“Fillies and Gentlecolts, I stand before you with grave news.” Celestia announced, stood before the assembly of media and other Equestrian delegates.

“Five days ago I was attacked along with a great friend of mine, and a great friend to Equestria.” Luna announced, drawing gasps from the audience followed by a number of inquires. “Fortunately the only lives lost were on the attackers forces. A few guards have been injured but not severely. They’re all here with us now.”

“We managed to take the leader prisoner and after a bout of persuasion, we’ve extracted information that it was the griffon’s intentions to kidnap Princess Luna in order to trade for our friend.” Celestia announced, making faces turn to each other.

“A quick question, Princesses. You keep addressing this pony as ‘A friend’ or some such similar term. Why do you not introduce them properly?” a newspony asked, his notebook hovering next to a quill.

“That would be because I am not a pony.” I announced, stepping up onto stage from behind a curtain hiding my presence. Upon my arrival an uprising of questions and accusations of ridiculous nature spewed forth, though Celestia held up a hoof to silence the masses. “Nor can they introduce me, since I am incapable of giving my own name.”

“Yeah, that’s with that?”

“For sake of introductions, call me Captain.” I announced, ignoring the tiny voice in my head that reminded me of the dead Corporal.

“Uhm, what is he?” a newsmare asked from near the middle of the herd. “It looks Simian!”

“Close, but no. I am actually human, spelled H U M A N for those who don’t know the word.”

“So, is this all there is for grave news? I thought that the announcement would be more important than a few griffons failing to attack the castle. I would think that such things would be kept internal, so what gives?” another pony asked from the back.

“That is where I come in.” I step up to the podium from which Celestia stepped back. “I was the one who interviewed the prisoner and found out that the nation of Griffonia is planning to attack Equestria.” My announcement was met with gasps and furious scribbling. “This attack was to be their first surprise attack. As such, and I have the full support of the Princesses behind me when I say this, but Equestria is going to war.”

“But, but the Griffons have much higher grades of technology than we do! We’ll be slaughtered! How do the Princesses plan to defend us?” a pony demanded, glaring at the Princesses.

“Quite simply, I have knowledge of extremely advanced technology that I’ll use, with discretion, to bolster Equestria’s defenses that the Griffon’s won’t be expecting.” I replied with a smirk. To be honest, I already had the entire first strike planned out against the Griffons. “I already am aiming to make this quick and relatively painless on both sides.”

“You already have a battle plan, Captain?” Luna looked at me, stealing the words from the muzzles of the crowd.

“Indeed I do. Provided I can get some solid intelligence about the enemies, I should be able to remove most of their hierarchy and officers in a relatively simple operation I’m calling, Operation Adam.” I explained, leaning against the podium to address Luna without a care in the world, however I ensured that my voice could be heard by all before me.

“Why are you calling it Operation Adam?” A newspony asked from the front of the herd.

“Simple, the Operation should very quickly put the enemy in their place and should bring this war to an end that much sooner. I plan to use as much firepower as I can get my hands on in as small of a space as I can.” I explained with a grin, turning back to the assembly.

“That doesn’t really explain why you’re calling it Operation Adam.” the newspony looked at me confused, as though I were avoiding the topic.

“Okay, in human culture, it’s said that Adam was the first human. As well, I remember reading something a number of years ago before I showed up in Equestria about some guy named Adam who had immense combat capabilities and nearly razed the entire enemy fortress all in one go.” I sighed and turned my attention to the scribbling ponies. “While I don’t expect to have such a similar effect, I am hoping to achieve something similar.”

“How do you plan to do that?”

“Ah ah, can’t tell you that. Just look forward to the next announcement that it either worked, or it didn't.” I shook my head with a grin, already imagining a very specific explosive that I figured would work wonders. “Thank you all for coming and I apologize that we’re now at war.”

Stepping back from the stage and into the back areas, I let the Princesses handle the rest as I began to try and remember if Equestria had Chrome for chromium thermite.

“Well, that was simple.” Sunset announced as she took my hand in hers and joined me in our walk out of the castle for the first time in nearly a week. After yesterday when I’d awoken from my four day nap, and after I'd rested again, we had more or less just immediately gone to the ballroom for the announcement and now I was hungry.

“Yeah, I don’t see what the purpose of dressing it up any other way would serve. ‘We’re at war, I'm going to fuck them up.’ Easy peasy.” I shrugged, already aiming for the kitchen for some solid food. “So tell me, have you remained in Equestria these last five days since I brought you over?”

“Not exactly.” Sunset admitted, almost shamefully. “I’ve still had classes to get too so I'd head back at the end of the night for classes in the morning and afternoon, then I'd come back here to watch over you.”

“Well I appreciate that, Sunset.” I smirked, planting a kiss on Sunset’s cheek as we walked.

“A thought just occurred to me.” Sunset announced after a second of silence.

“Ques que sup?” I asked in reply, looking at Sunset to become aware of the intense look of concentration on her face and in her eyes.

“With this whole war thing now, you’ll probably have to carry some kind of weapon right? Ensure your own survival if you’re going to be leading this whole thing.”

“I see your point.” I admitted, my mind going back to the shotgun I now had in my possession. Maybe I’d get a sheath for it and keep that on me at all times? “What do you suggest?”

“Well, since the announcement hasn’t gone out yet, maybe just your revolver would do fine.” Sunset suggested, looking back at me in concern.

“Ehh, maybe. I’d have to find out if a .357 magnum round has enough stopping power on a griffon to be effective or not. My new shotgun I know would work, as long as I have the shells for it.” I replied in suggestion. Truth was, I still only had maybe four or five rounds left for the shotgun and even less for the revolver. I’d have to get Luna to help me rearm soon.

“How would you carry a shotgun around with you in the first place?” Sunset asked curiously and confused.

“Shotgun sling. Carry it on my back where it’s easy to get at but stays out of the way.” I shrugged back, entering into the kitchen to start up on some kind of food. “Can I make you anything?”

“What’re my options?” Sunset inquired, taking a lean at a table as I perused the fridges.

“Meat, no meat, vegan.” I announced, pulling out a couple of sirloin patties to try my hand at another “breakfast” burger.

“OK, more specific than that?” Sunset asked with a chuckle as I worked to get the sirloins going on a pan.

“Ahh, due to the eating habits of Weiss and I, pork, beef and bird.” I replied, having already forgotten what specifically was in the fridge next to me.

“What’re you putting together?” Sunset stepped up next to me to watch as I ducked back into the fridge for a couple eggs.

“Burger-type thing with an egg on it.” I shrugged back, dropping the patties onto the skillet to let them get cooking.

“Then… another one for me please. Just one is fine.” Sunset spun on her heel and sat back against the counter, relatively out of my way.

“Then please take out a bell pepper and slice them into rings for me.” I requested before sneaking a quick kiss onto Sunset’s nose. She obliged and soon had a number of vegetables out and in the process of chopping.

~~~

“So tell me, what exactly is Operation Adam?” Luna asked as Sunset and I stuffed our mouths with burger between slices of bread.

“Basically, I’m going to hopefully make some Chromium Thermite and destroy the enemy's fortress. Or at least some points of interest.” I explained casually, Sunset’s jaw dropping open momentarily before she swallowed her mouthful.

“That’ll do it.” she mumbled as Luna looked between the two of us confused.

“What is Chromium Thermite?” she asked, scratching her head with a wing.

“Thermite is a chemical compound that when burns, burns at approximately 2200 degrees Celsius. That’s almost twice as hot as magma.” I replied with a cheeky grin. “It’ll hopefully melt through anything the griffons have put up.”

“What… How… That’s impossible!” Luna stumbled backwards for words a moment before returning to her seated position. “How do you plan to use such a weapon against the Griffons in the first place?”

“Well, I pack it into an explosive vessel, then get that bomb into the structure and detonate it once I'm clear. Alternatively, if I can turn it into a paste I could burn through the supporting structures of their buildings and have it come down that way.”

“How exactly do you plan to get the thermite into the Griffon nation in the first place? They’d have all their most valuable assets protected with their military.” Sunset looked at me like she knew I had a bad idea. And she was right.

“I go in under cover of darkness, alone, plant the explosives and high tail it out before it goes off.” I explain casually. Almost too casually as the looks of incredulity from Luna and Sunset had me analyzing my plan already. “Look, one of the great things about being an ex-military sniper, is I’ve learned how to not be seen.” I added in attempts to reassure the women. “If I dress in all black, avoid patrols and can silently kill enemies who threaten me, I'll be fine.” I added, if at least to calm the rising storms in the women.

“And you’ll be okay doing this, right?” Sunset asked, completely concerned for me as she placed a hand on my arm. I took her shoulders in my own hands and reassured her.

“Absolutely. I’ll go in with Luna high above them and use the scope to recon their assets before I go in and actually do anything. Regardless, I still need to fully prepare before anything is done.”

“I have a question I think is most pressing...” Luna looked at me with concern upon hearing my plan. “You intend for me to fly you over the griffon nation to acquire information about their militaristic assets. What if they surprise you and have some sort of firearm themselves? I could be gravely injured.”

“I have ideas for ballistic armour you could wear, thought you’d have to help me manufacture them.” I replied as my mind began drawing up some kind of horse battle armour for Luna, maybe razors along the top of her wings for swooping attacks.

“Would such an item be capable of fitting anypony? Guards included?” Sunset suggested thoughtfully, already mentally working to mass-produce my hypothetical battle armour.

“If we could mass produce them probably. Get a seamstress to design the plate carrier for each subspecies, then have the plates themselves standardized in sizes. Luna’s, Celestia’s and Cadance’s would have be custom fit to them given their larger bodies.” I rubbed my chin as I tried to think out each and every step that would be required to design something like this.

“What about this world’s Rarity?” Sunset offered helpfully.

“Never met her actually. If she’s anything like her human counterpart I'd be more worried that she’d be too busy bedazzling it and could risk its ability to function properly.”

“I think she’d be your best bet. I can fit my sister and Cadance myself and keep it functional rather than fashionable.” Luna announced, her horn glowing in the process as her collar was removed and shimmered away. Almost immediately her entire blue body was covered in a black skin-tight bodysuit, save for her wings and tail. On her chest was a crescent moon seemingly enchanted to glow with legitimate moonlight where her collar usually sat.

“That works. You’ll need rather large pockets almost everywhere, especially on your belly if you plan to fly anywhere.” I examined the suit, looking it over to ensure that it would be at least durable.

“How big of pockets would you need, and where?” Luna inquired, looking back over her shoulder as I continued my examination.

“Well, ideally you’d want plates along your sides, modular so you can continue to move freely. Back is also good to armour but you’ll need linked plates for your neck so you don’t lack range of motion.” I replied as Luna rolled her eyes and fired up her horn again. Before my eyes the material began to rearrange it’s atomic structure to that of steel. Soon her entire body was clad in a black and dark blue armour, similar to those of medieval era horse armour.

“So something like this?” Luna smirked as I restarted my evaluation.

“Can you fly?” I smirked back as Luna’s reply came in the form of a sheepish grin. “You cannot. Too heavy right?”

“Yes. The articulation isn’t very good either, sort of turns my walking into prancing which I'm not very fond off.” Luna replied, trotting around Sunset and I to show what she meant. It certainly was more of a royal high step than anything.

“Yeah, I’m sure I could help alleviate that during the designs.” I replied with a grin, my mind already stripping away the heavier bits and pieces and replacing the steel with class III armour plating. Removing the headdress and instead replacing it with a full face clear shield similar to the ballistic glass used in riot shield windows, I turned my attention to Luna’s chest and belly, already mentally securing plating to her underside and chest.

“Uhm, what’re you looking at me like that for?” Luna asked, side stepping away from me as her armour shimmered away and was once again replaced with the black body suit.

“Hmm? Oh, sorry. I was just mentally dressing you in ballistic rated armour.” I replied, earning a raise of the eyebrows from both ladies.

“Huh, usually the guy is mentally un-dressing a female.” Sunset mumbled with a chuckle. “This is the first time I've heard about a guy mentally dressing her.”

“She’s still a horse.” I reminded my girlfriend.

“And I'm still right here.” Luna insisted dejectedly. “You speak of me as just as animal. Personally, I am insulted.” Luna turned her nose upwards and began to walk off, however both Sunset and I reacted quicker and leapt up onto Luna’s back, with me in the front. I leaned down and wrapped my arms around Luna’s neck apologetically.

“Get off of me this instant! I shant be ridden like an animal!” Luna insisted as Sunset and I clung on.

“We formally apologize, Princess. We did not mean to make you think we just considered you as an animal. You’re one of our best friends and we did not mean to insult you.” I announced, trying to sound as apologetic as I could.

“And yet you still insist to ride on my back like an animal.” Luna pouted, still refusing to look back at the two of us.

“That’s because you’re gracious enough to do so and we love you for it.” Sunset added, her chin resting on my back as she too tried to help console the Alicorn.

“Keep this up and you may find me not so gracious anymore.” Luna glared at me, making Sunset and I slide off her back and take up positions on either side of her before capturing her neck in a hug entirely. “As such, you may gather your intelligence on your own. If you’re so capable at not being seen, then use that to your advantage.”

“Very well. As soon as I’m packed for the trip I'll head out.” I retorted simply, letting go of Luna to just hug Sunset and plant a kiss on her forehead. “Gonna need a bit of magical assistance with that though, I'm missing a lot of equipment.”

“Ugh, very well. As long as the items are no larger than my body. Those are my terms whether or not you like them.” Luna replied, rolling her eyes at me before spreading wings and taking to the sky.

“What if you were to get another pony to help you?” this thought was actually fairly decent, however I didn’t know anypony who could help me and it wasn’t like the best candidate was just going to drop out of the-

“Princess Luna!” a female voice announced from high above us. All three of us turned our heads skywards just as a blue pegasus with a rainbow mane and tail landed, breathing heavily.

“Rainbow Dash?” Sunset asked, letting go of me to approach the pony. “Wow, you look so adorable in pony form.”

“Uhhh, thanks. I think. Remind me who you- Oh! Sunset Shimmer!”” Dash suddenly stood up straight as the name came to mind. “Twilight said that you had come over again. Personally I thought you’d still be a unicorn.”

“Thanks to a spell from Princess Luna, I’m now capable of coming over to visit my boyfriend and remain human.” Sunset grinned, taking her place at my side again, her hand resting on my chest as she more or less hugged the left half of me.

“Ahh. Oh, you’re probably who I want to talk to, actually.” Rainbow approached me, looking almost straight up from my belt line at me. “Wow, you’re tall. I’m Rainbow Dash, best young flier in Equestria!”

“Captain. Only resident human in Equestria and instigator of Equestria’s first war in over a thousand years.” I replied, dropping down to a crouch to shake Dash’s provided hoof. “So what can I do for you?”

“About this war thing…” Rainbow started nervously, already avoiding eye contact. “Twilight tells me that since you’re leading the charge and you’re going to provide advanced human technology, I was wondering if I could help you out any way?”

“Rainbow Dash! War is not something to casually joke about joining! If at all possible this won’t be a war as it would be a quick battle; Captain will remove the enemies offices of power and it’ll be over!” Luna proclaimed insistently as she landed once more, shocked at the mere idea that Rainbow Dash would become a military combatant.

“I know that but it feels like something I've just gotta do, you know?” Dash replied equally as adamant.

“Let me ask you some questions first, Dash. See if you would qualify for the military in the first place.” I held a hand up to offer my suggestion to both parties. Sunset, meanwhile, took a seat on a nearby bench to watch in silence.

“Sure, let’s have ‘em!” Dash grinned, rising into a proud, solid stance.

“First, what skills do you have that would benefit the military?” I asked, dropping onto my backside as Dash did the same before me.

“Well, I can fly fast enough to create a Sonic Rainboom.” Dash boasted as my head turned to Sunset for clarification.

“A Sonic Rainboom is basically when a pegasus breaks the sound barrier.” Sunset explained simply as she relaxed comfortably.

“Good to know. Can you do so at will or must certain conditions be met?” I turned back to Dash as Luna laid on the grass nearby.

“Uhm, I'm not sure. I’m fairly certain I could do it at will.” Dash rubbed the back of her neck with a hoof, looking away and to the right.

“Okay, what other skills?”

“I’m super athletic!” Dash announced, springing up onto all four into an attack stance, her muscles flexing under her fur but I could still see the tones of her muscles.

“So I see; that’ll be very helpful when in the field. What about stealth, how are you at not being seen?” I shot my legs forward and leaned back, resting against my arms posted on the ground.

“I have no idea. I can fly pretty high, does that count?” Luna shook her head incredulously to herself at Rainbow’s response, I remained stoic however.

“Okay. While you’re in the military, you will often be required to fight for your life and kill another living creature. As well, you’ll be forced to be put through traumatizing events that may break you and will give you nightmares for the rest of your life. Nightmares that not even Luna can get you out of.” my mind began jumping through my own military experiences as I made this explanation. Eventually I returned to reality again. “Can you take a life? Are you prepared to never sleep peacefully again? Are you ready to risk your very mind, body and soul to help defend Equestria?”

“Yes!” Rainbow replied simply, sternly and with purpose.

“And should I decide to accept you, you realize that you may act, as Luna puts it, just as an animal? I’ll require you to help carry extremely heavy loads over long distances with next to no sleep. I may also require you, should I be in danger, you rescue me or get reinforcements to secure my position?” I demanded, sitting straight up again as my attitude began to slip back into that of an army Captain.

“Whatever I can do to help win.” Rainbow replied calmly. I shrugged an eyebrow and stood up. “So? Do I pass?”

“We’ll see. I need to show you something, something you may come across in battle.” I explained, aiming for the dungeons as Luna and Sunset shared a concerned glance and followed after me. Dash took to wing and hovered next to my head, looking at me suspiciously.

“What exactly do you plan to show her?” Sunset whispered into my ear as her hand found mine.

Pulling the dungeon door open, I began the descent down with my Dragon Eye illuminating my path while Luna’s horn lit up the others.

“I’m taking her to meet Jafar.” I whispered back, making Sunset gasp but keep pace. “You’re welcome to remain in the upper dungeon where I live to wait.”

“Yeah, I think I'll do that.” the girl replied uneasily as we entered into my home.

“Dad? You’re back!” Weiss announced, poking her head out of the workshop; wood shavings hanging from scales. “And Rainbow Dash is here.” she noted, cleaning herself off and stepping out to greet the befuddled pegasus.

“How do you know who I am?” Dash asked in confusion.

“Human world. You and Rainbow Dash over there have the same style of mane.” Weiss shrugged, shaking claw and hoof with Dash who nodded once in comprehension. “So why’re you bringing everyone down here?”

“Dash is looking to join my future military. I’m going to introduce her to the horrors she can expect to see in the deep Dungeons.” I explained, getting a look from Dash that said, “Deep dungeon? There’s more than one?”

“Ohh, you’re taking her to meet him.” Weiss nodded in understanding before turning back into the workshop to resume work. “Well, pass on my best to him while you're down there!”

“Will do!” I shouted back as only Dash and I continued down into the depths, Luna and Sunset opting to remain behind and visit with Weiss. “Actually…” I held up short, making Dash run into the back of my legs.

“What?” Dash looked up at me, rubbing her nose as I turned to face her.

“You’ll go down alone.” I replied with a smirk. Dash’s eyes went narrow for a moment before springing back to normal.

“No problem! I’m not afraid of the dark!” she scoffed nonchalantly, bravely.

“I don’t doubt. But I want you to meet someone specifically down there, let him tell you some stuff.” I explained.

“Fine, who am I looking for?” Rainbow demanded eagerly.

“A griffon by the name of Jafar. You may have to ask around for him because I'm sure Jafar has deteriorated over the last few days.” I replied, the darkness in the hall swallowing the sounds of our voices to leave nothing behind. If it weren’t for a lack of extreme gravity pulling us in, one could swear that we were standing next to a black hole.

“Deteriorated? What do you mean by that?” Dash looked down the hallway, into the abyss beyond.

“You’ll see.” I smirked and gave Dash a push forwards.

~~~

The sound of hoof-steps on the cobbled floors announced Dash’s return to the upper dungeon; my home.

“Well, how was your first taste of the horrors of war?” I asked from my seated position just outside the workshop as I whittled away on a small piece of wood I was shaping into my butt print.

“I… That... “ Dash’s wavering voice had everyone look up at Dash, with the girls poking their heads out of various rooms; Luna and Weiss in the workshop and Sunset had been lazing about on my bed. Dash had, for lack of a better description, been drained of all colour. Her fur was as white as a ghost and her mane laid flat and bland against her head and neck. Even her tail was tucked away between her legs, or at least as close to that as possible for horses.

“Wow, remind me never to go down there.” Sunset mumbled, returning to my room as Luna stepped over to comfort the pony.

“The- the things he said you did to him!” Dash squeaked, shivering uncontrollably in Luna’s winged embrace. “You plucked his wings?” she demanded, almost accusingly. I nodded calmly, still working on the detailing of my project.

“I would’ve cut them off altogether if I hadn’t stopped for lunch.” I remarked, looking up at Dash without concern.

“Which consisted of his tainted meat?!” Dash exploded, her colours back to original hues and her mane and tail back into position. I nodded again, this time with a grim look of determination.

“In war, we’re sometimes required to do unspeakable things like that. Other times, we’ll be required to wade through corpses in worse shape than that or have to fish out floating body parts from rivers and streams so that they don’t poison the water supply of some village downstream.

“You may develop friendships with other soldiers, only to watch them be burned alive, tortured or destroyed in an explosion. You may become responsible for your friends deaths because you and your squad had been captured and were ordered to fight each other to the death, the winner would get the first scraps of food in a week.

“You yourself may end up like Jafar, spiked to the wall with your own wings plucked, your fur shaved from your body and your organs hanging from your stomach. At that point you’ll be required to remain absolutely silent and never give up our secrets before either you die slowly and painfully, or you get rescued by friends who’d thought you were dead. This is all, of course, if you fail to escape and evade capture.” I explained, sending shivers down everyone's spines save my own. I’d already gone through all that and as such, I was that much colder that I no longer felt the fear.

“You’re still sure you want to enlist in his army?” Luna asked quietly, still hugging the pegasus in both hooves and wings.

“I- I have to, I can’t leave Equestria hanging. I’m the bucking Element of Loyalty for Celestia’s sake!” Dash announced, still looking unsure of herself.

“And what about your friends in Ponyville? What if you were to die or be taken captive. You’d leave your friends hanging? Where’s the loyalty in that?” I raised an eyebrow curiously. I’ll be honest, I didn’t want Rainbow to enlist. I both regret and loved every minute of my own enlistment and I didn’t want such a small creature to suffer as I do.

“Where’s the loyalty in letting my friends be killed because I couldn't protect them?” Dash shot back, suddenly looking just as adamant as before. I could see it in her eyes, she had the dedication that I did so many years ago when I’d applied.

“You make a good point.” I conceded, setting my tools aside and stood up to approach the pegasus. “Very well. Rainbow Dash, I offer you the opportunity to fight for your country, fight for your friends and loved ones under my command and the command of the Princesses Celestia and Luna. If you should accept, the mandatory amount of time that you’ll be required to serve will be three years under me, or until the end of the war; whichever comes first. At the end of those three years, you will be offered another tour of duty with a pay raise and likely promotion, or you may leave my army.” I announced as Dash stepped out from Luna’s embrace to stand attentively before me.

“You know we’ve got our own military right?” Luna rolled her eyes at me to which I shot her a death glare, making her yelp and silence herself.

“What is your decision?” I demanded, standing in my old authoritative stance. It was like I breaking in the Corporal all over again.

“Yeah, those were the days…”

“I accept.” Dash announced, giving her best salute.

“Very well. Despite my attempts to dissuade you from this course, I acknowledge your decision and agree to take you on under my tutelage for the next three years. Your training will begin exactly two days from now. You are required to take up residence here in Canterlot and you are to report directly to me in the Canterlot Gardens at exactly one hour before sun up two days from now.

“Use the time you have to square up any other business you have with friends, family, loved ones and work.” I announced, drawing another salute from Dash.

“Sir, when do I get the first rank?” Dash asked with dead-set eyes and a grin.

“You’re official induction will be in the afternoon of your first training day, at which I will give you your first rank.” I barked back. “Dismissed!”

Rainbow Dash saluted me a third time and marched off out of the room to do as I’d suggested and square off her affairs.

“Well, I have to say, that whole Military personality was really was a turn-on.” Sunset announced, drawing a nod of agreement from Luna and a confused look from Weiss.

“What’s a turn-on?” she asked, drawing the other women to burst into fits of laughter as I knelt down to begin the talk.

Author's Note

I have nothing to say here but I feel inclined to add an Author's Notes simply for the sake of doing so...

Aclamacions