The USS Luna sailed calmly along with the fleet. The waves were at just gently pushing the troop carrier back at forth as the sun showed high up in the air. There was a slight breeze in the air, the smell of sea, it was the ideal vacationing spot, off the coast of the Gulf of Oman. As the sun beamed down the light from the sky, the Marines on board were relaxing after a fairly long day. It wasn't all over for Captain Twilight Sparkle though, as she trotted down the hallways of the ship, and into the office of Colonel Spitfire. Spitfire just sat there, the windows opened a bit and her sipping her coffee, made by her servant.
"Captain, it seems you got my message." she said, still reading the Equestria Daily newspaper.
"What is it you wanted to see me for sir?" asked Twilight.
"Just wanna go over some things with you, about the assault on Oman. We need this victory Sparkle."
"Yes sir. Anvil team won't let you down."
"That's good. Now listen, the day of the attack happened to be the day of a sandstorm rushing in through the place. I requested Canterlot to postpone the invasion, but, they denied it. We're going in. Make sure your team brings some eye protection, and it won't hurt to bring some thermal optics either. Once that sandstorm hits in, air support will be very limited. No fast air, no strafing runs, only Spectre gun ship. Armor will meet up with you guys on the beach. Hold the beach head, and let the tanks get in. Callsign Alicorn 0-2. They'll meet up with the Onyx tank column and will be available for support. You clear?"
"Copy that sir. What's the terrain like?"
"Mainly desert, until you get into the city. Tight alleyways, high roof top advantages, it's gonna be some close quarters fighting. Skyscrapers also loom high, along with the hotel at objective Echo. We need to push these ponies out of Oman, and push on forwards. You'll be transported along with RHIB's and some light armor, mainly LAVs and AMTRACs. Once the beach head is secured, we'll bring in the heavy armor. Air support will be on until that sandstorm hits. I need you to work fast Twilight. If we lose this, than we're exposed to an attack from the Republic. Understand?"
"Understood, Colonel."
"That's why I called you up here Twilight. I want you to head the operation. You'll be in control of everything in the battle. Dismissed Captain." Twilight's eyes widened as she took in her new role. She was attached to Anvil team, yes, but she'd never had the responsibility of being in command of a full on assault, especially one on this massive scale. Twilight trotted out of the commander's office and looked out over the sea. The fleet of ships remained still, as Marines trotted all over the area, up and around the decks. Twilight looked back down at her hooves. She now had the command of every squad, including her own, on this assault, and it was her responsibility to get every pony back on board the Luna safe and sound. Twilight took a deep breathe, and she trotted on back to the crew quarters, where she immediately began mapping out the assault, the squads she had at her disposal, and the support they'll need. As she mapped out the assault, she heard a knock on one of the doors.
"Come in." she said, still looking at the map and list of support.
"Hello, Captain, what did the Colonel want?" asked the voice. Twilight recognized it immediately, it was First Lieutenant Cheerilee from Cupcake team. She was one of Twilight's friends from back home at Ponyville. Twilight knew Cheerilee well, her kindness, her wits, and her ability to push on an assault, even when the odds are stacked against her. She remembers the stories of Lt. Cheerilee, her favorite being the assault on Khrag Island, where she took command of her depleted squad and captured the ware house, while Twilight was still at med bay.
Twilight looked up at one of her best friends, she took a deep breathe, and finally spoke up.
"Colonel wants me to head the assault," said Twilight, a bit nervously.
"That's great Twi! I'm so happy for you," said Cheerilee.
"Yeah, great."
"What's the problem? You seem...sad."
"I don't know Cheer. What if I choke under pressure, what if I call in the wrong coordinates for airstrikes, what if I fail?" Cheerilee put her hooves on Twilight's shoulders, and sat her back down on her chair.
"Calm down, Captain. You'll do fine. Just..just think of it as...one giant squad," said Cheerilee. Twilight looked up at Cheerilee with a puzzled look.
"What i mean is, is that. You never had any of those problems before right? What makes you think you'll have those problems again?" Twilight fell silent, as she looked down to the ground, trying to find an answer, but she couldn't. She was nervous, but she couldn't explain it.
"You'll do fine, Captain. Just remember your training." said Cheerilee, reassuring Twilight with a pat on the back. Twilight looked up at Cheerilee once more, as she trotted out of Twilight's office. Twilight took a deep breathe and began viewing the map once more, and planning the assault on the Gulf of Oman. She looked at her weapons, AH 1Z Vipers, AH6J Littlebirds, A10 Warthogs, UH1 Venoms, Abrams, LAV 25, AMTRACs, RHIB boats with mounted M134D Miniguns, an AC130 Spectre gunship, and a whole lot of infantry. Her squads, Anvil, Cupcake, Fritter, Jaguar, Metal, Redstone, Uranium, and Zebra, all in her hooves. She took one more deep breathe, until, she finally had it all planned out. Tomorrow, at day break, will be the day of judgement for the Marines, and the Republic.