With fire and steel: The tale of the 12th Expatriate Regiment.

Colonel Saberhilt watched from the wooden tower in the center of his camp as his soldiers trained. Bayonet drills,  Line drills, Marching, It was glorious. He felt a sense of pride as he watched, their bright brass buttons flashing and winking in the noonday sun, Complimenting the blue shell jackets and Red pants (Originally they had worn Kilts, But the element of Generosity had Whined long and loud enough that the Highlanders had readily agreed to wear more fashionable pants). Nearby, he saw the banners of the Equestrian regulars. Saberhilt thought they were fine soldiers, If a bit Foppish. They still wore the cumbersome Cuirass and Legionary helm from the last century, and he knew they'd tire long before the battle had ended.

Princess Twilight Chose that moment to teleport behind Colonel Saberhilt.  The first thing she noticed about him was his excessive height and broad shoulders. As he turned she was shocked at what she saw, a scar crossed his grey furred face, Leading to and past a milky white left eye. His other eye was forest green, and his hair was a darker grey than the rest of him. His face was far from handsome, with it's gaunt and sharp features, he could be called almost ugly. However, the way he carried himself was confident. She quickly noted his Cutie mark, (which had magically Printed itself just under the insignia of rank as it always does for uniforms), the silhouette of a pony waving a saber in battle.

Colonel Saberhilt looked Princess Twilight dead in the eye before bowing. "Your highness." he said in his deep, almost ancient sounding voice. "To what do I owe the Pleasure of your grace?" He asked. Twilight Blushed a little, (she'd always had a thing for Stallions like him, Intelligent and well spoken, But rough and ready.)

Twilight cleared her throat. "As Luna's aide in this endeavor, I'm ensuring that the division is ready for combat. It seems your regiment is lacking in armor. I'll just get the quartermas-" she began

"No." Said Saberhilt, Gently pushing down the Clipboard Twilight was scribbling on. She blushed again and began Rambling

"Oh, Colonel, We just met and you're nice and all but don't you think it's a little fast? I mean uh-" She was cut off again by his rough hand covering her mouth

"I don't know what you're babbling about your highness, But my troops don't need armor. It's cumbersome and will stop neither shot nor shell, nor minotaur axe." said the Colonel.

Twilight knew this, But she firmly believed that some protection was better than none. However, before she could voice her protests, a pegasus runner landed in the tower.

"Colonel Saberhilt, sir! General Ironsides sends marching orders, The Minotaur first division is on the move, and he wants you in the center of the formation!"

Colonel Saberhilt nodded and looked over at the young purple princess. "Forgive me your highness, Duty calls." with that he began shouting orders as he descended from the tower.

*******3 hours later*******

Twilight sparkle, Luna and General Ironsides  watched the battle using a scrying pool. Magic was basically useless against the minotaurs, as they had an absurdly high resistance to magical effects, So, the army was relying on Cannons and Trebuchets to hit soften the enemy up before they got into Arqebus and bow range. Flying units were harassing the Minotaurs as well, But due to their mass and weight limits they'd soon be exhausted. Twilight and Luna were looking on in horror as General Ironsides Explained his plan.

"Alright, So those mercenary bastards are flanked by nothin but levies, and when the center breaks, the real heavy infantry  comes from hiding and assaults the minotaur's rear while the flanks close in on the sides! It's perfect!" Gloated the fat noble, Munching on hay fries.

"Thou art truly a Vile Stallion. We do not wish to see the lives of our subjects wasted in such a manner!" Shouted Princess Luna, Gripping the table with shaking hands. It was far too late to change the plan, Any hesitation now would lead to far more casualties than leaving it be.

Twilight just watched, stunned as the battle unfolded.

Colonel Saberhilt  drew his sword as the last cannon shell landed in the minotaur ranks. The enemy was shaken, but not disheartened as they began to advance. soone enough, The Equestrian Arqebus formations and Archers opened up,  most falling short or having slowed to the point the only thing they did was bounce off of the leathery hides of the Minos. The 12th however, Just formed a line, and held their fire.  As the enemy came closer, the Equestrian missiles began taking their toll, but they'd used up far too much ammunition in the earlier volleys, and the arebusiers fell back to their position behind the pikes. Finally, Saberhilt raised his sword, and dropped it.

"Fire by rank! Fire at will!" he shouted, and his subordinates repeated it down the line. The first Volley was devastating, Shredding the Vanguard of the Minotaur army with a withering hail of bullets. Twilight watched, Both horrified and fascinated as the first rank knelt, And the Rank behind Fired as well. By the time the third rank fired, the first had reloaded.  The minotuar force was held at bay by the hail of bullets, and began to focus on the flanks rather than march into the meatgrinder in the center. The hidden Equestrian heavy infantry finally showed their faces and began to try and flank the minotaurs, even as General Ironsides gaped at the unprecedented skill of the mercenaries.

"By the godesses!" said the fat noble as Luna and twilight both cheered.

Colonel saberhilt then shouted his next orders, as he'd run short of ammunition. "Fix! Bayonets! Advance!"

The regimental band began playing as they set forth, marching with purpose and pride towards the Minotaurs.

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the minotaurs, Already in disarray after both the unexpected resistance and the flanking maneuver, were unprepared for a charge of this sort. The highlanders let out a mighty war cry as they charged in, skewering those unlucky few too slow to block. Bayonet clashed against axe and spear and sword, and for the most part, the highlanders were sucessful...But no battle comes without it's casualties. The standard bearer was cleaved in two, and the regimental band lost it's officer to a thrown javelin. Saberhilt himself was saved from decapitation when an unlucky private stepped in the way. Saberhilt quickly dispatched his would be murderer with a slash to the throat. Soon enough the minotaurs were beginning to stream through the only route of escape, fleeing back towards their territory to reform. Saberhilt was panting as he flagged down a runner.

"Tell *hah* the general *hah* that the word *hah* mercenary means *hah* professional soldier *hah*"

After the counting, there were over 5,000 dead and wounded.  3,000 of which were ponies, 150 of which, were highlanders.