Colonel Redwing, 1st subarctic corps

Sweat rolls down my forehead as I glance over at my mentor.

He'd taught me everything I know, we'd barely spoken to each other, I'd messed up big time, I'd betrayed him and now he was giving me the cold shoulder, he just sat there reading the newspaper.

I sit up before stepping outside.

The cold winds cause a chill to go up my spine as I begin to navigate myself through the deep snow not being able to handle being in his presence anymore.

I move over to a parked tank and I lean up against its hull before pulling a cigarette out of my pocket.

Checking my pockets I sigh.

Suddenly I hear a chuckle from besides me.

I glance over and see my old friend Altidiya with a lit cigarette in her mouth.

She takes a puff before blowing in my direction.
"Need a light."

I nod as she holds out a lighter which I take.

Lighting the cigarette I pass it back to her.

She smiles at me as she continues to smoke.
"So how is life within a corrupt capitalist society."

I chuckle before responding.
"It's not like under equestrian rule if that's what you were asking."

She chuckles.
"So tell me what you are doing back home."

I look down as I say.
"I made a mistake, the director wants me here as punishment."

She moves closer to me as she says.
"I'd hardly say seeing an old friend is punishment."

I feel a tightness in my throat as I feel her move closer to me.
"Yeah totally."

is she flirting with me.

she pushes me down into the snow.
"same old Redwing, could never talk to a girl."

I push myself back up as I fire back.
"what happened to growing up."

chuckling she responds.
"what you still cant handle my teasing."

brushing off the snow I saw a battalion commander approaching us.

The commander salutes me before saying.
"sir director walker has requested that you assist with the training of the 1st regional infantry battalion."

I glanced at Altidiya before nodding.
"lead the way commander."

Altidiya follows both me and the commander as we head towards a formation of rebels.

As we approach I see a griffin sergeant arguing with a soviet officer.
"You are wasting, these troops are needed on the front now we do not have time for training."

"i don't give a damn if you think your ponies are ready; they can barely fire a rifle for boreas's sake."

I yell at the two and they turn their attention towards me.
"cut it out, both of you."

I glare at both of them before saying.
"We need trained troops, yes, but we should not waste time on unnecessary experience, understand."

the sergeant nods.
"i'll get them all up to speed on shooting."

"and don't bother training them with grenades we don't have enough to spare.”

Numerous trucks come to a stop next to me and several logistics officers begin unloading large crates.

The battalion commander with us yells at what we’d call fresh ponies.
“All of you into lines.”

The rebels began to form diagonal lines before the commander yelled at them.
“Horizontal you twats.”

After some time the rebels manage to get into somewhat straight lines before the commander yells.
“Better now collect your rifle and ammunition and proceed to the training ground.”

I turn to the commander.
“I want these troops to finish basic training in six hours.”

The commander nods.
“I'll get them into shape sir.”

Looking over my shoulder I notice Altidiya has left, I sigh before watching the rebels collect their weapons.

I guess i'll talk to you later altidiya

7 hours later…….

I walk through a trench line towards a forward lookout post.

The lookout post was practically deserted except for a single artillery officer.

The officer turns to me before looking back through his binoculars at something in the distance.
“Sir.”

I walk besides him noticing his somewhat confused look.
“What is it?”

The officer responds, not taking his attention off looking at it.
“A quite large enemy force heading for us.”

“Why haven't you sounded the alarm yet.”

The officer gives me the binoculars before pointing towards a small pillar of dust in the distance.

I take the binoculars before seeing a large force of guards followed by a small armored compliment, nothing out of the ordinary.
“What about it.”

The officer says.
“Sir less than half that force has actual firearms.”

I checked again and sure enough the majority of the force was armed with little more than spears and swords.
“Maybe it's a lure.”

I scan the surrounding countryside for any smaller forces but all I see is grass fields.

“No sir there's nothing, for kilometers.”

I look at the officer before saying.
“Raise the alarm but I want to hold fire on a barrage.”

(and now something i didn't want to do, time skipping)

December 25
The battle begins

The ear shattering sound of artillery guns shatters the blissful blizzard.

The entire equestrian formation was enveloped into a mass of fireballs and explosions as I held my flare gun high in the air.

I'd been given specific orders not to go on the offensive, but i knew if i let this opportunity escape me it might never present itself again.

The shelling lasted less than five minutes before it ceased, I fired the flare into the sky above as our entire line surged forwards towards the enemy.

I stepped aboard a truck which soared ahead to lead the charge.

Peering through my binoculars I saw my enemy was in utter chaos, thousands of enemy troops were just fleeing to the south as our 30 or so tanks gave chase, what little of the enemy that tried to hold us back was overwhelmed in moments.
And I wasn't willing to put a stop to this momentum, now was the time to be aggressive, and I know exactly where I should strike.

December 26 Manehattan

Manehattan, known for its valubility as a viable trading hub and strategic road junction, this proud city is now the newest target of the coalition's effort to end the war quickly.

If this supply line is not cut the chances of a continued defense seem slim for the coalition.

1st tank battalion, 1st subarctic corps.
commander Jenkins

I stand on top of my prototype citadel tank as I look over my map of the area.

I say into my commander's radio.
“This is battalion commander Jenkins to all tanks.”

“We are heading into a highly populated area, priority is to disable the supply line but try not to destroy the whole city, check fire and don't fire unless given the order.”

My lead tank passes a road sign as I pull my binoculars out to have a look around.

A whistling noise grows and a shell strikes my tank's front Armour.

I yell into the radio as I scan the houses before spotting an enemy tank.
“Enemy tank 300 meters left 12 degrees.”

My tank turns towards the tank before firing its 2 pounder at the enemy tank which bursts into flames.

I scan an apartment block before saying into my radio.
“Bring up the infantry, we need them up here.”

Columns of infantry jog up to my tank before I say to their officer.
“Start clearing all these buildings near the road, just check your fire. We don't want civilians getting involved.”

The infantry ran ahead and began breaking down doors as our armored elements moved at a reduced pace, with us watching the rooftops.

As we made our way through the city we were quite on edge, we’d expected a large number of defenders in the city but there was little to stop our push through the city.

My tank turns into the city square to be met with a wall of bullets.

I hide behind the open hatch as I try to spot my attackers.

Across the square was a large office building with multiple machine gun nests and a few anti tank gun positions.

I bang on the side of the tank as I say to the radio operator.
“Get the navy on the line.”

“Admiral hunter here.”

“This is commander Jenkins, we need immediate fire mission on enemy concentration, at grid 22 elevation 32 degrees, danger close.”

“Alright keep your head down.”

The distant sound of cannon fire echoes as a barrage of shells slam into the building sending a wall of dust and debris everywhere.

As the dust begins to clear little more then rubble remains of the building.
“Solid shooting that's all for now.”

Driving into the square i radio command.
“This is Jenkins sir, it appears that Equestria might have fled, we’ve reached the square without any serious resistance so far.”

“This is director walker, evacuate all civilians and torch the city.”

“Sir I was ordered by Redwing to capture the city intact.”

“Orders changed, get it done commander.”

Sighing, I relay the message to the other units.

A day later………...

The city of Manehattan was ablaze it looked more like a wildfire then a city on fire, coalition forces had left the city to burn, it however sent its intended message, war was going to make Equestria's citizens suffer, and they had no intention of suffering, as news spread large riots began to grow in major cities as war support plummeted, fear spread like wildfire as the thought of the coalition burning a city down proved they weren't planning on fighting like Gentlecolts.

Within hours of this tragedy Princess Celestia fearing a war of attrition against the coalition sued for peace, after one decisive victory the equestrian military had been beaten back, hostilities would end shortly afterwards, though some believe the coalition should have pressed claims what’s done is done.

Author's Note

had to rush this chapter out sorry if it sucks, but its the best i could get so close to the deadline, maybe ill be able to wrap up this story after the contest ends
maybe tell me if theres something you liked or dont like, this chapter kind of flip flopped all over the place.

anyway stay safe hopefully its a good read, see you next time