It didn’t take much convincing Gloria that staying beside him was the best course of action, the hen practically gluing herself to his flank after he explained what had happened.

As he headed back to the dining room, he noticed that the body (and severed head) had been thankfully removed from the hall with the bloodstains on the stone already cleaned. Kepler wasn’t sure who had been the unlucky soul to clean up his handiwork, but he momentarily sent a mental thanks to whichever servant or guard had spared Gloria that gruesome scene.

They pushed through the doors and found the officers once again seated at the table, albeit with about a dozen extra guards stationed around the walls of the room. Hard Tack was missing her smile as she tapped her hoof on the table in front of her, the pint-sized unicorn having procured a crate from somewhere to put her head above the height of the table edge. Sitting in the middle of the table, thankfully with their magazines removed, was a small collection of firearms that Kepler recognized as being derived from the weapons left over on the Bismarck. While not exact copies due to the differences in biology, they were close enough to the human models that Kepler was able to ascertain their origins at a glance.

Twelve weapons lay on the wooden surface, with five distinct versions between the lot. Five of the weapons before him were designed like handguns, with their inspiration drawn heavily from the Luger P08, save for the larger trigger and guard to accommodate gryphon talons instead of fingers. Three of the rifle variants were the bolt-action issue that had been modified from the Karabiner 98k, while two others used the semi-automatic mechanism of the Gewehr 41(W). Both had larger triggers and more bulbous action components to account for gryphon dexterity, as well as inset attachments for bayonets, something that their human counterparts lacked. Finally, the last two were singular examples of their design, both fully automatic and showing a decent amount of wear on their metal plating. The submachine gun, based on the MP40, and light machine gun, similar to the MG-42, were both comprised of metal instead of the wood and metal combination of the previous designs and were thoroughly covered in soot and burns from what Kepler surprised had been spellfire used to take out the users.

The submachine gun’s long, straight clip was nearly bent at ninety degrees, and under closer inspection it looked like the attachment point had been snapped instead of disengaged, possibly a sign of direct attack from a pony soldier. It also had warping in the body components from heat exposure, making Kepler wonder just how hot the magical fire had been to cause that much damage. The light machine gun, in contrast, was relatively unscathed save for the bent portion of the barrel that rendered it inoperable, the only heat damage being some smudging and stains on the otherwise pristine metal.

All and all, Kepler was impressed, given the number of weapons the Equestrians had managed to acquire when they were so far outmatched technologically and tactically. He didn’t want to know how many soldiers had lost their lives taking out the machine gun nest that had contained the 42, but he guessed it had been a lot.

“I presume that you asked us to bring these here so you could explain how they work?” Shining Armor asked from the head of the table. “We’ve read reports of the damage they can do but have never seen them function personally.”

“Then allow me to enlighten you.” Kepler stated simply, reaching forward to pick up one of the handguns in his hoof. “These weapons are all based on the same technological principle, using chemical energy from an explosive powder, they launch small pieces of metal at the enemy with enough force to kill.” Kepler placed the weapon back on the table when he noticed that the ponies around him were fidgeting with nerves, “The good news is that these weapons use ammunition, much like a crossbow or ballista, and therefore can run out if the user cannot restock their supply. They can also be disabled if the mechanisms that fire the weapon are damaged sufficiently, such as the heavy weapons before you.”

“I read those reports,” Hard Tack spoke up on Kepler’s left, “they stated that these weapons were like thunder and lightning, causing deafening sounds and bright flashes of light when used, but nothing was seen moving through the space between the weapons and the soldiers they killed, just bodies sprouting fountains of blood and shattered armor.”

“It would appear that way,” Kepler conceded, “but that is because the pieces of metal being launched by the weapons are moving close to or faster than the speed of sound. No mortal can even perceive that kind of speed, let alone dodge incoming fire.”

“That’s crazy!” Spitfire called out from the right, “How could something move that fast if you just lit a fire behind it?”

“Ever heard of fireworks?” Kepler’s question was a rhetorical one, given he knew the Equestrians had such technology. The fiery mare’s doubts died as quickly as they had surfaced, so it was clear the message had been received.

The table pondered the new information for a few moments before Riptide added in his thoughts, the hulking stallion’s eyes locked with Kepler’s as he spoke. “So, given the statement you passed on prior to starting this meeting, am I correct in stating that the weapons on your warship operate under the same principle?”

Kepler nodded, “Only on a much larger scale. The rifle and pistol rounds, as we call them, are small enough to hold several in one hoof for the weapons you have before us. The shells fired by my ship are several orders of magnitude bigger.”

“How big are we talking?” Hard Tack inquired.

“Several thousand kilos.” Kepler’s reply silenced the entire room. Several faces paled in horror while others had to table their gazes, their minds overloaded from the implications of that much weight moving that fast.

“Now you can see why you need me,” Kepler did his best to carry on, even as he broke the minds of the ponies around him, “if for no other reason than to show you how far behind you are in the art of war.”

“But why tell us this if it will just shatter our resolve?” Princess Cadence spoke for the first time since the meeting restarted, “What is the point of measuring the gap between our technologies?”

“To show you the way forward.” Kepler replied, much to the confusion of everyone present, sans Gloria. “You need to know where you are to see where you need to get to. There is a saying where I am from, ‘necessity is the mother of invention’, and there is no greater necessity than the defense of one’s nation.”

Understanding dawned in the eyes of the others, fear and uncertainty giving way to hope and motivation. Princess Cadence smiled as she and Shining Armor shared a knowing look between themselves, Riptide and Hard Tack gazing upon the weapons before them in a new light. Even Spitfire, who had been withholding her approval since the beginning of the meeting, was nodding to herself as a hoof bounced against her chin in thought.

The only one present who wasn’t happy was Blank Slate, who was scrutinizing Kepler like a puzzle he couldn’t quite solve. As the others’ attention returned to Kepler and the matter at hand, Blank Slate spoke. His words were a knife through the very heart of Kepler’s situation, and they made the stallion freeze in place when they registered in his mind.

“Where you are from?” The words had been asked in little more than a whisper, “And where, exactly, are you from, Kapitän Wolff?”

Silence once again settled over the room as every eye turned towards the bat pony in their midst. Some with curiosity, like Shining Armor and Spitfire. Others with thoughtful contemplation, in the case of Hard Tack and Riptide. Gloria, who knew his secret, had turned to face him too, although her eyes were tinged with fear at his reaction instead of wondering what his answer was.

Kepler took a few breaths to settle his nerves. While the question had been unexpected, it was not out of place for them to question his origins, especially given his appearance and knowledge. He mulled over the idea in his head for a moment, debating if he should tell the truth, when his eyes came to rest on the soft pink of Princess Cadence’s gaze. Something in those rose orbs, against his greater judgment, told him that it would be alright, that he wouldn’t regret being honest with those around him.

The moment passed in between breaths, yet the potency of that moment sunk deep into Kepler’s heart, a warmth and sense of belonging that he hadn’t felt since arriving in this crazy world. Another deep breath was all he needed to begin, Gloria’s talons coming to rest on his right shoulder as he began his tale. His story baffled some, even sparked claims of deceit at points, but his conviction, his open admittance of his lost and fearful reactions to the world he had been thrust into, calmed the fires of anger, even as tears ran down his face. Kepler wasn’t sad, rather, he was relieved that he could finally be open about who he was, what he had gone through, all in the desperate hope of finding a place to call home.

Gloria held his shoulder, even spreading a wing over his back in the latter half of his tale, ever steadfast in her support and devotion. Every jaw present hung low at least once during his story, and a few tears were shed as well, mostly by Cadence, but nothing could compare to the shattering of Blank Slate’s mask as the stallion openly gaped at Kepler like he was a figment of his imagination. It was hilarious to the point Kepler had to stifle chuckles at the poor stallion’s expense a few times, but he persevered until his tale had caught up to the present.

“And you all know the rest, given I was transported to Canterlot immediately after surrendering to your troops on the coast.” Kepler’s throat was dry, and his eyes were puffy from all the tears he had shed, but he held his head high with the dignity he felt was needed, given he had, for all intents and purposes, shared his life story with those around him.

For the third time that day, silence hung over the room, only this one lasted a fair bit longer than the previous pauses, given the gravity of what had just been shared. Gloria’s gentle touch never wavered, even as those around them tried to piece together all of what they had heard. Kepler gave them the time they needed to come to terms, he still had trouble believing it himself half the time.

Finally, Princess Cadence lifted her head and met his gaze, her soft smile a warm balm to Kepler’s heavy heart, “Then I have a proposal for you, Kapitän Kepler Wolff.”

Kepler’s head tilted slightly in confusion, “A proposal?”

Cadence nodded, her smile being hidden behind a hoof for a moment as she stifled a giggle, “Yes, a proposal for you, as well as your companion.” She added as she glanced at Gloria.

“And that might be?” Kepler was wary, given the trickery he had dealt with from both the changelings and gryphons before.

“How would you like to make Equestria your home, given your old one is out of reach?” Her words were effortless, like she hadn’t even needed to think about it before asking the extremely loaded question.

Kepler was shocked, as were the others around the table, given the surprised and even angry looks being sent in the Princess’s direction. Yet, even under the withering glares of some of her top brass, the Princess had no attention save for Kepler’s answer. The man-turned-stallion opened and closed his mouth several times, his voice lost as his heart battled with his mind over what he should do. Could he make a home here? Should he make a home here? It was confusing, frustrating, and terrifying all at once, and he finally had to shut down those thoughts for fear of driving himself mad.

“Let me think on it, Your Highness,” was his final answer, “I feel I need to earn my place in your kingdom after all that I’ve done. Not for myself, but for the people I have wronged to get where I am today. I must atone for my misdeeds if I ever hope to stand beside your subjects as equals. My honor, my duty, will not settle for less.”

A smile broke out over her face, a small one, but a reaction that spoke volumes nonetheless, “So be it.”

The meeting dragged on into the night, with dinner and even a late-night snack an easily forgotten memory as they discussed every conceivable detail of both the weapons they had captured and the possible options they had to counter or improve upon the existing designs. Most of the magical jargon went right over Kepler’s head, save for the pieces that were linked to the more mechanical or chemistry concepts he was familiar with, but all and all it felt like a very successful evening. They walked back to their suite with a triple guard detail this time, given the danger of changeling assassins in their midst, and he had even been given one of the handguns with a single clip from the captured pile for his own use.

“Just in case,” had been Cadence’s whispered words as her magic had slipped it into his hoof, the magazine loaded near to the brim with the available rounds from the various weapons.

Kepler questioned the logic of arming a potential enemy with such a potent weapon but acquiesced to the royal’s wishes with a simple nod of thanks. He hoped he never had to use the pistol now resting under the pillow, but had a feeling that it would see more than its fair share of action in the coming battles. Now he just had to get the rest of Equestria’s military up to par and things would be smooth sailing from there.

A snort escaped his muzzle as Gloria snuggled up behind him and wrapped her wing and foreleg around his barrel, “Like things could ever be that easy.”

“Did you say something, love?” Gloria whispered as her head lifted from the top of his head.

A soft chuckle was his reply as he patted her talons with his hoof, “It’s nothing, dear, go to sleep.”

A sigh washed over his ears as Gloria snuggled back against his body, her feathers and body heat a soothing and calming force against Kepler’s frazzled nerves. It was mere moments before her breathing slowed into the gentle rhythm of sleep, with Kepler’s eyes drooping soon after. The last thing he felt was her talons hugging him close against her chest and a soft coo whispered directly into his ears. A smile favored his lips as he drifted off to sleep, feeling content for the first time in what felt like an eternity.

Author's Note

Woohoo!! So excited to have another chapter up and running for you all! And in record time too!! Things are warming up again as our heroes plan their new strategies, but what's this? Something new and unexpected lurking just around the corner? Well, we'll just have to wait and see won't we?

Once again, an ENORMOUS thank you to my faithful editor LeadlessSteed for their invaluable help making my works shine like the gems I know they can be. A round of applause for them in the comments below, as the story you all love just wouldn't be the same without their additions and corrections.

Remember, comments are like cookies, they feed authors so they can keep writing. So feed the lonely thestral so she can keep new chapters coming! Hope you all are enjoying the latest update, and I look forward to seeing you in the next one.

See you next chapter,
Shadow Quill, Messenger of the Moon.