BaronEngel
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3 round burst
🕑 Added 2020-12-18 01:36:25 +0000 UTCFrom the same anthro MLP dreamscape dream that Her last resort is from.
Octavia took a sip of her sparkling mineral water while her gaze continuously sweep the ballroom. The string quartet was taking a break between sets.
A few minutes ago her RESF superior officer had left the ballroom and begun her part of tonight's operation. Octavia's job was to keep watch on the ballroom and report any unusual activity to Rarity via the disguised magical comm link that all team members were wearing. The comm link was in the form a large gold earring.
Like Rarity the Royal Equestria Security Forces (RESF) had made a concerted effort to keep the knowledge that Octavia was a member a secret. During war against the Realm of Shadows, the earth pony had served as part of the Equestria's armed forces Quick Tempo, but with the end of the war it appeared that Octavia had returned to her life of being a professional musician.
However the war had made the Crown aware of another danger to the realm. Changelings. But the response to this threat was generally being handled much more covertly. Octavia had been quietly recruited to help with this new threat.
The musician fiddled with the short bolero jacket she was wearing. The setting for tonight was formal, but no clear dress guidelines had been issued for it gala. So for the evening Octavia was wearing a pant suit outfit with high waisted, snug pants of dark violet-grey, a white corset-like top, and a violet-grey bolero jacket. Rounding out her ensemble was separate white collar and her signature bow tie. Her outfit was fancy enough for the evening without drawing too much attention to herself.
Octavia recognized a few of the ponies gathered. Ponies she'd seen as attendees at various concerts, music festivals, or other events like tonight. However as her eyes continued to sweep the room she felt a cold lump form in her stomach. 3 new ponies had arrived. All of them were well dressed but had a surly air to them, but it was one stallion in particular in this group that made her heart skip for a moment.
In the underworld of Equestria they were known by their nickname of Knuckle Sandwich. The stallion was an enforcer for the Steelhoof Association. He had a reputation for his brutality, acts of wanton public violence and his short temper, but Octavia knew a dirty secret about this stallion. Knuckle Sandwich was a changeling. The mare had run afoul of the changeling once before during an op and the warrior changeling had vowed to kill her someday.
Lowering her head Octavia pretended to be reviewing her sheet music for the next set. As she did she tapped her earring and opened her comm link. As she did she visualized Rarity in her mind.
Ma'am we have a situation. The earth pony started thinking the words in her mind. At least one disguised changeling has entered the ballroom. It's Knuckle Sandwich. Over!
Oh. That's not good dear. Rarity's voice popped into Octavia's mind. Are they alone or are they with others? Over.
Let me confirm ma'am. Standby. Over. Octavia removed what appeared to be a pair of reading glasses from a jacket pocket. Placing them on her muzzle she continued the charade of reviewing the sheet music for a couple more seconds. Then slowly she lifted her head and looked at 3 new arrivals that were gathered around one of the hors d'oeuvres table. The glasses had a matrix that been developed in secrecy by RESF researchers to allow ponies to identify changelings. All 3 of the newcomers had the shimmering aura that marked them as changelings.
And Knuckle Sandwich was staring right at Octavia. There eyes met and the stallion started making a beeline for the earth pony.
Octavia appeared to get up and go over to the case for her cello and a soft case that had the other personal belongings she'd brought tonight. As she did she tapped the earring again.
Ma'am! I've been compromised and the situation is quickly escalating! Over! She knelt and unzipped the the long pocket of the soft case. The mare glanced up and saw Knuckle Sandwich still bearing down on her. His right hand vanished as he quickly reached for something hidden under his jacket . Octavia recognized the gesture and dove behind an unused wet bar. As she did she dragged the soft case with her.
"I told ya I'd fucking kill ya if I ever saw ya again!" Roared the stallion with complete indifference of everypony gathered in the room. Drawing his 9mm pistol from his shoulder holster the stallion began pumping rounds into the heavy walnut bar. Ponies started screaming and fleeing from the room.
Blast! Ma'am I'm taking fire! Over! Octavia jerked her carbine from the case and yanked on its collapsible shoulder stock to deploy it. Thumbing the selector she popped up over the bar and fired a 3 round burst. The destabilized mage crystal ammunition generated concentric rings around the muzzle as the projectiles punched into the torso of the changeling. Blood/ichor erupted from the changeling's chest and he toppled to the ballroom floor.
Suspect is down! The mare dived back behind the bar as the other 2 changelings having now drawn their weapons started shooting at her. Officer taking fire requesting immediate assistance! Over! In Octavia's mind she could hear other team members beginning to initiate various pre-planned actions.
Hang on sugar cube! Help is on the way! Applejack's voice popped in Octavia's mind. A few seconds later she heard the sounds of gunfire outside the mansion.
