Thursday 24th July 2014
20:03
Bone Dry Desert - 5 miles north of Klugetown
Day 11 on Deployment

It took us two days before we were within a few miles of Klugetown. Bravo section flew myself, Crimson and Slicer over the badlands and desert in order to reach our destination, a small team giving us a smaller chance of being identified. The rest of Alpha section would be assisting Gabrielle in the reservations carrying out patrols whilst Charlie Section was tasked with attempting to find a source who can get us into some of the local tribes of Ridge Cats in order to begin discussions in an attempt to reduce the conflict between themselves and the Diamond Dogs.

My Trio would find a vantage point outside the town in order to provide initial reconnaissance before I'd move into the town to locate Silverwing based on the intelligence I had received. The reports indicated that he frequently stays within a tavern called 'The Broken Heart', using it as a meeting ground for relaying orders to his subordinates. I would attempt to observe and locate his room in order to subdue him. Due to the powers given to the SOG, by Luna, I also have the option to eliminate the target if required. If I can't capture him, I'll have to get a shot on him and take him down before making my escape. He is due to leave tomorrow morning, meaning I've been forced to move quickly in order to exploit the window of opportunity.

The journey here alone has already shown me how difficult this terrain will be for us to operate in. The blistering heat of the sun would prove to be the main challenge, threatening to cause rapid dehydration if we didn't keep enough water on hand. The main desert leading up to the city only contained one water spring, and even the water there didn't look entirely pleasant on the account of numerous bones scattered on the surrounding hills.

With Bravo Section dropping us off at the base of the north side of the hills of Klugetown, my team slowly made our way through the hills to reach a vantage point just over a mile away. With the scorching sun beginning the set over the desert, I finally get my first look at the settlement.

The south of the settlement is buried in a thick blanket of smog, stone podiums towering through the distorted landscape to pierce the skies overhead. The majority of buildings seem to be constructed into the stone canyon which makes up the base of the city, numerous ports hanging high overhead with a scattering of airships anchored to the platforms. Even from this distance, I'm able to make out small gathering of armed creatures, likely set up to watch the town.

Wiping my fur covered arm across my head, I wipe the trails of sweat away from my hairline as I let out a heavy sigh. "So, this is Klugetown? Not much to look at, is it?"

"There's a reason that nopony really comes this way," Chaser replies as he finally tears his lips away from his canteen.

"You mean besides the heat and dust?"

"That's another reason." Tossing back the last of his water, Chaser places the canteen back in its pouch. "Are you sure you're gonna go through with this? You're already sweating bullets, we're running low on water, and you have no idea what you're running into."

"Holy shit," I reply with astonishment. "Since when did you become the voice of reason?" Lifting his foreleg, he flicks the edge of his hoof against his teeth towards me. He's flipping me off? I never knew ponies had their own equivalent of biting their thumb at someone. "Don't you flip me off, you cheeky bastard."

"I'm the voice of reason when I'm in a situation I absolutely hate. This uniform isn't exactly the greatest at keeping us cool, especially compared to the old Guard armour."

"Really? How is a golden set of armour any better?"

"I never said it was the greatest," Chaser replies as he looks back at his Section. "It's better than wearing armour and clothing when it comes to handling the heat. Either way, if you're certain that you're going to go through with this, we'll make our leave and return in three days with fresh supplies and to extract you. We'll set up camp at the edge of the desert and The Badlands."

I give a firm nod as I remove my cloak, revealing more of the fur which was attached to my flesh in an attempt to disguise me at a distance. "Make sure you keep a low profile. We don't want word to get back here, spooking the town to our possible presence." Removing my t-shirt, I throw it on the floor alongside Crimsons equipment, before putting the cloak back over my body.

"We'll make our leave before anypony notices us. Good luck, John." Whistling to his Section, they all quickly fall in and follow him back down the passage we came before taking flight.

Focusing back on Crimson, I watch as she sets up a small sheet over a gathering of chest high boulders before crawling underneath the cover. Slowly removing her armour plate, she rests it alongside her post before positioning the rifle to aim down below.

Aiming down her scope, I watch her as she scans the edge of the town. "The north-east gate seems to have the lowest gathering of guards. That'll be your best bet to gain entry."

Reaching for the rear of my trouser waistband, I draw the revolver that Gabrielle lent me and inspect the cylinder. "I'm not taking the gate. I'll have to keep out of sight, that'll mean taking the rooftops."

Slicer snickers as she shakes her head, "You, jumping from roof to roof? You're not exactly one for agility."

"I may have a few tricks up my sleeves." And by that, I mean I have a certain version of myself who is athletically and physically superior.

"I'm coming in with you," Slicer states as she removes the rifle from her back.

"You're a Thestral. You'll stand out a mile away."

"And you're going to have a better chance at hiding than me?" Slicer remarks with a sly grin. "You may have a disguise, but you're not exactly trained in the art of stealth. I can get to where you cannot." Drawing emphasis to this point, she begins to pace around me, her hooves making almost no sound as she moves over the sand and stones.

Inspecting my utility belt, the additional bullets easily accessible should I need to reload, I return the revolver to its home. "I guess you're right." Turning my head to Crimson, I kneel alongside her as she adjusts the dials on her scope. "Think you'll be okay by yourself on overwatch?"

Crimson nods her head as she maintains her focus. "Don't expect me to take a shot from up here to save your flank. But should you need to make a hasty escape, I can move forward in order to cover your retreat. Just make sure it doesn't come to that. We're trying to be covert, and the presence of Equestrian soldiers attacking this city-state will not bode well for us in the slightest."

"This is a black op. nobody will know the details of our job here. Deniability is key." Putting up my hood, I begin to move along the weathered trail towards the boundary of the town, Slicer following alongside me as we make our move. "We get in, get eyes on the inn and locate Silverwing. Capturing him may not be the best option. He's already escaped in the past and will likely have a plan to break out if he's captured once again. Think you'll be able to drop him quietly if needed?"

Slicer gives a crisp nod of her head, her forehoof quickly brushing against the handle of her dagger. "Consider it done, Captain. It'll be my pleasure to rid Equestria of this disease."

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Advancing on the entrance of the town, I keep my posture low in an attempt to go unnoticed, the rising moon extinguishing the natural light and providing me with an element of cover. Keeping off the main road, I ascend a series of sand mounds as I approach a series of single-storey buildings, figuring that they'd allow me to bypass the guards easily. Slicer seemed to have the same idea as she rushed off ahead, proceeding in silence to reach the out walls of the buildings.

Reaching Slicer's position, I press my back against the wall as I peer around the corner, scanning the small number of guards that loiter around the entrance. They don't appear to be any form of official military or law enforcement, more than likely a local militia. They lack any sort of uniform, wielding any weapon that they could get a hold of, the only identification maker they have is a green and blue band wrapped around their arm.

I'm unable to identify the species of the first two. They seem to bear some resemblance to boars or pigs. Standing on two legs with a darkened skin tone, they stand no taller than four feet. Two large tusks protrude from the bottom of their jaws, they seem easily capable of tearing through flesh. Large snouts positioned at the centre of their faces, noticeable hairs protruding from the edges of their nostrils.

Turning my focus back to the low roof, I take a few steps back and prepare to get a running start. Covering the short distance in a sprint, I grasp onto the edge of the roof and use my feet to rapidly pedal myself up the wall. Reaching the top with relative ease, I lie flat on my stomach and check the surroundings to ensure that nobody had either seen or heard me. Satisfied that I'm in the clear, I pivot on the spot and hold my arm and hand out for Slicer, offering to help her up.

Instead of taking me up on my offer, she instead makes her own way up the wall. Showing off her agility, she opts to run alongside the wall, using a few loose stones as makeshift steps as she runs along the length of the wall, making it to the top with relative ease. With a soft snicker, I climb to my feet and cautiously step along the potentially fragile roof. "Show off."

I begin to move along a series of buildings, each one low enough and in close proximity as to allow me to hop to the next with ease. That is until I cross the seventh roof. Coming to a stop, I eye the next climb that's lined up for me. I'm going to have to clear a small opening and get some height in order to pull myself up to the next level of the building. Fortunately, it seems to have a small metal railing on the outside of an empty window, providing me with a point to support my body.

Backing up to the very edge of the roof, I prepare to make my move until Slicer cuts me off and begins her run. Showing off, she clears the distance with ease before pushing on the railing with her forehoof. Kicking her hindlegs back and upwards, she's able to somersault her body before using her forelegs as a spring to give her height, causing her to flip in the air before landing on the edge of the upper floor.

Exhaling slowly, I sprint at full speed towards the crossing, getting as close to the end as physically possible before leaping. With my hands outstretched, I'm only just able to grasp onto the roof as my body slams heavily into the wooden shutters on the exterior of the window. With my legs making it onto the railing, my full weight causes the left support bolt to snap, pulling the makeshift step to peel itself from the wall and swing wildly to the side.

My entire body drops, the only thing keeping me from falling to the floor is my fingers clamping down frantically in an attempt at keeping me up. Curling up my legs, I press my feet into the frame of the window and use them to help pull my body upwards. My body strains from the activity, but I'm able to lift most of my weight before Slicer takes a hold of my right forearm and begins to pull me up. Dragging my torso across the jagged wall, I roll onto the roof as the railing finally breaks free, falling to the floor and releasing a loud clang into the deserted streets.

I remain motionless as I regain my breath, the sound of bodies moving allow indicating that the falling rail may have given away my position. Slicer and I make no movements or sound as the militia below converse amongst themselves, debating the cause of railing falling to the floor. It doesn't take long before the ill-disciplined guards decide to give up their investigation and return to their previous posts.

Releasing a heavy sigh, I rub my face as I slowly climb to my feet. Shaking her head, Slicer begins to pace towards the next rooftop, "So much for silence. You'll give us away at this rate."

Adjusting the cloak, I look towards the next gap which I'll have to jump. "I'm not built for clearing rooftops." Taking another deep breath, I mentally prepare myself as I clamp my eyes shut. Davies, I need you to continue to advance along these roofs. Move fast but remain undetected. Reach the inn where Silverwing is staying before he leaves. As soon as I give the order, my body immediately begins to convulse as the feeling of losing control once again takes hold of me.

As soon as I gain enough control to climb to my feet, I sprint as fast as I physically can towards the edge. Moving faster than John can, I quickly reach the edge and push off as hard as I can. The additional power allows me to lift higher from the roof below me, giving me a better chance at reaching the following roof. Although I'm not quite able to fully land on it, I'm at least able to reach it with my upper body. My gut slamming against the edge of the roof with my legs hanging below.

I'm able to easily pull the rest of my body up, securing my position on the rooftop as I turn around to face Slicer. With my arms outstretched I place myself in such a way as to attempt to catch her as she jumps, seeing as she doesn't have a platform to help her this time. Mimicking my previous movements, she rushes towards the edge before leaping as far as she can towards me.

With her forelegs stretched out to me, I'm able to take a hold and secure her. Culring her body inwards in such a way as to kick the wall with her hindlegs, she springboards her body upwards towards me. With her momentum, I'm able to rapidly pull her to flat ground as we clear the gap.

"You're full of surprises. Running around with all that armour."

Slicer's eyes widen as she looks at me with trepidation. Her body immediately jolting backwards as she shakes her hoof free from my grasp before grasping onto one of her daggers. "J-John?"

I nod my head as I twist my hand from side to side. "Kinda. Why do you-" I cut myself off as a sudden wave of realisation hits me. "Oh, that's right, only Sunny and Chaser know about me."

"The original Rangers know about your corrupted form." Drawing her blade, she begins to pace around me. "Why are you here? Why have you taken control of John?"

"Because he gave me control," I casually reply as I fold my arms. "Do you think if I was going to hurt you, I'd have pulled you onto the roof? No. I would have dropped you or had my own knife at the ready to slit your throat."

"I know what you're capable of. You're... probably just using me to get closer to someone."

I quietly chuckle as I pace in the opposite direction as her, the two of us circling one another. "Oh, that's good. Delusional, but still good. I've been close to Luna and many other high ranking officials. Who could I possibly be trying to get close to in order to strike? You flightless bat."

The weak jab seems to hit her with some force as she's taken aback by the outburst. "I've seen what you can do."

"And what about the 'good me'?" I ask with a roll of my eyes. "Capable of making lethal firearms, propelling this backwards world to the future of warfare-"

Forcing my way out of the physical barrier, I push Davies to the back of my mind as I retake control of my body. It isn't a smooth transition, my legs buckling as I slump forward onto the rooftop. Catching my falling self by slamming my hands into the dusty surface, I raise my head to visually show Slicer that he's no longer present. "Slicer, he's under my control."

Slicer's stance relaxes slightly, yet she maintains a tight grip. "What the buck is going on, John? The Princess removed him from your mind. Why... How did he take control? Why would you let him take control after everything he's done?"

"The influence cannot be purged from my mind," I answer her barrage of questions with a heavy sigh. "It would always grow back, forcibly taking control of my body. I've made an... agreement with Discord."

"You... made a deal with the Lord of Chaos!?" She responds harshly as she attempts to keep her voice at a reasonably low volume. "When, in history, has that ever ended well? There's going to be a catch in there somewhere, you stupid twit."

"It's not like I had much choice. I needed to protect myself from magic. When it comes to magic, my body is as much use as a chocolate teapot." Stepping to the side, I cautiously peek over the edge to ensure that nobody has come around. "I need a way to defend myself. Making that deal was the only way to do so."

"And what if Discord goes back to his old ways. We already know he's willing to change his allegiance if the opportunity presents itself. He's done it once before. He'll do it again, only this time, he'll be using you as a pawn in his games."

"We're all pawns in a game that goes way over our heads. Soldiers just do what they're told to do, being sacrificed so that a more important target can be achieved. No matter what, I'm being used." Resting my hands on my hips, I turn away from Slicer as I slowly release a breath. "It was this, or be at the mercy of someone trying to fuck with my mind. Besides, this has a few perks."

"I see." Slicer replies as I hear her blade returning to its sheath. "Why didn't you tell us?"

"Because I knew how you'd all react. Knowing that the Lord of Chaos was in my head. Everyone would act the same way that you just did. It was better to keep it hidden."

"Don't you trust us?"

"It's not a matter of trust. I have faith in all of you, that I can put my life in your hands... hooves, and you'll be there to fight alongside me and march through hell and back." Pinching the bridge of my nose, I slowly lower myself and kneel in front of her. "If this got out, who knows the backlash that can occur. Imagine, all the nobles and senior members of Equestria's council learning that the soon to be Prince, may be under the control of Discord. He does not control me."

"And if you tell nopony, it'll make things much worse," Slicer retorts as she backs herself up along the roof. Quickly glancing at her forehooves, I watch her as she prepares to run. "You have a choice to make, and it isn't one I envy." On that note, she sprints ahead, easily clearing the gap to the next rooftop. Groaning in irritation, I run my hands across my face before copying her actions in an attempt to catch up.

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Reaching the inn where the intelligence suggests that Silverwing is staying, the first thing I noticed was the small cluster of Griffins which were stood guard at the exterior of the building. Maintaining an overwatch position from the rooftop across the street, I remain in place as I wait for Slicer to return. With her being able to sneak around almost entirely undetected, she opted to move in closer in an attempt to locate Silverwing's room so that we can come up with a plan to gain entry and to get close to him.

It doesn't take long until she returns, opting to use the drain pipe as a way to climb back up to my rooftop. Reaching down to grab onto the rim of her breastplate, I help to hoist her up before one of the guards below decides to lift their heads. Sitting alongside me, she lifts her forehoof and points towards the left corner of the building. "Just around that corner, first floor, three windows down. He has just left the room so we have an opportunity to get in before he returns. He was by himself so he shouldn't return with anypony else."

"And how do you expect me to get up a floor to climb through the window?"

"There are a few crates scattered in the alley. We should be able to stack them and use them as a series of steps to get in."

Nodding my head, I draw the revolver and keep it held alongside my leg. "Okay. Lead on. I'll follow." The two of us silently follow the edge of the rooftop until we reach the adjacent corner of the target. Lowering my body, I use a series of window sills as a makeshift ladder, safely lowering myself down into the alley below. Shuffling around the edge of the building, I peer around the corner to ensure that the guards aren't looking before dashing across the street.

My movements go unnoticed, allowing me to continue with my advance down the alley to the window in question. Stopping below my target, I quickly check either side of the passageway before dragging a number of crates into position to allow me to climb. Quickly making my way up the wooden boxes, I'm relieved to find that the window is unlocked, allowing me to open it up and climb in without making any unwanted noise.

Making my way through the window, I turn around and lean forward in order to help Slicer climb through. With the two of us in the darkroom, I gesture for Slicer to move into a dark corner, allowing her to conceal herself in the shade alongside a tall dresser. With her in position, I move towards a central desk and cautiously pull open one of the draws. Examining the contents, I find a series of papers alongside a single shot pistol and dagger. Taking all the contents, I move towards the opposite corner of Slicer and kneel out of view from the main door.

Waiting in position for him to return, I begin to quickly scan through the documents I secured in order to predict the enemy's next move in the region. With all the plans they have set in place, it would be almost impossible to figure out their next based on the documents alone. I'd have to give these to intelligence officers back at base in order to get a clue as to where our attention would next be focused on. Hopefully, Deka will be successful and locate the Ridgecat tribe in order to begin discussion and attempt to lure them onto our side of the conflict, limiting their actions so that we can attempt to end the fighting before it escalates.

As I get onto the sixth document, the sound of someone twisting the doorknob cause my eyes to shoot towards the door. Rapidly inserting the papers into the inner pocket of the cloak, I keep my revolver at the ready as I duck as far back into the shadows as possible.

Luckily for us, Silverwing enters the room by himself, a lantern providing a small level of light as he holds it in his left talon. As he closes the door, he paces towards his desk and stands behind it, placing the light source on the surface before opening the drawer of his desk. With the drawer open, he looks at the lack of contents in confusion as I slink out of the shadows and toward the centre of the room, the revolver aimed directly at his head as my left hand rests on the knife situated on my belt. "Lost something?"

A sly grin forces its way onto his face as I remove my hood. "Fed up with being the only human? Prefer being a kitty instead?"

"Very funny." Stepping into the centre of the room, I pull the hammer of the revolver back with my thumb. "You've got two choices. Come quietly or die in this very room. The choice is yours."

"You're not going to kill me here. You fire that weapon and you'll be done for."

"Oh? Well, it's a good thing I have someone who is very good at silently picking off targets." Picking up on my hint, Slicer is able to effortlessly move across the room with her knife at the ready, only stopping when she is a couple of inches from his throat. "So, does that help to influence your answer?"

"I've already escaped once. What makes you think that I won't be able to do the same again?"

"Oh, that's easy. I'll be dragging you there myself. If you dick about, I have authorisation to execute you. Being in the only Special Forces unit of Equestria has its perks. Quite a few of our operations will be kept hidden. I'll be able to put you down if you try to escape."

Silverwing slowly turns his gaze to Slicer, before returning it to me. "There is more at play here than you think, Captain. More will take my place when I'm gone."

"Then I'll put them down too." Stomping towards him, I grab a hold of his head and slam it down on the desk as hard as I can. The impact is enough to render him unconscious, blood seeping through his skin and painting his feathers as his body slumps onto the floor below. Slicer quickly steps over him, grabbing a set of restraints from her field pack and applying it to his talons. "Search the room for any other intel, but make it quick."

"What happened to taking him out?" Slicer asks as she begins to move around the room. "Not that I'm objecting, it's just that you seemed fairly determined."

"He's worth more alive. Besides, I'll still put him down if he dicks about." Kneeling alongside him, I make sure his airway is unobstructed to ensure that he is still breathing.

"You know, I often found it quite weak how the Equestrian government is a little too eager to forgive." Digging through the dressers, she drops a series of papers onto the floor.

"I'm not like that. Doesn't matter how sorry someone is, if they commit a serious crime then they should go down for it. Some believe in rehabilitation, I don't. Silverwing is gonna rot in prison or bite the bullet. That's the only way he'll repent for his crimes."

Slicer rolls her eyes as she looks at me, "Are you sure you don't want to get into politics as the Councilor of the Justice System?"

"I've been over this countless times, I'm not interested in politics at this time."

Digging up the last of the intel, Slicer throws it all into her field pack. "I was wondering, Since all the Princesses have their own titles, does that mean you'd become the Prince of War?"

Leaning down, I pick up Silverwings unconscious body and throw him over my shoulders. "Wow, that sounds sappy as shit. Never call me that again. Now, come on, we've got to get out of here before he gets any visitors." As Slicer moves back to the window to make her way out, I realise that I may not have the speed and agility to carry Silverwing through the town and out without getting noticed. Knowing that time is of the essence, I step through the window and climb down the boxes. Davies, you're up.

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With the moon now hanging high overhead, we have little worry of being spotted as we move through the streets. We were free to move from street to street, easily remaining undetected as everyone was preparing to tuck themselves into bed. Every time we came across someone down a road, we quickly diverted and were able to find another route. With the main gate still being guarded, we returned to the building we used to enter the town and made our way back over the wall.

With the city disappearing into the distance behind us, I took control back from Davies in order to carry Silverwing the last of the journey. With Crimson watching out for us, I didn't want to alert her when she'd see my white eyes. It's now that I regret leaving my shirt with Crimson. With the sun gone, the temperature in the desert shifts rapidly as goosebumps surface on my skin. I initially thought sticking fur to my skin was useless, however, it's now acting as an extra layer to keep me warm.

Entering the last mile before reaching Crimson, I release a pained groan as my legs and shoulders continue to ache with the additional weight of an unconscious Griffin on my back. "Slicer, wait here a minute. I need to give my legs a quick rest." With her coming to a stop, I nonchalantly throw Silverwing from my shoulders and let him impact with the sand behind me before quickly lowering my body onto the sand.

Lifting my head, I watch Slicer as she takes a lengthy drink from her canteen before offering it to me. Taking it, I quickly drain the last of its contents, knowing that Crimson has more stashed up with her. "John, are we really going to take him all the way to the gates of Tartarus ourselves."

I nod my head as I pass the canteen back to her. "He said it himself, he's already escaped once. Look at all the shit he caused since then. I'm not happy that he's secured until I see him shackled to the floor with the doors sealed. This fucker is gonna rot."

"But, what do you think he meant by there being more going on than we realise? I know this conflict wasn't exactly simple, but it wasn't complicated either. Do you think it's the Children of the Motherland?"

"Possibly," I respond with a weak shrug. "Tensions haven't been great here, the Princesses told me that themselves. These pricks have likely just kicked the hornet's nest in an attempt to disrupt Equestrian defence to restrict their abilities elsewhere. Or he could be full of shit and this is as simple as it seems and he was only here as an attempt to stay out of reach of Griffonia and Equestria."

Turning my head, I finally notice that Silverwing seems to be moving. With his back towards me, I notice his upper body shuffling slightly out of view behind his body. As I slowly climb to my feet, the sound of a lock disengaging causes the hairs on the back of my neck to stand up. As soon as I prepare for him to turn around, I'm immediately met with the metal restraints which used to be secured around his talons being flung towards my face as he rolls in the opposite direction to me.

Acting on instinct, I lift my left forearm to shield my face from the impact, the strong steel sending a jolt of pain through the bone. Promptly recovering, I lunge across the ground and close the distance between us as I grasp onto Silverwing's lower back, sending the two of us rolling through the dust.

In the scuffle, he ends up on top and begins to deliver a series of strikes against my head. Each knock causes my vision to blur as the impact rocks my head to the side. Forcing my right arm upwards, I clasp as hard as I can onto his neck as my knee comes up to impact the underside of his body. As quickly as I prepare to strike, Slicer closes the gap between us and pivots on the spot, delivering a swift kick with both her hind legs sending Silverwing flying from on top of me.

Climbing to my feet, I sprint towards him as fast as I physically can before forcing my boot into his gut, knocking the wind out of him. His body immediately curls in on itself, but not before resorting to a cheap tactic and attempting to bit onto my ankle. The force is enough to cause a significant amount of pain, but the leather of the boots works just enough to prevent him from piercing my skin.

Jerking my leg free, I wrestle my boot from his grasp and force it down on the side of his hind leg. The crunch sends a sickening crack into the air as he lets out an agonising scream, his talons flailing wildly towards Slicer and myself, causing the two of us to back off. With him momentary respite, he attempts to lift his body with all his might before stretching his wings outright and taking to the air.

I watch in frustration as he begins to make ground away from us, my hand frantically reaching for the back of my trousers to take control of the revolver. Drawing the weapon out, I begin to take aim at my target before a succession of feathers, followed by a thick spray of blood, spray from his right wing before he crashes to the floor. It takes a couple of seconds before the sound of a distant gunshot rings through the sky, signalling that my faithful sniper was keeping watch and was able to pull off another amazing shot, as per usual.

With Silverwing downed, I watch as he attempts to force himself onto his paws and talons in an attempt to hobble away. As Slicer steps alongside me and draws her knife, I hold out my right arm and shake my head at her, signalling for her to hold off. Having had enough with this piece of shit, I take aim down the revolver and slowly exhale and my finger cautiously compresses the trigger.

PHAT PHAT

He quickly drops to the floor as the gunshots echo through the night sky. Pulling the hammer to the rear, I casually saunter towards him as I hear him sputtering. "You're a stupid cunt, aren't you? Attempting an escape after I told you what would happen. Well, I wasn't lying." Coming to a stop above him, I push his body to the side, rolling him onto his back. "Now you're fucked. Two .44 calibre rounds in your back and a .303 in your wing. You ain't getting out of this in one piece. But, luckily for you" -lifting the weapon, I take aim between his eyes as he looks up at me- "I'm a nice guy.”

PHAT

His head jerks back as the force of the powerful round drills into his skull and escapes from the rear. Reaching into my trouser pocket, I slowly draw my phone and begin to unlock it as I shake my head. "What was it you said to me when you first escaped? Oh, yeah. Auf Wiedersehen." Tucking the revolver into the rear of my trousers, I switch to the camera on my phone and take a picture of his corpse before putting the phone away.

Slicer steps alongside me, look at me in confusion. "Why did you take a picture?"

"Proof that he's dead. I ain't dragging his lifeless body back through the desert. Leave him here for the vultures." Turning towards our extraction point, I wave my hand in the direction of Crimson in the distance as I begin to walk. "We're a good distance away, but who knows if anyone will be drawn by those shots. We should get out of here, quickly."

Stopping on the spot, I quickly look down to the floor as the dust is blown around my feet. Looking at the spent casing next to me and the two in the distance, I quickly bend down and pick it up, the heat from having recently being discharged singing my skin before I quickly drop them into the outer pouch of Slicer's field pack. "Reducing the evidence?" Slicer asks with a slight grin. "At least you're not a total buffoon."

I lightly swat the back of her head as I chuckle, "Funny. I can be very intelligent... when I want to be." Pacing further along the sand, I collect the last two casing and quickly throw them into her pack. "They'll likely realise it wasn't a musket he was killed with. But, if someone comes quickly, at least they won't find the casings. The sand should bury him soon enough. If nobody heard the gunshots, I doubt anyone else will come-"

All of a sudden a bright green flash illuminates the desert behind me. On instinct, I draw my revolver and drop to my knee as I aim into the distance. FInding nobody approaching, I begin to lower my weapon until my eyes lock onto where Silverwing was. Standing, I cautiously pace towards him as I look at him in confusion.

The body of the Griffin has now been replaced with that which seems to be a mixture of both a pony and a bug. His black carapace and deformed legs making his appearance distinctive, small holes littering his limbs. A bent, distorted horn rests at the top of his head, his previously injured wing now being substituted with that which bears resemblance to a common insect, sharp fangs protruding from the top of his mouth. His blood, splashed across the floor and his body glows a faint sickly green, it too appearing to have been altered along with his physical appearance.

"A Changeling?" Slicer asks out loud as she quickly moves back towards him. "He was a Changeling this whole time?"

"What the fuck is he doing out here?" I've only ever heard about them from Luna. We never even had any intelligence to indicate that they were influencing activities here, in fact, I’ve never actually seen any reports linking to them in my entire time in Equestria..

"I don't know. The question is, did we get the real Silverwing, or just an impostor?"

"Fuck knows, but this makes things a lot more complicated." Taking my phone out once again, I take another picture of his body in the same position as the last before preparing to pick him up. "We need to get him back. It'll prove we've come across a Changeling out here. And, if they're shapeshifters, getting rid of his body may mean that others may presume his cover wasn't blown. If we get more sightings of Silverwing, it's possible that more Changelings are out here."

"Or that he was a decoy."

I slowly nod my head before throwing the body over my shoulder, noticing a significant change in weight from its previous form. "Let's get out of here quickly."

This raises more questions than it answers.

Author's Notes:

A vote is taking place and I want all of you to decide the gender and race of John's future child.

Whatever you guys decide is what I'm going to put into the story.

Vote by going to the poll in this hyperlink and choosing from the set options.

Voting will end at 20:00 BST on Friday 11th May 2018.
If this voting style goes well, I will implement it in the future and potentially make them more common at certain periods of the story.

If the vote is filled out incorrectly then it will be dismissed from the final vote. Make sure you read the instructions carefully.

Thanks for reading