And Ever We Fight On

Early the next morning Sunset woke up and left her tent. Surprisingly, she had been the only occupant so at least she was able to sleep decently. Many of the soldiers were currently eating breakfast nearby one of the large tents.

Of course, that is if one called plain cooked oats breakfast. Handed a bowl of the stuff, Sunset was already missing her previous extravagant breakfasts. “Uh...is there any sugar by chance?”

The cook merely squinted at her. “Have you been living under a rock miss? We're in the middle of a food shortage here. Even with the rationing we're slowly dwindling down on food and supplies.”

“Oh...right.” Sunset hadn't realized things were this bad. She remembered reading in history books about previous wars; how limiting supplies and dropping morale was the most efficient way of defeating your enemy. If this was true, how much longer would Equestria last?

“Yo Shimmer!” The yell broke her thoughts as she looked over and saw Spitfire waving her over at one of the tables. Most of the Wonderbolts were sitting there as well as Pinkie and Maud.

“So... how's it feel to be with the common folk?” Spitfire grinned as Sunset sat down.

“C'mon Spits don't start this this early,” Soarin groaned.

“I'm just messing that's all,” Spitfire said. “Hell, the mess halls back home were a lot better than this.”

“It's definitely not five-star, I can say that,” Sunset said as she took a spoonful. It tasted exactly as she expected.

“The whole rationing thing started almost immediately once the war began,” Fleetfoot explained. “Had to save the best for the soldiers to keep them going. Of course, that was something the rich folk apparently forgot.”

“The war hasn't hurt them very much, and they still spend their money at exquisite restaurants and such,” Spitfire grumbled. “Not that we're resentful or anything...and I know in your case you were a student so you got good treatment too.”

“Well...yeah,” Sunset admitted. “French toast sounds so good right now…”

“We usually eat rock cakes for breakfast at home,” Maud stated.

“What the hell are those?” Fleetfoot asked.

“They're exactly what they sound like.” Based on her monotone voice and straight face it was hard to say if she was joking.

“They definitely contain your daily value of minerals,” Pinkie grinned.

“...Anyway, where are the others?” Sunset asked.

“Sleeping,” Soarin said. “Neither Rainbow Dash nor Lighting Dust are morning ponies. I'm surprised Blaze isn't up, he's always up for breakfast.”

“Guess somepony tired him out last night,” Spitfire said casually as she drank out of a canteen.

Fleetfoot blushed. “Don't even-”

“I'm just stating a fact,” Spitfire interjected. “The screaming was a good clue.”

Sunset shook her head and looked to the Pie sisters. “Does this come up a lot?”

“Oh yeah,” Pinkie said. “Of course, they do it a lot but so does Soarin and Rainbow Dash sometimes and one time the captain managed to get a mare and colt in her tent and-”

Spitfire suddenly choked on her oats. “H-Hey that's private!”

“Pinkie, you may want to stop now before the captain attempts to murder you in public,” Maud said, a hint of a smile on her face.

“Oh...right…” Pinkie smiled nervously.

Thankfully the awkward situation was interrupted by one of the Guard. “Sunset Shimmer, the captain wishes to speak with you immediately. Also, you have a letter addressed to you.” He then magicked over an envelope to her.

“Oh...thank you,” Sunset said, pocketing the envelope right away. “I'll be there right away.” The guardspony nodded and left.

“Mission briefing I presume?” Spitfire asked.

“Maybe...I guess we'll see.” Sunset got up and left without another word. She noticed there was some weight to the envelope, as if something was inside. She'd have to read it later.

As she was walking across the field next to a row of tents someone popped out at the last second and Sunset practically ran into them. Sunset looked up and saw it was Flash. “We've...got to stop bumping into each other like this.”

Flash chuckled. “I didn't realize you were a mind reader too.”

“Oh...no it was just a mere coincidence,” Sunset said, smiling. “Sorry, I actually have to go see your captain... although I'm not sure if he's still technically your C.O. now…”

“You talked to him I'm guessing?”

“I did. And surprisingly he was okay with it.”

“Huh...I guess I'm just kind of surprised. I mean, you guys are kind of a big deal, at least as far as the Wonderbolts go, but those two sisters are pretty well known around Equestria these days.”

“Yeah...and I'm just a former student,” Sunset sighed. “But I can be full of surprises so... I'll be expecting things from you Private.”

Flash laughed. “I'll try not to let you down then. But you better get going; the captain hates waiting.”

“You might as well meet the crew,” Sunset said. “Just uh...be prepared for awkward conversations.”

“Uh...how awkward?” But Sunset just smiled and headed for the large tent. It didn't take her long to find Shining Armor.

“Oh there you are Sunset,” Shining said. “Sorry for the sudden summoning but I figured you had to know ASAP. We just got word that a large company from Vanhoover is going to be rendezvousing with us to the north. We could definitely use the reinforcements.”

“So Vanhoover is safe?” Sunset asked.

“The battle there lasted five days and eventually the enemy abandoned that campaign. Of course now we know they're pooling their forces together for a strike against Canterlot.”

“And we're the only defense left between here and Canterlot,” Sunset said, sighing. “You really think we stand a chance?”

“We don't have a choice,” Shining replied. “But I didn't bring you here to discuss chances of winning. You and your team have a new mission, top secret. Unfortunately you'll be on your own this time.”

“Top secret huh?”

Shining then pulled out a map and pointed towards Vanhoover. “Reinforcements are making their way east to our location but…”

Sunset noticed it. “They're encroaching on Imperial territory.”

“Exactly. A good portion of their army was diverted to Yakyakistan so expect anything and I mean anything. Our reinforcements are carrying much needed supplies so it's important they get here in one piece.”

“And how exactly do we, about a dozen of us, take on an entire garrison of troops?”

Shining smiled. “You're making it sound like a suicide mission but it isn't. The only issue is the possibility of long range artillery in the mountains so if you see them, take them out.”

“So demolitions then...that's going to take a lot of TNT though.”

“True but there's a better method. I was going to let Spitfire know-” Suddenly there was a low rumble coming from the south. “Well never mind I guess the wait is over.”

Sunset looked outside and she couldn't help but gasp. There was a large airship approaching, but it was even larger than any airship she had ever seen. The behemoth of a ship landed nearby the campsite.

“It's about damn time.” Sunset looked behind her and saw Spitfire with a wide grin on her face. “Your look of surprise is understandable. You're looking at the newly christened Hurricane, property and mobile HQ of the Wonderbolts.”

“How in Equestria-?”

“I'll explain later.” She waved the others over. The noise seemed to have woken everyone else up. “Come on you guys, this is going to be home from now on.”

“Oh yeah, this is going to be awesome!” Dust said with a grin on her face.

“Don't be stealing my lines Dust,” Dash said, rolling her eyes but smiled slightly. “So, it finally got finished huh?”

“Can somepony tell me what's going on here?” Sunset asked.

“Just hold on,” Spitfire said as they approached the landing ramp. Two other Wonderbolts, most likely recruits, saluted her before stepping out of the way as the group entered the ship. The small hangar inside was almost chaotic.

There was small artillery and what looked like miniature airships lined up in the one part of the hangar and it was there they saw another pegasus with a white and blue mane. Upon seeing the group, she quickly fluttered over. “Captain, it's good to see you! I hope everything is to your liking?”

“No need for the formalities right now Misty.” Spitfire turned to Sunset. “This is Misty Fly, a Wonderbolt like the rest of us. She's been in charge of overseeing this project so we haven't seen each other for awhile.”

“Do we get a tour?” Pinkie asked.

“I'll let Misty do the honors, if that's alright,” Spitfire replied.

“It'll be my pleasure.” Misty then lead them to an elevator which took them up. “Long ago, the Hurricane was a luxury airship, one of the first of its kind. It could hold up to five thousand passengers. Anyway, the ship was decommissioned after about ten years and was almost forgotten about. Once the war began, Spitfire had the idea of taking the luxury liner and turning it into a warship.”

They then reached the main floor and in aspect, it looked very much the luxury ship Misty had mentioned. “We gutted most of everything that wasn't salvageable but we managed to keep the old tile. Of course, adding all the weaponry added quite an amount to the ship so at most we can hold about five hundred.”

“And what's your crew?” Flash asked.

“About…three hundred,” Misty said.

“There's that many Wonderbolts?” Sunset asked.

“Recruits,” Spitfire corrected her. “Unfortunately cause of the war, many were taken out of the Academy too soon. Dash was one such example.”

“Yeah but I turned out pretty good didn't I?” Dash preened.

“That's true…”

“What am I, chopped oats over here?” Dust muttered.

“Moving on,” Misty said. “We also had to put in a new engine for the right amount of power. This ship carries twelve artillery cannons, six on each side. I don't think I need to explain the damage they can do.”

They then reached the bridge and as expected it was full of ponies at their stations. “I'm sure you're going to enjoy this view Captain,” Soarin said.

Spitfire nodded. “It's a great honor... I'll do my best.”

“I think that sums everything up,” Misty said. “I can show you all to your quarters. And captain? I'm more than ready to get back into the fight.”

“I'm glad to have you back Mist.”

For a newly modded warship, the sleeping quarters were quite comfortable and the best part was that they were all single rooms as well. “Gotta say I'm impressed,” Spitfire said. “Now then, we got a new mission so everypony grab your things, we leave in an hour.”