Switched: A Soldiers Tale

Switched: A Soldier’s Tale

Switched: A New Mission

For the past two centuries the US has been the leader in defending the Solarian Alliance. A massive empire of humanity and several other species who reside in the Sol system now. In the galaxy they are the number two leader in military warfare, aside from a rumored existence of a species at the center of the galaxy. This being said, their soldiers are quite apt and dedicated. Of course, that's not a fact centered on humans as they accept any and all who are willing.

Which leads us to our main character. General Jeremiah. Ranked the number one general for the past decade, a feat no one else has accomplished, he patrols the rim of the inner part of the galaxy. His scheduled promotion was to be after this next mission. An inner galactic colony had reported strange ships over the skies. They seemed to be massing around the star. Contact had yet to be initiated with the mysterious ships."Private Justin!" The general called into the comms. The general sits at six foot three and a somewhat muscular build with dark brown hair and eyes that changed with the light. At some point in an article about the USSC, that the general was, as they put it, "Androgynous, throw him in a dress, a wig, and some makeup and you'd get a noble lady from the Katar systems." Many had thought the general would be furious at such and act, but, surprisingly, he was accepted as a compliment.Naturally the magazine went back to check why so many had thought an insult. Close checks revealed a vast majority of the shipments had been misprinted. Instead of Katar, many had said Kalar, the Katar's sister system. After a quick apology it was announced the mistake and all went calm."Yes sir!" The private answered from his nearby ship."Has the enemy showed signs of hostility?" The general asked, peering through his, essentially, windshield."No sir. Aside from massing around Strix-Somna X478, they've done nothing else," The privates young voice reported as he looked over the mission details. Not to discredit the reports, but they were slightly wrong. The aliens were indeed doing something else. They were harvesting the star core. This is one of the few things that is nearly impossible to detect until the last moment."Very well, when we arrive, try to establish contact," the general answered. To which the private responded and they came to a stop about 0.24 AU from the ships."Alien ships, identify yourselves by species and planet of origin!" Private Justin called out in the customary call to an unidentified species."Wareware son o posljednji vyaktiharūlā'ī af A*ska. Hai lu wen astari," was the response. The Universal translator had failed to properly decipher the language. Strangely it sounded familiar. Very familiar."Private! Set it to max language!" The general called out."Yes sir, general," called the private.After a moment the message spoke up in English. "We are the Last Ones of Anomal. We came for the star.""The star? Why?" The general asked."For our eternal bliss," it responded.And at that moment, the core was harvested. If you know what a star core is, then you know the consequences. The star core is the only section of the star that is solid. Naturally, the nuclear reactions continue. The star loses gravity and explodes outwards. The result is catastrophic. It eliminates every structure.The reaction destroyed three star systems and killed all but the Last Ones. Or should have, if it weren’t for the interference of a certain void-dwelling woman. Essence, or The Musician, had finished her previous duties with someone called Amnesia and was now scanning worlds when she happened upon the general. Mid-explosion she pulled him out.Due to her credit, she always offered, even though it was only a few times, the chance to go back to their world. Some accepted. Some didn’t. Her main point was to never pull them out of a normal situation and she had yet to.Most people generally accepted her three main rules.

Draw, out of her hat, a random number of powers.

Do not buy from the Merchant.

Squirrels are little bastards. Don’t trust them.

Of course many questioned the third rule. To which she responded, “Ignore that one for now. Little bastards owe me money.”

The exchange between Essence and the general was slightly different.

        “I’m dead or was dying?”        “Yes.”        “You saved me?”        “Yes again.”        “I can go home or go to another world?”        “Well, yes, but the other world isn’t exactly something you can choose. Going home would likely mean death. I can’t interfere directly by teleporting you somewhere else.”        “Very well. If I go to this other world, what will you grant me?”        “Seeing as you’re a soldier I can offer you a few things. A new gun. Combat suits. Supplies such as ammo. Maybe immortality as long as you aren’t wounded mortally. Sickness would be quite miniscule.”        “Why? Do I have to be a bodyguard for you? Something else?”        “Not my style. Besides. I have no need for a bodyguard. My ONLY request is that you stand with me before someone called, The Merchant. That’s all. I give you another chance for life, you help me with just one thing.”        “Then I accept.”        “Very well. If you’ll take this.”        She held out a ring. Light blue and a design of a trident on it, it was actually very pleasing to look at. ‘This will allow you to summon me.”        The general nodded. Essence smiled and shook the general’s hand. With a snap of her fingers, she sent him off.

Canterlot Castle, Throne Room        Celestia, Luna, Twilight, Cadence, and Discord had gathered around a table. A square one because Celestia had insisted. She had a strange dislike of round ones. They were conversing and waiting for the usual visual message from Sombra, Tirek, and Chrysalis.        “Auntie, I don’t think we can take another attack like that. A force of 10,000 changelings wielding swords of crystals? And double their natural magic?” were the words Cadence was speaking.        “I know this Cadence. I’ve seen war before, though not in over a millenia,” spoke the white alicorn. A fizzing noise echoed through the hall and she spoke again. “Quiet.”        With a fizzle and pop an image appeared floating above the table, as per usual. In the scene, three humanoids sat on three thrones. Tirek, stealer of magic and harmony. Sombra, king of crystals and harbinger of darkness. Chrysalis, queen of bugs and transmutation.        “Ready to surrender yet, Celestia?” spoke Sombra.        “Obviously not, Sombra,” answered the alicorn.        “Why-” the dark man was interrupted by a whistling noise, a loud crash, and a woman landing on their table, smashing it into smithereens. The woman in question looked unharmed. Of course what she did next… not quite so innocent.        With a yelp, she spun around, decked Chrysalis in the face as hard as she could, grabbed Sombra by the tail, swung him at Tirek, castrating him, and snapped Sombra’s horn in her hand. Afterwards, she sprinted out the door and left the three villains groaning on the floor. Tirek was sobbing uncontrollably as was Sombra. Her punch had either left Chrysalis with a concussion or knocked her out.        After sprinting out the door, the girl leapt out of a window, onto a lower building, and tumbled across it. Thank god for training, she thought as she stood up. She slid down the fire escape and stood panting in the alleyway. After recovering she dug through the bag she held. After pulling out something she put it on. When she glanced down, she was nearly ready to murder Essence.        “A maid’s uniform? Really? If it weren’t for the fact that you said everything in here had combat abilites…” she muttered. “And the name Abigail?”        Completely dressed, she left the alleyway. Which to her surprise, led her directly to a purple eared person with a horn. Beside her stood a another with both wings and a pink horn. Abigail looked at both of them. They had a formal air to them.        “Political leaders, I take it?”        “She’s quick, huh Twilight?” asked the pink one.

“Trained, I’m inclined to think,” Twilight said, “I’m Twilight Sparkle. This is Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. She prefers Cadence. We’re here to ask you for help.”