Author's Note

the editor of this chapter, I never got his username, so.. Aaron We, whoever you are, thanks for the advice and carmine for helping me keep the lore right

phase one

Rule Of Engagement: Frostfall
Phase one

COG YEAR: 2169 A.D / 106 A.C.
UEC YEAR: 56 AE.

War has returned to the galaxy, and it has raged for three long bloody years, nether side willing to back down. A grand story is playing out, yet many forget the smaller stories in war time. Two fleets, both from the warring sides depart from dry docks in their controlled space to rejoin the war. The crew of the mako class carrier NE-Lady Sif and it’s hammerhead cruiser escort the NACS-New Orleans finish the resupply and the crews settle in as both ships begin plotting in the path to the main fleet.

While at the same time a newly built hippogriff class cruiser UEC- Nightengale joined up with a group of five thorax class escort frigates, it’s protection detail, freshly rearmed and crewed ready to set out as well, but nether group would make it to the main fleets as fate and destiny play their games with them.

UEC Minor industrial planet Baskikreta
56A.E.
UEC Nightingale

Among the few flashy ships within the shipyard, a new flagship joins the group bearing the name Nightingale as a sand colored unicorn mare wearing a lab coat with her silver mane tied up with a ribbon trots down one of it’s seemingly ornate halls to a beat in her head looking for the captain of the ship. “Now where are you my dear brother?~” she says in a sing song voice as she begins asking around first finding her way to engineerings almost orderly work area, followed by finding the officers mess hall and driving the cooks a little nuts.

Finally a blue scaled white belly bipedal crocodile being known as a male tymerian tell her that her brother is on the bridge causing her to run over there, getting lost along the way. Her black rimmed glasses almost falling off as she makes a tight turn almost tripping as she reaches the door to the bridge and quickly fixes her glasses on her muzzle before her baby blue eyes.

She readies herself to enter the bridge possibly to her brother’s dismay. She presses the button to open the door and peeks in seeing the bridge is bussy spotting the commander, her dear brother, a yellow furred and silver maned stallion talking with a griffin as his green eyes clearly show worry. She walks over to him and boops his nose making him go cross-eyed. “May I help you vital gear?” Her brother replied with a grumpy tone.

Vital gear just grinned “nothing really dear brother, i mean ‘captain steam gear’. I got my workshop set up!” she says full of energy and ready to go.

“I’ve known you for all my life sister, there is more to it” he calls her out on as he dismisses a changeling ensign before looking at her “so spill it vital”.

Vital frowns abit at him “you still enjoy getting to the point..fine then” she takes a serious stance and then says “you look like tartuis brother, is your ‘you-know-what’ still working fine? And are you worried about that dream again?” earning a glare from steam
“sis, ‘it’ is working fine..and what if i am?” his sister huffs and crosses horns with him

“just come see me in my workshop after the ship leaves port..i’ll need to run maintenance on ‘it’ brother” she then backs off and walks away.

Steam lets out a sigh “may as well get underway, all crewmembers..we are setting off!” as the nightingale set out from the shipyard with it’s escorts in tow reporting in, none would expect that fath would use them in a game with destiny.

COG: STEEL WORLD

2169AD/106AC

Within the halls of an orbital drydock where the lady sif and the new orleans are being resupplied, an inquisitor is walking with two men down a hall, one dressed in the attire of a NE captain, the other, in the captain's outfit of the NAC. “now..lets make sure you two KNOW where you need to go and what you are supposed to do, unlike the last two times.” the inquisitor says in a british accent.

“Ok, the first time was a happy accident, and the second time was planed!” cried out the NAC capitan only for the inquisitor to raise an eyebrow as if asking “really?”. The NAC captain lets out a sigh “fine, fine, but how was I supposed to know that the stranded base was IN that asteroid?!”

The NE captain chimes in by saying “you would of known if you looked at the reports dalos..”

The NAC captain, now known as dalos, flinches at that “not you too skyor!”

The inquisitor just chuckles at that “you two are bloody hilarious.. Lucky and unlucky at the same time, but we are getting off topic..” he stares at them and says “your orders are to meet up with the main fleet for the raid after your patrol, understood?”

they quickly salute replying “yes sir inquisitor john bain sir!”

Inquisitor bain just shakes his head “just get going captains..and skyor? The lady sif’s cargo bay will be carrying a spare atlas-2 for an emergency. Do NOT lose it, do you understand? Along with getting to the fleet as soon as you bloody can.”

skyor quickly nods responding “i understand inquisitor”

However, as they part ways, an experienced captain receives a spy report and rushes to get what captains he can for an operation he believes will change the war, but yet, will only set destiny in motion for two souls.

Steel world orbit

NES: Lady Sif
Assault bay 12
2169AD/106AC

In the mixed hanger/drop bay of the old mark 2 Nordic empire assault carrier two machines hit the deck. One a white and red Atlas-3, it's marking identifying it as a mech belonging to MOTH team-1 the apex predators. And the second a tan and grey Atlas-2b

With a whur or serovs and a hiss of gas the cockpit of the atlas-3 opens allowing two people to float out. The first is a man in tan and black battle armor, his dark skin contrasting with the white and blue bionic that connected to his right arm just below the elbow. The second person floating out is a human woman in the form fitting black and orange flight suit of the Nordic empire. Her platinum blond hair, slightly pale skin, almost purple eyes and stunning figure make her stand out against her companion.

“Veteran Fallon and Caption Dounis?” a deep voice calls out from the bay. The two turn as the second mech touches down, it's thruster pack retracting into slits along its body.

The being calling out to them is large almost feet tall with black fury exoskeleton and four legs supporting a large thorax. Two sets powerful arms wave as his fangs click. This being is a kleese one of the former slaves liberated from the United Equestrian Conclave two years ago, or Formers. “Hey second fleet. Orders say this spare is yours. Just need you and Caption Dunois to sign off on it.”

There was a clang and the sergeant spun, his MOTH armor’s jump pack firing in small spurts. “Hey! Listen to me mother fucker. You scratch that mech before it is signed off and I will come over there and fuck you up!”

“Sorry Veteran!” the two awe struck deck crew men call out. The two men turn and snap off a salute when they see the veteran that had yelled at them was sergeant Avery Fallon medal of honor winner and presumed the hero of Bagmare.

“Look once the captain here signs off it’s all yours. After she does that knock yourselves out.”

While this is happening, skyor passes the door to the hanger getting a glance of fallon and charlotte then changes his path. “Captain charlotte and sargent fallon? I was not expecting two heros on my ship”

“Bonjour capitaine. Orders say KB-6401 is yours for your mission.” The French ace says before the sergeant cuts in. “It's on loan to second fleet, so don't scratch the paint.”

Skyor nods to them before replying “i was told my ship would be loaned an atlas-2, but by odin's beard, i did not expect to have you two bring it over, and as my friend dalos would say, ‘no promises’” he lets out a chuckle before asking “will we also be loaned a pilot for it? Because last i checks, none of my pilots are trained for it”

“That depends on you skipper. Socom wanted your permission to post a helldiver team or moth team to your expedition, since you aren't supposed to run into much combat.” the medal of honor winner says boosting down to the deck with his jump jets.

He thinks for a moment before replying “that is a hard choice, but i think helldivers, like valkyries of old, if that is ok”

“We will have to load the bio-pods, and whatever else the North Americans feel the need to bring along.” The beautiful woman says as the moth clanks down onto the deck, mag locking his boots. Before helping the dunois heiress to the deck.

“I understand captain, me and my ship have time” skyor says before quickly adding “and sargent? I am sure you would enjoy the eh, ‘misadventures’ dalos causes sometimes, are all americans a little, how do you say.. Accident prone?” he lets out a sigh “because bad luck seems to love him”

“I cant comment on everyone else. But I have a kid on my squad trombley who pretty much matches that description exactly.”

Skyor gets a small smile replying “i guess all groups of friends have someone like that, honestly, i would not trade him for anything, not even if was promised a place in valhalla by odin's side”

“Yeah he's a bit of a fuck up. But he’s the best damn saw gunner I know. I wish i could go with you guys, a milk run is just the thing my squad needs. But I wouldn't leave the front for anything.”

Skyor just frowns “honestly, this may be my ships last run before it is replaced with a newer model”

“Yeah the old mark-2s are brittle old girls. But they have been in service since before the lanky war and have proven their worth. She will probably be reassigned to first fleet and watch the home world before she is decommissioned or mothballed, pardon the pun.”

Skyor chuckles at the sargent smiling abit “i only wish i could give the old girl a viking send-off of old, but i will settle for what i can get”

“Hey at least the ship you are going in has been tested. I hear the Galactica hasn't even been on its shake down before they’re sending it out.” The Moth says crossing his arms. “Anyway Moth team-9 with be joining you on this expedition aboard your hammerhead, and Helldiver team bravo will be your mech support.”

“But from what i saw, she looks grand.” skyor says thinking for a moment before saying “i think i wasted enough of your time, but allow me one last question concerning the hammerhead and mako”

The two click their heels to demagnetize as the Atlas-3 reaches out and grasps the MOTH. “What is it skipper?”

Skyor watches them “have you seen what will be the replacement for the mark-1 hammerhead, and my mark-2 mako? Because i am sure dalos can’t wait for bigger guns..and i have not seen them yet myself”

‘Captain Skyor, I believe the mark-3 class of Hammerhead cruiser will be in possession of twice the current number of missile tubes, as well as thicker armor…. its acceleration will also be 12.46 percent above the current model.’ The MOTHs Atlas-3 was the one to answer the question as Fallon landed on the now open cockpit hatch.

Skyor jumps “by thor's hammer! The atlas talked! That’s clearly new!” he puts a hand to his chest. “That was a surprise, and dalos is gonna love the additional missiles knowing him..”

“But don't let it go to your head skipper. The best hammerhead couldn't stand up to a seed ship on its it's best day. And a claw ship would beam it apart before it could fire even one of its nukes. We are upgrading to fight the UEC as much as the lankys these days. I yearn for the good old days when all I had to worry about was getting splattered by a ninety foot tall alien”

Skyor nod his head “i’ll make sure he remembers, and the UEC are just as bad, only smaller right?” he taps his chin “but what about the replacement for the mako?”

“I here the Mako being shelved for the new tigershark carrier. It's about the same size, but with twice the fighter space, and with more point defences. But rumor has it that Duonis Star is developing its it's take on the Siege breaker class or something out past Saturn.” The Dunois heiress says conspiratorially.

“A part of me hopes to one day see the mako line given new life, and truly?” skyor rubs his chin “that would be interesting to see a new version of siege breaker” he quickly salutes “i am sorry for wasting your time captain, sargent, may the warrior souls of valhalla fight alongside you”

“Any time skipper, hey next time you're in port let me get you a drink. Alright Charl lets go! Miiora’s gonna fucking kill me if I don't get back in time. She is probably worried sick.”

“Oh you two are so cute..”

“Yeah, yeah get in the back.” The cockpit of the Atlas-3 closes before the mech turns to face the captain. Bathing the man in a crimson light form its sensor dome. “If you ever need a MOTH team you call Apex.”

“I will hold you to that sargent, be safe, and send those UEC bastards to Hel, and i’ll keep them in mind” skyor waves goodbye “and maybe i can meet this miiora lass your smithen with”

“Maybe next time captain.” The moth says setting his mech to swagger to the hanger door before jumping out into the black. It sailed straight on its trajectory before firing its jump jets and boosting away from the ship and back toward the NAC orbital battery, where in the distance Skype could see the bulk of the truly massive NAC flag ship, the Galactica.

Planet Fenrugha

2169 A.D

Unknown residental zone

Classroom 1A

The students within the classroom talk up a storm about an upcoming celebration cheerfully when an old man walks in, a white point star pendant around his neck as all the students cry out “good morning professor!” making him smile.

“Hello class” he replies with a smile. “I can hear that you are all ready for founding day right? But that doesn't mean you can all slack off.” he stares at two in the back of the class who quickly sit up

The professor readys his papers, “now, anyone remember what we covered yesterday?” he asks as a few hands shoot up, some normal, while others are covered in fur as he points at a human girl “yes melia?”

the girl stands up dressed in a normal school uniform “we just started with the discovery of ragnite and how it changed the way we generate power”

The professor smiled at her response “that’s right melia, we had just spoke about the hardships that was happening, and the problems facing us all at the time..” he begins to draw on the board behind him “at first, many believed project pandorica would be enough to help us find more fuel for the reactors, but it turned out not to be the case”

A student calls out, this one with orange fur and dog ears asking “i thought the old reactors were efficient in their own way. So what was wrong?”

the professor turns around and looks at her before sighing and replies “nearly everyone thought that way at first, but it was discovered that an unusual frost began to form..”

His words quickly grab everyone's attention as he continues “as time went on, the first generation found out quickly that the planet itself held shockingly little uranium or oil..and then a strange frost started saping the reactors of every crawler and the first city” he draws frost covered generators on the board “it led to the reactors and main city generator to work twice, if not three times, harder only to get the same amount of power while burning twice the needed fuel..”

The two in the back, let's call them bulk and skull, end up goofing off as bulk makes a paper ball. “But, couldn’t they have made the reactors better?” asks a guy with the traits of a cat plus the fur, right when skull grabs the paper ball and tosses it.

“A good question, and a simple answer to it is..” the professor uses a ruler to easily send the paper ball right back at skull “the frost came back, just like that” the ball bounces off skull and into bulk knocking them both over as everyone giggles.

“No matter what upgrades were made, the frost came back” the professor sighs before returning to the board, “but when all hope was almost lost, a discovery was made that changed EVERYTHING..” he draws a few crystals and fills them in using different colors for each. “ragnite” he says turning to the class “and how to refine them into fuel and other things.”

Before he can continue, a bell rings signaling the end of class. “Drats, i seem to have lost track of time yet again.” the class starts packing up as he clears the chalkboard telling them “you all don’t have to worry about homework from me tonight, so relax” this gets a cheer from the class as they leave.

The professor sighs as the last student, one with fur and dog ears, walks out. “Another day, another class..” he looks at his pendant opening it showing a picture of two men in snow combat gear. “I wish you were here old friend, it still feels strange without you.” a sudden knock on the classroom door startles him making him close the pendant before asking “who’s there?”

“Just an old man my dear professor” replies an elderly man walking in with a simple smile.

“Headmaster vati, what a surprise to see you” the professor bows slightly as vati nods

“it is nice to see you too professor, how have the classes been?”

The professor sighs before replying “they are..ok..”

vati gestures for him to follow “let's go for a walk dear professor” as the professor follows, he sees kids and teens hanging out together. “Everyone has come so far professor..it brings a smile to my face” says vati with a smile indeed on his face.

“Indeed headmaster, everyone has..” the professor looks out a window and sees the landscape passing by.

“There was a time you really disliked the pandari, you never told me what changed that professor” vati says looking with him before asking “willing to tell me now?”

“Not yet..i do not think i ever will..” the professor looks around as they enter the residential area proper “i just want to keep it to myself is all. I hope you understand headmaster” he looks at vati with a small frown as people and pandari are going about their day.

Vati nods his head a bit at his response saying “i’m willing to listen when you’re ready, for now..” they reach the professors residence “mind inviting me in?” asks vati with a small grin.

“Sure headmaster, maybe there is news about what is happening back on earth..” the professor unlocks the door and enters turning the lights on as a huge gang of people and pandari shout surprise at him and wish him happy birthday!

“Hehe, i honestly forgot my OWN birthday..thank you everyone..” the professor just smiles at this seeing a poker table set up in the living room with cake on it. “Cake and poker, what a treat.” he walks over to the table as a few men sit at the table.

“Hey man, let's play some poker, for old time sake?” one of the men ask.

The professor just smirks before asking “didn’t we all agree to ride or die together all those years ago?” he takes a seat and shuffles the cards. “Split the chips arthur, i’ll deal first.” The man named arthur chuckles before responding “sure man” and hands out the chips as the party enters full swing.

As the party reaches the halfway point a rapid knocking happens upon the door. “I’ll get it” says a young golden retriever pandari opens the door.

Before she can say anything, a human stumbles inside shouting, “quick! Turn on the TV! You will not believe this!” this statement gets the professor to turn on the TV as everyone watches.

The tv shows a man dressed in business attire standing in a room of consoles with both humans and pandari working in a frenzy and a finger to his ear. Then the man begins talking “That’s right maria..our hard working signal analysis have assembled a message they are one hundred percent came from earth!” the reporter moves over to a black cat pandari in a technicians outfit. “Mr mark, can you precisely tag a date to it?”

the black cat pandari, mr mark, shakes his head replying “we can’t pinpoint it exactly..however what we CAN tell is this, it was some time ago in general.”

“Hey mark! Starting the recording now!” a man shouts out to mark starting the feed as The screen shifts to show the familiar image of a three white four sided shining stars on a blue background.

“Tonight Avery Fallon the butcher of Bagmare was awarded was awarded the commonwealth medal of honor. For single handedly defending a vital relay station during what the people are now calling the bagmare siege. This marks the second time that the Fallon family had been awarded the medal of honor. The first beint almost one hundred years ago when the commonwealth was engaged in a peacekeeping operation in the Australia deadzone….”

“You seeing this old man?” a black skined man asks the professor.

“I think i was told a story about what happened there..” the professor say only to get shushed by a grey hound pandari “there’s more professor..look!”

“We go Now to an eyewitness whos records saw he was present during the battle.” everyone watches the recording closely enraptured by this.

“Say professor?.. Why does she look odd?” askes a young pandari pup.

“She’s a news reporter little one, just watch” ancers the professor.

“You should have seen it man. The guys mech was covered in blood, blowing up buildings it was the coolest thing i've ever seen!” at that comment, everyone in the room asks the same thing “he had a real mech?” as everyone trys to wrap their head around it, a child asks a simple queston “what is a mech professor?”

he sighs and replys “they are like the tanks we have, only with legs, look funny, and are WAY to big” some adults chuckle at this response.

“When he was on steel world after another deployment. We approached Sargent Fallon for his thoughts on his actions on bagmare and he has this to say.” the video then shows a man in complex looking armor with the name ‘fallon’ on the left chest plate. A few kids get starry eyes seeing the armor.

“Hu..that looks new..” one of the oldest people there point out. “New NAC gear maybe?”

“I mean do I have to say something?... I do? Fine um… come on you apes you wanna live forever!.. Honestly look let me slap some knowledge on you. I don't really deserve or want the medal, because now I'm gonna have to fight to get back on the frontline instead of sitting around at a public relations desk all day. My buddys our out there busting their asses. My girlfriend is out there fighting and I will be damned if I don't get to get out there and fuck people up to. Plus I get to get shot out of a spaceship in a god damned glorified torpedo as my day job. After you do that, sitting at a desk is really boring. Are we almost done here?” He said with a slightly agitated tone.

The old man chuckles at what was said “he does sound like a NAC jarhead, and the temper to boot”

a woman just stares at the old man “and you know this how?”

the old man gets a grin “experience my dear lady.”

a man tries quieting everyone back down “i think there is a bit more..”

“Two more questions. You said you had a girlfriend, care to elaborate. We have heard rumors that your government paring was with the Dunois heiress. And do you have any advice to the new recruits watching this in their barracks?” everyone talks to themselves as some never heard of dunois, while other remember them slightly.

The old man rubs his chin in thought “i wonder what they are up to now.”

“Sure. One she's over there…”the armored man points to a bipedal red scaled serpent woman with what seems like a white underbelly and scale gold patterns on her back using his thumb as she tries to hide behind a large mech and an angry looking dark skinned man with the name Harris stenciled into his left breast plate and his helmet tucked under one arm.

Upon seeing that sight everyone, and i mean EVERYONE’S jaws flat out drop at the sight as every last crawler and what few citys on the planet seems to shake with one question everyone shouting “IS THAT A REAL ALIEN?!”

Rumors and speculations start running amuck already as one teen flat out says “i’d tap that ass” only to get sluged in the face.

“Two, no im not answering questions about the relationship between myself and a tymerian. Three what's going on between me and the dunois family is none of your business. And four to any new recruits out there especially fresh privates. Listen to your NCOs especially your veterans they know how the world works, you don't. Listen to them and you might survive to see the end of your enlistment.” a mechanic calls for fallon getting him to head over

Arthur can only nods at what fallon said “truer words have never been spoken..”

The newscaster in the recording continues “Now onto lanky news. The lankys have been spotted once again moving into our territory. If you are living on the planets of Polis, New Fenrugha, Alexandria, we advise heightened states of security. The lankys have continued to be a threat since the end of the siege, and while we have made great strides in defense we still must be vigilant. And with rumors of new lanky ships being seen we can only wonder, what are they planing?”

arthur looks at the professor saying “looks like they are not coming back here man.”

the professor just shakes his head “i would not count them coming back as not happening yet..”

“The war with the United Equestrian Conclave has been a hard fight thus far. And with several of our planets falling to the Equestrians already the COG has decided to go on the offensive. Already the fighting on several UEC worlds has become savage for both sides. While on others the COG has taken to deploying nuclear weapons in their fight against the the slave driving Equestrians. The war that started almost almost three years ago as thus far has no end in sight. General Tyler Barron commanding officer of one two of the new Siege Destroyer class ships. Had this to say.” the word COG makes everyone confused about it.

A golden retrever pandari flat out asks “who in the world is the cog?” only to get silence.

“Whoever the COG are..they seem willing to go the nuclear path..” mumbles the professor.

“The UEC see us as a threat to their empire. They won't stop coming until we are either dead or enslaved. And they will only tolerate our kind as slaves so long as we are useful to them. This war is about extinction, and if we don't fight now we will not become stronger over time. Historically species, tribes, nations and what have you that are pushed to the brink and defeated rarely get their revenge later on. Take the Kleese for example they were able to fight the UEC for decades before they were defeated and now look at them. A powerful warrior race brought low and bound into slavery. We stand as the last hope any of the slave races have at revenge.” a wolf pandari woman growls at this

“fuckers sound worst that any bandit gang..” her shocktrooper side coming out in her voice

The image changed to an exterior image. Showing the red oceans and silver rings of a planet the tag shown as Sandelphon. The moon hung around an angry black and green gas giant whos light reflected off of its moons rings making them glitter. The mere sight of it once more makes everyone speechless.

The image then changed panning over the arrays of orbital defence platforms and coalition fleet. Before coming to one of the anchorages that hung over the planet. There two absolutely ships sat dwarfing the much smaller platform they were parked at.

“Today the NACS: Galactica, and SRA: Nostromo launch. The new Siege Destroyer class ships mark a culmination of new COG ship design, and reverse engineered alien technology. Their maiden voyage is classified for now but the hopes of humanity and the formers will go with them.” the professor thinks to himself ‘there is that mention of this cog again, WHO are they?..’

“A cabal of UEC sympathizers have been apprehended today. Execution at nine, all networks all channels.” the wolf pandari huffs “traitors..they are waste of resources in general..just shoot them on the spot i say..” but after saying that, she gets her ear pulled making her yelp “some can be redeemed trooper..or at least, kept on a tight leash..” the professor says with a frown.

“He's doing his part, they are doing their part. Former slaves are signing up every day to fight beside the brave men and women of the defence corps. The ATLAS corps fights the monsters so you don't have to. Report to your recruiter and ask about the ATLAS-3 to see if you have what it takes to be a mech pilot. Remember service guarantees citizenship!” everyone’s curiosity spike at this message while the old man rubs his chin

“sounds like much as changed...new players, new tech..” the old man says to himself.

The screen changes back to the anchor from before the broadcast. “There you have it folks..we have missed so much, and there is a 2nd message, however it is very different and decoders may be unable to decrypt it..however,we will keep you informed, this was nick davy, signing off.” the moment someone turns off the tv, everyone starts gossiping.

“Looks like the captains are gonna have one hell of a meeting hu?” ask the professor as a few guys nod.

Planet Fenrugha

56 A.E.
UEC colony city new staliongrad
POV: flash sentry
MOA: garrison XO replacement

I can’t help but adjust my combat vest for the, umm, i think 14th time i think? I still do not fully understand why commander shining armor sent me out here. All i was told was that i was getting promoted..some promotion hu?..still, i best make the most of it, and maybe i can convince the C.O. to let me send twilight some wildlife to study. There i go AGAIN thinking about her, focus flash, focus on the job at hand.

I call out to the pilot to see if he can give me a view of the area around the shuttle..oh celestia my wings hurt in this armor. The old set never made my wings hurt, maybe i got a bad set? “We just finished orbital entry sir! Pulling up a feed now for you captan..” i hear the pilot call out to me as the feed comes online.

Wow, the falling snow looks, beautiful in a way. Even if it is blue, i can’t look away from it as i barely hear him speak. “looks like we’re gonna have a bad one sir”

hu? “What do you mean by that pilot?” i ask him flat out hoping for an answer
I hear him sigh and respond “we all learned quick that blue snowfall means we’re gonna have a very bad blizzard coming, i think it was during the 2nd month we learned this fact..”

That is worrying, but wait a moment.. “What about the shield? Was it not online by then?” i quickly ask trying to get to the bottom of this.

“With all due respect sir, it was yet the blue snow somehow got past it.” the pilot responds, but wait a tick..

“How is THAT possible? The barrier should be able to stop ANY outside weather from getting in!” i can’t help but shout to the pilot.

I swear he must have shook his head at me before responding with “ask the eggheads” before we fall into silence and i spot the colony's capital city. It’s looking well developed, so there should be more cities already. “Captan! We’re being redirected to the capitol building, hold on sir” the pilot calls out to me as i jump in surprise and feel the shuttle change corse. As we near the capitol building and it’s fancy style, i can’t help but see some troops waiting there as the transport lands and it’s hach opens and i hop out.

“Welcome to new staliongrad captain flash sentry. The meeting just started sir..the commander, planetary governor, R&D head, and supplymaster are already getting “fired up” at each other..again” a griffin officer informs me.

I can’t help but ask “what do you mean by ‘again’?” as my question gets a sigh as a female neo-changeling trooper joins my escort.

She ends up answering my question “every so often sir..they get into a bad argument about what to do.”

“Is this true?.. Princess twilight would have a field day about efficiency..” i can’t help but blurt out only for both the officer and trooper to chuckle.

“Honestly, they would try getting her to pick a side captain.. And if the rumors are true, you’ll follow her like a lost puppy~” i hear the griffin flat out say making me slightly blush.

“I..i would not!” i quickly counter making them break out in laughter.

I hear the laughter quiet down as we enter the main building as i look around. “This way captain..i have ten bits that it comes to blows at last!” the griffin officer calls out to me as i ended up wandering off. I quickly meet up with him as he and the changeling reach a fancy looking door. “They are all ready for you captain, good luck..” the griffin tells me opening the door as the changeling stand guard.

I take a deep breath as i enter ‘here goes nothing, well, more like everything..’ i can’t help to think to myself. Looking around the large room, i can see quite a few ponies, griffins, changelings, almost every member race is here..they all must be important.

“So, commander armor sent YOU here as my new XO?..not really impressed..” a battle scar covered griffin harshly says to me causing me to sweat a bit.

“At ease makarov..i am sure sir armor felt captain sentry was suitable to fill the role of that faker..” i hear a posh voice say.

Looking to the center of the room better, i see the griffin, makarov, sitting at a table with a unicorn noble and a changeling in a lab coat with a metal backpack?.. “I believe introductions are in order captain” the noble says standing up as i quickly salute him “my name is crystal chalice, the governor of this colony, this is general makarov..your superior..” makarov just huffs at me pulling a cigarette out of his shirt pocket and lighting it. “And across from him is doctor mandrite..our head scientist..” i see the changeling just wave at me after being introduced.

“Now captain...please take a seat so we can continue this meeting” i quickly take a seat at the table as a hologram panel appears before me as governor chalice clears his throat. “As i am sure you are aware captain from loose lips, at one point we were ahead of the standard time frame. However, we began suffering a ‘few’ setbacks..”

I jump when the general slams his fist into the table as he shouts “A FEW?! You call losing five small outposts and two tanks to those snow monsters a FEW setbacks still?!”

I hear the changeling speak up at last in a mares voice, “our gear, while seen as normally top of the line..is sorely lacking against the wildlife AND seemingly the planet itself.”

I then hear makarov just groans at her statement as i try to make myself small. “There you go AGAIN with that ‘theory’ of yours..the planet is NOT out to get us.. Our troops are, in my eyes, under trained in survival skills and those with the know-how on how to deal with most some of the beasts are not given a chance to share it!” i can just feel the anger in his voice.. “So i say let me train them all from the ground up and the wildlife will never stand a chance!”

I then hear the changeling hiss at the general “training will only so far! Your a bucking backwater fool to think that! Our arctic gear is lacking in combat protection..almost all our armored units are falling victim somehow to strange frost and-”

suddenly governor chalice shouts “enough! Both are good points...however..we MUST remember the original plan and recover it..” i want to speak up, but chalice continues to speak “even with training or better gear.. Sooner or later, we will NEED a 2nd city up and running to help support the main city..” i can tell the governor is on a knife's edge too..maybe i should put my opinion out there..

I clear my throat making everyone look at me and i speak at last “i..i think i have an idea..maybe we could convert an outpost to a city core, research lab, or training zone?..” i hear everyone mumble to each other.

“I’ll think on it..for now, i will call the meeting to an end for now” i hear governor chalice say as everyone starts leaving. Well, at least i can go unpack and settle in, now where is my bunk?..