked at the group again and then at David
"If you don't mind me asking, what did the general say to you?"
"Words of wisdom, 'you're the best I've seen' and all of that bullshit." he said
"What would happen if you complete this mission? Will they let you go back to lieutenant colonel? Are we going to be lead by a BIGGER asshole of a captain?"
"It's not 'if', we ALL are going to complete this mission. We all fight as one, remember what I said to you when you where just a recruit, 'no lone wolf shit!' But at this point so far I am not sure if I even want to go back to lieutenant colonel, besides no one in the Army is a bigger asshole then me." He said with a chuckle.
James smiled and stood in front of the group
"Alright, lets move out!"
David and James walked along side of the group towards a convoy.
Canterlot
A white creature with wings and a horn was on top of its head. There was mark on its flank in the shape of the sun. It was lying down on soft red pillows in a room that was lit by dozens of candles. Its hair was multi-colored and was flowing in a non-existent wind. Her horn glowed slightly. There was a knock at the door and its horn stopped glowing.
"You may enter." it said,
"Tia, there you are I've been looking all over for you!"
Another creature came in that was just like the white one. She was smaller and was a dark blue color. It also had a mark on its flank but it was the shape of a crescent-moon with black background. Her hair was also a dark blue and had stars in it. She wore a tiara with a crescent-moon on the front and a necklace with the same mark. It also was wearing steel slippers in its hoofs.
"What is it my dear Luna?" said the white one,
"I need your help with the royal duties, I can't take care of them all when you are not around!" she said
"They are not that hard my dear sister." said Tia
"What was it about?" asked Luna
"Mysterious creatures from another world will come to ours…and they will bring war with them…"
"What did they look like?" asked Luna
"It is hard to explain them but they walked on their hind legs and carry long metal-like sticks that shoot fire. They have large metal beasts that have a long nose that also shoots fire and destroy any thing that gets in its way. I have seen flying steel birds that destroy the sky."
"That sounds scary Tia."
"It's nothing to worry about Luna. It was just a vision. Now what is it that you need help with?"
As the two princesses talked, a green smoke came into the room and puffed into a scroll in front of Celestia. Luna looked up at the scroll.
"What is it?"
"It's a letter from Twilight, lets she what she has to say."
Celestia read the letter out loud to Luna,
"Dear Princess Celestia,
I keep hearing strange rumors about some strange looking creatures running about in the Everfree Forest. All of the ponies in Ponyville keep hearing explosions off in the distance. The mayor is suggesting that you send some guards to investigate. I am half-tempted myself to take a look myself. Another thing that Fluttershy is finding several wounded animals near her cottage, lucky for them she is nursing them back to full health.
Your faithful student,
Twilight Sparkle"
Celestia gazed at the letter, Luna looked at her with concern
"Sister, whats wrong?"
"I hope all of those dreams I've been having are not coming true."
"Should we increase security in the mean time?"
"Yes and have your night guards keep an eye of the forest during the night"
"I will. The night is almost over, Tia. You need to be rising your sun soon. Please get some rest"
"Goodnight sister"
"Goodnight"
Luna stood up and walked out of the door. Celestia looked out at the night sky, she shook her head and smiled a little. Her horn glowed and extinguished the flames on the candles and laid her head down, closed her eyes and fell fast asleep.