Machines of War: Canterlot

April 15, 2380, 22:30

100 km north of Canterlot

A gunmetal grey MS-07B Gouf landed amongst the trees of the Northern Canterlot Forest. The pilot, a pink mare with light cerulean eyes, spoke. “Colonel Norris here, I’ve landed. I’m not picking up any Federal Forces Suits. You can land the rest of the company now.”

Norris’ mobile suit company, deploying from the Gaw Attack Carriers carrying them, fell in line behind their commander. Norris did a head count of her suits. Eighty MS-06JC Zaku II units, ten MS-06K Zaku Cannon units, ten MS-07A Gouf units, along with a pair of MS-09K-2 Dom Cannon units. “Company, break into teams! We bring down the mobile suit patrols before they alert their commanders!”

Twelve minutes later, the first Federal Forces suit patrol ran straight into Norris’ Gouf. She drew her heat sword, activated it, and charged the suits. They were MS-06J Zaku IIs, better suited for the forest than her Gouf. But, Norris had the advantage. Glancing at her console, she read out, “Minovsky Particle density at 85%. Hmm… They can’t detect me on scanners. I can see them, they don’t see me. Their loss.”

The first Zaku II was sliced in half at the waist, falling over after being bisected. Norris fired her Gouf’s wrist-mounted 35mm triple-barrel machine gun at the next one, punching through its internals, making the Mobile Suit stumble before falling over. The noise drew the attention of the lead suit, making the pilot turn around to investigate. Seeing the gunmetal grey Gouf standing over the fallen Zaku II, the pilot froze. Norris smiled, and charged the suit, slashing the suit with her heat sword. The Zaku II collapsed, the slash glowing bright.

Norris smiled, pleased with the battle so far. “Gaws,” she barked, “get out of here. Find somewhere safe to land and await further instruction.”

The Gaws, circling overhead, turned and flew away, ensuring that the Mobile Suit company had to complete their objectives to be extracted.

************

The Same Day

50 km east of Canterlot

“Captain,” Akahana’s voice crackled over the radio, “are we clear to launch?”

“Not jus’ yet, Caramel,” the orange mare replied, “we gotta fer Pinkie to give us the signal. Otherwise, the Feddies’ll smell us comin’.”

Akahana snorted, “Alright, then. I can wait.”

The captain shook her head. Akahana-Caramel, one of the farm hands at Sweet Apple Acres-was one of her best Mobile Suit pilots. He was eager to get into the fight, but, once in the fight, knew the best way to carry out his objectives.

She sighed. Looking down at her hands, she smiled, slightly. Her mask sat there, staring back at her. Her red pilot suit, custom made to her specifications, set her apart from the rest of the Republic pilots. The Federation had recognized this-and the color of her MS-06C Zaku II-and nicknamed her “The Red Comet.” She pulled on her mask, then her helmet. The mare lowered her helmet’s visor. She frowned, her thoughts turning to Loum.

Loum now stood as a monument to those innocents who had died during the first month of the war, scorched by nuclear fire.

“This is Norris,” Norris-Pinkie-barked, “the Federal sonar has been destroyed.”

“You heard her!” The Red Comet barked, “Mad Angler squadron, launch!”

The amphibious Mobile Suits, mono-eyes flashing on, launched from their carrier submarines and headed for Canterlot’s Naval Yard.

************

A MS-06J Zaku II, one of many, patrolled the docks, scanning for any unauthorized Mobile Suits, aircraft, anything. The surface of the water bubbled, drawing the pilot’s attention to the dock’s edge. That was the last thing the pilot did.

A red MSM-07S Z’Gok burst from the water, smashing the Zaku’s head and sending the suit stumbling. The Z’Gok, landing in front of the Zaku, brought one of its clawed fists down on the dazed Zaku. “That’s one down.” The Red Comet said, “Ah hope the rest of ya put up a better fight than that.”

Explosions rippled across the Naval Yard. The Red Comet smiled. The orbital scanners, meant to alert the orbital defense guns stationed around Canterlot and feed them targeting data, lay ruined after being attacked by Akahana’s MSM-04 Acguy team. This meant that the orbital guns were useless for thinning out an attacking fleet. “Hmm…”

The Red Comet thought for a moment. “We’ll use the Naval Yard as our drop zone.”

************

April 16, 2380, a few hours later...

Low Terran Orbit, onboard the New Lunar Republic flagship, Noctis Aeternae

“Premier?”

Luna raised an eyebrow. “Yes?”

“The Red Comet is hailing us.”

“Put her on screen.”

The viewscreen popped on. The Red Comet appeared on it. The image distorted, then righted itself. “Hello, Premier, sleep well?”

Luna rolled her eyes. “Alicorns don’t need sleep. But, yes, I slept well.”

“Good. Mah team’s taken care of the orbital scanners. Ya needn’t fear the orbital guns. They’re blind.”

“Excellent.”

“Isn’t there another way?” A new voice asked, “Can’t we talk the Federation down?”

Luna turned. Fluttershy stood near the Premier’s chair on the bridge. The alicorn shook her head, “The Federation is not expecting this attack. We have to press the advantage.”

“Yep. However, you’re still too far up to do any good.” Norris’ voice cut in, “Don’t get too confident. You still need to land.”

“True, true,” Luna agreed, “Helmsman! Take us down!”

Luna glanced at the screens. “Anywhere safe for us to land?”

“Yes,” Norris replied, “the Naval Yard.”

“You heard her! Use the Canterlot Naval Yard as our landing zone!”

************

A few hours later…

Canterlot Naval Yard, the Noctis Aeternae

“Applejack! Pinkie!”

The two mares, talking about their mobile suit fights, turned. A yellow pegasus hugged them. “You two are okay!”

“Of course we are, silly!” Pinkie said, dropping her serious attitude, “Why wouldn’t we be?”

“I don’t know.” Fluttershy responded, “I just got this feeling, like something bad’s going to happen.”

Applejack looked at the pegasus mare. Fluttershy was as tall as Applejack or Pinkie, but more slender due to her breed. The mare loved her friends and didn't want to see them hurt in battle or die in battle. Applejack felt a smile cross her face. The expression sent mild pain through the scarred portion of her face, reminding the earth pony why she rarely smiled.

“Well,” Applejack commented, “we’ve yet to actually fight. But, Pinkie’s team and mine are goin’ to rest up. Just in case we’re needed.”

Fluttershy nodded. “Just stay safe, okay?”

“I Pinkie Promise that I’ll stay safe,” Pinkie said, “‘cause I can’t break a Pinkie Promise.”

She glanced at Applejack. Applejack sighed, “Yah aren’t goin’ let me forget that, huh?”

Pinkie shook her head. “Anyway,” the orange mare said, “Ah Pinkie Promise, too.”