Aleksandr

Chapter 9: How About No?

After blowing some shit up with my rifle, I went to check in with Shining Asshole. Heh. I like that nickname. I jogged about the castle, better familiarizing myself with the layout. Eventually, I came across a sign that read "ARMORY -->" And had a picture of a sword behind a shield. I'll have to stop by sometime. Besides, I may need something more cost effective in the future. After all, my ammunition is limited. A bow or sword would help me save ammo, as arrows are plentiful here. I still needed to find Shining. I decided to ask one of the guards of his whereabouts. She was a small "Normal" mare. I hadn't yet learned much about the ponies' anatomy or culture.

"Excuse me, miss," I began.

"Y-yes?" She asked timidly.

"Can you point me to the captain?"

"H-he's in his office, near the b-barracks. Please don't hurt me..." Aww... Poor girl was scared shitless. She was shaking in terror, and looked pretty young, too. I quickly left, as to keep her from pissing herself. Am I really that intimidating? I want ponies to fear me, but not be utterly terrified by my presence. Maybe I should take Twilight's advice, and be a little friendlier. But how? That was for me to find out. I kept walking, spinning my pistol on my finger, like an American cowboy. I passed the usual guards and nobles, who were slightly less hostile than before. After about fifteen minutes of walking, I reached the barracks, and found Shining's office near it. I rapped on the door, and his voice called from the inside.

"Enter." Following his instructions, I pushed the door open, and saw him busy with a stack of paperwork.

"Afternoon, Sir."

"Ah, Aleksandr. Anyway, what brings you to my office?"

"I came to ask a few questions."

"Well? Let's hear them. I have things to do."

"Firstly, when will my uniform be here?"

"It will arrive at the quartermaster sometime tomorrow or the morning after."

"Will I be able to acquire a new weapon from the armory?"

"Why would you ever want something from the armory? The best we have are cap-lock muskets. A recent addition to the armory, in fact." He replied, raising an eyebrow.

"I can't go around wasting bullets. A sword or bow would be more cost effective."

"I will send a weapon package form to the quartermaster. Pick it up at your leisure."

"What type of rank is sergeant, in the equestrian army?"

"Pretty high up there. You will have a squad of 10-15, maybe 20 if you're lucky. You can either pick some new recruits, or choose a squad with an opening for Sergeant."

"Finally, does the castle have a library?"

"Yes, in the recreation area, in the eastern section of the castle."

"Thank you. Have a nice day sir. But before I go, when is my first assignment."

"Tomorrow." Nodding, I left his office. I walked about for a while, and headed back to my room. On the way, I decided to check out the armory. (Substitute guns for medieval weapons and muskets, and people with ponies.) I saw an old unicorn stallion sitting behind the counter, and multiple other ponies working tirelessly on weapons of all shapes and sizes. Swords, bows, spears, a few muskets, and armor. The one who I assumed to be the quartermaster, looked up from his work, and reluctantly beckoned me over to the counter.

"Hello, Aleksandr. What brings you to our humble armory?" I heard the slightest bit of disdain in his voice.

"I would like to see what you have in terms of weaponry." I replied, folding my arms.

"Fine, if you would follow me. Stupid ape... Just had to bother me." He lead me to a large room, with multiple weapon racks. Each was lined with a variety of weapons. Longbows, shortbows, recurve bows, composite bows, crossbows, greatswords, war axes, war hammers, long swords, broadswords, bastard swords, gladii, daggers, shortswords, carbine rifles, full size rifles, and the list goes on. Fuck the armor, I won't go into detail on those piles of shit.

"Do you have a pen and paper I can borrow?" I asked him.

"Yes." He trotted back to the desk, and came back with a clip-board and quill. I thanked him, and walked past the weapons. I used the paper to record the ones I wanted:

Weapons:

1. Bastard Sword

2. Recurve Bow

3. Dagger

4. Gladius

5. War axe

"Thank you. I will return later." Stuffing the paper into my pocket, I wasted the rest of the day jogging around the castle. During that time, I began to think about my current situation. Why am I here? Am I part of something important? Will I ever return home? Can I truly start a new life here? Did the Soviets win the war? How is my family faring? I thought, becoming saddened by my thoughts of home. Soon, it was night, and I was tired. I just wanted to get away from it all. I returned to my room, and turned in for the night.