Author's Note

I am so sorry that this took so long. I’ve been so busy with school and my CDL training that I’ve not had a lot of time to write this. Also a good chunk of this chapter was written on a phone so be ready for grammar mistakes because I also turned off my autocorrect. Also, if you can guess which game that radio chatter is based from in the air support section, you get a free set of uno reverse cards in every color. Here’s a hint, it’s from a call of duty game.

hooves on training

Early/Mid December 2020
canterlot valley joint army/air force base
11:52 AM

Dakota POV

These new guys have now finished the classroom portion of their tank training and recently completed PT. Today they will be assigned to their tanks and they will be evaluated on how well they can operate these beasts. We had manufactured over 1000 abrams tanks after the first 6 ended up in Equestria and we had broken them down and examined them and wrote our own blueprints. These new single-seat tanks still retained their turbine engines but they were now powered by much more powerful turbines to produce 2315HP and 7000lb ft of torque and given additional night fighting equipment such as new thermal and infrared optics and searchlights being mounted to the turrets similar to the light on the old M48 and M60 Patton tanks. The steel parts of the armor were thinned out and some of the steel removed entirely to be replaced with titanium armor panels instead since it was stronger than steel and almost 3 times lighter. Additional ammo storage was also created now that the crew compartment in the turret was filled in with an autoloader and remote control equipment, so now there was room for 20 more sabot shells and HEAT shells each. The old M2 on the turret above the commander's cupola was removed and an m240 was installed instead since now a GAU 19 was positioned in front of the loaders hatch and made fully autonomous to engage enemy aircraft and infantry. The GAU could be aimed almost straight up being able to fire 85 degrees into the air and aimed down 10 degrees. The GAU also had a manual targeting mode in case the sensors were destroyed and could be controlled through a monitor in the driver's compartment next to the periscopes.

After assigning every pony to a tank, I would see how well they could operate without guidance and see what they needed further instruction on. They would be required to start their tanks up all on their own, get them moving to top speed, complete a 3 lap course around the valley, engage multiple targets on the move using both the main cannon and the machine guns, and finally park the tank where it started in the shortest amount of time. First up to prove themselves was a griffon named steel claw and he seemed a little nervous to about doing this all on his own. He had aced everything in the classroom portion of his training and even seemed confident at first but now that I was up close with him, I could see that had sweat running down his face, his eyes were darting left and right between all of the controls, and he was shaking slightly.

"Private steel, You can do this, I believe in you. You showed that you could be leadership material in the classroom, and now is your chance. You have nothing to worry about, this is only training. If you get stuck or don't feel that you can do this, press that white button next to the switch that controls the headlights. It will activate a strobe light on the turret that will signal to us that the tank has been knocked out of action and I'll call a tank tower to have it removed from the course and I'll talk with you. No pressure son. You can do this." I reassured him. He gave me his best "aye sir" and sank all the way down into the tank before closing the hatch. He waited until I walked away to start the engine. He finally got the tank rolling after I gave him the all-clear and started a stopwatch.

He was competing in a bit of a race against recruits from other divisions in the same tank school we were all at. I was sitting with the other 14 drill instructors as we monitored our recruit's progress. After a while, when everyone was getting ready to begin their 2nd lap, Me and the 14 other drill instructors had started making bets with each other to see who would be the best tanker. After steel had completed his final lap, he proceeded on towards the firing range and was beginning to open fire on targets all around him as he kept on driving. Letting loose sabot after sabot, he was hitting each target spot on and hadn't missed any so far.He was competing for targets against the other recruits already on the range and the final one that had the most targets hit would win. Steel was now having to engage infantry and enemy armor as he made it halfway through the range. He was instructed to manually fire the GAU if there were no armored targets to fire at, and so he did and it turns he has a pretty good aim. He had finally left the firing range and was on his way back to where he started. He had the other recruits hot on his ass but he wouldn't let them pass no matter what. He had finally pulled right back up to where he started with the front of his tank facing all 15 of us and swiveled the gun back before shutting off the engine and getting out.

"Final overall time: 17 minutes and 37 seconds!" I shouted. He had actually come really close to beating a standing record. "Private steel, as of this time, You have come to be exactly equal with a record holder here at this training academy. You are clear to proceed to the observation building at this time." I said. I gave a small fist pump as well since now all the other DI's had to cough up 50 bits each as they had lost the bet.

4 hours later

Tank evaluation for the day had finally ended. The last of the recruits had completed the course designated for them, and most of them did well, a few others needed a little extra training, but most of them have proven that they have what it takes to become effective members of the Equestrian armored corps. Their final test would come in a few weeks though when an unannounced simulated surprise attack would be launched against the training grounds and the trainees would need to get to their tanks, start them up, neutralize enemy tanks and IFV's without getting overrun or knocked out. Spy drones that flew high in the atmosphere above the former crystal empire showed that Sombra now had access to old soviet tanks including the T44-100, T54/55's, T62's, and both the A and B variants of the T64 including small numbers of the T64BV, and even smaller numbers of the ever fearsome T72B. He was also in possession of BMP 1, 2, and 3 APC's and even larger numbers of BTR 90's. The tanks they would need to attack and eliminate would be remotely controlled from aboard specially equipped MH53 pave low and MV22 osprey helicopters flying around 5 miles outside the facility to observe everyone through the facility’s security cameras and recon drones operating from the nearby airbase to the north of canterlot. Unicorn Drill instructors would use a special type of hologram spell to cast fake yet extremely realistic-looking versions of shadow ponies and changelings that would be on the ground firing rubber bullets and or blanks from machine guns mounted on the target vehicles and the weapons held by the fake attackers.

2 weeks later
December 31st
11:57PM

The final test of these rooks would commence in three minutes. This test was also designed to test the base personnel to see if response time to an attack was up to par. We had given them the day off to rest and so I and the other drill instructors could prepare for it. They were in the helicopters holding 5 miles away while I was at the base waiting for the clock to strike 12:00 to trigger an explosion that would wake up the rooks and begin their final test. This would be super unorthodox but it would show how they do in an actual combat situation. it was now 11:59 and my hand was on the detonator. I was sitting in an air traffic control tower at the base as it was shared by the Air Force as well and I had made a mess of it to look like I was attacked. Fake blood stains and bullet holes riddled the top I was wearing and a glock 17 layed on the ground close by to me with 7 spent bullet casings as well to make it look like I died fighting. Holes were drilled into the glass to give the illusion that I had missed my target and struck the window instead. My reasoning for doing this is because I know they would try to find their commanding officer in the event of a real attack but I needed to see how well they would do in a situation where I was not an option because I was dead or missing. The clock had struck 12:00 am and ushered in the new year, I pressed the button on the detonator and triggered numerous explosions around the base in open areas where nothing would be damaged. The unicorn DI’s cast their hologram spells and multiple dead fake changelings and shadow ponies appeared in front of me. The base alarm sounded off as the final test started.

I had to act like I was mortally wounded as I could hear my rooks running up the stairs as they were trying to find me. I had been breathing laboredly and spasming. The first trainee to approach me was a mare under my command named peppermint goldylinks. She had a mint green coat with a light brown mane and take and was always wearing a purple bow.

“Colonel are you alright!?” She asked me

“Im not gonna...make it. There...is a whole battalion of enemy armor and infantry approaching the base. It’s up to you all...to hold them off long enough...until air support arrives. Don’t let them...in, and tell my herd mates... I...love them.” I finished as my badly acted out fake death was finished.

“Well, you heard him, let’s go! We gotta get to the tanks and now before we get overrun. Move move move!” I heard steel claw call out before all 8 of the recruits under my command leave the room I was in. I waited a minute to make sure they didn’t come back in before I got up and looked out the window to observe their progress. Each one of them were climbing into their own respective tanks just as the remote-controlled soviet tanks reached the perimeter. They each had their own tank that was distinguishable because one, they all had license plates on them, and two, they also had their individual cutie marks painted on the cheeks of the turret.

I walked over to a chair and powered on a monitor to to assume control of some of the tanks on the offensive. I hopped on the radio with the other drill instructors to report that my part was done and I was successful. I had locked the door just in case any of them decided to come back up and saw that I was alive, they wouldn’t actually know.

Steel claw POV

Lt.Colonel Dakota was killed in the surprise attack on our base. We had got no response from the chain of command back up in canterlot, we were on our own now. I had assumed command of our unit and had ordered everyone to get to their tanks as fast as they could. Me, and peppermint had gotten to our tanks first since we had the ability to fly. Peppermint had gotten her tank started and backed up through the wall behind the tanks and opened up on the enemy armor and was trying to buy us enough time for the rest of us to get in our tanks and jump into the fight. My engine was stilling spooling up but I was already able to rotate the turret. Friendly tanks from the other units were now joining the fray. My tank was now fully started but already I had a problem. I had forgotten to refuel last time I was training and had about half of a quarter of a tank of gas left. I needed to do something otherwise I was just a big target for all of Sombra forces.

“All behemoth assets, this is behemoth 1-1 actual, radio check, over!” I needed to raise my squad to try and figure out what to do.

“Behemoth 1-1, this is behemoth 1-3, I read you loud and clear sir! what’s the plan? over.” One of my squad and best friends since basic, a bat pony mare named blood moon, responded to the radio call.

“Behemoth 1-1, behemoth 1-2 here, what are we supposed to do!? The colonel is dead and we’re blind without orders. We need a plan of action now or we're gonna get overrun! How in Tartarus did they even get this far without us knowing!?” Peppermint called into the mic. I was really feeling the pressure now. I knew what I had signed up for but I wasn’t quite expecting something like this.

“Behemoth lead, Behemoth 1-8. Steel, we got hostiles disembarking from APC’s and are attempting to flank us on all sides. I’m breaking off to provide fire support with behemoth 1-2 and provide cover for you guys but we’re not gonna last long without backup or air support, over.” My younger brother, iron wing, called out over the radio. I’ve never felt a bigger deal of stress than I have now

“Behemoth 1-1, this is Behemoth 1-6, I’ve been immobilized but I’m still combat effective. Requesting immediate support while I try and fix up the tracks, over.” I heard over the radio from an early pony mare named sapphire blaze. I now needed to act. I was now a squad leader and I needed to act like one.

“Alright! All Behemoth units, engage targets at will. 1-2 and 1-8, you two take up sniper positions on the east hills used by infantry during training. 1-3, I need to refuel. You’ll follow me to the refueling station and provide covering fire while I gas up. 1-5 and 1-7, you guys help 1-6 fix her tracks and not let her die. Hooah?” I said. I got my response a second later as a group of Hooahs rang out in my helmet.

“1-3 form up on me. We’re gonna make a dash straight for the fuel station across the motor pool. While I’m filling up, I need you to cover me while I try to get raptor squad and rhino squad on the line.” I said. I needed to check on iron though because he was not gonna be going anywhere without help. The two other members of my squad that were helping him were both kirins that had come all the way from the peaks of peril. One was brown with a green mane and tail and gold back scales while the other was beige all around. I believe their names were cinder glow and autumn afternoon. Autumn was one of the rare males that had lived in the Kirin village and had to experience the vow of silence. I never knew what it would be like but I could imagine. I had also learned from cinder that female kirin's were far more common as well than their male counterparts, similar to the mare to stallion ratio in equestria.

“1-6, status report.” I said. “Tensioning the tracks now sir. She’ll be ready to roll on a few moments.” Sapphire responded. “Alright, once your mobile, take 1-5 and 1-7 and defend the northern entry point. Raptor squads holding the south entrance while rhino squad backs them up and sends units to assist us.” I said. Numerous changelings and shadow ponies were swarming our position and trying to get through. I had gotten back in the tank and took control of the GAU 19 and began to lay down fire as we were still under heavy attack. Numerous BTR's were starting to charge our position as well. The GAU was loaded with armor-piercing ammunition and made quick work of the BTR's.

"Behemoth 1 actual, this is Behemoth 1-5, me and 1-7 have taken numerous direct hits and are non-combat operational at this time! Main gun is offline and the turret is stuck! Private Cinder's tank has suffered an engine fire and the ammo is about to start cooking off! Repeat, we are dead in the water! Private cinder has been wounded. Im gonna grab her and make a break for the barracks!" Autumn called out over the radio. "Roger that. 1-3, break off from your current position and form up on autumn and cinder and get them to safety. Im gonna get a hold of rhino squad and get them to assist, over." I responded. I was about to switch channels until I felt something big and heavy hit my tank from the left. I looked out of the periscopes and saw that a BMP had rammed me in the side and was trying to raise his tow missile. I acted out of haste and used the GAU to dump rounds into the damn thing only for a sabot shell to rip through the back of it as it burst into flames.

"Ugh, What just happened?" I said to myself as the blast had dazed me until I got my answer when my headset buzzed to life. “Behemoth 1 actual, this is rhino 1 actual, I've got your back. Be advised, you’ve got multiple groups of infantry making a beeline for the Ammunition dumps to the east of the ATC tower and at the south end of the runway." Raptor team's leader informed me.

"Behemoth 1 copies all, out. Behemoth 1-1 actual to 1-2 and 1-8, we've got enemy infantry and armor heading for ammo dumps to the east of the tower and south end of the runway. Shift your fire south and east, repeat, south and east. You are clear to engage all targets of opportunity. 1-1 out"

Meanwhile back in the ATC tower
Dakota POV

I added a bit of stress-inducing action into the test by remotely disabling two friendly tanks on the ground. I could see the operators climbing out now as one now no longer had functional weaponry while the other had lit its engine on fire. PFC Blood Moon had broken off from private steel claw to give cover both of the kirin that had abandoned their tanks to make a run for the barracks. I had seen from here that Private cinder glow had sustained some injuries from a HE shell landing close to both of the kirin, probably about 30 feet away from them. I can tell now she had cuts from debris being thrown and she had noticeably been limping. I did not intend for that happen one bit, I would take full responsibility for it and treat her personally to make sure she made a full recovery. I didn't have much knowledge in the medical field but it was enough to make sure she wouldn't get an infection or anything like

"Any station, any station, This is behemoth 1-1 actual transmitting in the blind. We are under heavy fire from ground forces of the shadow empire, Requesting immediate air support!" I heard steel claw's voice call out from the radio next to me. I grabbed it and commenced the second phase of the test, limited air support.

"Alright Aqua, tia, your up." I said "Got it dakota, see you soon." Aqua said to me. Switching back to the other channel.

Ponyville AFB
Aqua POV

Dakota had just given us the go ahead to begin the second phase of this test. I switched channels again and got a hold of private steel claw.

“Behemoth 1-1, this is warhammer. We got your distress call and are on station to provide AC130 gunship support. ETA 10, mikes, over.” I said.

“Warhammer this is behemoth 1, that’s great to hear. We can’t hold out much longer and are in danger of being over run. Please, get here as fast as you can!” Steel replied. “Warhammer copies all, just hold on a little longer.”

9 minutes later

“Behemoth 1-1, this is Warhammer. We’re on station and awaiting targets. Be advised there are too many targets on the ground. We can’t tell who’s who from up here. Need you to use ir beacons to identify yourself or colored smoke to mark targets.” I said “Warhammer, our beacons are coming online now. Be advised, we have friendly units inside the buildings. You are not authorized to level the buildings, repeat do not fire on the buildings.” Steel replied.

"we've got targets heading for the ammo dumps to the south of the runway near the localizers and east of the ATC tower. We are unable to engage them from our current location, need you to take them out. Grids to engage: PU259119, GF279316. Hit them the 25MM and 40MM, do not use the 105. Can't risk blowing those dumps otherwise were gonna lose more than just some rounds." Steel said

"Warhammer copies all. Grids to engage: PU259119 and GF279316 using 25MM gattling guns and 40MM Bofors. Time on target, 30 seconds." I said. Because dakota was involved in this, Both me and the princess were involved in providing ground support. The princess was in the back working as the weapons control officer and was getting ready to dump rounds on the fake tanks.

"Princess, grids to engage are as follows: PU259119 and GF279316. We're not authorized to use the 105 in the vicinity of the ammo dumps. Stick to the 25 and 40MM and engage." I said "Columns of BTR 90's with attached infantry, Danger close, Repeat danger close. Target number: AW323." I said.

"Roger, Grids to engage: PU259119 and GF279316. Target number, AW323. Columns of BTR 90's with attached infantry, danger close. Engaging." She replied. “Putting 400 rounds of 25MM on the BTR’s and infantry and mopping up with 20 rounds of 40MM, over.” Celestia said. I kept the plane holding at a banked angle of 25 degrees port side to allow for firing at a good angle while holding at an altitude of 3500 feet.

“Rounds away rounds away.” Celestia said. I looked at my screen to see the extent of the damage on the ground. “Good effect on target princess, I don’t see anything moving down there and a lot of APCs are burning.” I said before steel claw came on the radio again. "Good effect on target Warhammer. Be advised, I've got reports of at least 50 tanks rolling towards the base full speed from the north end of the runway. Need you to shift fire north and hit those targets. Grid to mark, ZX532668, target number, AG5258. Get me 15 105 rounds on their position and mop up with the 40's!" Steel claw said.

"Roger that. platoon size of enemies approaching the north end of the runway. Grid to mark, ZX532668, target number AY5258. 15 rounds of 105MM HEAT and 40MM to mop up stragglers. Adjusting course now, time on target, 1 minute." I said. "Princess, units on the ground are requesting 15 rounds of 105MM HEAT and 40MM. They've identified a platoon size of targets approaching the north end of the runway. Grid to engage, ZX532668, target number AY5258." I said "Roger that. Grid to mark, ZX532668, target number AY5258. Shot out." She said as she began to engage the RC tanks. "Good shots Warhammer, at least 25 T64's destroyed, keep up the fire. Clean up the survivor's and shift fire west to support behemoth 1-2 and 1-8, out" Steel claw said. Even from up here, I could still see tracers flying about on the ground but they weren't as intense as when we first arrived.

"Aqua, Tia, its time for the third and final phase. Goliath's A10's are on the tarmac at ponyville AFB and awaiting the order to lift off and conclude things." Dakota said. "Got it. I'll start that phase now. see you in half an hour." I said. Switching the frequency again, I got a hold of steel claw and made him think he was on his again. "Behemoth 1-1, this is Warhammer, We're breaking off at this time. We're taking heavy anti-air fire from the ground and can't maintain our current heading! We're falling back to a safe distance and increasing our altitude until further notice. Be advised, flight of 10 A10 warthogs are departing from Ponyville AFB and will be on station in 10 minutes, just hold tight behemoth." I said

"Behemoth copies all Warhammer, thanks for the assist. Behemoth 1-1 out." Steel replied. Dakota came over the radio again to signal to the DI's to start grouping all of the fake's together to end this test. He requested that one of the helicopters orbiting around the area come to pick him up to surprise the soon to be graduates of the canterlot tank academy.

Steel claw POV
7 minutes later

Warhammer had gained altitude and left the AO leaving us by ourselves again. They did, however, give us a lot of breathing room and we could now start to effectively fight back as some of Sombra's tanks were starting to retreat while others were starting to group up. I thought they were going to start pushing forward again until I heard a voice in my helmet and I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Behemoth, Behemoth, This is Goliath 5-1 flight lead. We're inbound to provide close air support. We'll be on station in 3 minutes, over." The pilot said. I knew goliath squad was an A10 unit when I enlisted and knew they meant business. If you were caught on the receiving end of the entire squad, You might as well just stand there and take it because there is no escaping them. I heard rumors about how their squad leader was possibly in the manehatten mafia and was up there with the big bosses, Needless to say, him alone is not somepony to be trifled with. He was a fellow griffon like me so at least we came from the same nation. The only thing aside from being in the mafia, was his name. I believe his Name is golden wings.

"Goliath, Goliath, this is behemoth 1-1. Enemy forces are attempting to retreat via the north end of the runway. Friendly units are staying back at this time. You're cleared to engage all fleeing armor and infantry and we'll take care of any units still inside the base. We'll mark targets of opportunity Inside the base for you. You're not cleared to engage targets near the ammo dumps at the south end of the runway and the east end of the ATC tower." I said "Goliath squad copies all. AGM 114 Hellfire missiles are already away and tracking enemy targets. They'll take out any enemy infantry and APC's attempting to flee that are already outside the base perimeter. We'll finish off any survivors with 30MM bursts. Be advised, A friendly helicopter is entering the airspace now to recover the Lt.Colonel's body from the ATC tower and we can't engage until they are clear of the fighting, over. They should be there in 30 seconds" Goliath's squad leader said. "Behemoth 1-1 copies all. We'll establish a defensive perimeter around the tower until that bird gets here and provide fire support. I can already see the chopper from here. Behemoth 1-1 out." I said. "All Behemoth units, form up on the ATC tower and defend that chopper coming in to retrieve the LT.Colonels body. After that chopper leaves, Goliath squad will give us some breathing room." I said. “All units, this is viper 2-8, coming in to land, watch your fire, repeat watch your fire. We’re setting down next to the ATC tower at this time, over.” The pilot of the osprey said.

Dakota POV

My ride was here now. The osprey that had come to "Recover" me was now waiting outside for me. My squad had established a defensive perimeter and the tower and the RC tanks were now set to start falling back to the north and escape. They wouldn't fire on any buildings regardless of if they're being controlled manually or are set to automatic targetting parameters. Ponies up in canterlot city were made aware of the test weeks in advance so there wouldn't be mass panic if there were gunships and tank busters flying through the valley wreaking havoc. I shut off the monitors and got ready to leave as the chopper had touched down and two of the crew members of the chopper hopped out with a stretcher and tarp. I got the door for them and got ready to end it.

"Evening gentlecolts, Shall we be going?" I said "yes we shall be going, boss. Will you kindly lay down on the stretcher so we can cover you up and carry you to the chopper." One of them said. I did as they asked and within just 2 minutes, I was up in the air and watching the chaos start to come to a close.

Steel claw POV

"Behemoth 1-1, Goliath 5-1, this is warhammer. We've ID'd numerous unknown radar contacts approximately 5-10 miles outside the base, could be enemy attack choppers. They seem to be in a holding pattern at the moment. Do not engage them at this time, repeat, do not fire on any unknown radar contacts in the air." The pilot of the AC130 said. I knew her personally and I knew she would take the Colonel's death very hardly once she found out that he died in the surprise attack as it was no secret that her and the princess were his herdmates and had been for the past two years. Lance corporal aqua and princess celestia would have a hard time dealing with the loss and would need someone to help them through the tough times of loss, I’d be able to help the corporal since we were friends after all but there was nothing I could do for the princess.

“Behemoth 1-1 copies all, thanks for the heads up Warhammer, our.” I said. “Goliath squad confirms locations of unknown radar contacts at this time, thanks for the info Warhammer, Goliath 5-1 out.” The leader of Goliath squad said.

2 minutes later.

“Goliath 5-1, this is behemoth 1-1, raptor squad has taken heavy losses, where in Tartarus are you!?!?” I shouted. “Behemoth 1-1, Goliath squad has entered the airspace now, need you to mark targets for us using laser designators. We’ll take out what we can from here, over.” That was good to here. The GAU on the turret did have an infrared laser that the pilots helmets could detect so marking targets wouldn’t be too difficult. Some of the hostile tanks and infantry were starting to group up as well so things would be getting a bit easier as well. "Goliath, Goliath, this Behemoth 1-1. I've marked a group of enemy armor and infantry attempting to flee the base. Give me 400 30MM rounds and 3 hellfires on their position. targets been marked!" I shouted. "Goliath copies all. 3 hellfires away, time on target, 10 seconds." He said. just then, a massive explosion obliterated the majority of the group trying to escape before the signature buzzing of the 30MM gattling gun on the A10 was heard. "Behemoth 1-1, all targets destroyed. awaiting further targets. Goliath 5-1 out, over." Golden said to me.

"Goliath 5-1, Ive got another group of at least 30+ enemy armor units with attached infantry trying to escape through the north end of the runway. Need you to hit them with 4 GBU 12's and 5 hellfires once they're past the fence. Can't risk damaging the localizer's." I said. "Goliath copies all. More missiles away, time on target, 40 seconds. GBU’s will be dropped to finish off survivors.” He said. After 36 seconds of waiting, the missiles impacted their targets and destroyed a good bit tanks and APC’s but there were still some left operational and trying to escape. “Behemoth squad, Goliath 5-1. Our GBU’s are away, get away now before they impact, over.” Golden said. “You heard him Behemoth squad, fall back, fall back!” I said. I got my tank turned around and punched it. I took cover behind the ATC tower while the others sheltered in nearby hangers. Just then, 4 bright flashes of light erupted from the north end of the runway, vaporizing any hostiles still unlucky enough to be there.

10 minutes later

We had fought ferociously and dwindled down Sombras battalion of armor to just little over a platoon size worth of vehicles left. “Behemoth 1-1, the anti air fire has subsided substantially and we’re returning to the AO. We’ll finish off any stragglers along with Goliath squad.” The pilot of the AC130 gunship said. It was nice to know that we still had backup air support in the area in case Goliath squad had to break off. “Behemoth 1–1 copies all. Goliath 5-1 and Warhammer, the rest of the enemy forces are retreating to the north. Finish them off with everything you got!” I shouted. A moment later, tracer rounds from Warhammer began to rain down everything they had on the enemy forces trying to escape before all of Goliath squad opened up with their 30MM Gatling guns and fired off whatever hellfire missiles they had left. The result was a large fire ball rising up 80 feet into the air before it dissipated leaving nothing but burning tanks and APC’s in its wake. “Behemoth 1-1, Goliath 5-1. We’re returning to base, thanks for the work today, Goliath out.” Golden said to me before he and his squad took off back to the southeast towards Ponyville AFB.

“Behemoth squad this is Warhammer. We are bingo fuel and won’t make it back to Ponyville AFB. Need you to clear the runway so we can land, over.” She said. “Behemoth squad copies all. 1-2 and 1-8 form up on us by the fueling stations. I said. “All units, this is viper 2-8, we need to return to Canterlot valley. We came under attack by enemy recon choppers armed with rifle-caliber machine guns and have taken engine damage. We successfully took them down but we won’t make it back to Ponyville AFB in time to safely put down.” The pilot of the osprey said. “Behemoth copies all. We’ll clear an area for you to put down your chopper.” I said. We finally shut down our engines and got out of our tanks and waited for Warhammer to land so we could inform the pilot of what had happened to the colonel, until i forgot that two of our squad members were in the barracks

“Guys, let’s get private cinder and private autumn back out here. If we’re gonna pay our respects to the colonel, we’re gonna do it together, as a team.” I said. “I’ll go get them, I know which building they’re in right now.” Blood moon said to me before she got back in her tank and started it up again before she drove off. She came back 2 minutes later with both of our Kirin squad mates riding on top of the turret before blood parked up and shut off her engine again and helped private cinder get down. The enormous form of Warhammer came into view now as the AC130 was just 150 feet above the runway and steadily descending. The wheels finally made contact with the ground as the large lumbering form of the AC130 slowed down and turned off onto the taxiway and started to approach the fueling station. Once the gunship came to a stop, the engines shut off one by one until they finally all stopped spinning. The osprey that had retrieved the colonel's body was starting to descend now and had set down next to warhammer and shut off its engines. The left door on the front of the AC started to open up as the pilot stepped out as we took off our helmets as lance corporal lance walked over to us.

"Corporal, I'm so sorry for your loss. There was nothing we could do for him, the colonel was already badly wounded when we found him and bled out to death." I said solemnly. Her face turned to one of confusion though before a smug grin formed on her face. “Are you certain he’s dead? Because last I checked, he was alive and well.” She said. “Corporal, with all due respect, I know what we all saw, the others can vouch. The colonel is dead.” I said. I could see her trying to hold in a giggle as well before she finally said something else. “I wouldn’t be too sure about that. Viper 2-8, you can go ahead and drop the ramp.” She said. I was understandably confused by what she meant until the osprey’s ramp actually lowered all the way and left every last one of us with our jaws on the ground as we saw Just who was standing there.

“Surprised to see me alive and well guys?” I had no words for what I was seeing. I was only snapped out of my state of shock when I heard more helicopters approaching and getting ready to land. The colonel, who had supposedly died, was standing right in front of us. Alive and well, like nothing had happened to him.

“Wait, what!? I am so confused right now. How are you alive sir!? We all watched you bleed out and die in the tower!” Cinder said being the first one to break the silence.

“It’s simple corporal cinder, I was never dead In the first place. Because this was not an actual attack. It was a final exam to prove how well you’ve all mastered tankery.” He said. “Wait, A test!?!? What do you mean by that? And what do you mean by corporal as well!?” I shouted.

“This test was designed to see how well you all would operate in a real combat situation without any orders from the top and having to take the initiative, and you did well as a squad leader, Seargent steel.” He said. I’m now beyond confused at this point. He called private cinder a corporal and now he’s calling me a Seargent.

“I wasn’t the only watching as well. Your former DI’s were watching as well.” He said. Just then, The doors to the other helicopters opened up and revealed all of the drill instructors standing in the door ways, with each of them having their horns glowing brightly. “Cut it off.” I heard the colonel say. Just then, the light from their horns ceased as I watched numerous dead changelings and shadow ponies fade into nothingness.

“Class 3 illusion spell. Requires a minimum of 3 weeks to master if you’re learning it at a regular school. Those tanks and APC’s you all destroyed were UGV’s. They were being remotely controlled.” He said. “We were also not the only ones watching and observing you all. Aqua, you wanna drop the cargo ramp and show them who else was watching from afar? And also gave them fire support?” He said. A few moments later, the cargo ramp was opened all the way and needless to say, every last one of us was shocked and confused by who was standing there. None other was princess Celestia herself standing inside the gunship, dawning an all-black flight suit as she walked out to greet us. I snapped out of my shock to bow down as quick as I could, while my squadmates were a little slower to do the same.

“I don’t mean to be rude sir, but could you please explain exactly what all of this means?” I asked. “No problem. This will take a bit though so get comfortable, all of you.” He said.

20 minutes later

“And that’s why you’ve all been promoted and why you’re a squad leader now steel.” The colonel wrapped up. This made no sense at all. A fake attack on the base to test how we would do in a real combat scenario with little air support, getting promoted all the way to Seargent, and risking our lives in the process. Sure they were firing blanks but the infantry still had rubber bullets and could kill some pony if they weren’t careful with them, an example of this was the fact that private cinder got hit by a couple and she was having a hard time walking as it is with them still in her forelegs. I can understand why he did this, but the way he did makes no sense. The fact that he also gave all of us promotions added onto the stuff that made no sense. This was just so much info and too much at that as well.

I soon felt myself becoming drowsy and weak and my vision started to go black which was only an add on to the migraine I already had going on. The only thing I could hear now was the base's alarm still going off. Before I knew it, I had blacked out from sheer stress alone.

8 hours later
Dakota POV

"Look, he's starting to wake up!" I said. Steel claw had passed out a few hours ago. Poor guy had been put through hell and back after everything that had happened last night. He sat all the way up and looked around real quick before his gaze settled on me.

"Hey, Seargent, you alright? you blacked out a little before one in the morning last night and hit your head and the ground pretty hard. I carried you all the way back to the infirmary and the doc said you should be fine but I wanted to make sure that he was right and that you didn't have a concussion. I already feel bad enough about the fact that corporal cinder had taken rubber bullets and shrapnel to the forelegs. I also had to have your brother held back so he wouldn't tackle you when you woke up. the last thing I want is for you to possibly have a second concussion." I said. "What? Sir, I still don't understand. Even though everything that happened last night was only to test us, why would you put us through something like that?" He said

"It's to see how you would do in a real combat situation. I said it before. I would never put any of my soldiers in harm's way, even if we outnumbered our enemy 10:1. I don't want a blood bath on my hands because we don't know what they have in terms of weaponry. You see what I'm getting at? I would never intentionally put you guys in danger, I'd put myself in front to make sure you guys get the job done. You know what im saying?" I said. Steel took a moment to process what I had said before he finally gave me a response.

“I understand what you mean sir. But that still felt like a real attack. We thought you had actually died and I thought I was actually going to die out there. I was actually too scared to do much of anything, until I gave myself the mental slap I needed.” He said, which was reasonable. His family was more of a pacifist type so it’s understandable that he panicked.

“I know how you feel Seargent. I was the same way when I first went into a real combat situation before I had even signed up with the royal guards. It was just me, my friends, 7 tanks, 2 trucks, a bunch of guns, and a suicide mission up north while Sombra's forces were still weak and unprepared for a full-on war. I thought we were going to get overrun until Sombra himself made an appearance and offered us to fight for him in exchange for a way to return us home. I was tempted to take his offer, but I remained loyal to Equestria as I already had two lovers and we still had to evacuate the crystal ponies from the former crystal empire and get them back to canterlot since we couldn't just let them be enslaved again. I had taken the initiative as you did last night. Tell you what, to make up for last night, I'm giving you and your squad the next 10 days off and ill take you guys out for drinks tonight at club SOLAR, I'm buying. Does that sound good? will that take your mind off of everything that happened?" I said. Steel answered almost immediately with an exhausted but satisfied yes.

"Alright it's settled then. I'll mark you guys as on leave for the next 10 days and I'll be at your bunkhouse around 7:30 PM to pick you guys up in something more comfortable than the usual Humvee or MRAP." I said. After putting them through hell and back, this was the least I could do for them.

11 hours later
7:25 PM

I had told the base commander to get steel and his guys ready as I was now less than 5 minutes away. I told him to have them wait at the helipads next to aircraft hanger A2, the largest hanger on the base. I could see the helipads now and began to descend in order to land, and they all had a speechless look on their faces. When I told them I'd get them in something more comfortable, I was being serious. I had come to get them drunk at club SOLAR in a concerted Mil Mi-26 Luxury helicopter. 10 seats, noise proofing insulation, air conditioning, a 32 Inch flatscreen TV, WiFi, AM-FM radio, Minibar, Bluetooth sound system, built-in PC wired into the TV along with an Xbox, heated and airconditioned leather seats, and even a small bathroom made the Mi-26 a must-own for those who could afford it. I set down and opened up the door to allow them to get inside. I was surprised to see that they were still wearing their urban camo fatigues even though they could put on something more comfortable, and probably should have anyway because the AC isn't that great at the club.

"Welcome aboard behemoth squad. Are you guys strapped in and ready to go?" I said. "Yeah, we're good to go, colonel. Lets head out." Steel said. I lifted off and retracted the landing gear before taking off towards Canterlot.

10 minutes later

The club that I had helped to open a year ago was now in sight and I was ready to touch down. Even from up here In a helicopter, the music was still so loud and bassy I could feel every beat hit since bass travels farther and easier than treble does. I had made contact with the helipad and shut off the engine and got out. I opened up the door and proceeded to let steel and his squad out.

“Alright everyone, if you’ll all follow me this way, I’ll take you to the bar where I already have quenching amounts of beer, champagne, whisky, brandy, rum, wine, and vodka waiting for you all. The first rounds on the house then I’ll pay for the rest!” I said. I could see that every one got excited and even steel had cracked a smile which was good to see because that meant was less tense than he was last night.

I was at the bar now, still in uniform, serving free drinks. My friends who I hadn’t seen in quite a while, had all come over to ask me just what the hell I had been up to recently because they heard explosions in the valley from up here and felt them as well. I had taken the time to catch up with them before they went back to doing their own thing. I had already strengthened Equestria’s army and Air Force and now it was time for the biggest challenge yet, I would have to build up the navy, which was so under strengthed that I’m pretty sure a homeless guy in a row bot with a gun could stand a fighting chance. I already had big plans. Equestria was plentiful in resources such as steel, timber, coal, oil, and other crucial things. There was already a ship yard big enough to hold at least 10 ford class aircraft carriers in Manehattan so that’s where this would go down at. Equestia was about to be introduced to mighty mo and her siblings, but not for a while though since I had a lot of upcoming stuff to take care of first.