Description:
Another moment from my Anthro MLP dream/movie setting. Rarity stepped out of the elevator and into the underground parking garage. It was a brisk autumn evening and the concrete of the parking structure had spent all day soaking up the cold and humidity. Under the harsh lighting of the garage the white unicorn could see wisps of her own breath. Fortunately the lining of the heavy overcoat she was wearing did an admirable job keep out the worst of the cold. Even if it was only closed with one button. Swinging from her right hand was an attache case of burgundy leather.
The mare nonchalantly looked around the garage as she made her way to a jaunty little red roadster that was parking about 50yds away. The garage appeared to be empty and was quiet except for the click of her shoes on the concrete and the steady drone from the ducting for the HVAC system. As she walked she felt amplifier ring on her horn vibrate slightly. It was disguised to look like a piece of jewelry commonly worn by unicorn mares across Equestria. A few seconds later the Royal Equestria Security Force, the RESF, field commander heard voices form in her mind. First was the twangy voice of master sergeant Applejack
Rarity. The Grab Team is in position and is a covering ya. The moment they take bait ya git behind some cover and let us do the heavy work ma'am. Over.
Very good darling. Please standby. The unicorn thought. I've stepped out of the elevator and I'm heading for my car. Over.
Understood Ma'am. Over.
Next she heard the refined voice of Octavia.
Ma'am. The traffic cordon is now in place as you instructed. Detrot police has cleared the vicinity of bystanders. Also we've just moved in our teams and secured the lower floors of the building. Over
Very good dear. Standby for further orders. Over.
Ma'am. Vinyl here! The unicorn suddenly chimed in. Just wanna let you know I've just gained control of the elevator controls and security cameras for the building. If you need I can shut this party down and also seal off the parking garage doors. Oh! Sweet! I just hacked the sprinkler system in the garage as well! If you want me to hose things down just let me know! Over!
In spite of the risk she was taking and the headache that was growing in Rarity's head from using the mental link she couldn't help but smile a bit as she replied. Thank you darling. Hopefully it won't be necessary to "hose things down". I don't want to think what that would do to my mane and tail!
Finally came the voice of the unicorn Lyra Heartstrings. Ma'am. Sweetie Drops and I are waiting in my sedan one level down. If you need additional backup or quickly evac just let me know and the cavalry will be on its way. Over.
Good to hear dear. Hopefully that won't be necessary. To all units. I can see my car. If they're going to bite hear it'll probably be in the next few seconds. Standby. Over.
The reason this deadly bit of theater had come across Rarity's desk a few days ago in the form of a heavily warded security alert from the Crown itself. Over the last couple of years the RESF had been conducting an extensive series of both public and covert operations.
These cells had, or had attempted, to infiltrate not just various branches of the government and business, but also the many elements of the underworld crime scene. Especially crime organizations refer to as the Associations. This meant that in many cases RESF along with local law enforcement had found themselves not just battling these hardened criminal changelings but also the pony Associations they'd joined.
As a result RESF had become very unpopular with these underworld elements. Enough so that these criminal elements had decided to make an example of some ponies. Apparently Rarity had made it to the top of the list, and she was slated to be assassinated tonight. To bad her forces been tipped off to it. The security alert come from none other than Rarity's longtime friends Princess Twilight. Along with the alert was the amplifier ring she was now wearing. They were about to turn the tables on these would be killers.
Rarity tossed her mane and discreetly triggered another of wards in the amplifier ring. This whole operation smelled of desperation to her. Which only convinced her that they were on the right track.
She was approaching her car when the air about 40ft in front her rippled like a heat mirage. Emerging from chameleon wards was 6 masked individuals with weapons drawn.
At first sign of the ward signature Rarity's horn had flared and the shield ward in the amplifier ring burst to life. It crackled into a pale blue hemisphere. Just in time as a thunderous volley of 9mm projectiles, loads of 00 buckshot, and several energy bolts from the assailants slammed into shield. Normally such an attack would've completely perforated Rarity's defenses, but the ring that Princess Twilight's development team had sent her withstood the onslaught.
As the shield ward came to life Rarity let go of the attache in her right hand. At the same her left grabbed the opening of her overcoat she was wearing and gave it a quick, sharp yank. Earlier in the day the mare cut most of the threads holding the button on. In the stress of the moment the button went flying off across the floor of the garage. One, quick motion Rarity's right hand went for the 5.56mm PDW that was slung from a shoulder rig under her armpit. Grasping the pistol grip she gave a firm shove, and she felt the quick-release snaps let go in sequence. The last one extended the telescoping stock of the PDW.
As Rarity brought the weapon up to her shoulder she thumbed the safety off. In briefest instant she was aware of the red dot of the scope on chest of one of the assailants. Instinctively her finger pressed the trigger.
Bbbbrrrrapppp!! The roar of the PDW firing inside the parking garage was almost deafening. The first burst of 5 fragmentary, destabilized mage crystal, known as DMC, ammo threw out brilliant, concentric rings of arcane energy from the muzzle as the rounds slammed into the assailant's chest and detonated inside them. One of the clever tricks Twilight's crew had developed was unidirectional force wall. She could shoot out of it but incoming fire was deflected.
Everything was moving in slow motion now in Rarity's mind. She felt herself beginning to sidestep toward a nearby concrete support pillar. She could see the assassin she'd just hit beginning to slowly crumple forward. She watched as further rounds of ammunition seem to almost leisurely slam into the force wall. At the same she was vaguely aware of numerous multi-color arcs of energy starting to emerge from the shadows as AJ's team dropped their own chameleon wards. Unlike the assassins they were using the recently fielded, technically non-lethal, stun bolters. If at all possible Rarity wanted at least one survivor for questioning. Lots and lots of questioning.
Bbbrrappp! Bbbrraapp! Bbrraappp! PDW roared then went silent as the 20rd magazine emptied. Rarity sensed another of her bursts strike another of the assassins in the shoulder. Her remaining bursts missed. Diving behind the pillar the unicorn cursed in a very unladylike fashion as a flurry concrete chips from the pillar skipped off her force wall. Her left hand frantically yanked a spare magazine from her shoulder harness rig. More cursing followed as her trigger finger mashed the magazine release and the spare mag fell from the weapon. Slamming the fresh magazine she hit bolt release and chambered another round. It was only then that she realized the gunfire had stopped. Instead she heard the sounds of many heavily booted hooves running toward her and Applejack calling out.
"Suspects are down! I repeat! Suspects are down! Secure them and make sure they aren't boobytrapped! And git the medics up here now! Rarity! Rarity ya alright?!"
It was only then that Rarity realized how much her ears were ringing and that her hands were trembling slightly. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She let it out slowly before thumbing the safety on her weapon and then step out into view. In the most officer-like manner she could muster Rarity addressed her friend.
"Yes AJ I'm fine. That was very, um, exciting darling." She glanced around and counted heads. "Good it appears everyone is accounted for and safe…."
It was then her gaze settle on her roadster. At some point in the midst of the firefight an errant blast from a 12ga had utterly obliterated the front windshield of Rarity's car. Mare sighed.
"Really."
The mare nonchalantly looked around the garage as she made her way to a jaunty little red roadster that was parking about 50yds away. The garage appeared to be empty and was quiet except for the click of her shoes on the concrete and the steady drone from the ducting for the HVAC system. As she walked she felt amplifier ring on her horn vibrate slightly. It was disguised to look like a piece of jewelry commonly worn by unicorn mares across Equestria. A few seconds later the Royal Equestria Security Force, the RESF, field commander heard voices form in her mind. First was the twangy voice of master sergeant Applejack
Rarity. The Grab Team is in position and is a covering ya. The moment they take bait ya git behind some cover and let us do the heavy work ma'am. Over.
Very good darling. Please standby. The unicorn thought. I've stepped out of the elevator and I'm heading for my car. Over.
Understood Ma'am. Over.
Next she heard the refined voice of Octavia.
Ma'am. The traffic cordon is now in place as you instructed. Detrot police has cleared the vicinity of bystanders. Also we've just moved in our teams and secured the lower floors of the building. Over
Very good dear. Standby for further orders. Over.
Ma'am. Vinyl here! The unicorn suddenly chimed in. Just wanna let you know I've just gained control of the elevator controls and security cameras for the building. If you need I can shut this party down and also seal off the parking garage doors. Oh! Sweet! I just hacked the sprinkler system in the garage as well! If you want me to hose things down just let me know! Over!
In spite of the risk she was taking and the headache that was growing in Rarity's head from using the mental link she couldn't help but smile a bit as she replied. Thank you darling. Hopefully it won't be necessary to "hose things down". I don't want to think what that would do to my mane and tail!
Finally came the voice of the unicorn Lyra Heartstrings. Ma'am. Sweetie Drops and I are waiting in my sedan one level down. If you need additional backup or quickly evac just let me know and the cavalry will be on its way. Over.
Good to hear dear. Hopefully that won't be necessary. To all units. I can see my car. If they're going to bite hear it'll probably be in the next few seconds. Standby. Over.
The reason this deadly bit of theater had come across Rarity's desk a few days ago in the form of a heavily warded security alert from the Crown itself. Over the last couple of years the RESF had been conducting an extensive series of both public and covert operations.
The objective of these operations had been the eradication of changelings cells that were still loyal to the former queen of the changelings Chrysalis.
These cells had, or had attempted, to infiltrate not just various branches of the government and business, but also the many elements of the underworld crime scene. Especially crime organizations refer to as the Associations. This meant that in many cases RESF along with local law enforcement had found themselves not just battling these hardened criminal changelings but also the pony Associations they'd joined.
As a result RESF had become very unpopular with these underworld elements. Enough so that these criminal elements had decided to make an example of some ponies. Apparently Rarity had made it to the top of the list, and she was slated to be assassinated tonight. To bad her forces been tipped off to it. The security alert come from none other than Rarity's longtime friends Princess Twilight. Along with the alert was the amplifier ring she was now wearing. They were about to turn the tables on these would be killers.
Rarity tossed her mane and discreetly triggered another of wards in the amplifier ring. This whole operation smelled of desperation to her. Which only convinced her that they were on the right track.
She was approaching her car when the air about 40ft in front her rippled like a heat mirage. Emerging from chameleon wards was 6 masked individuals with weapons drawn.
At first sign of the ward signature Rarity's horn had flared and the shield ward in the amplifier ring burst to life. It crackled into a pale blue hemisphere. Just in time as a thunderous volley of 9mm projectiles, loads of 00 buckshot, and several energy bolts from the assailants slammed into shield. Normally such an attack would've completely perforated Rarity's defenses, but the ring that Princess Twilight's development team had sent her withstood the onslaught.
As the shield ward came to life Rarity let go of the attache in her right hand. At the same her left grabbed the opening of her overcoat she was wearing and gave it a quick, sharp yank. Earlier in the day the mare cut most of the threads holding the button on. In the stress of the moment the button went flying off across the floor of the garage. One, quick motion Rarity's right hand went for the 5.56mm PDW that was slung from a shoulder rig under her armpit. Grasping the pistol grip she gave a firm shove, and she felt the quick-release snaps let go in sequence. The last one extended the telescoping stock of the PDW.
As Rarity brought the weapon up to her shoulder she thumbed the safety off. In briefest instant she was aware of the red dot of the scope on chest of one of the assailants. Instinctively her finger pressed the trigger.
Bbbbrrrrapppp!! The roar of the PDW firing inside the parking garage was almost deafening. The first burst of 5 fragmentary, destabilized mage crystal, known as DMC, ammo threw out brilliant, concentric rings of arcane energy from the muzzle as the rounds slammed into the assailant's chest and detonated inside them. One of the clever tricks Twilight's crew had developed was unidirectional force wall. She could shoot out of it but incoming fire was deflected.
Everything was moving in slow motion now in Rarity's mind. She felt herself beginning to sidestep toward a nearby concrete support pillar. She could see the assassin she'd just hit beginning to slowly crumple forward. She watched as further rounds of ammunition seem to almost leisurely slam into the force wall. At the same she was vaguely aware of numerous multi-color arcs of energy starting to emerge from the shadows as AJ's team dropped their own chameleon wards. Unlike the assassins they were using the recently fielded, technically non-lethal, stun bolters. If at all possible Rarity wanted at least one survivor for questioning. Lots and lots of questioning.
Bbbrrappp! Bbbrraapp! Bbrraappp! PDW roared then went silent as the 20rd magazine emptied. Rarity sensed another of her bursts strike another of the assassins in the shoulder. Her remaining bursts missed. Diving behind the pillar the unicorn cursed in a very unladylike fashion as a flurry concrete chips from the pillar skipped off her force wall. Her left hand frantically yanked a spare magazine from her shoulder harness rig. More cursing followed as her trigger finger mashed the magazine release and the spare mag fell from the weapon. Slamming the fresh magazine she hit bolt release and chambered another round. It was only then that she realized the gunfire had stopped. Instead she heard the sounds of many heavily booted hooves running toward her and Applejack calling out.
"Suspects are down! I repeat! Suspects are down! Secure them and make sure they aren't boobytrapped! And git the medics up here now! Rarity! Rarity ya alright?!"
It was only then that Rarity realized how much her ears were ringing and that her hands were trembling slightly. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She let it out slowly before thumbing the safety on her weapon and then step out into view. In the most officer-like manner she could muster Rarity addressed her friend.
"Yes AJ I'm fine. That was very, um, exciting darling." She glanced around and counted heads. "Good it appears everyone is accounted for and safe…."
It was then her gaze settle on her roadster. At some point in the midst of the firefight an errant blast from a 12ga had utterly obliterated the front windshield of Rarity's car. Mare sighed.
"Really."
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