Artist's comment:

Having obtained new equipment, Coco Pommel was able to continue her mission in my Royal Equestria Security Force, RESF, dreamscape.


Fortunately for Coco the owner of the rifle she was borrowing had several boxes of ammunition that the mare could purchase for practice and the mission. Even better all of the boxes were all from the same production lot. The old griffin, who she later learned was called Corbon, was able to help her get up to speed with the new rifle, and by the late afternoon she was easily shooting sub minute-of-angle groups at 600yds. Throughout the practice Coco found the old griffin to be a very knowledgeable when it came to spotting her shots and giving constructive input and advice. In fact he was as good as many of the professional spotters she'd teamed up with over the years. When she commented on it Corbon just shrugged.

"Not surprising when yu think uf it." The old griffin said as made himself a sandwich. They were sitting out on the back deck of the cabin Coco was renting. The day was coming to an end and Luna shift was slowly taking over. He paused and took a bite before continuing.

"My clients are rarely as good as yu r at shooting. Yer good and yu know yer stuff. No matter how fancy thar gear is it won't make fer a lack uf skill. So I often have tu du a heap of coaching tu git them thar shot. After all its whut thar paying me fur."

Coco finished taking a sip of her lager before replying. "True but it has been very helpful today. I've got a lot more faith in this setup now" She tipped her bottle slightly toward the old griffin as form of salute. "Thanks for your help."

Corbon chewed on his sandwiched and swallowed then he wiped his bill with the back of his hand. "So. How yu planning tu put a bullet in that buzzard?"

The mare glanced over at Rapteran and his cousin Clawnak who were her two official contacts for this operation. They were also sitting on the back deck silently watching this exchange. Coco had already breached the preplanned security arrangement by bringing in Corbon in on this mission, but still she wanted the two griffins approval. She still needed to contact Rarity and inform her of the changes in the operation, but Rapteran and his cousin would immediately suffer any consequences of the mission failing. Silently Rapteran and his cousin nodded their heads.

Coco went and back into the cabin and returned with her laptop. She set it on the trestle table and turned it on. As it booted it up she pulled a key ring from one of the pockets on her cargo shorts. It was the usual collection of car keys, apartment keys, and a fake work ID for the fashion distribution company that she supposedly work for in Manehattan. It was her cover for this op. A rich, young executive on vacation. Dangling from key ring was a cheap little plastic ornament of a smiling cat. Millions of them were made every year.

Carefully the earth pony separated what appeared to be two glued/fused together pieces of plastic. Nestled inside was a small data drive. Inserting it into one of the laptop ports the mare typed in an extensive series of numbers, letters, and symbols. Then she placed her right thumb on the track pad. After several seconds a series of files opened up on the desktop.

Over the next hour Coco laid out the plan that RESF analysts had put together that was felt to give her the best chance getting up to Kraka's stronghold unnoticed. Taking the shot and then getting out alive. This included aerial photography from both fliers, aircraft, and even satellites. There were photos taken from individuals who'd obviously been hiking on trails in the area. Finally there were topographical maps provided by RESF. Also Coco had purchased a map from the Scar Mountain Visitor Center.

Corbon listened all of this while made himself a couple more sandwiches and drank a bottle of beer when Coco finally finished her presentation the old griffin sat silently for awhile before speaking.

"Well. Yu and yer pals at the RESF sure put sum thought intu this." He popped the cap off another bottle of beer. He took a swig before glancing over at Rapteran and Clawnak. "Su wut huppens after she pops this buzzard? Yu know this gonna piss off the rest uf his gang? Wut's gonna keep them from goin on killing spree? They'll be wanting blood fer this."

The two younger griffins looked at each other and then at Coco. The mare nodded her head. Rapteran took a deep breath and spoke. "Coco's operation is suppose to coincide with an operation that involves the deputy reservists, and it will be undertaken with help from the Confederacy of Nations Security Forces."

Corbon snorted. "Su! The Confederacy is finally gitting off thar asses doing sumthin about Kraka! Tuk them fucking long enuf!" He glared at the younger griffins. "Yu think they can do the job? Kraka has gotta lot uf firepuwer!"

Coco replied. "Corbon. I'm not the only representative of Equestria who'll be taking part in this operation. Forces from Equestria Air Force and Army will be providing air transport and limited ground support and communication for the initial phase of the operation. That should neutralize any advantage Kraka's forces and his strongholds have. Also the Crown in conjunction with the Mahidin government will be freezing all banking accounts and private assets connected with Kraka's enterprise outside of the Silver Talon Nation's borders. Apparently he's siphoned a fair bit of the nation's wealth out of it. Those assets will be returned to the Silver Talon Nation once this problem has been addressed."

The old griffin was starting to take a swig from his beer when he froze and his eyes narrowed. "Equestria military. On nation lands. And the Confederacy is fucking onboard with it? How did that happen? Our nation has nu treaty with yu?"

The mare smiled. "This operation has been a long time in the making. I was involved in the initial stages.

>>2563054 [questionable] We prevented a very nasty zebra who was a wanted fugitive from Mahadin government from gaining entry into the Silver Claw Nation. Since then there's been very quiet, behind-the-scenes, negotiations going on. Kraka Blackwing has made himself very unpopular in Equestria and beyond, and while there's no formal treaty between our nations it's hoped that maybe this operation will lead to one eventually."
stomping around our lands!"

Coco smiled. "All Equestria Military air crews and ground units will be assigned representatives from the Silver Talon Nation. Those representatives will provide oversight and have final say in all decisions during the operation. Equestria has been considering expanding its aid, both civil and military, to the nations of the Confederacy. So, Celestia is designating all Equestrian officers as Military Advisors, and all non commission forces the title of Military Technicians. These forces will be here to demonstrate various tactics and technologies that the nations of the Confederacy maybe unaware of. This should avoid the issue of national sovereignty or violating the treaties Equestria has with the Grand Council of Dragons."

Corbon stared dumbfounded for a moment. Then he burst into laughter. "Oh ho ho! Yu ponies all look so cute and adorable with yer brightly colored manes, tails and coats. It's so easy tu take yu all fer granted, but yer all some the most crafty, sneaky, and ruthless folks tu walk under the sun and stars, and Celestia is the worse!"

The old griffin then proceeded to laugh uncontrollably for the next minute. Finally he stopped. Wiping tears from his eyes he looked at Coco. "Yu know wut. This might just work! But the place yu plan tu take yur shot sucks! I know a much better place, but yur gonna need a guide tu find it. Besides yu'll wunt a spotter. Yu looking tu hire a guide?"

Coco grinned. "Why yes! I am!"

Corbon nodded his head and then looked over at Rapteran. "Hey! Since I've loaned her my rifle let me borrow yurs there. After all I gave it tu yu years ago!"

Rapteran nodded and unslung his well worn battle rifle and passed it over the older griffin along with a bandoleer of magazines. Corbon gave the weapon a quick, external inspection and then looked at the younger griffin.

"Sooo. When was the last time yu–"

The younger griffin groaned and rolled his eyes. Then he got up to retrieve a cleaning kit and a bore brush.

Coco giggled.

To be continued.

Note. If you're wondering. No that's not an M14 with an E2 stock. It's a Beretta BM59 MKII Link with what some in the gun community call the Nigerian Stock.