Recently I had a dream in my anthro MLP dreamscape. It was set after the war against the Realm of Shadows, but it still dealt with the activities of the Royal Equestria Security Forces. Commonly referred to as the RESF.


Coco Pommel swished her watercolor brush vigorously back and forth in her collapsable water bucket. With that accomplished she dried it off on a paper towel and then sat back, pushed the broad brim of her sun hat up, and admired her latest creation. It wasn't a masterpiece but it was an acceptable painting of the main gardens of the Baltimare Center for the Art. One of her older classmates leaned over and gave her artistic opinion of the piece.


"Oh dearie! That's very nice. I love how you handled the contrast between the deep shadows of the walkway and the brilliant sunlight on the flower beds. It's beautiful!"


The earth pony blushed a little. "Oh thank you ma'am! I really have been enjoying these Thursday get togethers! I haven't painted much since art school and it's nice to get a chance to do it again."


Coco's cellphone started making a little tingling sound. Retrieving it from her purse she acknowledged the notification alert, then she returned to its home. She smiled at her classmate.


"Well I need to get going. See you next week maybe?" She asked.


The older mare had returned to working on her piece. "Yep! See you then!"


Coco closed her folding palette, cleaned brushes one last time then emptied and collapsed her water container. By this time the painting had dried enough to be transported if one was careful. Unclipping a small umbrella from her portable easel she folded up along with the easel and portable stool. She stashed her watercolor block in the main compartment of the easel along with her palette. The umbrella and stool went into a modest duffle bag that she brought the class every week.


With everything stowed she donned a pair of sunglasses and picked up her gear. "Well I'm going wash up inside. See you later." Then she sauntered into the 4 story building. Her light teal sun dress billowed behind as she walked.


The earth pony washed the last remnants of paint from her hands in the mares restroom. Drying her hands completely with some paper towels she retrieved a small tube from her purse. It was filled with a thick, white, lotion-like substance. She squished a small dollop of it into the cupped palm of her left hand; then she vigorously rubbed it into her hands ignoring the slightly unpleasant tingling sensation. With that done she picked up her equipment and left.


Miss Pommel took one of the less used staircases up to 4th floor of the building. Even before she opened the door to the floor she could hear the rhythmic beat of the interpretive dance class that took place here every Thursday afternoon. It was the only class held up here at this time, and they wouldn't be finishing for another hour. Still she paused and peeked out from the stairwell before entering the hallway. It was empty.


The mare sauntered down the hall passing the closed door of the dance class. The steady beating of drums and melodious sound of pan pipes drowned out her hoof steps as she passed by. Coco stopped in front of the door for a currently unused art studio. Casually she glanced up and down the hall, then she inserted a key into the lock and stepped into the room. Once inside she closed the door and secured it.


The room was currently not being used and was devoid of furnishings. Only 4, strictly ornamental columns occupied the room. What their original intended use was Coco didn't know but they would be helpful today.


RESF had 3 years ago successfully fought off an inter-dimensional invasion from the Realm of Shadows. However in the course of it they'd made a surprising discovery. Changelings. Up to that point RESF intel had been certain that all changeling activity had ceased within the kingdom's borders. Even more surprising there was two factions. Those still loyal to Queen Chrysalis, and those who had denounced her and gone into hiding again amongst ponies.


This second faction for the most part was just trying to exist and was deemed not to be a threat to the realm or its subjects. Also once discovered they had proven themselves a useful source of information. In return for being allowed to continue to exist in the kingdom and gaining its protection they'd help the Crown hunt down the other faction. This wasn't surprising since they were all in the eyes of their former queen traitors, and would be killed if caught.


Chrysalis's forces had embedded themselves into several organized crime families called Associations. Extortion, forgery, embezzlement and assassination were all part of their trade. Therefore they were now public enemy No.1 in the eyes of the Crown. They were to be treated as foreign spies. Not as recognized uniformed combatants. At the moment the Royal Sisters were discreetly moving against them. Although what Coco was about to do was a bit less.


There was a window open the studio. There had been one every Thursday for the last month and half. A member of RESF was now covertly working as part of the Art Center's cleaning staff. He always left it open now when he came to clean the studio. This way it had become just part of the routine around here.


Coco set her gear down on the floor and unzipped the main pocket of her duffle bag and quickly removed the umbrella, stool, and a folded beach towel she carried in it. Opening a hidden panel in the bottom of the bag the mare retrieved a compact, semi-automatic rifle with a folding stock and integral suppressor. Snapping the stock in place the mare then retrieved from another pocket a zippered soft case you might carry beauty supplies in. Opening it she removed a rifle scope with it's quick detach mount. In seconds the scope was affixed to the rifle. From a drawer in her easel she retrieved a magazine and rocked it into the magazine well. The last piece of equipment was a flat, circular piece of crystal that was affixed via a side arm in front of the rifle scope.


With that accomplished Coco retrieved a small radio set from her purse. It had a belt attached to it and a hands-free headset. With practiced efficiency the mare donned the gear and then toggled the power. Then she waited for her signal. as she did the earth pony began scanning for her target with a pair of compact field glasses. After a minute or so she heard in her ears the refined voice of her commander Rarity.


"Afternoon darling. How has your day been?" Even though they were using a heavily encrypted comm system nopony was taking chances. They assumed somepony was eavesdropping.


"It's been very nice ma'am." Replied Coco.


Through her binoculars she'd acquired her target. It was right where it had been every Thursday for the last six weeks. Female, unicorn, about Coco's age, with a beautiful golden coat and fiery red and orange mane and tail. They always sat out on the balcony or their 3rd story apartment about 200 meters away and chatted on their phone. Tonight it looked like they were going to be heading out on the town if their snug, red, cocktail dress was any indication.


However setting her binoculars down and lifting her rifle and peering through the scope and the crystal matrix the mare could see a strange swirling aura around the mare. This was some of the information the changelings working with the crown had provided. A means to detect their own kind.


Coco had been assigned as part of the target's surveillance team over a month ago. However on Monday Miss Pommel had received word that the target was to be liquidated today. That was her current task.


"I've seen some very beautiful flowers today." Coco spoke into the mike. She now had scope reticle settled on the target's chest. She was using one of the columns to help stabilize the rifle. This allowed her to remain a few feet away from the window and hidden from view. The target was always referred to as a flower.


"So have I." Replied Rarity. "In particular I saw some absolutely stunning red ones today." Rarity always verified what the target was suppose to wearing at that moment by its color.


"I've seen some very pretty red flowers today myself ma'am." Coco adjusted her aim to allow for the wind. "Would you like me to pick some for you?"


"Yes dear. Could you be so kind and do that for me." That was the go signal.


Coco made one last tiny adjustment. Took a breath. Let it half of it out, and then pressed the trigger. The rifle shuddered a little and made a sharp, klikchak sound as the subsonic 9x39mm cartridge launched its 273gr AP projectile toward the target. Even with the recoil the mare saw a the target shudder through the scope as the bullet punched through its chest.


Certain that she had the range Coco pressed the trigger two more times. Changelings had proven to be surprisingly resilient beings. Able to absorb a far more of damage than a pony. Coco's instruction had been clear. No chance of survival for the target. She observed the second round punch into the chest a couple of inches lower than the first round. As the target began to slump forward she sent the third round through the top of the skull. The head detonated splattering the balcony with gore. The whole thing had taken less than three seconds.


Coco watched the target topple out of the chair. Then she began breaking down the rifle. In less than a minute she'd stowed it and retrieved the all spent shell casings. The ointment she'd rubbed on her hands assured she'd leave no fingerprints in the room. With this accomplished she stepped over to the door and carefully opened it. Confirming the hallway was empty she stepped out into and locked the door behind her. The noise of the dance class had guaranteed that anypony walking by wouldn't have heard the sound of the rifle cycling. She walked away and wondered what she'd have for dinner tonight.