Operation: Swordbreaker

Chapter 3 - Reconnaissance

Nathan passed through the barrier with tentative steps, a strange tingling sensation passing through his equine body as he crossed the event horizon and into Ponyland. Nathan came out on what looked like a dirt road that stretched on for several kilometres in either direction, disappearing behind a hill after the first few kilometres.

Nathan heard what sounded like a radio tuning in, and suddenly Commander Ellise's voice spoke softly to him.

"Corporal? Do you read me?"

"Loud and clear sir, send message."

"Alright good, the connection works, we're going to close the portal you just came through and see if we can't keep sending signals through the smaller natural rifts." There was was a small thunderous sound and the gateway behind Nathan closed, the event horizon collapsing in on itself.

There was silence for another few minutes before the Commander's voice could be heard again.

"Come in Corporal Harper, you still there?"

"Yes sir, loud as always."

"Good it still works, we shall should be able to communicate for about four hours before the rift closes, our call sign is 'Sunray' and yours is 'Swordbreaker'. We'll be utilizing field radio etiquette, understand?"

"Sir, yes sir."

"Good, now look around, describe your surroundings." The soldier turned his body around where he stood, scanning the area and it's many features.

"I'm standing on a dirt road" Nathan said "On each side there's just a series of fields and hills covered in grass, in one direction the hills block my view, in the other..." The NCO squinted. "Sir, I can see the castle we discussed during my briefing in the distance" through the clouds and a fine layer of mist the distinct shape of the castle city could be seen.

"Good, head that way. Make sure to make note of the landscape and such as you go, anything to assist the movement of troops or equipment, I shall notify you before the rift closes."

"Yes sir."

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The trek was a long and boring one. After he got over the fact that he was in a new world, the constant pace over the dirt road with little to nothing to look at had lost it's its excitement two kilometres ago. Despite his boredom, Nathan was observing, he noticed some more mountains in the distance, as well as some temperate forests. Additionally, the road bore signs of previous travel, with faint hoof marks and wheel tracks being present.

After almost an hour of trotting (Man that sounds weird, he thought to himself) Nathan crested a hill and was met with the sight of a substantially large town at the base of the hill. It stood between Nathan and the mountain that the castle was attached to. The town itself resembled a nineteenth century English settlement, with its dark wooden and stone buildings with black shingles and chimneys. On the far side of the town was a set of what looked like train tracks that lead into a dark tunnel that appeared to go up the mountain.

"Sunray, this is Swordbreaker, over." There was a brief pause before Ellise responded

"This is Sunray, go ahead."

"There is a large town set at the foot of the mountain that the castle is on, on that far side is what appears to be a set of train tracks that lead up to the castle. The town itself was definitely made by intelligent life, the houses are complex and well made but with natural materials instead of metal, over."

"Interesting. All right, head to the town and make first contact, ask around about the castle and other things that may be useful, retain radio silence while inside the town, over."

"Roger that. Swordbreaker out." Nathan took another look at the entire town before trotting down the hill and towards the the town. He reached the entrance to find the street empty, at least it was like that for a while, before but it wasn't empty for long, because just then a Pony walked out of a separate street on to the main one.

The Pony had a beige coat and a dark brown mane, he also wore a scarf and had what looked to be bags on his sides, his flank mark was interesting, a sword pointing straight up with a pair of wings protruding from its sides.

Upon seeing the equine, Nathan immediately broke into a sweat, despite all of his briefings, training sessions, and so on, nothing could prepare him for the first contact. Trying to act natural, Nathan continued walking in the direction he had already been travelling, somewhat hoping that the pony would ignore him. No such luck was present because the pony did in fact notice the Corporal and fell into step next to him, a small smile on his face.

"Good evening," he said pleasantly.

"A-and to you too." Nathan managed to sputter out.

"I haven't seen you around here before, what brings you to Trottingham?" The Pony had a faint accent, but it was there and it sounded vaguely familiar.

"I'm a traveler, been around seeing more of the world, and that brought me here."

"Fair enough, I can understand the desire to travel. I'm Steel Rider, by the way. What's your name?" Nathan experienced another brief moment of panic as he realized he didn't have a name for himself, he couldn't use his real name, that was out of the question.

"S-Swordbreaker!" He said nervously, mentally slapping himself for his unoriginality, thankfully Steel Rider didn't seem to think much of it.

"Nice to meet you Swordbreaker, let me be the first to welcome you to Trottingham." Steel gave that easy coming grin again that easily got a smile out of Nathan.

"Say, you have a place to stay yet?"

"Uh... Well no." Steel Riders grin widened.

"Well it's your lucky day! You can dine and stay with me and my parents tonight!"

"Oh! I couldn't!" The soldier was honestly surprised by the Pony's kind offer, but he couldn't get too comfortable or close - he had an objective.

"Oh but you can! And I will not take no for an answer!" The beige Pony shoved Nathan down a side street.

"No really! I can find an inn or something!"

"Sorry! I can't hear you over the sound of you being eternally grateful for my hospitality!"

"I wouldn't want to impose!"

"You might not want to, but I want you to!"

"But we only just met!"

"So why don't we get to know each other over dinner? We'll go to my place!" Nathan eventually gave up and gave in to the whims and shoves of the scarf-sporting Steel Rider.

"I need an adult." Nathan weakly said.