Storms of War

In April of 1944 of the Royal Celestial Calendar, the Elite Airborne of the One-Hundred and First Equestrian Air Corps conducted advanced reconnaissance operations deep behind enemy lines. Units of the Fifth, Eighth, and Tenth Special Operations Group (SOG) worked to infiltrate factories, concentration camps, and enemy units using disguise, stealth, and ‘wetwork’ to get into position. On June 1st they enacted Operation DISCORD, inciting mass uprising, mutiny, and havoc among already tired units. Unfortunately, this operation resulted in limited success and served mostly to warn the enemy of the impending invasion.

However, their sacrifice did accomplish one vital end: On June 4th, 1944 a special operations squad lead by Buck Sergeant Hay Maker succeeded in assassinating Uberleutant Genural (Equivalent to Major General) Girdo Bloodhawk during dinner with his family. His Nephew, Genural Zailo Bloodbeak, would go on to lead the defenses on the coast of Prance, but would suffer a similar fate at the hands of a sniper from First Infantry. In a prime example of a war crime formerly covered up until only a few years ago, his wife was murdered by the same sniper.

        The train ride home was, thankfully, shorter than the bus ride. Las Pegasus was, despite its name, populated by all three tribes as well as a healthy gryphon community. I sat proudly next to Orange Blaze, who gawked out the window like a foal. From what I had learned she was used to a dusty mining community out in the middle of the Manehatten Commonwealth, a small state located within the borders of Equestria as one of three protectorates beholden to Celestia.

        “Steel! Look at all the buildings! They’re so shiny! That one has to be ten stories tall! THAT one has to be TWENTY! Is that an AIRSHIP? OH MY GOSH! Look at that-”

        I sighed, smiling in embarrassment as two other ponies looked at us questioningly. It was clear that she was, as us city-folk put it, a “country bumpkin”, although she was NOT the dumb, mute sort most of the upper class folk made them out to be. Finally, she ceased her nattering to elbow me.

        “Hey Wing… this our stop?” she asked as the train slowed into the station. Craning my neck, I looked at the sign.

        “Yeah… I think so. I’ve never taken this train before… but this looks like the Royal Station. Lets get our fair paid” I said, looking into my wallet. I had my first-ever paycheck (cashed) in shiny new paper bits, and was looking forward to spending them on something nice. Once I hit Full Corporal, I was totally going to get an NCO sword!

        Once the train stopped, Blaze and I stood up. We were the only military folks on this train in this section, and it took a couple moments for me to realize that nopony else was moving, before one mare smiled. “After you two… and thank you so much!”

        There was another moment, before Blaze replied with a “Thank you, Ma’am. Our Honor!” as she pushed me ahead. I could feel my cheeks burning with a bit of embarassment at all the stares, but it was combined with a fierce sense of pride. I was a SOLDIER! I was a trained, combat-ready member of the military, sworn to protect and defend, ready to face any threat no matter what-

        “Hey Wing! Conductor said not to worry about the fair. Military rides for free!” Blaze said, pulling me out of my thoughts. I blinked, looking around to see the stallion, streaked with sweat and coal dust, nod, saluting with his one hand… the other one missing, replaced by an arcanotech grasper, as he smiled tierdly.

        “Thanks, kids. I remember when I answered the call, and I won’t have you payin’ for a public service when yer doin’ yours. Just finish boot?”

        “Yeah! Camp Hoofington, Fifth Platoon. Royal Army!” I said, feeling a bit perky. It’s so nice to be recognized even by a former veteran!

        Blaze and I turned away. Looking back, I guess we missed the pity in his eyes.

        “Look at you! Who is this? It feels like AGES! Come here!”

        “Mo-mfff!”

        Behind me, I could hear Blaze struggling not to snort, before failing and doubling over in laughter at my mother smothering me. It had taken me two hours to find my house from the train station, and I had not even had a chance to knock before the door opened to reveal her. Finally, she pulled away, holding me by the shoulders at arms-length.

        “Let me have a look at you! Oh, DEAR! What have the been FEEDING you? You still have nothing on your bones. Who’s your friend here?” she asked, eyeing first me, and then Blaze.

        I cleared my throat, reflexivly coming to a more ‘attention-esque’ stance as I prepared to answer a question. “Mom, this is Orange Blaze, my-”

        “Fiancee! I trust he told you?” supplied Blaze, cutting me off. I could hear the heartbeats ticking by, before mom raised an eyebrow. Behind me, Blaze started laughing again as I tried to find my tongue. I seemed to have swallowed it.

        “BLAZE!”

        “Quiet dear… I know a good joke when I hear one. I did the same thing to your dad… of course, it ended up being quite serious later. Come in, you two! I have some supper on the stove, I just need to put a loaf in the oven. Or a bun, if you prefer” she said, winking at Blaze. There was another guffaw, and I tried to put that mental image out of my mind as we entered, taking our hats off.

        An hour later, we were all seated at the table, the radio playing some soft music, [one]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3DpLvsmho1lGA%26list%3DPLD778E018603320E4&sa=D&ust=1456717071535000&usg=AFQjCNFfsFHqAO0H3-nxQx9fpA5qBFBHbg]one](https://www.google.com/url?q=[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3DpLvsmho1lGA%26list%3DPLD778E018603320E4&sa=D&ust=1456717071535000&usg=AFQjCNFfsFHqAO0H3-nxQx9fpA5qBFBHbg) of my favorite songs.[/url] Mom had set up a candle, providing soft, warm illumination. “So… you two are staying the night here. Blaze, you can have the guest room for the night, dear. I haven’t touched any of your things, Wing.”

        Blaze nodded, smiling. “Thank you, Miss Wing. So, you ever thought of re-marrying? I mean… Steel said it’s been a few years now, and I figure he could always use a younger sister or brother. Someone who will finally be littler than him.”

        To my credit, I avoided inhaling my dumpling. To hers, she dodged my thrown wadded napkin. Neither of us dodged mom’s feather snap as she left a welt on both of our hands. Still, she smiled. “Not yet. Haven’t found the right stallion, and haven’t had the time to look. Alot of late shifts… speaking of which, Steel, I just took a job as a nurse at Las Pegasus General. They needed another room attendent with all the soldiers coming home. I just got accepted into a training course to get a full nurses licence!”

        I felt a bit fluttery inside. Mom had had the dream of being a nurse since she was young, but then she got married, had me… then dad left, and she still had me. “That’s great! Just don't accept any overseas stuff. Blaze and I got that covered!” I said, smiling.

        Blaze nodded. “I kinda hate that all of the economy is going towards war and buildup. Too few good movies coming out now, thanks to all of that.”

        “Speaking of movies, mom, is Cable around? I remember he said he was going to start at the Factory. I kinda thought he would be here…”

        She paused, then nodded. “Yeah… He’s still here. He’s just been pulling alot of late shifts. Celestia gave them a contract for five thousand tons of Type-3 Steel to be done by next month, so the supervisor is offering alot of overtime. He is trying to get into college, but tuition went up last month thanks to the draft.” She pulled a face, before shaking her head and finishing her bowl of food. “I guess he’s just tired. Still, he wanted me to tell you congratulations for graduating training. He got an exemption letter last week due to his job, and was a bit disapointed. I think he feels guilty that you got called and he got what he thinks is a free ride.”

        Blaze shook her head at that as she finished her last dumpling. “Actually, I think we have it a tiny bit easier really. I’m from the Manehatten Commonwealth, and I volunteered so that I could avoid the Factory. Long hours, low pay, and no safety. We don't even have a minimum wage there, so most workers are lucky to make five bits a week. If you die, the money from your next check goes to the company, and nopony in Manehatten has even HEARD of a Union. It’s no surprise everyone is jumping to join the army. The Steelmaker’s Guild has actually petitioned for a limit to recruiting quotas because the workforce has become so stretched, and when I left, Blueblood had arrived with some Peacekeepers to investigate what was going on.”

        There was silence, and then we all burst out laughing. I couldn't help it, as we all knew Blueblood was a total buffoon. He was the single most eligible bachelor in the kingdom, yet NOPONY wanted to court him, and the feeling seemed to be mutual. It was rumored he was actually engaged to his own reflection.

        Finally, with dinner done and cleaned up, mom stopped both of us just before bedtime. “Look, I know you both have to go back tomorrow but… Steel, promise me you will write okay? And Blaze, you do the same. Be a dear for a poor old widow? You two look out for eachother.”

        For the first time that night, I could suddenly see the wrinkles around her eyes, and the worry lines on her face. She seemed to be holding something back, before Blaze nodded. With a quick hug and kiss goodnight, mom sent each of us away. For a few minutes, it was like I had an older sister for the first time in my life.

        As I went down the hallway to my room, I could have sworn I heard Blaze and mom talking a bit more, but I was looking forward to a SOFT bed for the first time in two months.