Night was a mixed blessing for the soldiers at Drift Station. On the one hoof, the zebra had disengaged somewhat. On the other hoof, they had no idea where they had disengaged to. The fire in the hospital continued to rage, giving them about thirty meters of sight, but beyond that there was only blackness. Some looked to the moon and prayed hopefully. Others tried to fire into the blackness where they may or may not have seen something move. Gale was tired, just as they all were, but he made an effort to conceal it.

Nopony had been given leave to sleep. The risk was too great that the zebra would infiltrate the compound somehow and cut their throats. Even if he had given leave for them to sleep, not a single stallion could have found it in him to do so. The only thing holding the soldiers back from falling apart was their dependence on each other. Tired, bloody, scared, and at the end of their endurance, their only solace was the knowledge that they were not alone.

Barely a word was spoken between any of them. They shared what little rations they had left, sorted out ammunition for the next day, and kissed pictures of their loved ones in silence. Most watched their Commander intently, as if waiting to see if he would break. It was unnerving.

In less than a day, Gale Storm had gone from the stallion who sorted out issues with the quartermaster to a kind of surrogate father. Any doubts or fears soldiers like Penitent Shield had had were dispelled as more waves of hostiles had failed to break them. Every single soldier at the outpost believed in their Lieutenant, and trusted him to make up for their fatigue and fear.

Gale’s only problem was he had no idea how to do that.

He walked over to the silhouette of a hat which he knew to belong to Dwaal.

“Well?” He asked.

“Well what?” The Boerperd answered curtly.

“Your bloody thoughts that’s what, why else are you here?” Gale regretted his short-tempered statement immediately after it had escaped his mouth. But Dwaal seemed to shrug it off.

“You’ve done exceptionally well luitnant, only six casualties so far. To be honest I wasn’t sure if we would last an hour, let alone nine. No matter what happens next, be proud. You’ve done what many wouldn’t dare try.”

“I’m not sure about that ‘whatever happens next’” Gale said.

“Honestly? Nor am I. They’ll hit us with everything they have tomorrow. Just after dawn. They’ll wait for full light and they won’t stop this time. You’ve angered them. No more waves, no more games. This isn’t about tactics anymore. They want you dead. And don’t go getting any heroic sacrifice ideas. They want to defeat you and kill you to prove that they can. You’re a worthy opponent, and they won’t settle for anything less than a worthy struggle.”

“I’m honored.” Gale said sarcastically.

“You should be. War is a hobby for ‘civilized’ ponies. For them? It is life. It is all they know. Their respect is a testament to you, their attack tomorrow will be as close to a parade in your honour as you’ll see out of them.”

Gale speculated on that. As awful as the situation was, the romantic in him (imparted on him entirely by a certain white unicorn) saw something impressive in it. He was reminded of all the stories his father had told him of the Pegasus Empire, the wars and battles he had read about. With commanders of opposing forces saluting each other before the fight, and showing respect to captured prisoners, treating them as fellow warriors. The quarrels were not of soldiers, but of politicians and nobles.

A lesson from his father came to mind. “Fight them Gale, fight them with all your heart, but never hate them. To hate your enemy is to cloud your judgment, to let revenge or bloodlust take away your reason and sully your honor. To face your enemy, no matter who they are, or what they have done to you, as equals is the only way to understand them. And you cannot defeat that which you cannot understand.”

Gale looked to the sky. Even at night it was immeasurably beautiful. It was home, no matter where in the world he was the sky stayed with him. The freedom it represented hung but a flap of his wings away. But still he could not go there. If he tried to fly, the weight of his burden would only bring him back to those he led. His only way forward was into battle, the only concern he could allow himself to have was to get his soldiers out of this alive.

Gale took a deep breath and steeled himself once again. He took a final look at his sky, and said one word softly, and lovingly, to all that he had held dear in his heart before this day; a short list, but still moving to the young soldier. As he came to terms with what tomorrow would likely bring, he spoke.

“Goodbye.”

*****

“That dick! That featherbrained asshole! That tiny little Kerry Bog motherbucker!” Shining seethed. “He’s not even sending a platoon!”

Venture sighed. “I know, Shining, I read it too. You seem to be forgetting the threat of court martial.”

“I could care less about that. Those things work themselves out. Soldiers dying because some prick decides to hang them out to dry doesn’t!” Shining caught his breath for a minute. “We need to get there! How quickly can we get I Corps out if we rush it?”

“Four days was a high end estimate. I’d bet closer to a week before we could get anything more into Transvaal.”

“It’ll be over by then! They’ll be dead and it’ll be our fault Venture!”

“I have no argument with you Shining! But what are we supposed to do? Bristle made his intent clear. He’s holding. And he won’t be swayed by you.”

“We’ll send the Pegasi in the Royal Guard! If you go as fast as you can, you may be able to-”

“Shining, we won’t make it. It’ll take us too long to organize and fly out, and you’d be on the chopping block back here,”

Shining’s frustration exploded. “THEN I’LL GO MYSELF! If you aren’t willing then I’ll do whatever I have to! I am NOT letting Equestrian soldiers die because of that gasbag!”

“Would you do yourself a favor and for once in your life think with your head rather than your heart? You’ve been given a direct order. Even if you don’t get killed on your little crusade, you’ll be tried for insubordination and probably treason. You’ll be disgraced, probably exiled, and maybe even executed. I am not going to be the one to tell Princess Cadance that her husband deserted and betrayed the crown.”

“In what bucking world does saving lives count as a betrayal?”

“A stupid one! A brutal, unfair, and infinitely bucked up world! Unfortunately, it’s our world and we have to deal with it! Orders are orders!”

Venture hated more and more having to play the devil’s advocate with Shining. The young soldier’s idealism was admirable, and his frustration was perfectly justified. If it had been him at the same age, he would have gone in a second. No questions and no argument. To save a trapped friend he would have faced down the whole Impi himself.

Shining withdrew for a moment, looking defeated, and Venture felt awful. As the unicorn spoke again, he removed his helmet, letting his mane hang out. When his words came out, Venture could hear the meaning in them, the desperation in Shining’s mind came through as his voice wavered.

“Iron, Gale Storm... he’s more than a friend. I owe him my life, I owe him my career, I owe him everything. I can’t just sit here and let him die, not after everything he’s done for me.”

Venture had no words for his friend; nothing could ease the pain of a lost comrade. Especially under such idiotic circumstances. The old pegasus soldier said what he could, all that, after years of seeing this kind of loss, he had ever learned how to say.

“I’m so sorry. I understand, Shining. You can’t let yourself take the blame for this. I know it hurts, but you have to remember, you’re doing your job. You’re just...” The next words felt like poison as they left Iron’s mouth. “following orders.”

Shining looked utterly crestfallen for a moment. And Venture felt the sting of what he had said like a cut through his own heart. A beat, maybe a second, and Shining looked up. A mischievous smile across his face.

“You’re right, Iron Venture, Captain of the Guard of the Princess of Equestria, I am just following orders.”

Venture was perplexed. “Uhm, maybe you shouldn’t take... that much comfort in it.”

“No, I think you misunderstand. I’m but a servant of my superiors. And they are but servants of the Commander in Chief.”

“Shining, what are you thinking?”

“I’m just attempting to enact the will of our wise, beautiful, benevolent ruler. Didn’t you see her in here a minute ago?”

Venture’s eyes widened as he realized what his partner was planning. “Shining, NO. Remember the treason talk? Impersonating the Princess counts. ”

“Sapper!” Shining called out.

“Sir?” The soldier said.

“Instruct the forces at Winberg to send relief to Drift Station at once!”

Venture cut in. “Shining, this isn’t going to work, you haven’t even got-”

“Royal Directive, authorization tag SOL1316.”

“Her... security tag... HOW THE HAY DO YOU KNOW THAT?”

Shining smiled. “How did you put it? ‘Rutting’ with the big boss’s niece? It’s got its perks.”

“There is NO reasonable conversation you could have had in which that would have come up!”

“Uh, sir?” Chatterbox pointed out. “I’m under obligation to point out that this is an illegal order...”

“I assume full responsibility. Do it.”

“Right away sir.”

Venture looked at his friend. “Alright... well, I guess we just go on about our business and forget this ever-”

Shining cut him off. “Captain, I’ve just impersonated a member of the Royal family, issued an illegal order and disobeyed a directive from a superior officer. I’m guilty of treason, insubordination, and... Uh, impersonation of a member of the royal family. There’s a room full of witnesses. I’m turning myself in.”

Venture rolled his eyes. “Or that’s what we WOULD do if you didn’t bucking go and turn yourself in and make this official! Dammit Shining you imbecile, you’re bound by law to stand down!”

Shining nodded with dignity. “I understand.”

We need to take you to see the Princess.

“I think I need to be booked, not have a royal audience.”

“If she gives you a pardon, then maybe you won’t have to fall on your sword for your friend.”

“He’s done the same for me in the past.”

Venture shook his head. Why was nopony listening to him today?

*****

Kami Sai remained at his post. Nightfall had just come, the last light of dusk had finally been extinguished and the moon had begun its rise. Kami had little to do other than think on the day’s events, so naturally he meditated. Doing his best to turn anger into energy, he sat on his haunches; eyes closed, and let the bustle of the war room fade into the back of his mind.

He could not, however, expunge his frustration entirely. The General’s foalishness and casual disregard for pony life caused him great anger, which caused him further anger at his inability to maintain his focus. The vicious cycle eventually caused Kami to abandon meditation entirely. Soon after he took back his post, the Sapper called out again.

“Sir? We’ve received new instructions from Canterlot.”

Kami sighed. “What’s the point? Bristle won’t listen to anyone less than the Princess herself.”

“Funny you should say that sir.”

Kami raised an eyebrow curiously and inspected the telegram. After only a moment, he smiled.

“Assemble Able and Baker. We move out in 20 minutes. Bristle be damned.”

Author's Note

Liutnant = Afrikaans for Lieutenant.