They sat around the War Room’s table. There was no dress code for this meeting. Captain Nova was sitting where he had been when Marble Falls had met him. Marble Falls knew changes had happened in the room, but didn’t know what specifically.

Some of the stuff on the Colonel’s desk was removed and the rest had been tidied up. Two envelopes with bulges were in the center. A name was written on the front in fine cursive. She couldn’t tell what names. They were not there before. Stuff on the walls had been taken down and there were some half packed boxes in the corner.

“Welcome all,” Captain Nova said. “I know for most of you, there has only been a few days off, and its been tough to recover. And we have our newest member, Second Lieutenant Marble Falls.”

“Please,” Marble Falls said. “Marble is okay.”

Captain Nova nodded silently. “Well, this is mission 30. The final mission in Operation Atlas. I know, that name means nothing to you four. Atlas has been a tough operation we have been running for the past six months. 30 missions in quick succession in an attempt to map the land below. Our maps from the war are off scale and not tied in to the current location of the Enclave.”

“I wish I could say the operation was a success. But so far, we have 20 pieces and none of them connect. 7 missions were outright failures. 14 were partial successes and the other 8 were successful, but showing more gaps than anticipated.”

“Mission 30 is to map the ruins of Fillydelphia. We need to get a whole scale of the city and any major locations like ministry hubs, and other key features like parks, factories and whatever can be used as solid landmarks.”

“Previously two high flyovers were done. So we have some idea of the city. But not much. Not even enough to give us something to work off of. It took both to confirm that the ruins were that of Fillydelphia.”

“After it was confirmed, two recon teams were sent to different locations. They paid with their lives and didn’t get us any usable information. If the city is to ever receive any more recon teams, we need to get more information on the layout of the city. They will need that map to survive.

“This will be a low flying mission, under 150 feet. We will not touch down, not even for a break. It will be done fast and as methodical as possible. Which means I will need you making full audio reports as things go on. We will use the com lines only when necessary. A lot will be non-verbal commands. So be ready. I know it will be a difficult balance. But remember, both Lieutenant Spring Jade and I will be making our own reports as we fly.”

Captain Nova grimaced for no reason. Lieutenant Spring Jade was sitting next to him and began to massage his wing joint. No words were needed.

“Any questions so far?”

“It’s pretty straight forward,” Razor Tempest said. “Unless I am mission something.”

“Correct,” Captain Nova replied. “Colonel Relentless Blade and I designed this to be the final one. It is supposed to be a simple mission. Quick and easy. The most difficult part should be marking sure we gather as much data as possible while still flying. We will break down and assign the key components to make it easier.”

Captain Nova didn’t have to say that it was supposed to be able to done by any team, of any size. And that the others were supposed to have survived. Or at least been in decent shape. The last ho-rah and toast to an operation well done.

Captain Nova continued. “We will go to Gate 17 and then drop below. It will put us about 100 miles northwest of the city. As we get closer, we will figure out how we will enter. It will depend on exactly where we drop below.”

“Excuse me,” Marble Falls asked. “Can you elaborate. Why do we not know precisely where we will come in? Is Gate 17 new?”

“No, we have done three missions out of it. Its exact relation to Fillydelphia is not solidified. Which is why we need timing, heading, landmarks and all coordinates that we possibly can get into our reports as we fly. As much as possible to make the best damn map we have ever made.

Captain Nova focused on Marble Falls. “Marble dear, how are you feeling? You flew in today. Are you rested enough?”

“I am rested,” Marble Falls replied. “I ate dinner and the flight out may have taken time, but it wasn’t stressful. No worse than a typical day.”

“Good! Then we will gear up and go for a departure at 2030. That will get us to the gate in the morning for a day below and back up before nightfall.”

“I don’t have gear,” Marble Falls said as they all stood up.

“We are constantly changing ours,” Lieutenant Spring Jade smiled. “We all are going to the QM Cage. We will get you set up there.”

Once the QM Cage. Captain Nova took charge immediately, putting his vision in place.

“We will need to wear our blackout scout suits.”

“I disagree,” Clean Blade said. “If we are going to be low and in the city, we should do the grays. Its better for the steel and old concrete. Its closer in color.”

Captain Nova thought for a second. “Alright. Grays. Grab them if you don’t have them. Clean Blade, take a pathfinder. Its your job to give time, heading, and coordinates in your log. Rose dear, I need you to carry a video camera. Spring Jade will as well.

“Now Razor, I would like you to stay in the same set up. Can you keep up, or do we need to give you a lighter plate?”

“I’ll be fine,” Razor Tempest replied.

“Marble dear, I would like to take advantage of your weapons training. Can you keep it hot and fast, while still carrying a EMG 76-2 and a Novasurge? I want to have you geared for keeping heads down. In case we need to. If not, Razor is set up with double EMG 55-6s and can do it solo.”

Marble Falls shrugged. “If you want to keep heads down, give me a minigun.”

Captain Nova’s eyebrow rose. He thought for a good minute. “Fine, but only if you think you can handle a Novasurge on your left and don’t forget armor. I need you to be able to protect yourself since you have to let that minigun spin up.”

“Yeah, I can,” Marble Falls confidently stated.

“You will need to start with this,” Rose Lighting said, presenting Marble Falls with a medium gray flight suit.

Marble Falls grabbed it and stepped around the corner. She slipped her dress uniform off and then put the flight suit on. It wasn’t a typical flight suit, which explained the scout title. It already had armor built into it at the hard part around the limbs and the padding was thicker. It was a mix between regular battle clothes and the armor you put over it. It had exterior pockets at the shoulders as well.

Marble Falls came back to the others.

“Head up and look at the ceiling,” Clean Blade said.

Marble Falls complied and they put an armor plate into the holder on her chest.

“Its the medium stuff,” Clean Blade said. “How does it all feel? The uniform looks snug.”

Marble Falls shook herself. Everything stayed in place or only shifted a little. Perfect for flight.

“It feels good.”

“Over here,” Razor Tempest called. “We have your battle saddle set up.”

Marble Falls moved over the lift. The lifts were used for heavy gear. Normally the guns were put on after the saddle was secured on the body. But normal guns didn’t weigh that much. Not like a rocket launcher or minigun.

She stepped over the battle saddle straps until she was over it. They jacked it up a bit more until it was in the right spot to cinch down tight. While it was still supported by the lift, they loaded the minigun.”

“The Novasurge has a small side mag,” Razor Tempest stated. “No reloads. So watch your shots. That’s a total of…”

“Its 210,” Marble Falls said, stopping his mental counting. “Technically 225, but low balling it a bit to be safe.”

Razor Tempest just grinned and let the lift dropped all at once. Marble Falls didn’t move at all when the full weight was suddenly given to her.

“Hmh,” Captain Nova snorted.

“I said they didn’t like me in the HT Unit,” Marble Falls chuckled. “They didn’t liked me flying as much as I did. I was able to flank with blinding speeds, despite the armor and guns. Also, I did look tiny compared to them.”

“Its rare we ever get to see a heavy unit like you,” Lieutenant Spring Jade said. “I do not doubt you are fast enough either. Not with the way you are standing.”

“Time for the rear saddlebags since you can’t carry normal ones,” Razor Tempest said.

At least he gave her a warning before he began to anchor them onto her. The armor provided support for mounting rear saddlebags. So did the battle saddle. But it still required anchors on the upper thigh, which was a bit close and personal.

“And you will need these,” Rose Lightning said. “Standard emergency supplies. Two K-Rations, two Rad-Flush, three RadBlock, a PWT set, a healing potion, a can of emergency water, and spare canteen, already filled. Your breathing mask is in here too, in your right bag. Its a special one for scouts. Our helmets are slightly different.”

Rose Lighting put a filled canteen in the left shoulder pocket and field pad and pens in the right pocket.

“One last thing,” Captain Nova said. “This is your transponder. If your heart stops beating, it will send the location info and let us know you died.”

Captain Nova clipped it around Marble Fall’s neck and then positioned the actual unit on her carotid artery. It was forced in place with medical tape backed with a wrap around her neck. Marble Falls moved around. It would hold until it was forced off.

Captain Nova scanned it with a device. “Its working and synced.”

The others had their transponders put in place and synced.

Rose Lightning gave Marble Falls her helmet. Marble Falls put it on and the system booted up the Heads Up Display. The time popped up in the corner and her E.F.S. showed it was online.

“I’m grabbing a GREP 76-5 Bravo,” Clean Blade said with one slung over his back.

“Okay,” Captain Nova replied.

Nopegasus else was making any changes in equipment and they headed back to get theirs on.

“Can you think of anything you need or have questions about?” Captain Nova asked.

“Not for the gear or supplies,” Marble Falls replied. “However, a question has been bothering me. I get why the radios are worn, but why is yours upside down?”

Captain Nova chuckled with a smile. “I’m a lefty.” Captain Nova moved his left hoof up and clicked his radio button. “I could never get it down using my right, and the units are generic. So I flipped it. It works like a charm.”

“Makes sense,” Marble Falls replied. “It just looks a bit off.”

They were all at the gate by 2020, ready to go. They synced up their com lines and headed out. The takeoff was proper and flawless.

They turned east and began to pick up pace. After a while, they were ordered to break off into teams and do some team flying to synchronize them all up. Marble Falls found Razor Tempest to be a perfect wingmate. He was excellent at reading commands before they were said.

They were brought back together at midnight and began to work through various routines and tactical maneuvers, including break offs. It was quick training, but all of them were skilled and they all fell into place quickly.

Marble Falls had to keep reminding herself that she wasn’t the only new squad mate. They all were new. Except for Captain Nova and Lieutenant Spring Jade. And the two of them flew as one better than any other team Marble Falls had ever seen. Even better than many of the Wonderbolts she had seen flying.

As the sun peaked above the clouds the gate came in sight. They were over farms, it was hidden well, but still easy to pick out. It looked like a farmhouse, but it had no farm around it and it appeared to have three barns. The four buildings walled off the gate.

Fifth Squadron landed in front of the house and were greeted by a Pegasus in regular clothes and a black cloak. The cloak concealed a small single gun battle saddle. It was probably one of the rare carbines or sub-machine guns He didn’t move from his seat on the porch. He knew Captain Nova and Lieutenant Spring Jade by face and name.

His job was to screen any civilians out before they accidentally stumbled on the gate. All of the locals had to know that they were not just a farm, but an Enclave site. There was no point in hiding that. They were not concerned about the locals.

“Captain,” A Lieutenant greeted them inside. “It has been a while.”

“That it has,” Captain Nova replied. “We are heading below.”

The Lieutenant took a quick look at the orders Captain Nova extended.

“Alright. We will open it. But please, we are just about to sit down for breakfast. Take the time for a quick meal.”

“Of course,” Spring Jade smiled. “We wouldn’t miss it. And dinner better be ready for us.”

The Lieutenant laughed. “Oh, I’ll keep something warm for your return. Maybe that pie the farm up the way brought us.”

Lieutenant Spring Jade smiled at Captain Nova. “Besides Captain, I can massage that knot in your wing before we head below.”

“So things are going well here?” Captain Nova asked.

“We are accepted,” The Lieutenant replied. “And last harvest we even helped out. It was appreciated. We are building up a good report here with them. It is a whole lot better than it was when the gate was first put in four years ago.”

“But you, its been a while. And I see things have changed with the Fifth. I can’t help but assume it wasn’t transfers.”

“No,” Captain Nova said stoically. “But we have a good Squadron. A strong one.”

“Of that, I have no doubt.”

Next Chapter: Story 3 - Fillydelphia Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 19 Minutes