(A1) - Chapter 2: Hooves On The Ground

No Glory Won

Chapter 2: Hooves on the Ground

“When the going gets tough, the Tough get going.”

Perspective: Sunshine Tempest

“I think it was about 3 weeks I spent my time there before I was transferred out to sea. By then, I earned my wings and was assigned to fly a Firefly. At first, they were going to assign me to the Airstrip near Whitebell, but they made a last-second change on me, and instead, I was to be stationed at the ERNS Blueblood. I dunno if I got lucky, or if I was cursed. Either way, I was heading there next.” Night Light concluded.

“Huh. They almost put you on the frontlines with me? I did not know about that. Well, I guess you got lucky. The frontlines were a nasty place. Glad you weren’t there at least.”

“Your turn. What happened to you after you got drafted?”

“Pretty much the same... only with different ponies, a different place, and different results.”

I arrived at a Royal Guard Checkpoint near Whinnyapolis, asking for directions to where new recruits like me go. Like Night Light, I was also carrying my Draft Papers, along with several other items of mine. The Royal Guards, after showing them my papers, pointed me in the right direction.

“Head towards the outskirts to the North, and find a Big Building with the Sun on top of it. Can’t miss it.” One of them pointed towards the city, though I'm guessing that he was implying to go beyond the city in that direction. I flew up to the clouds, and over the city, getting a good view of it from above. It was mostly unchanged, but due west of it there was a series of fortifications that spread across the city limits - No doubt trying to prepare against the Changelings if the need arose. There were Trenches, Foxholes, Bunkers, Machine Gun Nests, and dug in tanks as well. Taking the city of Whinnyapolis must’ve been a big priority for the changelings because the ponies I saw stationed there looked like they were ready to - quite literally - fight to the last pony.

Eventually, I found the building with the “Sun” on top. It was a part of a Compound of buildings which I only assumed was the army base I was assigned to go to. The “Sun” was a tall Spire attached to the main building on the roof, with the Equestrian Sun on top of the Spire.

I flew over the compound and found more ponies going through an obstacle course with speed and persistence. I noticed they were mostly Earth Ponies, and also Stallions. There were only a few unicorns and even fewer Mares at that. I tried to find other Pegasi, but none were there. Except for one. It was a Sky Blue coated Pegasus Stallion, with an Azure Mane. He was yelling at the ponies in the obstacle course, from what I could tell in the sky. Too far away to actually hear what he was saying.

“Well, he’s the only pegasus here, it looks like…” I muttered to myself, before Floating down near him. I caught on what he is saying to the troops, as I got closer.

“... Will not hesitate to shoot you, so move as if your life depended on it because it DOES!” He yelled at the top of his voice - though not as loud as rainbow did from what Night Light told me - As the recruits continued to pick up the pace. The blue pegasus caught my presence and smiled at me. “Well look at that, another pegasus! Nice, we could use another one of you.”

“Uh, I’m supposed to be here, I believe.” I handed him my draft papers, and he held it with one wing reading it to himself, while he stroked his chin with the other wing. He then gazed at me, then my wings, then my Hooves, before looking at my eyes.

“Hmm... a bit thin. But, we’ll make due out of you yet. You’ll have to be situated to the compound first before we begin. I’ll give you the tour - Corporal! You’re in charge of the recruits! Make them run like hell!” The pegasus yelled, to which the corporal replies with a quick salute, before barking orders at the recruits. “By, the way, name’s Soarin. But I figure you know that already.” He stated.

“Actually, I didn’t- wait, you’re the Soarin? Who was on the frontlines when Acronage got hit?”

He shuffled his back mane with his wing, slightly awkward. “Eh... yeah. I was. The reason I’m here now is that I got transferred by another general, who happens to be more efficient.” I gave him a quizzical look. “Oh, I’m not upset, don’t get me wrong. If they believe he or she is more efficient than me, then who am I to judge?” He asked. nodding along as I followed him, we made it to what I assume was the Barracks. It was a short 1 story Longhouse, with Bunk beds on each side of the hall, fit for at least 100 Ponies. The more I look around, the more I noticed that the entire airbase was filled with thee bunkers. All of them combined would fit at least 1,200 Ponies... maybe more.

“What are you staring at? Come on, pick up the pace.” Soarin Interrupted. I proceeded to follow him inside, leading me to the near end of the Longhouse until Soarin stopped. “This Cot is yours. You’ll be given a uniform soon, but we’re a little deficit right now. Footlocker under the bed is yours. Feel free to store and take whatever’s in it.” I proceeded to inspect the contents of the Footlocker, finding a soap bar, some politics magazines, more war bond posters, and a Toothbrush. Better than nothing... I guess.

“At the end of the Barracks, there’s the Showers. We have regular showers every day, so don’t use too much Hot Water. Just a quick 5-minute soak and wash, and out. It'll be separated by gender, so no stallions will be peeking on you.” He then trotted out towards the door leading outside, me following behind him along the way. He was standing on the grass outside and pointed a Hoof towards the Large Terminal near one of the Hangers. “Every morning, at 0600 Hours, we wake up and gather outside that building and do morning warm-ups. Every single day.” He grazed his eyes up and down on my physique once more. “... Hope you don’t die within the first few days.” He finished. I bit my tongue, holding back any snarky remark my brain was coming up with.

“Right, anyway…” I butted in. “Anything else to show me?”

Next location on Soarin’s list was the Mess Hall. It was a fairly wide and roomy longhouse; A somewhat more pleasant atmosphere than the barracks, at least. There was a Cafeteria, which was a sort of L-Shaped Atrium with Tables and benches to sit on. Around this L-Shaped Atrium was the Servery, a walled part of the mess hall that the occupants go to pick up the food they pay to eat. The head chef cooks for most of them, and is the most beloved guy in the whole base, from what I can tell. They serve the food, they go pick it up, they pay at the register than they sit and eat.

“The Head Chef’s name is Mince Meat. Nice guy. Just don’t criticize his meals in front of him. He gets a tad bit pissy.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” I replied. A few soldiers were already sitting down and enjoying their meal. I didn’t disturb them. I continued to follow Soarin again back outside, and we trotted to the next building to the left of the Mess Hall. we entered inside and found a White Coated Mare with a Red Mane operating an Automatic Sewing Machine, wiping a hoof over her furrowed brow to wipe the sweat.

“This here is the Tailor Department. You can get a new uniform here in case if anything happens to the one you had currently. But in your case, you never had a uniform, so we’ll get you assorted.” He trotted toward the left side of the building, to find a tall Metal Cabinet standing against the wall almost touching the ceiling. He opened it, and pulled out one of the Green Camo-patterned outfits, and handed it to me with his wings, to which I accepted.

“When you have the chance, put that on. Every soldier in training is required to wear uniforms outside of Curfew.” Soarin updated.

“Of course. I’ll put it on the second I have the chance.” I responded, inspecting the uniform in my grasp. I folded it neatly and put it in my pack for later. I proceeded to follow him outside once I got assorted with my new gear. I looked towards the large building with the Golden Sun on top. It looked somewhat symbolic as if it was some kind of monument.

Soarin took notice of me staring at the building, to which he sighed. “Are you gonna continue to gawk at that Building, or can we get a move on?” he spoke impatiently.

“What is it for?” I asked.

“The Sun? Or the Building?”

“Well, both really.”

“Hell if I know what the Sun is for. For Princess Celestia, I guess? Who knows? And the building is HQ for this Military Compound. That means some top-notch Army Generals are in their right now.”

“You mean the generals don’t stay near the frontline when leading his troops?”

“Some do.” Soarin looked away for a moment. “Some don’t. I was one of the few who did. Didn’t end well for me.”

“What do you mean?” I inquired.

He shook his head once and snorted. “Doesn’t matter now. Come on. Next stop is the Barber. He’ll give you trims with that mane of yours. It’s mandatory for all Hoof Infantry, like yourself.”

I drew a hoof through my mane, basking it’s long silkiness, only to have it taken away from me soon enough. “I’m not going to be bald, aren’t I?” I asked worriedly. Soarin gave me a puzzled gaze.

“Gods, I hope not. Snips isn’t that bad - at least, not as bad as Snails. You’ll just get a short Trim. That’s the plan, anyway.” Soarin Answered.

We walked around the base for a good 2 minutes or so, before we made our way to a large tent, with high cushioned wooden chairs scattered around it. There was nopony else in there, but there was one Teal colored Unicorn, with a Dirty Blonde Mane wearing, what I assume is a Barber’s Uniform, who was levitating several tiny utensils neatly into one of his boxes. He noticed me and Soarin walking in, and smiled.

“Afternoon Soarin, who is this lovely Mare?” he asked politely.

“This mare is a new recruit, and she needs the usual trim. Can you spare some time to do it?” Soarin requested.

“Ain’t like I am doing anything else more important at the moment. I can get it done, no problem sir.” He quickly answered.

“Perfect, I have to get back to my cadets in training anyway, Corporal has probably punished those poor souls beyond belief. As for you Sunshine, get in uniform after your trim ASAP and meet outside the Barracks. I hope you remember where it is.” Soarin Instructed.

“I do Sir. I’ll be done right away.” He left shortly after, which left me and snips alone in the tent.

“Would you kindly mind sitting down on this chair, so we can get started?” Snips asked. I nodded and opened my wings to hover onto the chair, rump first. Once I was comfortable, a green cape of cloth was telekinetically wrapped around me, covering my torso, hooves, and flanks. He started to spray water all over my mane, getting it soaked, as he began to brush it.

“So, Sunshine is your name?”

“Mhm. Sunshine Tempest. And you’re Snips?”

“Eyep. Pleased to make your acquaintance. You’re another poor victim to the ever-hungry Draft, and it is my duty to give some of those victims the best haircut they ever had before they are sent out to fight. Of course, it’ll be another, I don’t know, two or three months before you are shipped out to the frontline, but during your time here I shall make sure your mane is accustomed.”

“You, uh, seem awfully friendly for a military barber.”

“Just humble is all.” he asked, as he continued to spray and brush my Mane. This continued for about 2 minutes or so until he stopped spraying. Shortly then, I hear snipping noises to the sides of my ears, as bits of my mane is falling to the floor. A part of me will miss it, in a foalish way.

“So, Sunshine, where are you from?”

“Cloudsdale. I had a residence with my marefriend before I was drafted.”

“Your Marefriend huh? Damn, that must suck to be away from her."

“Yeah, it does. Especially because she was also drafted.”

“Wait, she was Conscripted too?”

“Mhm.” I felt a tang of sadness sprawl up in my chest.

“Ah. My condolences. I truly am sorry for what happened.” Snips said Sincerely.

“Thank you. I’m fine now. I just have to get used to it, I suppose.”

“A’hm sure it’ll be easier. I hope so, anyway.”

He continued to cut away my mane. I could feel the weight of it slowly disappear, one chunk of it at a time falling to the tent floor. When it was at least Shoulder Length, Snips stopped cutting and began spraying and brushing it once again. This lasted for about one more minute before he stopped.

“There, finished!” He proudly stated, and lifted the cape off of me, freeing me from the chair. He telekinetically lifted a small mirror in front of me, revealing my face and mane. It was shortly cut, all along my back neck and stopping at my shoulders, Wet and Brown. “I think you look great, honestly.” Snips noted.

“Yeah. Not bad.” I admired how neatly it was trimmed. It wasn’t too short to confuse me for a Stallion, which was all I was going for really. “How many times have you done this before?”

“Speaking Honestly, not that much. I just got signed up as a Military Barber when the war started. Which was... 3 months ago, I think.” He recollected.

"I say you’re pretty good for an Amateur.” I replied.

“Well thank you! I thought I did pretty good, Didn’t I? But I suggest you might oughta get long now. Soarin is still waiting.”

“Yeah, thanks again.” I hopped from my chair and proceeded to walk out of the room. I looked back and saw him smiling and humming as he resumed to organize his belongings.

"Everything else I remember after that was getting myself changed into uniform, and getting ready for 90 days of hard training. They were not sugarcoating, Night Light. My life was on the line." It wasn't my intention to scare her on how gruesome life in war can be, but I wanted her to at least get a good idea. Although, I'm sure she already has. "On the Frontlines, life was always hectic, and every now or so then, you would wake up from a lazy afternoon to an all-out Firefight. You have to never let your guard down." I concluded.

"Yet here you are. You survived! How did you?" Night Light asked.

"I almost didn't. I had a couple of Miracles saving me every now or then."

"... I suppose you won't be surprised then when I say: I know exactly how you feel."

I gave her a small gaze of Obliviousness. She looked at me blankly back. We both gazed for a bit.

"So, you were saved by a couple of miracles then?" I asked.

"Yes. That was... the message" she answered plainly.

I smiled. "Well, do you wanna tell your part of the story next then?" I asked.

She gazed away comprehensively, thinking to herself for a short period of time. She looked back reassuringly.

"Yes."