The mission is in the name.
Reconnaissance - Detect and evaluate potential threats to Equestria, foreign and domestic.
Assault - Effectively attack & destroy targets of interest.
Interdiction - Interfere with hostile organizations' logistics support.
Demolition - Provide combat engineer support and clandestine sabotage capability.
Such is the mission of the Equestrian government's most secretive organization, RAID. Their precursor, the Royal Guard's 1st SOG-CAD, started the Wonderbolts to attract and evaluate potential operatives. Operating with near-total freedom, their actions have maintained the thin veneer of peace enjoyed by the citizens of Equestria.
Decades later, the Wonderbolts have fulfilled their secretive purpose once again, bringing the young pegasus Rainbow Dash to RAID's attention. Still hoping to one day fly before crowds, she reluctantly accepts the invitation to join. Soon after she completes her training, though, the organization is thrown into a shadowy international conflict that threatens to turn into all-out war if RAID cannot stop it. The coming fire will either temper Rainbow Dash's loyalty to a new strength or melt her in the flames of hatred...
I am very okay with this. You've kept Dash perfectly in character and set her up for some kick-ass adventures at the same time. I can't wait to see the rest!
Looks good so far... of course you haven't gotten to the [DARK] parts yet. Dun dun DUN.
This is really good. A gem that needs a lot more views than it has now. Great work.
RAID. Hmm. Reaction...Air...Intervention...Division? Response...After...Incident...Directory? Revolution...Assistance...and...Intelligence...Department? Why don't I just read the story to find out?
EDIT: Recon, Assault, Interdiction, Demolition. Damn, I wasn't even close. Good start. A shame it doesn't have more views.
Love it so far can't wait to see how it goes
This looks interesting... Proceed good sir.
Feel genuinely sorry for Dashie, but she seems to enjoy physical challenges and the ... do they qualify as an elite military branch? looks like it's gonna provide plenty of those. Also get the impression she's might stay with it, being the element of loyalty and all. Tracking.
Big thanks to Pilate for pre-reading. Awesome dude with an awesome group to his name. Check it out!
Looks good. Will read later.
'Individual Augmentee'. Well, that's not ominous at all!
I am so glad to see this update. I had to put everything else down for this. And it was glorious.
*Blinks in surprise* Did... did I see what I thought I saw in that chapter?
Ah well, individual Augmentee? Apparently they think she's best on her own or'd get her squad killed... Alternatively, they might have reached the conclusion that she's good enough to get missions done without a squad.
Statement that her flying precision was improved implies they had an area with which to keep a pegasus wings... adequite. Knowing Dashie, her pride in personal ability would have her train to improve herself whenever possible, likely increasing her already considerable speed in general, thus making it impossible for other members to keep up with her.
Or just a messenger.
I'm liking this story very much.
EDIT; Failed to read and understand Betas roles. Seems... unusual for a pegasus like her. Given talents and personality, not suited for a support role and already stated several times to be excelent with a spear. Highly suspicious of intent for her.
Communication, good with spear, insanely fast... Require more data. What I can assume from the available information however, is possibly something of the above (Keep an open mind, consider every angle, am very rarely surprised) or given individual positioning may be sent on missions with a squad, but given hyper speed can report back to HQ pretty much immediately and can carry heavier loads (Still doesn't seem right, doesn't match her full potential or personality. Don't have enough data, slightly confused.). May have also gone off on a tangent. If so, I appologise.
Another excellent update. Keep up the good work.
Very nice chapter.
Huh. Need more info on Dash's assignment!
Also, in the first chapter I think your dates are slightly off. May the 15th seems to come before May the 13th in your dating thing.Nevermind, it seems that ordering was intended.
Huh uh that's one major hangover dash is gonna have
I already gave you many of my thoughts in regards to the narrative as it goes from here, so I will spare you another diatribe. Keep up the good work!
1596166
HOW are you so quick to comment on everything? You're a frickin' ninja with these updates.
1596189
I may or may not have a problem.
Now this was an awesome chapter
Can't wait for the next
Would be nice to address where RAID where when the Mane Six could have used some back-up - changelings, Nightmare Night, Discord. And that Dash has essentially already been protecting the realm from enemies in her capacity as an Element of Harmony.
This is excellent. Why is there not more of it.
This is a great story.
It boggles my mind that this gets so few views. It's a bit slow but it's still better written than fics that get around ten times the attention.
1797729
Thanks for the compliment! Nothing spreads a fic like word of mouth, though (well, except maybe getting on EqD). Tell people you know!
Great chapter! I'm with Arzoo on this. Maybe the word count intimidates people. Nevertheless, I'll endeavor to spread this story.
I agree with those two
This is a great Fic and it NEEDS more readers, likes and Favs
Exceedingly well done.
I hope you don't mind if I suggest this to Seattle's Angels (that one group that recommends under-appreciated fics); I think that qualifies as word of mouth, right?
1797967>>1799351>>1799578
I truly appreciate the compliments. They really do mean a lot. As for suggesting to groups/people, as long as it isn't TWE (or whatever splinter groups of them remain), I'm all for it! Thanks!
1799351
I deleted your comment only because it contains leaked content. I don't want to have that kind of thing on the comments page here. Nothing personal, just don't like promoting leaks.
It's a full episode!!
Should I send it in a PM?
1799845
Nah. I'll just watch it on Saturday
1799808
This is Seattle's Angels
Wanderer D posts their weekly review in a blog.
This is an awesome fic. A really awesome fic.
Ok I'm convinced now that compared to this, being in the Wonderbolts is just a retirement for these guys not a main goal.
Wonderbolts should be more of a mid career lull (something more like the blue angels) but then again, that might require admitting to raid's existence.
Anyhow, as far as the shipping is concerned, subtly removing resources from one nation to another that's already not on good terms is not a good sign, excess hidden baggage would only be more fuel for the wild fire, it's almost an inconsequential addition at this point. Needless to say, this next opp looks like it's going to tartaurus and RD won't be able to prevent it. War's a comen' (but maybe it will be a behind the scenes fight...
Man, this story keeps getting better and better. I'm loving this.
This made my evening at least 21% better.
Why did I put off reading this
It's. SO.AWESOME
Now how has this managed to slip under my radar? And other people's as well, apparently - where are all the likes? I'm really loving the premise so far, your characterization is great (in my opinion, anyway - I suppose everyone has their own views on that sorta thing) and its super well written. The only thing I'm wondering about (and it could be addressed later, I'm not sure) is why Dash didn't think of her friends, even fleetingly, before making her decision. Obviously she wants to stick it out to become a Wonderbolt, but presumably a five year career with a super secret defense program would keep her away from her friends for that duration - something that would likely give her pause. Again, I don't know if you've mentioned it already in a later chapter, or if she gets leave to visit family/friends after signing on to RAID, it was just a random thought.
Anywho, this is awesome, and you can count me as a fan
I really liked this chapter. Dash as a back up force for any team seems like the perfect place for her, seeing how quick she is and how much she likes her autonomy. I also really liked that you included her training in the story - it makes her enhanced abilities seem more realistic. Its also nice to see that the regimented schedule hasn't snuffed out her independent streak, either. So yeah, still loving this, keep up the awesome work
Aw, crap. I was wondering when Dash would have to kill someone. I like how you have her reevaluating her choice to push to become one of the Wonderbolts even if it means changing who she thought she would be, and the whole thing about her not being able to face Gilda was a nice touch. I dunno where you're going to go with this, but I'm really interested to find out.
As to spreading the word, I listed this story on my user page in the awesome stories section - not that I get a lot of traffic, mind you (like pretty much none) but its the thought that counts, I guess
Anywho, still loving this
This is all of my favourite things!
Looks like I've got some reading to do.
2097529
Loved it!
Seeing Dash be awesome is just what I was hoping for out of her first mission.
I'm sure she'll learn humility at some point, but for now she can keep being the best as far as I'm concerned!
Oh jeez.
Poor Dash...
Another great chapter.
I have a feeling that the fight is not going to be as easy to control as Dash hopes.
Suddenly memories of geography classes surface.
I felt like I was back on that tanker in Metal Gear Solid 2 what with all the sneaking (that was supposed to happen.) Now that I think about it, the whole chapter kinda follows that first sequence a bit.