#resf

Lyra signaled and then turned right off of Sea Stallion Drive in my Royal Equestria Security Forces (RESF) dreamscape. Bon Bon routinely checked the car's navigation system and watched through car's window right side window as the character of the city change before her eyes.

As they drove away from main downtown thoroughfare of Ft. Trotterdale they left behind swanky shops, upscale restaurants, and fashionable new apartments and townhouses tailored to the young business executives. Just a couple blocks further and they were passing through older working class neighborhoods. Beyond them lay the older apartments, shops, cafes, and dormitories that surrounded the university. Journeying further brought them into a vast sprawling maze of light industrial, truck yards,warehouses, and eventually the commercial docks of the city. It was around 7pm but being it was summertime there was still a far bit light in the sky as Celestia had not entirely relinquished her reign for the day.

There final destination was small, dingy, two-story office building that was probably 60 years old and hadn't seen a fresh coat of paint in 20. Decades of diesel smoke, factory emission, tropical sun, rain, and general neglect had left the building's exterior color rather indeterminate.

Normally during the day this area was abuzz with activity, but it was the early evening on a Friday and most businesses, and their workers, were now closed and vacated. Only one window at their destination showed any light and possible occupancy. Lyra pulled around to the back employee parking area. Letting the car coast to lessen the rumble of its V8. There was only one other vehicle parked in the covered parking area. Bon Bon squinted at license plate on the squat, subcompact. Like the building it was parked under, Ft. Trotterdale's climate had not been kind to its. Faded red paint, speckles of rust on the body panels, and sun bleached plastic trim told the story of its daily toils.

Bon Bon checked a note on her phone and looked at the license plate again. "Yep. That's Fast Talk's current car. Lyra shut the engine off looked over at her partner. "Well now that we've found him lets pay him a visit. What passes for the cleaning service isn't suppose to show up until 9pm. That should give us a chance to have a nice chat with him!"

As they exited the vehicle Bon Bon reached down under the back seat and pulled out short barrel, 12ga, pump-action shotgun from its locking, concealed rack. Calling it a sawed off would disrespectful of the care that had gone into modifying and customizing it. Quietly her and Lyra closed the car's doors. As they did the car's paint scheme seemed to shimmer for just an instant as the vehicle's security wards activated.

Both were amused to find that the physical lock and the supposed security wards for Employees Only stairwell were inactive. Before entering the stairwell both mares pulled their RESF badges out and hung them from their belts. Then each they donned a pair of wraparound glasses that shimmered as several wards on them went live.

They'd dealt with Fast Talk numerous times and the stallion was mostly bluster. However some of the company he associated with were another matter. So out of an abundance of caution Bon Bon went first. Slowly and quietly she ascended the stairs while keeping the shotgun in a low ready position. At the top of the stairway a fluorescent light fixture flickered spastically. Carefully the earth pony peeked around the corner and let her eyes sweep over the hallway. The glasses showed no signs of camouflaged individuals or wards. Although the door knob of office in question did sparkled with a low grade form of ward. Bon Bon used her right hand to make series of signals to Lyra.

Thumbs up. Hallway is clear. Cupping her hand and making a series rotating motions followed by a wiggling of the fingers. Door is closed. Probably locked. Is warded.

The two mares softly treaded up to the door. From under it a thin sliver of light leaked out and the muffled sounds of a radio broadcasting some sporting event could be heard coming from within. Lyra knelt down next to the door knob and gently placed a one-use paper ward breaker on the door next to the knob. The mint green unicorn thumbed the safety off of her pistol and looked up at Bon Bon who carefully pushed the cross bolt safety off on her shotgun. Then the earth pony nodded her head.

Lyra's horn glowed softly and a slim force wall appeared in front of her. Then for a second her horn flared as it triggered the ward breaker. In an instant the both mares heard sharp, loud CRACK as the ward on the door and the physical lock broke. Before the sound had even subsided Lyra had turned the door knob and was heading into the office with Bon Bon bringing up the rear. Sitting behind a battered office desk and looking up suddenly from some paperwork was a wiry, slightly feral looking earth pony stallion. His left hand quickly moved toward but then moved even quicker away from the battered .41 magnum revolver sitting on top of the desk when he saw the muzzle of the 12ga pointed at him. Slowly he raised both his hands with the palms out.

Lyra quickly swept the corners of the room with her 9mm before snatching the revolver off the desk. Through all of this the muzzle of Bon Bon's 12ga never wavered from the stallion's chest. Lyra dropped her force wall and then used her horn to close the door to office behind them. Then she used her horn to magically pull all of the drawers open except one that was locked. Coming around the desk the unicorn did a quick visual inspection. Satisfied she smiled and finally addressed the stallion who'd remained silent through all of this.

"Fast Talk! Buddy! How have you been! We've been looking all over for you!"

The dappled violet stallion kept his hands up as he smiled weakly at her. "Um. Ladies! Good evening! What an unexpected surprise! I didn't expect to be meeting you tonight!"

Bon Bon lowered the shotgun muzzle but returned it to the low ready position. "Well now you have." The ivory white mare grumbled.

Another moment from my Royal Equestria Security Force, RESF, dreamscape. For the last year or so both Coco Pommel and Rarity have been going nonstop. Moving constantly from one mission/assignment to the next 

  But after their most recent mission the Crown was finally to grant the 2 mares something they'd earned. Vacation time. So after their final debriefings and the last report was signed off the mares boarded a flight to Cabo San Luna for 2 weeks of R&R.

   Rarity was stirred from her slumber by the gently sounds waves racing up the beach, palm fronds hissing softly in the morning wind, and distant calls of seabirds. There was one more sound. The slow, soft, steady sound of hooves moving out on the wooden deck of the beach side bungalow they'd rented. As she gained more and more lucidity the unicorn could sense even with her eyes closed the soft, but growing, light of Celestia's rising orb.

   Slowly extending an arm and finding the princess-sized bed empty also confirmed for Rarity the source of hoof steps. Peering out from a gap in the pillows and sheets Rarity watched as Coco gracefully went through her early morning routine.

    It was called Watu Batal. It originated in the kingdom of Saddle Arabia. The discipline that sought unify the mind and the body of the practitioner so they were one and the same. It also help one control one's emotions and focus the mind. The movements were meant to supposedly mimic the slow shifting movements of the great sand dunes.

    Watu Batal almost looked effortless, but the slow flowing, almost casual looking movements required great concentration, practice, and years of commitment. Every move even down to tiniest of finger twitch had to be execute precisely in the correct sequence.

    Rarity always found Coco's almost dance-like practice to be mesmerizing and beautiful to watch. Finally the earth pony's routine came to an end. She finished like she always. Standing upright she faced east and brought her palms together. Closing her eyes the mare bowed her head for a moment. Then she turned and step through the sliding glass door into the bedroom.

    Coco sauntered up to Rarity who was still lying mostly buried under the blankets. She looked down at her and smiled. With an overly happy, chipper voice she addressed her superior officer.

     "Good morning! Did you sleep well last night?"

    Rarity peered out from her blanket cave and replied with a much less chipper voice. "Groan! Yes. Yawn! Yes darling I did, and I was hoping to get some more, but I fear you're going to do something positively dreadful. Like convincing me to get up and join you for an early morning breakfast. You know dear you're an almost perfect being except for this hideous early bird habit of yours.

   Coco giggled. "Why Rarity! I didn't know unicorns were also mind readers! Yes I was hoping you were up for an early morning breakfast, but first I want to take a shower. So you can stay in bed for bit longer if you want."

Often the mark of a true professional is not how well they perform when everything goes right, but how well they perform when everything goes wrong. Coco Pommel illustrated that fact a while ago in my Royal Equestria Security Force, RESF, dreamscape.

      Coco Pommel stared silently down at the collection of wreckage that was strewn across a large table. Through the headphones she was wearing came the voice of Rarity her Operations Officer.

      "Darling, be honest with me. What happened and how bad is it? Over." The encrypted satellite link gave the unicorn's voice a pitch that wasn't there when she was talking to you face-to-face, but there was another element. Genuine concern for her operative.

      The earth pony closed her eyes and took a deep breath, then slowly let it out before speaking. "The chute on the primary cargo pod failed to properly deploy ma'am. To make matters worse it struck the edge of a cliff face; then the pod flipped and fell another 300 meters or more into a very steep and rocky ravine. In the process it violently struck several rocks. Then it tumbled into a creek and became submerged at the bottom of the ravine. It took me and my contacts over 4 hours to retrieve it and bring back to my cabin."

      Coco crossed her arms and cocked hips a bit as she tilted her head slightly the other way as she continued her status update. She was standing in the dining room of a mountain cabin she was renting. With her was her 2 griffin contacts. To any pony or griffin who met her wandering the trails of the Scar Claw Mountains she just looked like another young, slightly affluent, female hiker. Hundreds of similar looking tourists came to the Scar Claws during late spring to early fall to take in the beauty of mountains. It was early October but the weather was still quite mild. As such the mare was wearing a tank top along with cargo shorts, sunglasses, and light hiking boots.

      "The outer casing of the cargo pod ruptured in several locations as result of numerous impacts. It's to testament to ruggedness of the materials used to make the pod that it didn't utterly fail on impact considering it fell over 1100 meters before striking hard granite. The impact set off all of the shock watches in the container. Praise Celestia the satellite radio we're using was in the secondary cargo pod."

      The mare picked a rifle scope and slowly started turning it over in her hands. "Unfortunately the contents inside the pod are a total loss. The optics on the rifle and the backup scope are ruined. Either from the shock of the initial impact. The further strikes against rocks as it flipped and tumbled into the ravine. Or from water entering the optics when the pod ended up submerged in the stream for over an hour. The impacts obviously destroyed water seals in the scope bodies."

      Setting the scope back down on the table she picked up the rifle. "At first glance the rifle appeared okay. However upon a more closer and detailed examination of it I've determined it's effectively useless."

      She set recoil pad of the butt stock on the floor and stared at the muzzle. "There's been serious damage done to the crown of the muzzle." She shouldered the .338 magnum rifle. "The aluminum chassis now has slight warp to as result to impact. Also the elevation knob on the cheek rest shattered and the rest itself is now cracked." She worked the bolt action of the rifle. It was much stiffer than it should be. She proceeded to pull the trigger. It moved but the sear didn't release. "Also it appears the trigger pack has sustained some form of damage. Sometimes it releases the sear; other times it won't. Worse it'll sometimes release prematurely." She squinted at the rifle receiver for a moment. "And I think the receiver is no longer true to the barrel."

      Coco tossed the rifle onto the table. "It's a write-off ma'am.  Also the tripod mount has a crack in the housing where the legs join. Over."

      There was several seconds of silence on the other end. Finally Rarity spoke. "Darling. You're the officer on the scene. Can you carry out the mission? The soonest I can arrange another drop is 72 hours from now, and that will be too late for the operation. Dear. Can you procure kit from the locals? Over."

      The earth pony scratched the back of her head one hand, tussling the multiple shades of her light turquoise blue green mane. Her face scrunched up a bit as she juggled multiple variable in her head. "I can try ma'am, but I'll have to be discreet about it." She glanced at the 2 griffins who'd remained silent and still through all this. "Also not to offend our hosts, but I'm not sure they have access to this level of equipment. I'm probably going to have modify the plans for the final operation. Also I will need to get some practice in with ersatz kit before carrying out the operation. Give me 24 hours to see if I can come up with an adequate substitute ma'am. Over."

      "Understood darling. Please inform me within the next 24 hours about your options. If by that time you're unable to secure necessary kit I'm going to abort the operation and you will start your transit from the area. Over."

      "Understood ma'am. I'll keep you informed. Signing off. Over."

      Coco slowly removed the headset and closed her eyes. She took a long, slow, deep breath and then let it out. Opening her eyes she looked at the 2 griffins. "Okay. I still have a job to do, but if it's going to be successful I'm going to need your help."

Although Coco Pommel's main mission was over in in my Royal Equestria Security Force, RESF, dreamscape there was still lots of clean up to do.

      With her single shot the mare had effectively decapitated leadership of the criminal organization that Kraka Blackwing had built and then used to terrorize the members of the Silver Talon Nation. Yes there were still individuals and pockets of resistance, but with assistance from the Royal Equestria Army, Air Force, members of Coco's organization, and the Confederacy of Nations Security Forces they were quickly gaining the upper hand.

      Kraka and his gang may have been able to terrorize the locals, but in the process they had made many, many enemies throughout the Confederacy who now knew it was payback time. And having recently come off a thwarting an invasion from another plane of existence the criminals were no match for the forces of the Royal Sisters and the Confederacy.

      The canyon walls echoed the groans and growls of the next wave of approaching transports and their escorts. Coming into view were 3 Sunrise Class heavy armed transports with a Striker Class airships at the front and back of line. The Strikers took up station orbiting around the old lodge. Their energy spheres were constantly pivoting and rotating as the weapon officers onboard searched for potential ambushers. The transports owned turrets were busy covering the landing zone as they slowed to a hover over the old lodge. Suddenly on the main deck of lodge a large circle of ward staffs briefly flashed with arcane light when it subsided there stood 3 dozen armed individuals. Then the first transport departed.

      The majority of them were griffins. They staggered a bit on their arrival, for most this was their first time experiencing teleportation. The unicorns who had joined them in the jump quickly got them organized and then led them over to a field tent that had been hastily set up in one corner of lodge's parking lot.

     With that accomplished the other transports descended one at a time. As they did they rotated so they could bring their loading ramps down near the edge of the lodge's parking lot that ended at the edge of the canyon. The lot wasn't large enough for the transports to physically land. Gingerly the great craft came down until their ramp was just a couple feet off the ground. In preparation for their arrival the guard rail that usually resided here had been cut away. The ramp came down and the freight master sprinted down it. They then turned around and started making various gestures with their arms. A few seconds later the first of three, lightly armed and armored 4x4 vehicles belonging to the Confederacy came tearing down the ramp when the last vehicle had cleared the ramp the freight master jumped back onboard and the levitators on the transport roared to life. Quickly the 56 ton armored behemoth rose into the afternoon sky as its great ramp slowly swung up and closed again. Then the next transport came down and repeated the process.

      Corbon sat on pile of ammo boxes and watched this aerial ballet unfold while he chewed on a sandwich. Over the last few hours the normally quiet mountains he called home had been abuzz with a plethora of sounds and sights. Even as the drone of the transports and their escorts faded away the old griffin could hear the approaching whop whop of rotor blades.

      Soon a large executive style helicopter wearing the livery of the Confederacy of Nations came into view. It's rotor blades kicked up a great cloud of billowing of dust, gravel, and pine needles as it landed in the parking lot. As soon as the craft had landed the pilot throttled back the engines but left them running. A small party of griffins and ponies jogged out the lodge. One of them was Coco.

      The helicopter's cabin door opened up and then steps folded down. 2 mares emerged from the craft. A mint green unicorn with short light green mane and tail and an ivory earth pony with a deep blue and magenta mane and tail. Both were dressed in dark pants suits and were wearing dark, wraparound sunglasses. The mares were holding PDWs. They scanned the parking lot and then made a hand gesture; now exiting from helicopter was a white unicorn with an elegantly curled violet-blue mane and tail. Her mane and tail along with her jacket and skirt of her suit fluttered in rotor blades turbulence.

      Behind her emerged an older female griffin in a suit that even at this distance Corbon recognized as Hara Creelaka, the current head of the Golden Bill Nation. Like the mare Hara had 2 female griffins who were obviously her close security detail. Decked out in tactical crew they emerged behind her holding submachine guns.

      The group from the lodge trotted out and met the arriving party halfway across the parking lot. They was a very brief series of introductions and then walked into the lodge at a brisk pace. As soon as they reached the front door of the lodge the pilot of the helicopter who'd been watching them confirmed with the crew chief over the intercom that the steps had been stowed and the cabin door was secured. Satisfied with the response he advanced the throttle and the copter rose into the air. Then it rotated and departed the same direction the transports had headed. As the drone of the rotor blades faded away the quiet of the mountains slowly returned. Soon only the sound of the jays squawking and the pines rustling in the afternoon breeze could be heard. Brushing off some random dust that had settled on his sandwich Corbon resumed eating.

      Corbon opened an eye at the sound of approaching hooves. He'd been resting against the shady trunk of a pine tree near the edge of the lodge parking lot. The late afternoon sun was already setting behind the  mountains throwing long shadows up the canyon. The heat of the autumn day was fading away. Off in the far distance he could hear the echoing rumble of a fighter-bomber. All day the aircraft of the Equestria Air Force had been practicing their trade on various strongholds of the former crime boss Kraka Blackwing. Several seconds later a soft but audible crump could be heard.

      Approaching the old griffin was Coco and the violet-blue maned unicorn. Behind them was the 2 mares that had exited the helicopter earlier today. The griffin stretched and then slowly got to his feet. Slung his rifle over his shoulder and waited. The unicorn stopped a few feet away and addressed him.

      "Hello dear. Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Colonel Rarity of the Royal Equestria Security Forces. I was in charge with overseeing Miss Pommel's part of this operation. Myself and the Crown wish to express our gratitude for the assistance you provided in this operation. Your aid was crucial to its success. Thank you." She then extended her right hand.

The old griffin looked at his right hand and quickly gave it a wipe on his pants. Then he shook hers. "Nut a prublem ma'am. I just did what had tu be dun. That buzzard had wurn ut his welcum lung agu."

     Rarity grinned and returned the handshake. "Darling I believe you're underestimating your assistance, but before Coco and I left and wanted to thank you personally."

     Corbon rubbed his bill and looked at Coco. "Su. Yu gunna be heading uff?"

      Coco spoke up. "Unfortunately yes. I need to give my report directly to the Crown tomorrow morning. Corbon I want to thank you. I couldn't have done this without your help."

      "Ah it was nuthin. I wish all my clients knew huw tu shuut like yu. My jub wuld be fucking easier if they did!"

      Coco giggled. "Well Corbon. If you're available in the future. Perhaps next spring. I'd like to hire you as my guide. I'm not interested in hunting, but..."

      Her voice drifted off as she slowly looked at the surrounding mountains. "But I would like to learn more about this place. I want to see the beauty of these mountains through the eyes of one who grew up in them."

      The griffin grinned. "Deal! Yu give me a date and I'll make the time fur yu!"

     In the distance one could hear the hiss of an approaching craft. The earth pony blushed a little. "Well, I guess this where we go our separate ways."

      Corbon slowly stepped forward and placed his right hand on her shoulder. He looked her in the eyes and then spoke with a solemn voice. "Althugh we nuw travel different paths we will always walk tugether. Take care."

Coco suddenly reached out and give the griffin a big hug just as a sleek, high speed liaison craft bearing the livery of the Royal Court of Equestria came rocketing up the canyon. The pilot banked the craft and in one quick, smooth motion brought it to land in the parking lot. Coco let go and smiled.

      Take care Corbon.

     "Same fur yu." Said the griffin.

      Then Coco, Rarity, and her bodyguards walked quickly over to the craft and boarded. A few seconds later it lifted off and sped away into the early evening sky. Corbon watched them until they were out of sight. Then he sighed.

Continuing Coco Pommel mission in my Royal Equestria Security Force, RESF, dreamscape.

      Coco unzipped another soft case and removed the rifle from within. hefting it she began the drill for what felt like the hundredth time that evening. With a sharp snap she worked the lever and quickly confirmed that the chamber and rotary magazine was empty. Satisfied with that step the mare started the process of inspected the weapon.

      A quick exterior inspection found nothing alarming. The usual collections of scuffs, scratches, dings to the wooden stock combined with worn bluing and minor exterior corrosion. The kind of honest wear a rifle acquires after years of being used and lugged around in the elements. Coco wasn't worried about cosmetics; it was interior and the optics that she was most concerned about.

      Shouldering the rifle she looked through the scope. The optics were clear, and the scope reticle even possessed a rudimentary range-finding reticle. Nothing as refined as the Mil-Dot reticle that Coco routinely used, but the mare had used this type in her youth. Now the critical part.

      Lowering the rifle from her shoulder she tilted the action so the light of the goose neck light was shining directly into it. The earth pony depressed the magazine follower and started the interior inspection. She sighed at the amount of lint and dust in the magazine. This was becoming an all too familiar sight.

      Closing the action she once again shouldered the weapon. The cheek height of the stock in relation to the optics wasn't great, but that could be modified with some foam and liberal use of duct tape. Taking aim at the far wall of the cabin she carefully pressed the trigger.

      A soft but distinctive click could be heard. The mare nodded her. Hardly optimal. Thought mare. But average for a hunting rifle. Now for the horror show.

      Once again Coco opened the action again and with a small flashlight she began inspecting the chamber of the rifle. After a couple seconds she carefully set the rifle in her lap and closed her eyes. She took a deep breath and slowly let it out as in her mind she reminded herself again.

      Your contacts are doing the best they can under difficult circumstances and on short notice. They have limited options and economic means. Also different standards than yours, but remember they're trying to help.

      Still when lifted the rifle and looked into the chamber she couldn't help from saying out loud.

      "Rapteran. Does anyone in your family perform routine maintenance on their firearms?" She then peered at the rifling. "Never mind that. Does any of your family own a bore brush!"

      The male griffin bristled at this comment. "I'll have you know I clean my rifle at least once a week!"

      Coco stared silently back at the griffin for several seconds then she sharply closed the action of the rifle. Carefully she set the rifle back in her lap and took a sip of her tea as she further weighed her options.

      She knew that her last comment was a bit unfair. Most of the rifles she'd inspected tonight were adequate big game hunting rifles. Perfectly capable of putting 5 shots in 6 to 7 inch circle at 300yds under realistic hunting conditions and a competent shooter. That was accurate enough to hit something vital on a large game animal. Blood loss, broken bones, organ damage, and shock would put the game down in reasonable amount of time. Usually no more than a couple of minutes.

      Those were unacceptable standards in Coco's line of work. Whenever possible death had to be as close to instantaneous as possible. No chance of aid coming to save the target. No opportunity to escape from the situation. Termination had to absolute and complete in a matter of seconds. In a best case scenario the target never heard the shot or realized they'd been hit. Sudden darkness and discontinuity should be all they experience.

      Also the range she'd probably going to be working at would be a stretch for any of these rifles. She was looking at between 600 minimum and out to 900yds, and her target was a very large, strong, and dangerous male griffin. A griffin that rarely was alone and traveled in the company of several equally dangerous griffins.

      The plan had been originally to been to nail the target, one Kraka Blackwing, with a .338 magnum cartridge that was loaded with an armor piercing, delayed fragmentation bullet. The projectile's harden tungsten tip would've punch through any physical body armor a griffin could be wearing and still fly. Upon penetrating the head or torso the bullet would rapidly fragment, effectively detonating inside the body. This round had proven itself as being able to consistently take out tough targets at ranges up to1200yds. The targets usually dropped like puppets who's strings had suddenly been cut.

      Unfortunately none of Rapteran's immediate family or trusted friends owned a rifle in that caliber. Coco didn't fault them for that. It was a relatively new, and expensive, cartridge. The mare found it ironic that Silver Talon Nation was one of the poorest of the Griffin Nations. This was why she and RESF was here assisting them.

      Coco looked back at Rapteran and sighed. "Sorry about that last statement." She looked over at the ruined rifle that had been part of the kit that she'd intended to use."You're tryin to help the best you can. Its just that if I am going to make this work I'm going to need something thats' both powerful and more accurate than..."

      She made a sweeping gesture with her left hand at the collection of rifles lying on the floor and sofa. "These." She said. Her face scrunched up for a moment. "Isn't abellak hunting popular in these mountains? That's usually done at long ranges and requires a stout cartridge to put them down. Does any of your family hunt those?"

      The griffin leaned back against the sofa and stared up at the ceiling. "Yeah, abellek hunting is popular in the Scar Claw Mountains. In fact the season has already started." He looked back at the mare. "But that's trophy hunting dun by either wealthy.fancy griffins who travel here from other nations to do it, or by those who are under Kraka's banner. He often rewards them with fancy rifles as gifts for their loyalty. My family and most of the families around here hunt for meat. Stuff to get us thru the winter. Not fancy trophies to hang on walls.

      Coco finished her tea then set the cup down. "Isn't common for hunters coming from far away to hire local guides who know the hunting grounds better? Those guides regularly carry equipment capable of taking down the same game as their clients. Know any guides you trust and you can ask a favor of ?"

      The griffin rubbed his bill as he stared at the mare for a moment. "Maybe."

     Coco quickly worked the bolt on the rifle in her hands. It hissed with any almost silky feel. She shouldered the lightweight, 7mm magnum rifle and looked at through the scope. A grin slowly spread across her.

      Proper mil dot reticle and a BDC calibrated to the caliber built into it. The mare set the wide fore end of the carbon fiber stock on the back of one dining room table chairs. Taking aim out the dining room window at a nearby peak the mare set the reticle on a distant rock.

      Crystal clear image to the edges of the lens. Good. She thought. She turned the magnification ring on the 4-18x50 variable power scope. Yes. Nice and Smooth.

      She reached up and turned the elevation drum on the top of the scope. Precise, quick, consistent clicks could be heard. She turned slowly in a clockwise and then counter clockwise direction. Reaching further down on the drum she carefully worked the secondary ring. Good it's got both minute and quarter minute of angle adjustment for both elevation and windage. She glanced over at the owner of this rifle. This setup must represent a year or more worth of earnings. They're serious about their gear.  

      She pulled a bolt out the back of the receiver. Setting it on the dining room table she peered down the bore of the deeply fluted barrel. Raising her head she looked over at the older griffin who'd been silently watching her. "What's your preferred load?" She asked.

      The older griffin growled. "I've settled on Redclaw 185gr soft points. They always hits the mark and if my client fucks up the shot they've got the muscle tu finish the job. Abelleks are tuf shits and yu gotta nail them hard." He pointed at the rifle. "I've always gotten the job dun with them."

      He them pointed at Coco. "But can yu get the job dun?" He cocked his head over at Rapteran. "I've know him since he was a featherless chick.  Yu. I don't know yu. Rapteran say yer some hotshot murdermare that yer princesses uses tu take care of things. Apparently yur supposedly gonna take care of that vulture Kraka Blackwing. Is that tru?"

      Coco bristled a little at the word murdermare, but it wasn't the first time she'd been called it. She looked the old griffin in the eyes and smiled. "Yes. I am one of the Royal Equestria Security Forces best precision rifle-ponies, and yes the RESF does report directly to Royal Court."

      The smile then vanished from her face and her eyes became cold. "And if you're wondering if I can do it. Yes. Yes I can. This is not my first assignment. I can do the job. When I'm done Kraka Blackwing will no longer be a threat to the Silver Talon Nation."

     The old griffin returned Coco's cold stare. "Hope yur right dear. Becuz if yu fuck up and Kraka finds out I gave yu my rifle tu take care of him. He's gonna kill my family befer my eyes befer he kills me!" He leaned forward. "Yu understand?"

      Coco's eyes never left the old griffin's. "Yes I do."

After emergency planning, acquiring the substitute equipment, and enlisting the aid of the locals  it was finally time for Coco Pommel to carry out her mission in my Royal Equestria Security Force, RESF, dreamscape.

      Corbon peered through his binoculars. Coco and him were perched on a very small stone ledge that was located on a towering, almost vertical cliff that had an excellent view across a narrow canyon at an old lodge about 600yds away and slightly below them. That was the current stronghold of their target. The crime boss Kraka Blackwing.

      The old griffin glanced at the mare out of the corner of his eye. They'd been lying in wait for the last couple of hours for the op to begin and their target/prey to appear. The guide took a moment to assess his partner in this endeavor.

      He'd been guiding clients up, around, over these mountains for more than 20 years and in that time he'd learned how to assess his client's skills, temperament, and mindset by watching their body language.

     In spite of her bright, multi-shade aqua mane and tail and pleasant disposition, Coco was a natural hunter. She exhibited neither fidgeting movements of boredom or the distracted, wandering mind of having to wait hours for game to appear that plagued many of his clients.

     Her face projected an aura of calm and contentment, but Corbon noticed that the mare's teal green eyes were slowly and constantly scanning the target area and the terrain around them. The earth pony's movements were slow, precise, and methodical. When she did move she naturally avoided scraping or dragging herself or her gear in a way that would create a sound. When they'd been snaking their way through and down the hidden cave that ended at their current location the mare had been like a ghost.

      She's a natural at this. Thought the griffin. She's the real deal. without taking his eyes off the lodge he spoke with a hushed voice.  

      "Can ask yu a questun?"

      Coco lowered her own pair of binoculars. "You can ask. Whether I can answer it will depend on the question."

      Corbon raised his binoculars. "Where didya lurn tu do this?"

      The mare kept scanning the lodge. "Well. I've been shooting since I was 8 years old, and I started competing in winter and summer biathlon when I was 12. Then a couple years later I started entering long rifle competitions. You know the out to 1000yd stuff."

      The griffin shook his head. "I wasn't asking where lurned tu shoot. I wanna knuw where yu lurned tu kill."

      For several seconds Coco continued scanning with the binoculars then slowly lowered them and spoke. Although her eyes kept scanning the landscape.

      "I was in Manehattan when the Shadow Lord unleashed his assault on this world. One of the initial portals was in Trotting Heights Park. The first few days were utter chaos. As the Crown scrambled to make sense of it and start set up an organized response to the attack. In Manehattan there were bands marauding monsters roaming the streets of the city killing anypony they could find."

      Coco took a sip from her water bottle. "I was riding on the subway when the attack happened, for the next week I just tried to stay alive and help out where I could. Initially responses to the attack were just hastily assembled groups made up of ponies from the police, emergency services, off-duty and retired military forces, and just ordinary ponies."

      "At one point I came across a wrecked police cruiser in a parking garage that I was taking shelter in. Apparently the vehicle had been part of the Manehattan Police Special Response Unit because I found in it a scoped, semi-auto, .308 rifle and several loaded magazines in its torn open trunk. Without thinking I took the rifle."

      The mare stowed the water bottle and took a bite from a protein bar. "I didn't have any clear plan. I. Just wanted to help somehow. So I started hunting the invaders. Taking out lone stragglers and targets of opportunities. I had a couple of close calls but a combination of luck and familiarity with the city saved my hide."

      "Eventually I hooked up with one of the group defenders in the city. I stayed with them for a month plying my new profession until I came into contact with one of the units from the Royal Equestria Security Forces that had been sent to recon the city. It was then that I met my current commander Rarity and joined her unit. I knew of Rarity because of her work in the fashion industry and the deeds that she and her friends have done for the Crown. Because of their actions in the past all of them had been given field commissions and tasked by the Royal Sisters with helping defeat the invaders. After the war myself and Rarity along with her friends stayed on in the RESF. There's still a need for our skills."

      Coco looked at the griffin. "Now can I ask you a couple of questions?"

      Corbon shrugged. "Unly fair, Uf curse that's assuming I can."

      Coco slowly looked back at the thin, almost slit-like opening they'd use crawl out on the ledge they were sitting on then back at the griffin. "How did you find this location?"

      She glanced around at the various shrubbery, assorted rocks, and continuing cliff face that did a very good job hiding the location. "Even if you were flying this would be very difficult to spot. The cave entrance even more so."

      The griffin took a piece of dried, smoked, salmon and chewed on it. "I'm a fucking guide. I need tu know the lands and where the game might be or hide. Ur else I wun't be duing it fer lung! I stumbled acruss the cave and this place years agu."

      Coco chewed the corner of her mouth as she considered her next question. "If you've known of this place and how hidden it is. Why haven't you put a bullet in Kraka from here?"

      The old griffin was silent for almost a minute. Finally a very soft voice he spoke. "Have yu ever shuut the wrung target? Ever been shur and pulled the trigger unly find uut later it wasn't."

      Corbon took a deep breath and then slowly let it out. "I use tu be a deputy guardian fer the nation years agu. I was wun uf best at the time. Then. Then wun day there was fight that bruke ut at wun uf the humesteads. Myself and my pardner were sent ut tu see wut was guing un."

      A pained expression danced across the griffin's face. "The place we wur heading tu was a place we'd been tu many times. The husband had a mean streak a mile wide, and was prune tu take it ut un nut just his neighburs but alsu un his family. In fact he use tu run with that buzzard Kraka back in his yuth. Befer Kraka became the terrur uf these lands."

      "Weeelll. We shuwed up and this time it was ubvius the husband had gun tu far. Apparently he gut intu a fight with a neighbur and had put a bullet intu his brisket. His sun had tried tu stup him and had gutten a knife in his chest fur his effurts! We fund him lying face duwn utside their cabin."

      Corbon clenched his right paw/hand into a fist. "We heard the sunds of yelling and screaming coming frum the cabin and then a gunshut frum within. The cabin had a frunt and back duur. Me and my pardner decided we'd come in frum buth directions. He'd take the front and I'd take the back. He'd gu first and I'd fulluw a secund ur su after. I heard him gu thru and then yell."

      "He's heading yur way!"

      "I was entering the cabin myself. It wus dark and eyes my wur trying tu adjust when I saw a large, pitch black figger bearing duwn un me fast. I raised my shutgun and fired twice. Then they slowly crumpled tuward me. I duve ut uf the way and I watched the husband collapse ut uf the duurway intu the daylight."

      The griffin closed his eyes and lowered his head. "He. He apparently had grabbed his daughter as a hustage and had been trying tu flee with her. In, in the darkness I cuuldn't see her in his arms."

      Corbon opened his eyes and looked at the sky. "The Elders cleared me uf any wrung duin. They said it was an hunest mistake, but I quit the jub."

      He looked down at the lodge. "Since Kraka became the fucking terrur uf these lands I've come up her several times with the thught uf putting a bullet in his head. I've even had him in the scupe uf my rifle. But, but every time I've tried tu pull the trigger I suddenly see that daughter's ruined, dead face staring up at me."

      Coco slowly nodded her head. "That hasn't happened to me."

      The griffin looked over at her with a pained expression. "Fer yer sake I hup it never happens tu yu."

     For the next hour they continued the watch in relative silence. Suddenly Coco's phone silently pulsed several times. The was planned signal announcing the start of the operation. A few minutes later several griffin came swooping in landed on the back deck of the lodge. They called out to someone in the lodge. Two figures stepped out to meet them. Corbon was peering through his binoculars.

      "There he is." He hissed. "He's wearing the blue shirt and the black pants."

      "Blue shirt and black pants." Coco repeated the description as she slowly aimed the rifle. After a second she spoke. "I have the target."

      Corbon continued to watch not just the target but the environment around them. He watched the heat mirage ripple slightly from the left to right. "Yu've gut a slight cruswind  frum the left. Nut mure than 5mph. Range is 627yds."

      "5mph wind from the left." Coco made a couple of clicks on the windage knob of the scope. She double checked the elevation on the rifle. "Range 627yds."

     "Dun't furget about the slope." The griffin muttered.

      "Roger that." Said the mare.

      For what seemed like an eternity they waited. Several times there were brief moments when there was an opening only to have someone would step in the way and block the shot. Kraka was yelling at the griffins gathered and several more who came out of the lodge and then went back in. Finally Kraka dismissed the griffins who'd arrived and started walking back into the lodge. Corbon looked at Coco.

      "Take the shot." He said.

      "Wait a moment." Said the mare. As she watched Kraka stopped and reached into his pants pocket and pulled out a cell phone. Angrily he tapped in a number and then raised his left arm and put the phone to his head. Exposing the left side of his torso to Coco.

      That was what Coco was looking for. She pressed the trigger and sent the projectile on its way. The 185gr soft point arrived a fraction of a second before the sound of the shot echoed through the canyon. The bullet punched through his ribcage on the left side in a downward angle destroying the left lung and then tearing through his heart. The rapidly mushrooming bullet ricocheted of his spine, cracking it in the process. Now tumbling it exited out of the right side of this body shredding his right lung along the way.

      Kraka shuddered and dropped his phone. Then he crumpled on the deck in a rapidly growing pool of his own blood.  

      It took a second for Coco reacquire Kraka in the scope, but it was apparent a second shot wouldn't be necessary. "Job done." She said. She pulled out her own phone and punched a prepared text signal. She waited until she had confirmed delivery. Then she looked at Corbon.

      "We should pack up quickly and retreat into the cave. This place is well concealed but we shouldn't dawdle. There will be air transports arriving in a few minutes. We'll wait for their arrival before establishing further contact."

      As she slowly crawled back from the ledge Corbon could hear the distant but growing louder grumble of approaching transports.

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. 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."   

  Corbon looked at his fellow griffins. "Yeah, but there's still gonna be the fucking Equestria military flying and 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.