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>>139738There are quite a number of squad members there, about six in total, a couple of whom talk together, while the others rumage through the possessions of the Changeling machinegun nest. The Changeling with the carbine lying on the ground has stopped breathing, and seems to have a couple new blue-knife wounds in his body. One of the squad members wears a belt of Changeling machinegun ammunition like it's an over priced scarf while going to the opera.
>>139739"I assume Town Hall is clear, then? Where is Lieutenant Brisbuck?"
>>139740“Uh, sir, downstairs, sir.”
>>139741"Thank you."
Silver goes downstairs to meet with Lieutenant Brisbuck.
>>139742Silver goes downstairs to find Brisbuck in the dining area, above a few of the wounded soldiers and speaking to the cream colored pegasus.
>>139743Silver joins them, listening in on the conversation instead of interrupting.
>>139744Silver learns from the Cream colored pegasus - who seems to have taken over Salt Lick's role as messenger - that Changelings in the town have set up more defensive positions in the easterly part of the town.
>>139745Silver nods, and asks the cream colored pegasus a question.
"What is current status of A Squad?"
>>139746The pegasus looks over, at first stunned
"Still frosty; no longer under fire."
>>139747Silver nods, and looks at both the pegasus and his Lieutenant.
"Once you are done receiving reports, I have information to give to you, Lieutenant."
>>139748The Lieutenant pulls away from the pegasus.
"And what is that, sergeant?"
>>139749"We found telephone switchboard and two army telephone operators upstairs who managed to avoid changeling replacement. We discovered that Changeling forces initiated bombardment of our Frontline to prepare for their big assault either tonight or tomorrow morning. These Infiltrators were sent ahead to deafen Command as to their plans. I am also afraid that it appears telephone and telegraph lines have gone down again just now."
>>139750His eyes go wide.
"Then I think you know what we must do. We need to push them out of their positions."
>>139751"Indeed. And if I may, I think we may have just kind of equipment we need for such endeavor in our wagon. I wonder if they know we have mortar."
>>139752He smiles
"I think they just might find out"
>>139753He smiles back at him, and salutes his Lieutenant.
"What are your orders, Sir?"
>>139754"Use teams as necessary to scout out the Changeling positions. Use any firepower necessary to dislodge them and remove them from the town. And above all else, keep the telephone, powerlines, and roadways clear of all Changelings for use in defending The Front"
>>139755"Sir, yes Sir! Do you know of Sargent Amber Grain's location?"
>>139756He's sitting down, over there"
He points a hoof towards a wall, where Amber Grain is sitting
>>139757"Thank you, Sir."
Silver trots over to the sitting Amber Grain.
"How are you doing, Sargent? I saw you got hit during earlier engagement."
>>139758"I've been better" He winces. "But they've stopped the bleeding."
>>139759Silver smiles at that last bit of news.
"Good. Think you are up to leading soldiers, or do you still need more rest?"
>>139760“Somehow, I don’t really think rest is an option for any of us at this point.” He pushes against the ground, attempting to stand up
“Ugh! Umph!”
With difficulty, he stands up.
“I think you need medical assistance yourself, Sargent.”
>>138272 →"We are boarding a train so we can slip past patrols. After all, only approved passengers make it on the train, and you fit the criteria we need to get on it."
>>139762“Uh... okay.. I’ll leave the infiltration fo you, though.”
He seems unsure.
Spark now has the task of getting himself, another pony, and at least one wolf on a train without being noticed or seeming out of place.
>>139761"Probably."
He looks down to the multiple bleeding bullet wounds across his body, staining his uniform crimson.
"Hurts like hell, but it is nothing I have not dealt with before."
>>139764“Wounded before?” He asks
“Well, ugh! It’s my first time.”
>>139763Hmm....
Spark looks to the wolves.
"How about it? Ready for a train ride?"
>>139766Waabishki is left silent for a moment, and Maakade’s eyes go wide.
Makade: “I am not so sure the doubles will be happy to see wolves from the north forest.”
>>139767"Then you will just have to be left unseen."
>>139765Silver nods.
"That I have been. For your first time, you are holding up rather well. I am impressed!"
>>139768Makade’s ears lower, and then raise
Waabishki answers
“I will have this much trust in your pony medicine, and this much trust in you. You were found in the nest if a Sa’be. That must be a sign.”
>>139769“Hopefully it will be the last.” He says
“What is the news?”
>>139771Spark nods and turns back to the doctor.
"We are going to need some crates big enough for our wolf friends, some blankets for them to rest on, and some documents to say the contents are of a medical nature."
>>139773Spark accompanies the doctor in search of the supplies.
>>139771"Changelings have bombarded our Frontline in preparation for their assault. We have orders from Lieutenant Brisbuck to drive changelings here in Vale from their defensive positions using any necessary force, and to patrol telegraph lines, power lines, and roads to prevent further Changeling sabotage from cutting Front off from Command."
>>139774“Uh, well we have... what will fit a wolf? Especially without hurting their necks.”
He goes back to his office, and looks through the back.
“Uh, well we have body bags and coffins. That will fit them, at least.”
>>139775“So it’s true. We should have expected a massive assault after uncovering their misinformation campaign.”
>>139776"There have been rumors of it for while. Turns out, they were true. That thunder we heard when we began our assault was sound of changeling artillery in distance."
>>139776"Well... I suppose they wouldn't be much interested in searching coffins. That could work if you can drum up some fake death reports and certificates."
>>139777His hair seems to stand up at points.
“It is a good thing we did not split our forces, as the first reports suggested.”
>>139778“Three coffins they will not want to search? I think I can work with that.” He answers, strangely confident
>>139779"That's the spirit. But remember, you have a cargo of wolves inside, and they best be comfortable as you can afford to make it. Unhappy wolves tend to not be pleasant if you can imagine."
>>139780He blinks
“I think I’ll leave opening the coffins once we are safe to you.”
>>139781"No problem. Got the paperwork needed to get on board?"
>>139779Silver nods.
"Anyways, if you were up to it, we have two tasks we can split between us. One of us assists in dislodging changelings, other leads team to patrol area."
>>139782“Uh... let me get some death certificates made. If I have my guesses right they won’t bother to look too closely.”
>>139783“Yes sir. I will go where you need me.” He answers
>>139784"Though we will still need a few regular supplies to keep the sick one well through the trip. We will also need to be able to check in on them. We can't have them suffocate or go thirsty."
>>139785“We need to be in the same car, or at least access the same car. They will have to get out during the trip.”
>>139786"What if other changelings see them and report it? They could have drones waiting at the station we arrive to and arrest us. We need to be able to quarantine the car or something."
>>139787“Have them place the coffins in the baggage car, or a freight car. That should be mostly safe. I think...”
>>139784"Okay. Youlead team on patrol, it should be easier one of two to do while injured."