Excerpt from Federal Army After-Action Report

Strike Team Sierra-Foxtrot-One-Niner-Four successfully Ambushed rebel forces south of Penton Armory. While few of enemy forces managed to escape we have confirmed 14 kills with 0 casualties on our side.

Strike Team Sierra-Foxtrot-One-Niner-Four pursued retreating rebel forces but lost track of them deeper in the forest. After attempting locat enemy forces for 1 hour Lieutenant Helter called off the search and order Strike Team to return to base…

The door to Twilight quarters slammed open as she stormed into the room. “FUCKING FED BASTARTS!” She yelled as she used her magic to remove her helmet and hurled it across the room and into the wall with a loud thud. She had just returned from her talk with Clancy after the disaster that was her first mission. Old Boys were completely wiped out, only two survivors in the Bulldogs and the Nightmares had lost Wilkerson and Rook 1.

Growling Twilight hit the wall, her steel hoof allowing her to both cause a crack in the wall and not hurt herself at the same time. “Celestia and Luna damn them all to Tartarus!” She snarled through clenched teeth. While she hadn’t known Rook 1 long he was still a member of her squad and Wilkerson had been a friend of hers and the fact he and McKay had been best friends for who knows how long. And she had gotten them killed. They had been her responsibility and she had failed.

She ground her teeth as she opened her storage locker and pulled out the bottle of Whisky Clancy had given her when she had officially joined the Reapers weeks ago. Undoing the top she took a large drink, not caring that it burned. She needed to calm down before she destroyed her quarters.

Growling she paced the length of her room, the Whiskey floating beside her wrapped in her magic. “Fucking Fed motherfucking Celestia damned bastards.” She took another drink. After a few minutes a fourth of the bottle was gone but Twilight didn’t feel much better. She needed to blow off steam somehow. She stopped her pacing and a smile slowly spreading over her face.” Oh that will do perfectly.” She said as she took another drink from her whisky before returning it to her locker and leaving her quarter, not bothering to grab her helmet from where it lay on the floor.

<<<O>>>

Two Federal Army jeeps made their way down the highway headed towards the city of Calten. Most likely returning from a patrol. It was early morning and the sun was just starting to crest the horizon when the lead jeep slammed on its breaks forcing the rear jeep to cut to the right to avoid rear ending the lead jeep.

When the four in the lead jeep piled out the soldier in the second jeep followed suit not knowing what was going on but knew there had to be a reason. When the second jeep’s occupants reached the first they quickly raised their rifles alongside the first soldiers.

Sitting in the middle of the road with, illuminated by the lead jeeps headlight and with unnerving smile on its face was a strange purple horse thing wearing rebel armor and waving at them why sitting on its haunches.

“Hello Federal Army soldiers!” Twilight said cheerily. “You might not know me but I am Sergeant Twilight Sparkle of the PFDR.” The Feds glanced at each other clearly confused. “You are probably wondering why I’m here, well the answer to that is I was waiting for you because you see a few hours ago my squad was ambushed and I lost a couple of my team, while I know you probably had nothing to do with that the fact is it put me in a really shitty mood. So long story short I thought of a way to blow off steam and unfortunately for you it involves you all dying.” She chuckled.

For their part the Feds reacted like the trained soldiers they were by raising their rifles to open fire but unfortunately nothing in their training could prepare them for a magic talking unicorn in a bad mood. In a flash Twilight teleported behind the soldiers and before any of them could fire. She drew her side arm and point blank into the back of the head of one of them just below where his helmet stopped. While he fell Twilight grabbed his rifle in her magic and emptied the mag into the next two closest soldiers as they turned to try and shoot her, then threw the empty gun as hard as she could into another soldier knocking him to the ground.

When they went down Twilight teleported back in front of the soldiers who were half way through their turns and picked up the two dropped rifles and pulled the triggers as she swept the rifles in opposite directions dropping more of the soldiers. She then launched at the two still standing soldiers drawing her knife, as she plunged the combat knife deep into the throat of the soldier on the left her right front hoof shot out and connected with right soldiers knee cap, shattering it as it bent the join backwards.

The soldiers dropped to the ground screaming in agony till Twilight withdrew her knife from the other soldier’s neck and thrust it into the screaming soldier’s right eye silencing him.

That left just one soldier still alive, the one she had thrown the rifle at who had yet to get to his feet. Humming to herself Twilight withdrew her knife and made her way over to the soldier who sat on the ground frozen in fear at what he had just witnessed. She fully intended to end the soldier when she caught a scent in the air and she looked down between the soldier’s legs. “Did…did you fucking piss yourself?” She asked in disgust.

The soldier only sat there shaking in his armor and Twilight reached out with her magic and removed his helmet, bringing it to rest in her front hooves as she sat on her haunches. The Fed was a kid, most likely no more than 18 by her estimate based on the books on humans she had read. “Let me guess, this is probably your first assignment huh?” She said and slowly the soldier nodded.” Boy sucks for you doesn’t it?” She glanced at the dead soldiers.” Tell you what.” She looked back at the kid. “I think I’ve blown off enough steam that I’m feeling generous.” She said with a smile and the kid looked at her in confusion.

“Wh-what do you mean?” He asked in a shaky voice.

Twilight smiled wide. “Start running.” She said and used all the strength in her cybernetic limbs to crush the kid’s helmet. The kid took one look at her and got to his feet before sprinting back down the road as fast as his fear could carry him.

Humming to herself Twilight went over to one of the dead feds and cleaned her knife off on his pants before returning it to its sheath. She then grabbed the body in her magic and drug it over to another laying more in the middle of the road and laid atop top of it. After that she reloaded her side arm before holstering it before she pulled Rook 1’s sniper rifle from her pocket dimension and laid the rifle on the two piled up Feds. She crouched down and looked down the scope. “Only 125 yards? I’d have thought the fear would have carried him faster than that.” She said before shrugging. "And that makes 8.” The rifle kicked in her magic.

Twilight hummed to herself as she made her way back to her quarters. She was in a much better mood after blowing off steam by going for her walk on the surface; teleporting was very useful for sneaking out. She walked into her quarters to find it looked exactly as she left it. She frowned at this; she hadn’t realized how mad she had been till she saw her room trashed, at least by her standards. With a sigh she picked up her helmet from the floor and placed it in her locker before moving the whole locker back to the foot of her bed. There wasn’t much she could do about the damage she did to the wall but the room didn’t take long to organize.

Once her room was completely in order she heard a knock at her door, upon answering it she found a rebel private who saluted. “Ma’am Major Briggs has requested your squad to report to his office immediately.”

“Thank you private, you are dismissed.” She said. She took one last look at her room to make sure everything was where it was supposed to be before she made her way to the Major’s office.

It didn’t take her long get her squad and then make her way to the Major’s office. Upon entering Twilight saw that the surviving Bulldogs were also present. “Reporting as requested.” She said as she saluted alongside the Bulldogs.

“I’m assuming you are all wondering why you are here.” Major Briggs started as he looked over the soldiers before him. “Well the answer is simple; I am here by transferring Corporal Desmond and PFC Hudson into Nightmare and under your command Sergeant Sparkle.”

“Yes sir.” Twilight replied, she wasn’t sure how well the former Bulldogs would work with Nightmare, especially so soon after the ambush but she didn’t really have a choice in the matter.

“You can have the day to get to know your new squad-mates, dismissed.” With that the single squad turned and left the room.

Outside the old Nightmares and the New Nightmares stared at each other. Even Twilight stared at her two new squad members; she had expected more recruits, not members of another squad. After a few minutes of the Nightmares staring at each other Twilight decided to break the silence. “So…breakfast?”

The group nodded and then started to make their way down the hall towards the mess hall.

At the mess hall Twilight took a seat at the table with her squad. The former Bulldogs sat on the other side of the table then the Nightmares. “So….welcome to the Nightmares Corporal, PFC.” Twilight said looking at the two of them.

“Glad to be here.” Desmond said in a manner that made it clear he wasn’t.

“So…” Twilight said having no idea what to say to her second in command.

“Look sergeant, I get what you are trying to do but save it.” Desmond said. “We lost our squad and the Major saw fit to put us with you either cause we had been on the same mission or because there was no other space for anyone of our rank anywhere else. But know this; we are not happy about suddenly finding ourselves in a squad commanded by someone who barely has any field experience.”

The Nightmares stared at him. “What the fuck man? Where do you get off talking to the Sarge like that?” Rook 2 said with anger and twilight had to admit, having the young women come to her defense after only being on one mission did mean a lot to her. “so what if she’s not as experienced as you but she is a damn good leader.” Rook 2 said glaring at the two former Bulldogs.

“Yeah because one fucking mission means she’s fucking fit to command anyone.” Desmond said glaring back.

“Did you even pay attention to what she had us do last mission? Because of her plan the Feds were so fucking confused that you guys steamed rolled them.” Rook 2 shot back.

“One good call doesn’t mean she’s should be fucking leading a squad!” Desmond said slamming his fists on the table.

Rook 2 opened her mouth to say something but twilight cut her off. “Enough both of you!” She said. “Like it or not Corporal I am in charge of this squad whether you like it or not.” She said looking at her second. “I’m not going to lie; I don’t think I should be in charge as well.” She ignored Rook 2 when she tried to protest. “But whether either of it like it or not, I am the one in charge.”

“Yes ma’am.” Desmond said but he was clearly very angry.

Twilight sighed. “Look, I am inexperienced here and I’m probably going to mess up somewhere, hell fighting is very new to me, but we need to rely on each other out there in the field.” She said and looked at him calmly. “So I’m going to rely on you to speak up whenever I make a mistake so that we all can come back in one piece because I think we both can agree that neither of us want anyone here to die out there.”

Desmond stared at her and she could see as her words slowly cooled the rage in his eyes. Finally he sighed. “Fine, but if you do something wrong, commanding officer or not you can bet your ass you are going to hear about it.”

Twilight nodded. “Duly noted and I am counting on it.” She said and smiled. “Now then we came here to eat not argue so...let’s eat.” She said taking her own advice by levitating an apple to her mouth. Around her the rest of the Nightmares began to eat and talk a bit to get to know each other. There was still tension between the squad but with luck that will die out over the next few day because Twilight didn’t want to take a squad out were everyone was at each other’s throats.

Twilight and the Nightmares made their way out of a drainage pipe near the edge of the City, it had already been a couple days since the Bulldogs were merged with the Nightmares to fill the space and while the tension had lessened somewhat it was still noticeably there. There wasn’t much Twilight could do about it but with luck this mission would help them work off their anger as they were to ambush a Fed patrol and wipe it out to draw attention out of the city and make it seem like the Rebels were operating in that area as there was a base near the patrol route.

The Nightmare Squad made their way through the trees silently watching the trees carefully, two other squads had been completely wiped out by Fed Ambushes on a third was out of action till its members were released from the infirmary. The frequency of the ambushed had everyone on edge and whispers of a possible spy were beginning to make their way around the base and Twilight did not like the idea of one of their own being a traitor.

There was no talking as they made their way through the woods for their objective. Despite everyone being on edge it was an uneventful trek and an hour later they had reached the road. “Ok Chekov, Desmond and Rook 2 I want you three to set up on the other side of the road and spread out some while me, Hudson and McKay does the same over here.” She said looking at her squad who all nodded. Twilight’s eyes rested on McKay as he gave the barest of nods. As the man moved to get into position Twilight sighed, McKay had barely spoken since Wilkerson was killed, and she knew he was hurting but she didn’t know how to help hi, all she could do was try to make sure she didn’t lose anyone else.

Twilight moved into position and readied her assault rifle. Across the way she saw Desmond hefty the heavy ordinates Nightmare had been given access to for this mission, in this case, it was an Anti-Tank rocket launcher that would tear through the lightly armored jeeps but would defiantly get the Feds attention.

Once everyone as in position and hidden it became a waiting game. They had made sure to arrive 20 minute before the patrol was scheduled to roll through. Twilight found her grip on her rifle tightening. While she was no longer raging like she had a few days ago she still found herself looking forward to the patrols arrival and for the rocket to take out the lead jeep and then after a few minutes it would be open season of Feds, something she was shaking with excitement for.

She saw the first jeep come over the distant hill followed by the second and a small smile spread over her face. “That’s right; drive on without a care in the world right up till we shred you.” She whispered to herself. As the first jeep neared her position she heard the whoosh of the rocket and watched as it connected with the grill of the jeep a moment before it and its occupants were engulfed in a fireball causing it to skid off the road. The second jeep slammed on its breaks and started to revers, Twilight could see the passenger on the jeeps radio calling in what just happened and their current position. After enough time passed for him to do so Nightmare opened up on the jeep, their rifles couldn’t penetrate the jeeps armor or bullet proof windows but they were just a distraction.

A few moments later there was another whoop and a rocker streaked towards the fleeing jeep. At the last second the driver jerked the jeep to the left causing the rocket to detonate next to the jeep. The jeep survived but the fore of the blast caused the jeep to go onto two wheels leaving the driver with no control as it skidded into the ditch. The engine revved as the rear tires spun uselessly in the soft dirt of the ditch.

When the driver realized they were well and truly stuck the doors on the jeep opened and the soldiers poured out and began to spray the trees at random. “Not so fun when it’s you on the receiving end is it?” Twilight said, her voice dripping venom as Nightmare started to suppress the Feds.

Two of the Feds realized what was going on as they tried run away from the jeep a moment before there was the sound of another rocket being fired and the jeep exploded. The two Feds closes would consumed by the blast and pieces of them went flying away from what remained of the jeep while the two that tried to run were sent flying through the air only to crash onto the road hard.

Slowly Twilight moved onto the road waving for the others to stay put while she checked the two Feds. The first one she came to was well and truly dead, his neck at an awkward angle and his eyes staring at nothing. The second on the other hand still clung to life as he coughed up blood. As Twilight stood over him looking down at him he weakly tried to draw the pistol on his hip, his rifle having gone sailing to parts unknown in the blast.

Twilight couldn’t have that as she stomped on his hand hard enough to hear the bones break and the Fed let out a pained groan, causing the blood in her mouth to bubble a bit. Twilight leaned down to the soldier’s ear. “How does it feel you son of a bitch?” She whispered as she pressed her side arm against the man’s temple and fired.

With her work done Twilight returned to the side of the road and got back into position to await whoever came to ‘rescue’ the patrol. “What did you say to him?” Hudson asked a few feet from where she laid.
Twilight looked at him. “I just told him that he most wasn’t going to survive his injuries and I wasn’t going to let him suffer.” She lied.

“Compassion? For a Fed?” Hudson asked.” I’m surprised; most of us would have left him to die. I’m impressed.” Hudson said.

Twilight shrugged. “I’m full of surprises.” She said to which Hudson nodded then went back to watching the road for the Fed reinforcements.

Not long after that Twilight heard something on the wind. “What in Tartarus?” She said, she didn’t recognize the sound but whatever it was it was coming fast.

A minute later everyone could hear it. “GUNSHIP!” Raymond yelled from the other side of the road as the three Rebels over there booked it across the road, reaching the other side a moment before a massive helicopter adorn with missiles along its side and a massive gun on the nose swept over the road. It was large and clearly armored with two glass bubbles in the front for the pilots. It was painted the standard black and white of the Federal Army where most of it was white with a single black strip running along its side, the rack holding the missiles was black as was the single small wing on the tail, the area where the tail met the rest of the helicopter was also painted black.

“What the fuck is that doing here!?” Rook 2 yelled as the nose gun started to spray the road and the trees, everywhere the rounds hit huge fountains over dirt were sent into the hair as the massive rounds chewed up the road, the dirt around it and the trees.

“What the fuck is that?!” Twilight yelled as she followed the Nightmares as they ran into the trees to escape the flying weapon.

“It’s a fucking gunship! If it sees up we are as good as dead either from its missiles or that 30mm cannon it’s going to town with.” Hudson yelled at her as they all ran for their lives. There was a whoosh and explosions behind them and Twilight chances a glance back, her eyes widening at the massive fire ball making its way skyward from where she had been hiding.

This lent more speed to her hooves and she gallop as fast as she could without leaving behind her squad. She head the Gunship start to fly over the treetop searching for the Rebels who stuck to the parts of the forest were the canopy was thickest.

Twilight wasn’t paying attention to how long they ran for, all she knew was she was getting as far away as she could from that flying death machine. Eventually the sound of the gunship fades as it continues its search elsewhere but still Rebels didn’t stop running till they reached the drainage pipe they had exited to sewer from and dove into it.

The all had to stop and catch their breaths from covering such a long distance at a full sprint. “Wh-Why the fuck would they send out a gunship to reinforce a single fucking patrol? It’s not like we attacked a fucking base!” Hudson said between breaths from where he sat against the wall of the sewer.

Twilight was panting as well, though she didn’t gallop at full speed she still did gallop at a decent pace without slowing. “I have no idea; it doesn’t make any sense why they would deploy something with that kind of fire power to back up a simple patrol.” She said as she looked up at her squad. “Regardless the mission was a success and we should report in as such as well report the gunship, Major Briggs and the General will want to know about the Feds deploying units like that.” They all nodded and after a few more minutes made their way back to base. Twilight didn’t think about what she had said to the injured Fed soldier or the fact she had lied to Hudson about it, the entire incident didn’t even cross her mind as they all deserved to face Justice.

Author's Notes:

So...yeah....I seem to be in the grips of a writing frenzy it seem....yeah

anyway Interlude set in Canterlot is next so to those looking forward to her interacting with the Royals Sister you don't have long to wait....with how I'm writing probably in the next couple of days.

I have a PATREON with fair rewards. Every bit is greatly appreciated and helps me out.