Author's Note

Notes so you don't get lost before reading. I hope you enjoy the story!

AR-45 Liberator: The mainstay carbine for the United States Imperial ground forces. Highly modifiable and with 45 rounds per energy cell it is great for long term engagements. fire a 10MM energy round. (AR does not stand for Assault rifle. It stands for Armalite Rifle.)

MR-61 Over Watch: The marksman rifle of the military and those who shoot a 58 out of 60 at the ranges for both moving and standing targets. This weapon has a 20 round energy cell and fires a 8.56MM energy round.

CP-143 Gryphon: The standard side arm for all military forces. This weapon has a semi and burst option for it. This weapon carries 14 rounds per energy cell and fires a 6.8MM energy round.

First Contact? Bullshit it's contact 345,786.

Year : June 6th 4042
Time : 0500 Greenwich time
Unit 1st Battalion, 375th LDT, 78th fleet of the 1st fleet battle group.
Location: Drop point in front of Everfree forest.

They had been up all night and despite the fact that no military structures existed currently, the position they had occupied was well defended with seven IFVs dug into special entrenchments with hasty fighting positions dug in a 360 degree circle to provide all round fire should an attack come with the IFVs facing the two opposing forces to their left and right in order to provide fire support should either side prove to be the one in need. The soldiers had been pulling 50/50 security rotations which meant half the battalion slept for an hour while the other pulled security or scouted the immediate area in the forest for possible hostiles.

Captain Gerad on the other hand had been up all night, making preparations for the coming day and was surprised to see the sun break over the horizon before looking at his clock. "0500. Damn I've been up since 1300 yesterday? Fuck". He said with a sigh and got up, looking around t see the rest of the patrol base stirring awake with some eating their breakfast for while others continued to watch the area. Looking around more he recognized a fresh morning dew on the ground which made him smile. He always loved the smell of morning dew, it reminded him that it was a new day with new opportunities.

"Sir". Hearing the address he turned to a his First Sergeant who stopped next to him. "The IFVs are ready the previously selected squads are good to go. I've designated each IFV and squad pair with different call signs. One of the squads has two of the three IFVs with them". The First Sergeant handed him a Tac-pad for him to view

Squad 1 (Vanguard): 1x IFV 5x LDT
Squad 2 (Raptor): 5x LDT
Squad 3 (Shield): 2x IFV 5x LDT

Gerad scrolled through and frowned. "With the names I'd say you're expecting trouble with at least one side right off the bat". He said and looked at his First Sergeant who nodded his head. "While primitive it's best to never underestimate your adversary or those with unknown intentions". Looking at his First Sergeant he sighed before looking back at the battlefield in front of them. "Such beauty, it's a shame war was brought here. With a sigh they both turned around and headed back to their lines to mount up onto the vehicles and meet this new race or races. Once they arrived at the awaiting vehicles they gathered the squads around them. "Alright here's the deal, the main mission details and plan have been uploaded to your Personal Mission Displays but our main goal is to attempt a peaceful resolution and if not, force one. We are protectors first and watchers last, which means we take action where we see injustice. Mount up, we're heading out". With that Gerad dismissed his men and boarded the first IFV which belonged to Vanguard.

"Sir, we have a company sized element from each side approaching the base. Are we still heading out or are we going to let them come to us"? Came the voice of a Corporal in charge of Raptor squad. "Negative Corporal, we're heading out. I'd rather them not see our patrol base". Gerad responded and signaled for the IFVs and their squads to move forward. "Vangaurd moving, Raptor moving, Shield moving". Each squad left the patrol base towards the approaching units of neutral soldiers, though for how long they stayed that way, depended on the outcome. "Hey sir. How does it feel to make first contact"? Asked a Sergeant. Gerad rolled his eyes. "First contact? Bullshit this is contact 345,786". He replied to which those in the IFV started laughing their asses off.

On the sides of the Gryphon Coalition, made up of Minotaurs, Gryphons, Changelings, and dragons they couldn't believe what they were seeing and neither could their commander who had remained in their base camp. "What are those and who are they"? He asked as he turned to his command staff. "We have no idea sir but we believe that they came from the forest or...from the stars". One staff member said which made the Commander laugh. "From the stars? Please. Nothing can survive out there and we all know Luna was never banished to the moon like her sister claimed. I find the forest or beyond the forest more plausible. Or even worse they could be an Equestrian weapon or something". He said with a snort and went back to watching the events as the small group from the new comers approached the formation he had sent out and the formation of Equestrians.

On the side of the Exhausted Equestrians they trudged towards the strange things, creatures, or whatever. If they were a Coalition weapon they needed to be destroyed but if they weren't, then Equestria could use every ally it could get as the Hippogrifs were too far away to render aid in the form of military units. The elements of Harmony wouldn't work as the army in front of them and elsewhere was too numerous for them to be effective. "Come on men. I know we're tired but we need to figure out what the hell is going on". Came a Sergeant to his tired men. They had been fighting for three weeks straight and while sleep did come to many, it was far from restful.

"ALL UNITS FULL HALT"! Gerad called through the comms as the squads dismounted, Shield remained further back for fire support if needed. Raptor took up positions around the IFV while Gerad and Vanguard began walking further in the open field a bit more before coming to a stop with two possibly hostile formations not 200 feet on either side. Out of each formation came someone of some importance or at least as far as he could tell. The pony that came out wore a red Roman style helmet with a red crest or Mohawk. Gerad didn't know nor did he care. The Gryphon on the other hand wore black with gold streaks along the armor. "Well shit". Gerad muttered to himself after noticing the Gryphons. They had more or less run over one of them in mid air on the way down.

As the commanders or leaders got closer, Vanguard held their weapons at a high ready. They weren't taking any chances even if they were dealing with primitives. Gerad on the other hand noted the behavior or each leader. The gryphon held himself up with pride and an air of arrogance. The pony or....unicorn? "Holy fuck". Gerad muttered once more. This shit kept getting better. Still though, he noticed the Unicorn hold him self up with pride but it was clear he was exhausted and he could see the humbleness in him, something Gerad admired in a soldier. One that was proud but didn't believe themselves better than everyone.

"Greeting strange creature. I am captain Owl Sight of the Gryphon coalition. I wish to extend a greetings to you and wish to simply know your intentions and why you have come here". Gerad frowned slightly but his helmet blocked the frown. Clearing the frown away he let his helmet deactivate to show his face. "Thank you captain Owl Sight". He said and turned to the pony. "Corporal Bull Heart and well, I guess we're hoping you're not here to add to our problems or might become an ally". He said. For once Gerad felt a pang in his heart though he didn't show it. A corporal leading a 100 soldier unit? Dear God these ponies must have been decimated in this conflict. "Thank you Bull Heart. I do hope we can all come to an agreement and a peaceful one". He said with a smile though it was fake.

Looking over the Corporal he noticed he had a slight limp and there were many cuts along his body where as the Gryphon seemed to be spotless. Gerad understood who here was a veteran and who wasn't, it was very clear. "Well well well. The ponies actually came out today. I'm surprised considering how badly you've been getting your flanks handed to you". The Gryphon said with a snarky tone. Gerad's right eye twitched, it wasn't even two minutes and he wanted to punch the fucker. Much to the Corporal's credit he remained calm and collected. "Rain or shine, Tartarus or heaven we will always be ready for any mission". He shot back but was cool about it.

"Gentlemen, we came here to talk, not to fight unless we have to". He pointed out to get the two back on track. "Ah yes, well I guess back to the questions. Why're you here and what're your intentions"? He asked the Gerad with a curious tone. "Well we were in orbit near one of our battle stations when we received a distress call. The signal led to this planet and was a plea for help. We have come for that reason. Either to find a peaceful solution between to warring parties or to protect those who do not have a chance. Does the name Princess Celestia mean anything to either of you"? Gerad looked them over and he could see a twitch on the corporal's lips. Like there was some hidden elation at them coming just for them where as the Gryphon seemed to frown. "Yes, that is one of our two leaders in Equestria". The Sergeant replied.

Gerad looked at the Gryphon. "So if I may ask, why did this war start to begin with"? With a tone of curiosity but also a tone of 'choose your words carefully' though if the gryphon heard the tone was not shone. "Simple, they are inferior and have used their control of the celestial bodies to benefit them. They have held sway over the world for too long and refuse to become a neutral party. We can not allow such power to remain in control of one side".

Gerad looked at the corporal who seemed to become a little disheartened at the words of the Gryphon. It had truly been a one sided battle with these ponies taking a brutal beating while still barely clinging on. Gerad shook his head and turned to look at the Gryphon. "That I can understand but have you not tried talking peacefully? Is waging a massive global conflict really the only way you can work this out"?

The Gryphon was taken back by Gerad's words. "We have tried and they refuse to become Neutral. Their leaders are too powerful and we cannot allow it. They have sat nice and pretty while we toil and work to the bone". The Gryphon said with venom. "So you're invading them for simply having more land and heir rulers controlling the sun? Have you considered a partnership or better trade relations or maybe that their leaders don't actually control the sun and moon"? He asked as the Gryphon frowned.

Shaking his head the Gryphon looked at Gerad"It matters not, we have been trading with them for a while but we are sick of Pony goods flooding our markets and we are sick of the power they hold over the planet". A clearing of a throat was heard from his right to which he looked at the Corporal. "Sir, from what I understand the Gryphon coalition doesn't understand that the princesses keep the world from being thrown out of balance. We have tried many times to come to peaceful terms with them but all they seem to want is to take from us and have been rather unreasonable. The princesses have always been kind to every being in the world".

Gerad kept his face neutral and looked at the Gryphon commander. "We can end this war right here and now, or we can get involved in it and that wont be good period". He stated to which the Gryphon growled. "Are you threatening me"? He asked as Gerad noticed the Gryphon seemed to turn a bit red with anger. "Not threat, a warning. There is a difference you know"? He responded as he kept his cool. He looked back at his squads behind him, shield squad was a bit further back from the other as they were the protection force and there to make sure Gerad got back alive. Gerad looked back to his soldier and patted his left shoulder pauldron as if secretly warning them to get ready for a fight. Much to his relief he saw Shield move their turrets around so the 55MM was on the gryphon formation. "Got the formation on lock commander". Came the reply as Vanguard's APC only trained it's 13mm Suppression gun on the formation since they dared not point their main cannon at the enemy so close lest the surprise be ruined.

"The choice is once again, peace or war and wouldn't you agree there's been enough bloodshed? We can all go home and no more fighting has to happen. You've proven that as of right now you're the most superior force on this planet. The ponies will take decades to recover". Looking at the Gryphon commander he was trying reason. "Why should we listen to you? For all we know this is just an elaborate farce. What gives you the right to demand anything"?! The Gryphon's voice raised in anger.

Gerad quirked an eyebrow and looked at him. "A farce does not have hyper advanced capabilities or the ability to walk the stars". He warned him. The Gryphon clearly outraged spoke. "You will feel the power of our armies, you will fall just like these ponies and others who have stood against us. Join us and chose your words carefully"! Gerad pulled out his CP-143 Gryphon 6.8 mm sidearm and kept it by his side. "So will you seek peace or not. Id' rather not fight but if you continue to attack these ponies we will be forced to intervene. We cannot allow a mass genocide of a race".

The Gryphon snorted. "Then we may as well remove you as well. No one gets in our way, we have a mission and we will accomplish it"! The Gryphon lunged at him, talons outstretched and ready to try and dig in to his armor. Raising his side arm he fired in to the center of the large quadruped which dropped him. Seeing their commander drop the Gryphons yelled in rage and surged forward. Backing up he watched the ponies leave before grabbing his AR-45 and starting to fire in to the mass.

Meanwhile Raptor squad and Vanguard opened up, their AR-45, MR-61 rifles, and the 55MM cutting down several Gryphon ranks as the rounds punched through their weak armor and exited out the other side of their bodies into the Gryphon behind them. "This is shield squad, we are engaging"! The sound of thumping and bolts of purple arced over Raptor and Vanguard who began falling back with Gerad firing his own AR-45. "Copy that, we may have just started a shit storm". He called out as they broke contact and sped back towards the fire base. "Command this is ground team. We have started a shit storm and have engaged hostile forces. Requesting additional units ASAP"! It was a short ride back to the base and in that time and confusion the ponies had left the area with no clear idea what to expect.