Operation Harvest

End of Part 1 Part 2 - Reinforcements

The light of the sun gleamed off of the moon with a particular shine that night, Luna remarked to no one in particular as she walked the desolate mass of rock that had been her prison for so many centuries… And her only possession.  Now it was a sanctuary from the nearly overwhelming duties that modern day equestrian politics had become.  After close to a thousand years of peace, return to modern Equestria has been… difficult.  Many of her subjects believe her to control the stars and their nightly journey across the sky. This honour however, is not one that she can rightly take credit for.  The amount of magic that would be needed to control those would be enormous; such that it would likely kill any pony that attempted to dedicate that level of magical power at any one point… Assuming it didn't first drive them to insanity.  She paused to watch the Gleyan ships  make their way across the face of Equestria, small dots from their current distance.  So many of them, it would seem I have some questions for Banna when I return.

On the horizon she thought she saw movement.  She flew towards it to take a closer look.

The sniper had no idea how he and Jimothy had been nabbed for the job; something happened as soon as they had entered the mess, but here they were, working on the moon.

‘A little more to the right,’ crackled a voice over the comms in his helmet.  He turned the steering wheel ever so slightly to the right.  ‘No, my right.’  He turned it to the left.  ‘Perfect.  I think it’s mostly finished.  We just need to connect up the electrics, smack on some paint and we’re done!’

The moon bunker wasn’t actually complete, but the first batch of personnel quarters were and ready to be inhabited, so they were calling it a day while they let the rest of the construction force work on the other parts of the bunker.

‘Hey sniper.’  Jimothy sounded quite annoyed, ‘when’s that transport coming back.’

‘We’re supposed to relay a message to them using the base’s communication relay,’ he replied leaving the crane, ‘so I’d say not too long after we’ve gotten the electrics up.

‘Well we’d better be quick about it then,’ Amax cut in.  ‘I’m getting bored, and my suit smells now.’

As they started for the doors, Amax noticed something on the horizon.

‘Hey guys, do you see anything over there?’

‘Over where?’ came the reply of pretty much everyone.

‘Same direction as the doors face.’  Everyone turned.

‘No, there’s nothing there,’ said the sniper.  Everyone else agreed.  Amax shrugged.  He was probably just jumpy.

He was about to turn when Luna emerged from out of the crater a few dozen metres in front of him with an inquisitive look on her face.

All the chatter on the radio went silent.  Someone sniffed.

‘What the hell is that doing here,’ said someone finally breaking the silence.  Luna came closer to Amax, but could not recognise him.  The gold tinted visor meant the only thing she could see was her own reflection.

‘What are you doing here?’  She asked, forcefully, though not necessarily angrily. The soldiers were even more shocked.

‘Uh, guys, was that me or did she just talk in space?’ asked the sniper.  Amax gave a thumbs up back to him.  ‘Well crap.  I suppose I should really be more concerned about what she’s doing here practically naked or something...’  Amax gestured to Luna to go to the entrance to the station.

She looked at him for a few more seconds before doing as he had asked.  He noted that she walked along the surface as though they were planetside as opposed to the slow jumping strides of the men.

Once they stepped inside into a hall, someone disappeared off into the darkness of the unpowered interior.  Shortly afterwards, the lights came on, and the halls started to fill with oxygen.  Everyone removed their helmets, and when Luna realised it was Amax she was very surprised.

‘Amax!  What are you doing here?’ He shrugged.

‘Oh you know, the usual, manual labour.  We were just finishing up the moon base when you arrived.’  She raised an eyebrow.

‘Moon base?  Why would you have a base on the moon?’  He looked around at everyone else’s blank faces while scratching his head.

‘Uh... dunno.  The Field Marshall said we had to make it.  I suppose it’s for him to conduct operations.’

‘He doesn’t want to stay on the planet?’

‘We-e-e-ell, it’s safer here than down there.  And he can’t stay on the ships, they’ll be leaving fairly soon.’  She observed the bleak white hall as he spoke.

‘I see...’ Luna said, doing her best to understand the seemingly pointless intrusion upon her sacred ground.

Now it was Amax’s turn for questions.

‘So, princess, how exactly did you get here?’  All the other men leaned in ever so slightly to hear this.

‘I flew here of course.’  That didn’t answer his question.

‘Yes, but how?  Did you get on one of the ships, or...’ She laughed a little, amused by what she thought was a ridiculous and obvious question.

‘Using my wings of course,’ she said as she flapped them for extra effect.  If it was possible, the men’s faces would have gone blanker than the CMC’s flanks at this answer.

Of course she did, thought Amax, she’s a magical talking pony who is also a pegasus and a unicorn.  Why wouldn’t she? He turned round.

‘That answers that guys,’ he said with false enthusiasm, ‘so let’s get back to work shall we?’  They all left, very slowly as they tried to get out of work for just a little longer.

Suddenly the loudspeakers came on, the sniper’s voice blaring loudly.

‘...is this thing on?’  Amax flinched. ‘I swear this thing had better switch on or I’m going to- oh, right.  A ship’s coming to pick us up in a few minutes.  Uh... yeah.  That’s it.  I’m gonna leave the console now.’  He could still be heard walking away from it.  ‘What’s that?  It’s still on?  Oh, sh-’  A short crackle signalled it being turned off.

Amax sat down on a console, not really caring that it was the controls for the airlock.

‘I’m pretty sure the Field Marshall is going to want to meet with you,’ he said to her.  She shook her head.

‘I trust my sister to handle things well.  She has been doing it longer than me.’ He shrugged.

‘If you say so.’

Banna was still in his room staring at the ceiling when there was a knock at the door.

‘Lieutenant, I could you come out here?’  He sat up.

‘Yes sir, just a second...’  He put his clothes and combat armour back on.  He was taking zero chances after the drill.  Opening the door, he stepped outside.  ‘Yes sir?’

The Major stood there glaring at him.

‘PR Lieutenant Banna, salute when in the presence of a Field Marshall!’ he snapped.  Banna was confused.  Field Marshall? Where? He turned left, and saw Ven dressed in his formal attire.  Ah, crap.  He turned to face the Major again and saluted.

‘Sir!’

‘That’s quite alright Major,’ said Ven, ‘At ease Lieutenant.’  Banna relaxed, ‘Since you’re the public relations officer, you are going to accompany me to the castle that the princess resides in.  I need someone who has dealt with the locals extensively.’  He shifted uneasily.

‘Well I wouldn’t say extensively...’

‘Compared to us you have.  You’ve also met with their head of state I understand?’

Back into the field for me then, he thought.

‘Yes I have.  They had made some treaty with the Anteeists though.’  Ven looked down and appeared to think deeply for a few seconds.

‘That is troubling, but, I think that shouldn’t put a dent in our plans for too long.’  He looked back up and gave a smile.  ‘The Anteeists won’t be around for much longer.’

‘W-what do you mean sir?’ asked Banna, wondering what he could have in store.  He turned round, and the two commissioned officers immediately started following him down the corridor.

‘Oh, well, the 77th Regiment will be making an attack on the Anteeists tomorrow.  Shouldn’t be too hard to wipe out a company or so of soldiers.’  Banna found himself relieved.  Looks like there weren’t going to be any problems after all.  ‘Now Major.  Lead on, I’m still not sure where that landing pad is.’

As the drop ship approached Canterlot a few pegasi guards approached it.  They slowed down to let the pegasi fly alongside them.  One started knocking on the glass and spoke, but it was muffled.

Banna opened one of the doors and beckoned him in.  He hesitated, then entered the ship.

‘Yes?’ said Ven, seriously.  The pegasus was still a bit uneasy about flying without his wings, and gave the impression that he believed the floor was going to give way at any moment.

‘Princess Celestia asks that you set down in the courtyard, she doesn’t want anypony on the balcony from now on.’

‘Sure.  Would you mind leading the pilots there?’  The pegasus nodded quickly and jumped out, glad to no longer have to rely on a flying metal box that didn’t have wings (as such).

It didn’t take long to get to the courtyard.  They set down, and Ven was the first to step out followed by Banna and two guards whose names Banna didn’t know.  Celestia was there to greet them.

Odd, he thought, she wasn’t there a moment ago.

Ven was the first one to speak.  He nodded and smiled.

‘Princess Celestia, a pleasure to meet you.’  Those etiquette lessons were paying off.

‘The pleasure is all mine Mr...’

‘Field Marshall Ven.’  She nodded back to him.

‘I trust you are here to talk about diplomatic matters?’

‘Yes.  I was hoping we could discuss our future relations more.’

‘Of course.’  She leaned slightly to the right to get a look at Banna.

‘Lieutenant Banna.’

‘Princess,’ he responded politely.  He still felt a bit betrayed, though he supposed it wasn’t her fault.  She didn’t really know them well enough.

‘If you’ll follow me, we can discuss matters over Dinner.’

Banna noticed that one of the guards checked his watch.  He found himself doing the same.  It was midnight at home.  7 o’clock here.

There were a lot of guards posted around, watching the humans walk past, ready for a fight.  Not that he had any intention to fight, but he was pretty sure that if they did they would be overrun fairly quickly, which was probably the thoughts of the head of security as well, whoever he was.

As they entered the building a formation of guards formed up behind them, essentially blocking the exit.  As they walked Venn slowed down to let him beside him.

He whispered, ‘Do they always act this cautiously?’  Banna nodded slightly.

‘No, at least not when I was around sir.  Maybe they don’t want to appear weak?’

‘Hmm... maybe.’  They didn’t talk again until they reached the dining room.  It was very large, made for grand feasts and banquets with diplomats from far away lands.  Paintings of ponies he presumed were famous diplomats or some such adorned the walls.  The table stretched quite far and could probably seat at least a 100 ponies if not more.  Light streamed in from the large windows to the left of the room, pegasi guards visible, going about their patrols.

A few waiters and waitresses were assembled to the side.  One of them came forward and spoke.

‘Allow me to show you to your seats, sirs.’  At first the guards declined, but when the princess insisted Ven ordered them to be seated.  Slightly larger chairs had to be brought out for them, so they used the one’s they usually reserved for young dragons and minotaurs.

Everyone was sat opposite of Celestia.  Ven stared at her mane for a few seconds before rousing himself.  There was an important matter at hand.

‘From what I hear, you’ve made a treaty with the Anteeists?’  She nodded.

‘That is correct.’  Ven sighed.

‘That doesn’t break any agreements we’ve made so far does it?’

‘Only the drilling rights.’

‘So all the Carberrium, it’s just going to, what, sit there?’  She shook her head.

‘The Anteeists were kind enough to give us a drill and send us somepony, sorry, someone to oversee it, on the condition we sell it to them at a discount price.’

‘Those sly bastards’ was all that Banna could think.  This seemed to faze the Field Marshall a little.

‘I-I see.  And what about us?’  She smiled reassuringly.

‘You are also welcome to buy from us, though it will be slightly more expensive.

Of course this had been the plan all along, and a pretty clever one at that.  He tapped Ven on the shoulder, and the officer turned to look it at him.  Motioning him to come closer, he started whispering to him.

‘Sir, I think we should stick with this deal.  We can completely avoid any more bloodshed like this.’

‘But it’ll cost us.’  Banna nodded.

‘Yeah, but this time the currency won’t be people’s lives.’  Ven sighed again.

‘You’re right Banna’, he said in a normal tone of voice so that everyone else could hear.  He turned to the princess.  ‘That will do just fine.  I suppose we’ve achieved what we’ve come here to achieve then, though one question.  What would you want to be payed in?’  She had already thought about this in advance.

‘Whatever is the accepted currency from where you come from is fine.  I trust that it is more or less universal right?’

She was correct.  There was a galaxy wide currency in use.

‘And that is it?’

‘Well, technology and maybe materials now and again will also suffice.’  Ven nodded. I see.

Just then the Anteeist supervisor walked in wearing what can best be described as a white three piece suit with a poncho-like robe covering the upper half and hanging down the back to the heels, the formal attire of both Gleya and Anteea.  His facepaled when he saw the two Gleyan guards with rifles in hand.

The guards stiffened, and one of them cocked his rifle slowly.

‘Easy men’, said Ven, ‘We’re friends now.’  The supervisor nodded nervously.

‘Thank you, uh... Field Marshall.’

‘Don’t mention it.’  The food arrived as he took a seat.  Of course all the dishes consisted of fruit and vegetables in an assortment of spices, herbs and sauces.

‘I hope this peace can last Field Marshall, don’t you?’  Ven nodded.

‘That would be ideal.’  They started to talk about potential cease fires, which didn’t really interest him that much.  Banna looked up at Celestia to see her looking at him.

‘See? You can get along just fine,’ she said, happy to see the two sides working out their differences.

‘Mhm, of course we are, those two guards have their sights trained on him because everything is fine and dandy.’

Ven and the supervisor chose to ignore the comment.

She shook her head.

‘Why can’t they let their guard down?  He’s not going to do anything to you.’  He thought about it.

‘Well none of us are used to sharing a table with our enemies.’

‘It’s not so bad is it?’ she looked at him as though she knew what his answer was already.

‘I admit it, it isn’t that bad.’

‘Good.  Maybe soon you’ll see that there is no cause for concern.’

‘I hope you’re-’

A unicorn guard suddenly teleported into the room, startling Ven who turned to look at Banna.

‘Magic,’ Banna mouthed.  He nodded slightly then turned back round, still shocked.

‘Princess,’ he bowed, ‘we have reports from Appaloosa.  They say that those aliens have started fighting!’

It hit Banna and Ven like a brick to the forehead.  Celestia turned round, a look of anger on her face.  Her horn glowed slightly signalling the guards from earlier to enter the room.

The guards raised their weapons slightly.  Banna propped his arms on the table and rested his face in them while Ven just switched on his comms.

‘Pilot, prepare the engines.  We’ll be leaving soon.’

(Prepare for action next chapter.  I didn't want it part of this chapter because cliffhangers.  Hope you enjoyed it!  Credit to lol1759 for assisting with grammar, spelling and a few ideas.)