"People are supposed to fear the unknown, but ignorance is bliss when knowledge is so damn frightening"
-Laurell K. Hamilton | The Laughing Corpse

Equunian time: 3023, October 28th, 0702 hours

Human time: 2098, October 28th, 0702 hours

Location: Crystal Empire; South Grand Te Train Station, Vicwy City

U.S. perspectives: None

Equunian perspectives: Prince Sombra Hollanbow, Queen Chrysalis Tubeauty Munozmane, Princess Marcela Grawave Munozmane, Prince Blueblood Collinaphima, Prince Flash Sentry Rosanno

Sitting in the 2nd to last seat in the 1st class train cart, Bluelood looked outside at the pure white snow as it poured on the ground like frosting on a cake, it reminded him of war, the Crimson Red color of blood as it stained the snow. Shining armor was such a fool, thinking he could engage Crystal Guard Regiments made entirely out of Changelings, solely because he thought they wouldn't be able to compete with a "superior fighting force." Unfortunately for Shining Armor this wasn't any normal Changeling Crystal Guard Regiment, these were STEC (Snow Threat Eradication Corps) Legions, a highly trained fighting force specialized in winter combat against foreign combatants that pose a significant threat to the Crystal Empire's people, military, or government; unfortunately for Shining, his fighting force embodied all of this.

But don't get it twisted, the STEC Legions wasn't the first to confront Shining Armor's 436 Pony strong fighting force, because he had to plow straight through an abundance of new recruits that didn't even spend a month as a Crystal Guard, but this whole catastrophe didn't start off like a massive blood bath. Initially Shining Armor was tasked with hunting down Changeling escapees that were reported by the Liasopbrook Coal site a day before. It was suspected that the Changelings, a family of five, were traveling to the border that separated the Crystal Empire and the Empire of Rising Suns seeking to cross it and gain protection from the Crystal guard, because it was well known to Changelings that the Crystal Empire was very accepting of Changeling refugees by the government, and it's people.

Unfortunately for Shining, the Changeling family was already being transported to the nearest city, Xebor City, by the Crystal guard so they can receive their citizenship and proper schooling enrollment for assimilation before he was even within 20 miles of the border, needless to say he wasn't happy. Using the sheer size of the fighting force at his disposal he stormed through the border, intending on capturing the Changeling family and any other Changeling brave enough to stop his crusade. Expectedly he ran into some resistance, but instead of running into seasoned Crystal Guard Legions they were met with new recruits with little or no experience against an actual fighting force. It was also evident that these inexperienced Crystal guard Legions didn't have any alicorns, while Shining did, 3 Fornshaw level Alicorns to be exact.

By the time Shining's fighting force ripped through 5 legions and the Crystal Empire was aware of his presence, they sent out 2 Legions of STEC forces to intercept the rogue fighting force and either fully eradicate them, or drive them out of Crystal Empire territory. Funnily enough, the Crystal Empire seemed to want to add salt to a wound that wasn't open yet, because the 2 STEC Legions were made up of nothing but Changelings that, upon winning, would put a considerable dent in the moral of ERS Solar guard.

Soon enough, the STEC Legions, both made up of 50 soldiers, found the rogue fighting force and ambushed them with ranged weapons like enchanted spears, long bows, and javelins, catching them off guard. Of course this ambush didn't last long, because as fast as the STEC Legions started their attack they ceased it just as quickly, doing so to maintain maximum mobility over the enemy while their camouflaged armor still had an affect on their stealth capabilities in combat, enabling them to maintain an edge over the rogue fighting force. It didn't take long for Shining Armor's fighting force to lose a good portion of its soldiers, being picked off by a superior fighting force more adapted to cold climates, as well as being able of using said environment to their advantage.

After the whole ordeal, only 44 ponies belonging to the ERSA royal guard, including Shining and 1 critically injured Alicorn, made it out of that snowy desert and back to the Empire of Rising Suns alive. Well, that's not totally true, because many were heavily injured, succumbing to their wounds at the hospital days later, leaving behind Wifes, Marefriends, and fillies. Overall the whole ordeal was an embarrassment to the Empire of Rising Suns, putting a considerable the dent in the morale of Celestia's very own Solar Guard, as well as sending echos of failure to other branches in the Empire of Rising Sun's army.

3 days after the whole ordeal, Prince Blueblood Was sent to the Crystal Empire to get back any surviving Solar Guards who were captured, as well as reclaim any relationship the two nations still had. Upon arriving Blueblood was guarded by what was allegedly the same STEC Legions that fought with Shining Armor's fighting force, soon after the STEC Legion escorted Blueblood through the White Desert that surrounded a good portion of the Crystal Empire, and brought him to the location where the battle took place, and it was horrifying. The freshly deceased bodies of Royal Guard ponies frozen in time, almost as if they just took their final breath moments ago, frozen blood stained the snow in the shape of interconnecting branches that connected their bodies in a twisted show of brotherhood, their bonds stronger than death.

The sight made BlueBlood's stomach curl and forced him to back away, his eyes tearing as he turned his attention towards the Changeling general who hugged him tightly, apologising for bringing him to a place like this. Despite Blueblood working in a military position, he never experienced actual combat because his job laid in logistics and supplies management, or in other words, he makes sure the troops have everything they need to fight at their maximum potential. But this isn't necessarily a bad thing neither, because Blueblood takes pride in his work, as well as a job well done.

This great dedication garnered respect and praise from family, friends, and allies alike, as well as the attention of a certain fashionista unicorn princess who put great dedication in her work as well, except hers was with dresses and various other clothing but the dedication was still there. Despite all the good things that have happened throughout Blueblood's career in the service, he was never prepared for what he saw that faithful day 2 years ago, the grim scene still echoing in his encephalon to this day. Since then, Blueblood hasn't been able to look at snow without picturing Crimson Red branches staining it's white color, though, Blueblood has gained control over how much it can effect him but it's still there, killing any good mood he had at the time.

NOOOOHEERRR

"Hmm, seems like this is my stop." Exclaimed Blueblood as he got up from his booth and grabbed his belonging with his magic, surrounding them in a Light Blue aura and putting them in his saddle, their importance immeasurable. Within the saddle, laid a folder that itself contained instructions on how to perform new experimental battle spells from defensive to offensive, all of which were secretly created by magineers who received their funding from Blueblood for use by Chrysalis's Martirms Guard, as well as a spell purpose made for only Bat-ponies that was stolen from the New Lunar Republic Army, which will be reverse engineered by Changeling magineers for use by the Changeling Defense Force (CDF) in any future conflicts.

Exiting the train car Blueblood looked around to see if he could spot Queen Chrysalis and her daughter Princess Marcela, because they planned for a meeting about how the modified "Onoza" spell did in its first use, the letter they sent him sounding urgent. After a bit of looking around, Blueblood spotted the Queen and her daughter and went towards them, "Marcela, how's life been treating you?"

"It's been great!" Commented Marcela in a cheery tone, sounding happy to see Blueblood once again.

"Well isn't that amazing." Said Blueblood patting Marcela on the head. "What about you Chrysalis, how have you been."

"Can't complain, however I have been feeling a little down the past few days." Responded Chrysalis.

"Why is that Chrysalis?"

"I'll tell you when we reach the palace, Sombra and Flash are waiting for our arrival."

"Sounds like a plan."

Time jump: 15 minutes (0717 hours)

Sitting down across from each other, Sombra and Flash Sentry talked with each other as they waited for the arrival of Chrysalis, Marcela, and Blueblood.

"How's your relationship with Twilight? Has anything exciting happened between the two of you?" Asked Sombra, saying "exciting" in a very sensual tone while placing his hoof on his chin.

"Well no, I haven't gotten Twilight to change her mind on the whole...slavery issue, but I won't give up." Responded Flash Sentry, giving a hopeful smile.

Realizing Flash Sentry's innocents was shielding him from the obviously suggestive question, Sombra proceeded to try and explain what he meant. "Flash, you know that's not what I meant, right?"

Staring at Sombra with a confused look Flash took a few seconds to realise what he meant, after the sudden realization Flash's face lit up bright pink, he than proceeded to say "Safe for work man! Safe for work!" While covering his face with his hooves.

Seeing the full meaning of what he said slam into Flash like a train, Sombra bursted out laughing, the look on Flash's face being absolutely priceless. While Sombra was laughing his lungs out and Flash was a blushing mess, Chrysalis, Marcela, and Blueblood were greeted by chaos great enough to rival Discord and his cronies, Prince Sombra was on the floor laughing and Prince Flash Sentry was covering his head and blushing heavily, the whole scene was a giant mess.

"Hmm, well...how do you do Sombra?" Asked Blueblood, trying to subvert the aura of awkwardness in the room.

"I'm... *giggle* I'm... *giggle* great, how... *giggle* about you?" Responded Sombra, the laughter slowly dying down.

"I've been great, obviously not as great as you, but great nonetheless."

"Forgive my sudden interjection but my curiosity has reached its peak, so if I may ask, what happened when we were gone?" Asked Chrysalis, a single eyebrow raised.

"What happens in this room, stays in this room Chrissy, those are the rules." Responded Sombra, who just made the rule at that moment.

"That's not a real rule! You just made that one up!" Said Marcela.

Getting up, sombra responded to Marcela's interjection with "Hey, I'm Prince of this Kingdom, therefore I make the rules."

"That's not how being a ruler works-" before Marcela could finish her rebuttal, she was interrupted by her mother, who said "Now now, everypony just calm down, we must not lose sight of what we gathered here for."

"Ohhhh, I forgot that! How did the spell perform!?" Asked Flash Sentry, jumping out of the blushing mess he was and back into his regular self.

"Before Sombre and I tell you about the spells result, I need to show you all something."

"And what may that 'something' be?" Asked Blueblood.

"Patients my dear friend, patients. Marcela, can you get mommy the Object that appeared when we used the spell?"

"Yes!" Said Marcela as she ran out of the room, going to retrieve the flag that appeared when they used the Onoza spell for the first time.

As Marcela walked out of the room to retrieve the flag, Chrysalis walked towards the table and took a seat, "I'm assuming you all are aware of all the anomalies activity that has been happening around the continent, am I correct?"

"Yeah, I've heard about them, the massive ships that saved Captain Arical's fleet, the unnatural satellites lingering above Bukastillo, and the creature above Canterlot. Why do you ask?" Responded Flash.

"Because as you know, myself, Sombra, and my daughter Marcela very much did use the Onoza spell, and at first we thought it hadn't worked."

"But ever since its first use, these anomalies happenings have been, like the one's you've mentioned Flash, more and more frequent, each anomaly being different but having one similarity." Said Sombra continuing Chrysalis's monologue, as well as throwing down some colored photos, all of which showcased a different flying creature, all of them alien in their appearance.

"They've all adorned a symbol that Chrysalis and I speculate has a connection with this flag." Said Sombra as he looked back at the door, which was opened by the young alicorn Princess Marcela, who was holding a round pipe shaped object in her mouth.

Grabbing the object from Marcela's mouth with his magic, Sombra's said "thank you Marcela, this is much appreciated."

"You're welcome Prince Sombra." Responded Marcela.

Splitting the pipe in two, Sombra took a rolled up piece of cloth from the split pipe and unrolled it on the table, setting it neatly next to the photos of the mighty beasts. "This flag," said Sombra, continuing with "This is the flag, in all its Red, White, and Blue glory."

"It is very appealing, where did you get it?" Asked Blueblood, adoring the colorful flag.

"When Chrysalis, Marcela, and I finished performing the Onoza spell, it was laid spread at our hooves in the center of the room, most likely taken from whatever dimension we summoned it from."

"If that's the case, than what nation did it come from?" Asked Flash Sentry.

"That I do not know, but one thing I'm sure of is that this nation is here, and that their arrival is upon us."

"What makes you so sure?"

"Look at the pictures, all of them bare a startling resemblance to each other. They took place at the edge of the storm that separates us and the great unknown, they all bare a similar symbol on either their wings or body, and are extremely strange in appearance."

"Yes, yes they very much are." Commented Blueblood picking up the third picture and examining it, the picture depicting 4 large and strangely shaped creatures in a Trail formation heading towards a large vessel shrouded by the storm clouds that bordered Bukastillo and the great beyond, the massive silhouette of the vessel being lit up by the lightning behind it.

"Oh hey, this one looks like one of Twilight's little projects. Actually no, it looks more like a Dragonfly than anything else." Remarked Flash Sentry picking up the first photo, the photo itself depicting one large flying beast landing on the back of an infinitely larger vessel that was heading towards the great beyond, on this vessel was a multitude of other creatures that littered the upper deck.

"I must ask Sombra, where did you acquire these photos?" Asked Chrysalis, looking at a photo that depicted a flock of 5 large birds Flying in a Echelon Formation, the birds themselves heading towards the storm that bordered Bukastillo and the great beyond.

"They were provided by the crowns fishermen, they normally fish near the Storm that surrounds Bukastillo, so it was a no-brainer giving them high quality photography cameras to take pictures of anything they considered strange." Said Sombra, continuing with "But that doesn't take away from the fact my father suggested this idea far before the Gargantuan Crow was spotted over Canterlot, several day's before it was spotted actually."

"Wait, you knew about these massive beasts before the Gargantuan Crow was spotted over Canterlot? Why didn't you say anything?" Asked Blueblood in a tone that was a mixture of confusion and betrayal.

"No no, of course not, we only sent them because we heard about the encounter that Captain Arical had with the mighty vessels. But I will admit, these sightings have only begun after the beast was sighted above Canterlot, and they've been growing ever since."

"Why do you think that is?" Asked Flash Sentry, looking at the last photo, which was a picture of a larger version of the beast in the third picture. This one possibly being an adult, and the ones in the third picture being children.

"Yeah sombra, what does it mean?" Interjected Marcela.

"In my opinion I think they're, whoever they are, preparing for first contact, and when they arrive we must be prepared for anything, but also be compassionate and welcoming. These beings were sucked out of their homes to fight our battle, so if they're angry, we must be willing to understand for their anger is justified."

"I keep forgetting these creatures were sucked out of their home, I can only imagine what that feels like, being taken away from your family just to fight a battle you had no part in starting. Are we in the wrong here?" Asked Chrysalis, questioning wether or not using the Onoza spell was a good idea.

To this question everypony didn't know what to say, except Sombra, who gave an unmoving response while looking out the window, "I-I don't know..."

"Ideological subversion or psychological warfare changes the perception of reality to such an extent that despite the abundance of information, no one is able to come to sensible conclusions in the interest of defending themselves, their families, their communities and country"
-Yuri Bezmenov | Ex-KGB Agent and Soviet Defector

Equunian time: 3023, October 28th, 1806 hours

Human time: 2098, October 28th, 1806 hours

Location: Vageta Temi Mima Dominion; Tis Tinmond Castle, Capital city Grand Terchil

U.S. perspectives: None

Equunian perspectives: Princess Radiant Hope Hallola, Queen Amore Variona Collinsania

"Yes Queen Amore, you called for me?" Asked Princess Hope as she opened the door to Queen Amore Variona Collinsania's private domicile, the room where the sole leader of the Vageta Temi Mima Dominion resides when she wishes to think.

"Yes my dear student, take a seat next to me." Responded Queen Amore, staring at the setting sun through the window. As Hope sat next to her Amore asked, "How are you feeling?"

"I haven't been feeling too good lately, I've been worrying more and more, especially with all those beasts sightings in the North."

"How do you know those beasts sightings are real? They could all just be the noncoherent ramblings of fisherponies who've been stuck at sea for far too long."

"Well, Sombra told me that the fisherponies were employed by the crown, and have no reason to lie about such a thing."

"Hmm maybe, maybe. But I do find it strange that these sightings have occurred only after the giant creature appeared over Canterlot, do you think they're related."

"They might be, but considering how little information we have on the 'unnatural satellites, the gargantuan crow, and the mysteries fleet' there's no way to tell. I just hope whatever these things are, they aren't hostile, because I could only imagine the type of damage these creatures can cause just by their descriptions."

"I think Celestia sent me a picture of the 'Gargantuan Crow,' let me get it." Said Queen Amore reaching into her little baggy, getting the picture and quietly remarked "Here it is" as she used her magic to give Radiant Hope the photo, Hope grabbing it with her magic.

"I understand why they named it after a bird, but why a Crow?" Asked Hope.

"I think it was because the creature was colored Black, and fun fact, for the first two days nopony could figure out what the creature actually resembled, that was until a reporter who was writing an article on the events for the Canterlot Journal was given the name by an anonymous Thunderbolt."

"Hmm, that makes sense, is it also true that this creature was extremely massive and didn't flap it's wings to stay elevated."

"That is correct, almost everypony in the area it was spotted said it just stood in place, unmoving and unaffected by any outside force. But one thing I find quite interesting was how it manifested in air, jettisoning to what's said to be a truly abysmal speed once it realized it was spotted, l-like it was trying to maintain an aura of stealth for some unknown reason."

"What if it was a scout?" Speculated Radiant hope, entertaining the idea that it was collecting information for any future endeavor that may take place in Bukastillo.

"What?" Said Queen Amore as she turned her head to face Hope, tilting it slightly as she gave Hope a look of confusion.

"Yeah, what if the beast seen over Canterlot was a scout doing areal reconnaissance, examining the terrain for future military purposes. Maybe all the creatures sighted in the North are doing the same, scoping out the best area to make an amphibious assault with their massive ships. Imagine it, an alien nation of strange beasts assaulting the Crystal Empire's, as well as every other country on the Northern coast from beyond the Great Unknown with whatever weapons those massive beasts government equips them with."

"I'm starting to believe that these creatures invading isn't what you're worried about, it's about what they can do, the damage they can do and to be more specific, the damage they can do to ponies, and to be even more specific, a particular pony."

"What do you mean?" Asked Radiant hope, wondering what her beloved Queen was hinting towards.

"Oh you know, that handsome Prince you've been friends with since you were a filly, in fact I remember specifically that you were his only friend since King Sibeauty wouldn't let his beloved son exit the castle at any time."

"Are you talking about Prince Sombra? Of course I care about him, but he isn't the main reason I'm worried about those beasts, he couldn't be..."

"Oh no, I know that Prince Sombra is the main reason you're so afraid of these beasts capabilities, you should know Hope that Princess Me Amor Cadence Collinaphima isn't the only one with the ability to use Love Magic. I can sense your immense love and passion for him whenever he and his father visit the castle, and it's a very distinct type of love as well, love that's been repressed for years." Said Queen Amore as she circled hope, continuing with "I've sensed this love within many mares over my 500 year rule, and it's all been the same. Young mares that have close friendship with equally young colts build those friendships over years, bringing those friendships into their adulthood's, but soon enough these mares would form feelings for their bestest friends and see them in a different light, a much more intimate light."

"But how does that have anything to do with the strange beasts and their capabilities? Yes I love Sombra, but only as a brother and friend and not a lover, that I'm sure of! There's much more important things concerning this situation in the North than damning thoughts of ecstasy about my best friend, like their motives, place of origin, and capabilities!" Screamed Princess Radiant Hope, trying to repress her feelings in that moment and hoping that her Queen's words weren't true, but deep down she knew they were.

"Oh save me the excuses Hope, I know what my magic is telling me, and it's telling me that you're in love with Prince Sombra." Responded Queen Amore.

"I'm not, I swear!"

"Yes you are! I've seen the way you look at Sombra, the way your beady little eyes make their way across Sombra's body, specifically his hind legs, chest, and waist. You're more than interested in your friend Hope, and the sooner you come to terms with that, the better you'll feel."

"Okay, I am! I'm in love with my best friend, I admit it, but I'm failing to see how this has anything to do with the beasts in the North."

"It doesn't, because the anomalies in the North is not what I called you for, I-"

"Than what did you call me for?" Interrupted Princess Hope as she laying down, fiddling with her hooves, "Why did you call me?"

"*sigh* I could sense your love for Sombra, as well as your fear of the beasts in the North from the south side of the castle where your room resides, these two emotions went hand and hand and I became worried, so I called for you." Replied Queen Amore, laying down next to her dear student.

"But what about the beast sightings?"

"Forget about that for now, right now you need to focus on the things that matter."

"My love for Sombra...matters?"

"To an extent...yes, but right now what matters the most is your health, and if you're super worried about these-...these beasts hurting your beloved prince that could have a detrimental effect on your health, both physically and mentally. So instead of focusing on the beasts in the north, focus on how you'll get Sombra in your-"

"Amore!"

"Sorry, sorry haha. But I'm serious you know."

"I'm well aware." Jabbed Hope staring out the window, "Is there anything else you wanna talk about?"

"Do you know what active measures is?"

"No, what is it?"

"Well, Active Measures is a form of Ideological Subversion, it has 4 steps. Demoralization, Destabilization, Crisis, and last but not least, Normalization.

"What is this Ideological Subversion used for? Is it a military tactic to get information from unwieldy prisoners of war?"

"No, Ideological Subversion is a way of destroying a countries economical system, government, culture, and pride without using a single Long-bow and trebuchet. The ultimate tactic."

"How are you able to accomplish such a mountainous feet? This seems like something that would be in the latest "Mare of The Night" comic book." Said Radiant Hope confused by her Queen's words, she knew her Queen was exceedingly intelligent but would she be able to take on such a large undertaking? Something like this seems like it would take weeks, months, maybe even years of planning to accomplish effectively.

"Well that's the thing, I along with the leaders of several other nations already did the planning for this mountainous operation 45 years ago, and we're already on the Third Step-"

"Wait wait, can you explain to me all Four Steps before you go on?" Interjected Hope, getting rather confused.

"Oh sorry, must have gotten ahead of myself there, just got a little excited." Responded Queen Amore.

"I could tell."

"Now, the first step in Ideological Subversion is Demoralization, which is when you shape a nations public opinion away from it's core values, this is accomplished by Undermining a nations culture with something that your nation finds paramount wether it's helpful to them or not, just as long as theirs a constant stream of propaganda being fed to them."

"How do you get them to digest this propaganda?"

"Glad you asked, because there's a complete answer to your question. We'd get this propaganda to them in 3 ways, schools, elementary through high school; educational lectures, colleges and CCS (Crystalik Communication System) signal stations; and informational posters. But remember, it doesn't matter wether this information is inherently true or beneficial to the nation you're trying to subvert, just as long as they eat it up and believe it. These tactics are most affective on unsuspecting fillies not old enough to know better, but of course there's always going to be those outliers with nothing going for them in life, so they gravitate towards this propaganda and get indoctrinated by it only because it makes them feel like they're important and distracts them from their uninteresting, mundane life. These types have garnered a name among those familiar with Active Measures."

"What is it?"

"'Useful idiots' is what they're called, because since they're easily manipulated they can help push the Subversion process further, this can be detrimental to the nation facing Subversion when these 'Useful idiots' are large in numbers."

"What happens when these...'Useful Idiots' are large in numbers?"

"It makes the Demoralization process faster, allowing for the second phase, Destabilization, to start."

"What happens in this phase?" Asked Princess Hope, a single eyebrow raised.

"We're breaking bonds, Destabilization is about getting the citizenry to distance themselves from the institutions that protect and govern them, creating an aura of distrust within the nation facing Ideological Subversion. This is done by creating propaganda that portrays Law Enforcement and military in that nation as filthy bastards with no remorse, in this type of propaganda they're never portrayed as helpful, loving, or caring; in fact it's always the opposite, they're always portrayed as hateful, evil, and unmoving monsters with no soul, while the opposite is true for violent criminals and lowlifes who are glamorized and romanticized-"

"That's not true, there isn't any nation on Bukastillo where it's population idealizes it's criminals and demonizes it's protectors, there can't be." Interjected Princess Hope, seeing her Queen's description of this supposed mega-plan to be impossible and mere fiction.

"Are you positive about that assessment?" Asked Queen Amore, preparing to ask Hope another question.

"Of course I am, there isn't any civilized society on this planet that would be so foolish." Responded hope.

"Earlier you were making a comparison between Active Measures and some comic book series...oh, what was it?"

"Mare of The Night?"

"Yes, yes that one, isn't it about a criminal who steals priceless items? Doesn't she often get into violent altercations with law enforcement and the military for...obvious reasons?"

"Y-yes, but sh-she's just-"

"She's stealing from museums for her own gain, than murdering innocent police and military ponies because they, justifiably, try to stop her from stealing from said museums. Tell me Hope, do you think that type of pony is the right role model for young mares and stallions? Because if so, the propaganda is working."

"Well-I-I don't think it has the much of an af-f-f-fect on them, it's mere fiction."

"Oh really? Because just a month ago 3 young stallions in the Astan Dorizer Dalia Republic tried to attack and KILL Danti Labo Guards, losing obviously, for the mere fact that they were guarding Prince Flash Sentry Rosanno, and if my memory serves me right, Prince Flash Sentry is rather anti-Changeling slavery."

"I'm failing to see the correlation you're trying to make."

"Oh This is so frustrating...Okay, if my memory serves me right, in the comic book Mare of The Night there is an entry that portrays Changelings as monstrous individuals with no soul, the comic itself even stating that they were 'Changeling Escapees.'"

"How do you even know this, I thought you didn't like comic books?"

"I sneak into your room at night when you're asleep and read them."

"What?"

"Stay on topic!"

"Okay, okay yes you're right, there is a chapter that vividly states that, but that doesn't mean that the situation in the Astan Dorizer Dalia Republic and the comic book series have a correlation. The reason for the attack could've been anything!"

"In the rooms of one of the three young stallions there was found to be an abundance of Pro-Changeling Slavery Propaganda, among this propaganda there was copy of 'Mare of The Night', this copy being the one where they portray Changelings as monsters. Despite their still being an investigation, authorities have speculated that he was the leader."

"Weren't any other chapters belonging to the series found?"

"Yes, one where the main protagonist executes a police pony outside of the museum she stole from for, oh ya' know, STEALING priceless historical artifacts!"

"Bu-but she needed that artifact t-to open the tomb of Sumnambula-"

"I'm aware of the plot of that specific chapter, but that doesn't make the protagonist's actions any less cruel and unjust, and it certainly doesn't take away from the fact media like this can and will influence the thoughts and opinions of generations, young and old."

"But a single comic series couldn't invoke the cultural change of two, three, maybe four generations."

"Of course not, that's why there's layers to the propaganda, some some subtle, others not so much. The comic is just a part of the puzzle, a small part of the puzzle, but a part of it nonetheless. That you must agree with."

Despite listening to every word her queen said from start to finish, hope still found herself doubting even the sheer possibility of something like this being possible, let alone even happening now, in real life. But still, Queen Amore's words for some reason made sense, were logical and had proof, so maybe her Queen's words are correct, Hope would have to continue listening to find out. "Alright I'll concede, I'll concede. I agree."

"Good, because that takes us to the Third Step, which is evidently the most violent and dangerous to any country facing Ideological Subversion: Crisis." Exclaimed Queen Amore.

"What happens in Crisis?"

"Glad you asked, because I have a few examples to give you a better picture, but I'll explain what happens during the Crisis Stage first. In and of itself Crisis is unneeded violence in the name of a cause that doesn't justify it, at least that's what it looks like to anyone that isn't living within the same circle jerk of those causing the violence, of course, this violence doesn't go unnoticed by opposing individuals who inevitably take up arms and fight for their countries founding ideals alongside their nations government, inescapably leading to Civil War. Do you want to know what group starts the Crisis process?"

"Who?" Responded Hope, her curiosity peeking.

"None other than the Useful Idiots that were dumb enough to digest the propaganda that started this process in the first place, and despite the fact they have the full force of their nation's government and patriotic citizens baring down on them, despite it, they still win. Wanna know why?" Answered Queen Amore, being as descriptive as possible so hope could understand.

"Why...?"

"Because the Demoralization and Destabilization process made their numbers grow to an exponential rate, when it comes to it Active Measures isn't about staging an all-out-war on your enemy, it's about getting their people to do it for you. Because after the whole ordeal finishes you can come and waltz in and seize power, and nopony will stop you because everyone who would've stood up to you and posed a threat is gone, because they either fled for refuge or died during the fighting. I'm gonna tell you this now Hope, you'll never be able to destroy an individuals sense of patriotism when it reaches the point of no return, that type of love for a nation can't fade or die once it's affected an individual, wether it be Pony, Griffin, or Minotaur, you can only kill the individual it's infected."

"Is that the reason so many who are Pro-Changeling Slavery denounce patriotism within nations that grant the Changeling species freedom?"

"That is exactly the reason my dear, patriotism within these nations is extremely dangerous because it disseminates, festers, spreads it's Anti-Changeling slavery verity like a pumped up virus. Yuck!"

"What about those who aren't fighting, those who remain neutral during this event?"

"Cowards, cowards all of them. They turn their backs on their country and their fellow countrymen so they can avoid the wrath of a small minority of social rejects, if they would take, and excuse my language, their heads out of their asses and fight for the founding ideals that made their nation what it is, but they're cowards, nothing more. When it comes down to it Princess Hope the side that starts a "revolution" in a nation that doesn't need it are, yes, large in numbers, but are the minority when it comes to the nation's population, this is also true for the patriotic individuals backed by their nations government because despite the backing they're in small numbers as well."

"You seem so angered telling me this, every detail seemingly adding to it, I thought you were Pro-Changeling Slavery?" Asked Princess Hope, feeling like she was seeing a part of her Queen she hasn't before, it actually quite interesting.

"If I'm going to be totally honest with you my dear student, I'm not Pro-Changeling Slavery, far from it actually, but given my status as ruler of a Kingdom that uses Changelings slave labor, as well as has them work in nationalized industry and commerce, I know things about the Changeling species only a select few know." Responded Queen Amore, getting up and leaving Hope's side, she than proceeded towards the door and stopped once she was about to open it, looking back she said "Come with me Princess Hope, I want to show you something."

It didn't take long for Radiant Hope to scramble back to Queen Amore's side, soon enough they exited the room and went to the right of it, heading towards the east-wing of the castle, this took a little while, 30 minutes at most. After the two royals reached the east-wing of the castle they descended into its lower levels, to be more specific, floor -5; the infamous floor -5 of the Vageta Temi Mima Dominion's Tis Tinmond Castle is shrouded in mystery, many speculating on wether it exists at all, and if it does, on what it's purpose is. Many ponies have speculated that within the walls of the fabled floor -5, everything from powerful weapons, secret documents on creatures from Bukastillo's past, to the spell book of King Rusalmorgan Collinsania, the adoptive father of Queen Amore Variona Collinsania.

Unbeknownst to the theorists all of these were true to some degree, at least the one about King Rusalmorgan's elusive spell book is, but it's elusive contents aren't what Queen Amore brought Radiant Hope to see, but something that is equally, if not more important. what hope would be shown would shatter her world view, and her life as she knows it.

"This is what I wanted to show you, Hope." Announced Queen Amore as she and hope came upon a door without a handle or lock, the door itself being made of what seemed to be thick stainless steel, on the steel was basic renditions of Queen Chrysalis's private guard standing at attention, between them was another basic rendition, only this time of Queen Chrysalis.

As the two royals stood in front of the door Queen Amore proceeded to charge up her magic, her horn glowing a Bright Teal, soon after Amore struck the door with her magic, causing a bright flash that, upon going away, revealed the door to be open. The two entered the room and shut the door behind them, in the room there was a cabinet on the floor with a slightly torn Journal on it, the cabinet itself being exactly 2 ft (0.6 meters) tall and 15 inches (38.1 centimeters) in width. The metal the cabinet was made of was rather cheap-ish, a far cry from what the door and room was made of. The room itself was made of a thick concrete, about 1 ft, 5 inches (0.3 meters, 12.7 centimeters) thick with a steel outer shell that's 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) according to what Queen Amore told Radiant Hope. Ideo-lo-gy.

"What's in it?" Asked Radiant Hope, her eyes glued to the cabinet.

"History." Responded Queen Amore, continuing with "It contains the secret history of the Changeling species, every significant event, every monarch, every hero lay hidden in the pages within this cabinet."

"Secret...'history?'"

"Yes, but for now I'll only show you what, in my opinion, is the most important piece of information there is: The beginning of what would be, their end." Said Queen Amore opening the cabinet with her magic, going through the folders until she found the right one, pulling it out upon finding it.

"The beginning...of their end?" Said Hope, caught in a whirlwind of confusion.

"Yes, for this story in Changeling history we're traveling 6,000 years in the past and farther, figuratively of course, because at this time 8,000 or so years ago there were 7 nomadic Changeling clans spanning between 500,000 to 800,000 Changelings strong that roamed this vast land unopposed for 2,000 or so years, probably more. Leading these 7 Changeling clans was one Changeling Alicorn each-"

"Like Queen Chrysalis!?"

"Yes, like Queen Chrysalis. Now where was I? Ah yes, I know: Each of these Changeling Alicorns act's as a monarch of sorts for the clan, being a source of morale, encouragement, and hope for the clan. These clans were, as I said before, nomadic and never stayed in one place for to long and since they were nomadic they often stumbled upon villages and small castles and would spark up trade with them for the basic necessities like food and raw materials, often to the benefit to the village or castle-"

"That sounds amazing!" Interjected Hope a second time, but Queen Amore wasn't all that mad, actually she was delighted that her student was showing such interest in this most important topic.

"Yes it was amazing, but of course as you know my dear student everything isn't always cookie cutter, because despite these 7 factions having a great relationship with settlements they traded with, they often went to war with each other to steal supplies or to assert their dominance in that specific area, and sometimes these villages would become the battlefield. This of course had a reason, because some settlements often pledged allegiance to certain factions they traded with, causing opposing factions to try and appeal to them instead, sometimes these appeals worked and settlements loyalty waned, sometimes they didn't and the settlements remained strong in their loyalty."

"What happened if they didn't change their loyalty?"

"Most of the time the opposing faction trying to appeal to the settlement would leave, of course in a foul mood, but would leave nonetheless. That was unless the Changeling faction that the settlement was loyal to was currently within the borders of the settlement, than they would confront the opposing faction, and 9 times out of 10 they would engage in bloody combat, and often the opposing force would use the settlement as leverage to win the battle. This was done by either capturing the settlement and seizing it's resources for themselves, or capturing enough of the settlements occupants that you could hold them for ransom, getting the opposing force the settlement was loyal to too give you needed supplies for their safe return."

"Why did these factions fight? Weren't they apart of the same species? It'll only seem logical to create trade deals with each other to grow strong bonds and accumulate more wealth."

"Why do all nations and opposing groups fight? Ide-olo-gy, ideology is the driving factor for everything a nation, people, and clans much like the Changeling does, which is I and many others formed Active Measures around Ideological Subversion, because we knew that replacing a nations founding principles with something radically different would brake the nation. But I think you already knew that, so I'll get back on subject. Each of the 7 Changeling clans had totally different cultures, the cultures forming different ideologies that often times clashed, the only thing that each of these 7 clans had in common was the need to trade but that was ingrained in their very being, trading is what made them Changelings, and unfortunately it was the cause of their downfall."

"Downfall...?"

"Yes, the Changeling species evolved through trade and fused it through their very being, even today it's very prominent in Changeling culture, which is why they were enslaved. You see Hope, 6,000 years ago there was a group of Unicorns who gathered in a place still not known, one of these individuals bringing a young Pegasus filly who's name is also unknown, this filly would act as the antecessor to all Alicorns living today-"

"Even the Celestial Sisters?"

"Yes, even the Celestial Sisters, because this meeting was made by a group of Unicorns with a first-class understanding of magic that wanted to crush the 7 Changeling clans, but they couldn't do it themselves [because they were immense pussies] despite their immense power, so they needed a "hero" who would do it for them. That's why they gathered there, so they can combine their immense power into one super pony, a super soldier if you will, to lead their armies of like-minded individuals."

"You're just telling me how they're going to defeat them, not why." Voiced Radiant Hope, aching to know why these ponies hated the Changelings.

"Easy, because through their extensive trading the Changeling species encouraged settlements they traded with to try and produce more items to trade with, like spices, perfumes, gold, jewels, luxury textiles, Ponderosa pinecones, etc etc. But for settlements that pledge loyalty to a certain clan they would often compete and creating better weapons, armor, potions, and spells for their respective clans. This created competition between the settlements and sometimes, certain settlements would fall short of demand and fall behind, it's occupants leaving for better and brighter futures and causing the village or castle to fall in disrepair. You can even find remnants of these castles and villages now, but let's get back on topic because, as you may know if you connected the dots, this created a fierce hatred among those who lived in these failed settlements-"

"And they began to plan their revenge."

"Yes, but not only that, because as time pressed on and their numbers grew they created their very own ideology in opposition to the one of the Changeling's, one where they believed that everypony should be equal at all points, no matter the profession of said ponies or work ethic. Where janitors would be paid the same as doctors, farmers having their land seized, businesses big and small are seized from their owners and nationalized, the very same owners killed for even deciding to do something with their lives, within time the ponies in opposition to the Changeling's became worse than them and didn't even notice. But that's just history now, I merely wanted to tell you why Changeling's are so despised in kingdoms like ours."

"Remember when you were telling me about Active Measures and we were on the Third Step?-"

"Ah yes, I remember telling you I had examples of the Crisis Stage in action, would you like to see them?" Exclaimed Queen Amore, now interrupting Princess Hope.

"No no, I believe you now, I just wanna know the last step." Responded Hope.

"Well, the last step would be Normalization which is simple and straightforward, basically it's getting the general public used to the new ideology you've thrusted upon them, this process takes about 5 or 10 years fo complete, maybe 20 if the population is exceptionally resistant, but the crisis stage should've already taken care of most of that."

"Alrighty than, one more question." Exclaimed Princess Hope.

"Ask away." Responded Queen Amore.

"How do we stop it?"

"I always knew you were the best choice to be my successor."

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free"
-Ronald Reagan | 40th president of the United States

Equunian time: 3023, October 29th, 1101 hours

Human time: 2098, October 29th, 1101 hours

Location: Crystal Empire; 88 miles (North) from Coastal City San Wydron

U.S. perspectives: USMC MSgt Jeremiah Juarez, USMC Raider PFC Alan Dedric Church, USMC Raider SSgt Nathan Kadmiel Reeds, USMC Raider Sgt Tristan Summers, USMC Raider PFC Frederick Boyd Bowman, USMC LCpl Roman Zitomer Hahn, USMC LCpl Marco Stain, LCpl Melvin Everest Lara, USMC LCpl Lorenzo Coleman, USMC Cpl Rahim Mahoney, Sunshine USMC military working dog

Equunian perspectives: None

Standing next to his M1A5 Mark-1 Lance Abram's 1stLt Roman Z. Hahn was speaking to one of the young guns that proved their medal in the North pole battle, and if Hahn's memory served him right, this was the same guy who used his WRPS (Wearable Rocket Propulsion System) to jettison himself away from approaching enemy forces and into a better firing position. The young gun 1stLt Hahn was talking to was Cpl Alan Dedric Church, the kid who was able to pull off the quick maneuver that saved his life, the conversation between the two was rather mundane, being about the lives they had before they joined the United States Armed Forces. For Hahn he joined the USMC at age 34 after he and his girlfriend, now wife, after they had their first born and were still living in the NCR (New Chinese Republic) when it was still waging it's war with what was left of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party). He wanted his son to have a future in a country that wasn't currently facing any conflicts, out of options he joined the U.S. Armed Forces and applied for the "Family Initiative" which gave soldiers who joined the U.S. military a chance to bring 5 people into the United States with the cost of them serving in the US's military for 5 years, he and his family ended up being accepted and his family moved to the U.S. safely.

Hahn ended up staying in the USMC and turned it into a full-fledged career, remaining an Abram's commander for 16 years, at first starting out with the prior model, the M1A4 Superior Abram Sep VX until 2095 when the M1A5 Mark-1 Lance Abram's and M1A6 Mark-1 Choir Abram's tanks entered service, the M1A5 going to the Marines and the M1A6 going to the army, after 2097 almost every M1A4 was upgraded to either of the two tanks, depending on the branch of course. While serving all of the money Hahn was paid went to his wife and son's college degrees, his wife becoming a Defense Attorney and his son Joining the CIA, it would be an understatement to say that Hahn was proud of his family.

Hahn loved his job, the sweet rush of blowing up the same commie scum that forced his home into a hundred years of turmoil, watching their tanks, APCs, and IFVs get torn to shreds by the might of a superior countries engineering was an amazing feeling. But he knew that despite all the training and high tech equipment this job was a dangerous one, so sooner or later hahn would have to retire and let some young gun like Cpl Alan take up the mantle and send some hate to those dirty commies, he just hopes it's later rather than sooner, he'll like to send them some hate for a little while longer. This was exemplified by Hahn's performance at the North Pole battle, him and his crew hurled a HVEEP (High Velocity Extreme Explosive Penetrator) at a ZDK IFV, turning it and it's occupants into swiss cheese.

Rolling back [my foreskin] the topic back onto the M1A5 Mark-1 Lance Abram's and M1A6 Mark-1 Choir Abram's tanks, which are evidently the most advanced tanks in the US's vast arsenal, made out of the newest and most advanced materials and technology the United States could offer. The M1A5 and M1A6 are similar in an assortment of ways, such as the material built into the frontal and side armor of the turret, which was made up of spaced plates of Eskyx and Voblil that sandwiched a metal foam made of Pakrium with graphene filling that paired favorably well with the Abram's Cobham armor, covering it; the material built into the upper and lower armor on the main body's frontal armor was Vudril, and much like the turret armor was spaced and had metal foam with a graphene filling; and the material built into the side armor that partially covered the treads was Lospoalium with the same layout as the main body's frontal and turret armor.

To add to the mass amount of protection the M1A5 and M1A6 had, they both employed the Immortal EMA (Electro-Magnetic Armor) and ADS (Active Defense System) Active Protection System's produced by General Electric, using them as a first defense against any anti-tank projectiles coming the tanks way. Starting off with General Electric's Immortal EMA Active protection system, which works by having two plates separated by insulating material, one plate being grounded and the other not, when a Projectile penetrates the armor it creates a circuit between the two plates, disrupting it. The EMA systems would typically be placed on the lower frontal armor and sides of the main body under the Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) as another layer of protection incase the projectile penetrates the ERA. To make sure the projectile doesn't hit at all, there's another system in General Electric's Line of products called the Immortal Active Defense System or Immortal ADS, the ADS worked by using sensors with a 360 degree field of vision around the vehicle, the sensors scanning multiple areas 44 meters (144 feet) in length in mere milliseconds while determining wether a projectile will hit it or another friendly vehicle, sending that data to that vehicle as well as other vehicles around it, if their are any, to maximize the effectiveness of the ADS.

Of course, as any good tank enthusiast knows, the best way to not be killed on the battlefield is to not be spotted at all. This can be done in a multitude of ways, some high tech and ultra affective like the Polish PL-01 and it's advanced stealth Technologies, others simple and mundane but still effective, which is what the United States employs. In 2088 the Pentagon opened a program called Next Generation Affordable Light Noise Suppression Program, or NGALNSP for "short," which was put in place to either research new ways to suppress noise on all armoured vehicles in the USMC and U.S. Army, or possibly improve on existing technologies. This program of course enlisted the help of multiple research agencies, such as DARPA, PGVRC (Pentagon Ground Vehicle Research Center), and USAVR (United States Army Vehicle Research Center); multiple companies, such as Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Oshkosh, and General Dynamics; and a center for study, Carnegie University. With such a team assembled multiple technology demonstrators emerged in the first 18 months of the program, the first being the MLNSC (Multi Layer Noise Suppression Capsule), which was basically a box with 3 layers made of 2 materials that surrounded most of the engine, the outer and inner layer of the MLNSC was made of an early iteration of Carbon Fiber-R, which was an ultra light and thin but strong variation of the material Carbon Fiber that could withstand high temperatures for extended amounts of time, this was used to decrease the material in between the outer and inner layers of Carbon Fiber-R, which was a thick layer of heat resistant foam composite that deafened any noise that penetrated the inner layer.

The second technology demonstrator produced by the program was the new material called Compound-MR, which is basically an advanced form of rubber with the strength of steel, the idea being that since rubber is softer and much lighter than steel or titanium it would kick up less dust and make less noise if made into tank treads, it was found that the new treads reduced noise production by 30% and dust kicked up by 9% while also increasing traction. The third technology demonstrator produced was the LLHAC (Light Layered Heat Absorbent Coating), which aimed to lower the possibility of being detected by reducing the overall heat signature of the vehicle it was applied to, for the coating to be most affective at least 5 layers needed to be applied, most recent iterations now only need 3. These three technologies were further research upon for the next 3 years of the NGALNSP program, entering service late 2093, being applied to almost every armored vehicles that wasn't electric in the USMC and U.S. Army, performing with flying colors.

Unfortunately this is where the similarities between the M1A5 and M1A6 end, but since the roles of the Army and Marines are incredibly different, it justifies the need for a similarly built vehicle with slight differences. One of these differences being the main cannon, for the Marines they have the Convair M908MX Bravo 130mm rifled ETC (Electrothermal Chemical) Cannon, which worked by using a Plasma Igniter to activate the ammunition's propellant, this increased the accuracy and velocity of the rounds, the rounds themselves capable of reaching Mach 5.8 (4,461 mph/7,179 kph/3,876 knots), increasing its overall performance and killing power. On the other hand the Army has the Convair M888MVG Excalibur 122mm Rail Gun, which worked by accelerating a projectile using electromagnetic forces, like a coilgun but better, the M888MVG was capable of propelling the rounds to Mach 11.9 (9,182 mph/14,777 kph/7,978 knots). Another aspect that differentiated the M1A5 from the M1A6 was it's ability to travel in water, yes an 'Abrams' tank variant is capable of going into deep water without sinking, well this is because there are 6 small anti gravity systems on the tanks belly to keep it from sinking, from their it would use it's treads to maneuver.

"Yeah, I only knew my father until I was 11, after that it was just me and my mom." Said Alan in a solemn tone.

"Oh, di-did he..." Said Hahn, struggling to finish the sentence.

"Oh no no, he was slain in the line of duty while responding to a code 104 at, of all places, my school. A bunch of left-wing anarchists decided my school was the place to stage a terror attack using propane canisters full Soman Gas, their aim being to inspire others like them to rise up and stage a government overthrow, fortunately fate had other plans."

"What happened?" Asked Roman, wanting to know more about this seemingly forgotten piece of American history.

"Well, the school itself called the cops because a group of 8th graders noticed the 6 guys unloading the canisters, at the time not knowing who these men were and their intentions. Give or take 3 to 5 minutes later 4 patrol cars with 2 officers each arrive at the scene, the notion being that these guys were the ones responsible for luring kids to their car and kidnapping them, among these officers was my father..." Said Alan pausing for a moments, continuing. "One thing led to another and the 8 or so officers on scene confronted these guys and they started arguing, the anarchists saying that the officers didn't have the right to tell them to leave because it wasn't city property, and instead property of the earth or some other socialist bullshit."

"Seems like something those types would say, while I still lived in China, in the NCR not CCP, I encountered one of these socialist types stealing, her excuse being practically the same."

"Hehe, well than you understand the situation, but getting back to what happened. One of the anarchists thinks it's a good idea to pull a Glock G80 out of his waist band, well one thing leads to another and he's on the ground with a big hole where his left eye used to be, which I find kind of ironic. In the first, give or take, 6 seconds of the gunfight 2 of the anarchists were gun down, this is not including the guy who grabbed his firearm of course, but unfortunately one of those bastards were able to hit my father in his right shoulder, causing intense bleeding, but of course that action wasn't without consequence because the ensuing gun battle would end the lives of all but 1 of the anarchists."

"Was you're father given medical attention?"

"Yes, but by that time it was already to late...*sigh* the adrenaline of the gun battle got his heart pumping and, well, he bled to death." Answered Alan, again in a solemn tone.

"I'm so sorry." Responded Hahn, looking down to the ground to avoid eye contact.

"Don't worry, justice was served."

"How?"

"Well the only dude to survive the ordeal was given to the CIA for questioning, the 'questioning' itself included 'mostly peaceful torture techniques to gain critical information' as said by the CIA when questioned by CNN."

"Sounds like the CIA was taking jabs at CNN for that time when they referred to those riots in 2020 as 'mostly peaceful.'"

"Bingo, right on target!" Exclaimed Alan making Hahn laugh, continuing on with the story. "After they cracked the guy, he spilled the info on about 16 compounds people like him were using around the United States, the dude than 'mysteriously' kicked the bucket while in prison. After the fact the CIA got a couple of SAD (Special Activities Division) and GIO (Ground Intelligence Operator) teams to cooperate with local police departments around the compounds to gather intelligence on them, leading to the eventual raiding of the compounds, and most importantly, the capture or neutralization of its occupants."

"This sounds like something big, why haven't I heard of this?"

"Were you in active service in 2084?" Asked Alan.

"Yeah." Answered Hahn.

"That explains it."

The two men proceeded to share a laugh, soon enough the loud speaker went off, notifying everyone on the carrier [U.S.S Photosphere] of the impending amphibious landing about to take place: Operation First Kind.

"[Intercom] All personal Participating in Operation First Kind Must report to the aft of the ship for a debriefing, you'll be disembarking within the hour."

"Well, guess that's our cue." Said Alan.

Time jump: 12 minutes (1113 hours)

"Okay men, I'm going to need you all to understand that this isn't any normal run-of-the-mill Amphibious Assault, we aren't fighting commies, we're not fighting insurgents, we're not killing human traffickers, and we certainly aren't BLOWING ANYTHING UP! understood!?" Screamed Master Sergeant Jeremiah Juarez, receiving a loud consentaneous "YES SIR" from the 115+ men currently in front of him.

"Good, because the land you all are going to be 'assaulting' is all to different from our own, with only a few similarities present, this presents an assortment of challenges that may come up in the foreseeable future. This is why I need you all to be on you're best behavior, I need professionals on this mission not kids, the United State's citizenry is counting on you wether they know it or not. This is why you've all received training using various camera and sampling equipment, you're not only going to be establishing a foot hold on this new world for the United States, but doing critical science work, I.E. collecting samples for scientific research." Said Master Sergeant Jeremiah, finishing with "any questions?"

"Yeah um, what types of creatures can we find in this 'new world,' and how do we know they're not hostile? If they are, how do we fight them? If their is anything in this 'new world' that is." Asked Tristan Summers, skeptical on wether this operation was even a good idea.

"Yeah Master Sergeant, what if there's some Eldritch monstrosity on that big hunk of earth that tares us limb from limb, you could be sending us on a suicide mission for all we know!" Exclaimed Corporal Rahim, a 23 year old man of Arabic descent who was, justifiably so, skeptical of the mission as well. This got the entire room of Marines talking about what creatures may, or may not be on the large continent.

"Now now, NASA, the Air Force, CIA, and the Pentagon's satellites haven't picked up anything that we can't handle, or anything along the lines of an Eldritch monstrosity, but their are things that'll keep you on you're toes." Reassured Master Sergeant Jeremiah in his...own special way, continuing with the things they could expect when they landed. "One of the lesser examples of weird shit that inhabits this super continent, is what scientists at the Pentagon are calling the 'Mega-Spruce,' a 300 foot (91 meter) tall tree that is similar in appearance to spruce trees, only with Light Purple leaves that start 60 ft (18 meters) from its base. But still, be cautious around these, because if they aren't hostile their might be something on them that is."

"How reassuring?" Voiced Tristan in a Sarcastic tone.

"Shut you're trap Tristan, before I send you there alone with only a pocket knife and Luger p08 with 2 magazines! You're also scaring your squad mates!" Screamed Master Sergeant Jeremiah, continuing his debriefing. "Now where was I? Oh yeah! I probably should have told you all this before talking about the life in this new world, but to ease all your fears, we've found signs of life in the form of both small, and large primitive human made settlements. So if theirs any fierce beasts, which there are, you should be able to handle them considering you all are using weapons with several times the power of simple cannon balls and arrows-"

"Sorry to interrupt you master sergeant, but what kind of creatures should we expect to see, and or fight?" Asked Corporal Rahim, slightly reassured by the fact he wasn't defenseless, but still skeptical.

"You're lucky, because I was just getting to that. On October 24th CIA and Pentagon satellites took a couple...interesting photos of multiple large creatures with the appearance of dragons from ancient folklore, the Pentagon has categorized these dragons threat level by their length, dragons that are 200 ft (60 meters) or lower are CAT-1's, dragons that are 500 ft (152 meters) or lower are CAT-2's, dragons that are 900 ft (274 meters) or lower are CAT-3's, anything above 900 ft are CAT-4's but we've yet to spot any yet. Fortunately we've spotted no dragon-like life-forms where you'll be landing, but we have spotted a massive species of bear that are the size of the M30A3 Vercingetorix Heavy tank the army uses, and it's all White so it camouflages with the surrounding snow, so keep your eyes out and your head on a swivel." Answered Master Sergeant Jeremiah, continuing with the debriefing. "Of course there are more creatures the satellites took photos of, but they aren't a threat to you since you'll be landing on a beach hundreds, if not thousands of miles away from them, but that doesn't mean y'all are scot free either, because again, this is an entirely new world unlike our own so keep an eye out and your head on a swivel. But you know that, so I'll finish this debriefing so you all can get ready to disembark."

Pulling a projector and a screen from somewhere off to the side, Master Sergeant Jeremiah turned on the projector and it showed a satellites image that was zoomed in just enough to make out various places, such as city lights and a dark forest. "Okay men, you see that large coastal city there? Well we're going to be landing 88 miles (141 kilometers) North of that city, because soon the Department Of Commerce is planning on using this city as a point to start trade relations with them, we're just here to make a foothold for the United States in this new world. But they'll only arrive when WE make first contact, but I still don't know how we'll do that. Anyone have any ideas?"

The room stayed silent, causing Sergeant Major Jeremiah to chuckle before continuing with the last part of the debriefing. "Alright, this is the last part, promise. As you know you all are going to need an Area of Operations to work effectively, but don't worry you won't have to build trenches or underground tunnels, instead all of you will be staying somewhere more luxurious. Only the best for the United State's most prized explorers. You all will setting up your AO in what the Pentagon thinks is an abandoned castle of some kind, this castle in particular is 78 miles (125 kilometers) North East inland. When you guys land and make sure the Assault Crafts leave safely, I need you all to start making your way here as fast and inconspicuous as possible, a waypoint marking it's location, as well as yours will be displayed on your HUD (Head's up Display) and Mini-map, this goes for ground units and vehicle operators. When you guy's make it there you'll receive back up from multiple Seal Team 7 teams and U.S. army regiments equiped with WHA-91 Sceech Owls and other vehicles. Understood?"

"Yes sir!" Was the resounding response Master Sergeant Jeremiah received, responding with "Good, now go prepare, you'll be leaving soon."

After Sergeant Major Jeremiah said this the 115+ Marines started gathering the equipment they would need, placing it in the 4 logistics trucks that would be accompanying them on this mission. Soon enough the vehicles they would be taking were loaded on the Assault Crafts, the first to be loaded being were the 3 M3A4EV Mark-2 Lance Bradleys, the second were the 7 M1130AF Mark-3 Patton Strykers, the third being the 8 Humvee EVs, the fourth being 2 MX2A1 Eagle Eye Reconnaissance tanks they received specifically for this mission. This equipment loading of course didn't include the 5 M1A5 Mark-1 Lance Abrams because of it's obvious amphibious capabilities, the 5 tanks would provide overwatch as well as take any munitions fired at the Assault Craft, providing ample protection for the Assault Craft as it makes it's way towards it's location. Soon enough, the 3 Assault Craft were loaded with all the equipment and supplies they would need, saying their goodbyes to the crew of the ship [U.S.S. Photosphere] the Marines entered their respective vehicles on the Assault Crafts, and then they were off into the unknown.

It would take about 30 or so minutes before the Assault Craft hit the shore, so the Marines took this time to talk amongst themselves and catch up on events that interest them, like politics, economics, culture, etc.

"Hey Nathan, how do you think things are going back home, ya' know, in the United States?" Asked Tristan Summers, knowing damn well that his friend somehow knew about the events unfolding in the United States, it was just something that he was capable of doing and no one knew why, so might as well take advantage of it.

"Well it's what you'd expect, there are riots in every major city in the United States from New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, to Miami and everything in between, it's an overall cluster fuck. But it's not like it wasn't expected, because the usual bunch of mentally challenged retards popped out to seize the moment, far left ideologues, anarchists, Marxists, and a plethora of other useful idiots trying to stage a violent government overthrow and play it off as minorities rioting." Responded Nathan Reeds in an irritated tone, the needless violence pissing him off.

"I should've expected that really, my bad, though, I'd expect people like us to be called upon if the situation is as bad as you're insinuating."

"Well, the U.S. government can't just call upon the military for fringe leftists setting affordable housing on fire and attacking suburban neighborhoods while playing it off as a revolution, yes we made an oath to protect the United States from all threats foreign and domestic, but they actually have to be legitimate threats that federal police, local police, and national guard can't handle by themselves."

"Well, that must mean our Boys in Blue have everything under control."

"Welp it's not like they're an actual threat...well that's not totally true, they're only a threat when they're in large numbers and attack people who aren't, can't fight back, or over the age of 60 and 70, but let it be anyone else and they're crying for police protection." Remarked Nathan, getting a few chuckles before the intercom came on a few seconds later.

"[Intercom] Okay ladies, according to the GPS we're currently 20 miles from the Drop Zone, so prepare to disembark."

"Speaking of GPS, weren't all GPS systems down for about 3 days? Why all of a sudden they're all up and running now?" Asked Frederick, currently petting Sunshine on the head.

"That's easy, all satellites that are operated by the Air Force, CIA, NASA, the Pentagon, or any other government agency using satellites have this system called Immediate Satellite Protection and Land Surveying System, or SPLSS for short. The system itself turns off any satellites within the range of any powerful nuclear weapons or EMPs, while also creating a gravitational dome to protect the satellites from any heat, particles, or piece of debris coming it's way. Remember when the large White Light engulfed our convoy back in the Arctic, well it's thought by NASA that when the light engulfed the satellites the SPLSS system mistook the light as a nuclear blast, after the fact all of the satellites started mapping the planet because of protocol." Responded Tristan, more than happy to answer the question because of his vast knowledge of space faring vehicles.

"Protocols?"

"Well, the plan for the SPLSS system was to shield satellites from nuclear and conventional EMP weapons, the point being that they would all work in tandem to create, and continue to update an accurate picture of the planet for military use. Of course now the system has less of a use because of the redundancy of nuclear weapons, but the threat of conventional EMP's are still very prevalent so the system hasn't worn out it's use. Good thing too, because who knows how long it would've taken for the satellites to make a map without it."

As the troops talked inside the Strykers and Humvees Marco Stain, Melvin Everest Lara, and Lorenzo Coleman were talking whilst eating an assortment of candies.

"When we arrive at the castle, you guys wanna go exploring?" Asked Coleman, excited by the prospect of exploring an ancient ruin in another world, he was already imagining what artifacts could be within the castle walls.

"Absolutely! Imagine exploring an abandoned castle in a totally new world, imagine the shit we'll find! Gold, emerald, sapphire, and even diamonds could be in that castle! What about you Marco?" Responded Melvin in his usual happy tone, taking Coleman's thoughts and putting them into words, catching him off guard.

"Ustedes están demasiado emocionados por esto. It's just going to be an old abandoned castle, nothing special is going to be there, I guarantee it." Responded Marco, uninterested in the whole exploration idea.

"Oh c'mon Marco, stop being a wet blanket and lighten up a little. I bet if you were to explore with us you'd have fun." Responded Melvin in his usual tone, only now instead of happiness and excitement it was full of pride and obligation.

"Yeah, it'll be fun, promise." Said Coleman, trying to convince Marco to accompany them on their little adventure.

"Ustedes son como niños." Said Marco, unbeknownst to him Melvin was currently studying the spanish language to better understand him, instead he was now able to understand every backhanded comment and insult.

"Oh you little-" Is what Coleman heard as he opened a bag of gummy worms, the bag itself concealing what was said after that point, it wasn't long after that a multitude of loud bangs and thuds could be heard from the MAWTS-1 (Mounted Advanced Wireless Transmissions Systems), so he turned of the only system connecting him with the turret and said "everything's probably fine" as he ate his gummy worms.

Soon enough the Assault Craft hit ground, the ground being ice 34 feet (10.3 meters) thick which easily supported the immense weight of the Assault Craft and it's cargo. The cargo itself, being made up of 27 vehicles, unloaded onto the ice 3 minutes after the Assault Craft's, an LCAC-888, skirt performed a deflating motion and put the Assault Craft in a position to unfold it's loading ramp. After this action, the 27 vehicle convoy got into a defensive position with the logistics trucks and Humvee-EVs at the rear and armored vehicles at the front, as well as a couple infantry units scattered around the vehicles. The reason for the convoy to get into this position was to give the LCAC-888s ample time and protection to leave the area safely, after another 3 minutes the 2 LCAC-888's closed their loading ramps and their skirts performed an inflating motion, after these actions were performed the 2 Assault Craft left the frozen, icy coast and disappeared behind the fog that concealed the 9 ship strong amphibious assault fleet from prying eyes.

When the convoy was sure that the Assault Craft were a safe distance away, able to see their location through the fog using the MMSCH (Modular Multi System Connection Helmet) with the AFUTS (Automated Friendly Unit Tracking System) through the Helmet's neuralink, they took a good look at their surroundings and were thunderstruck by what they saw, all of what Master Sergeant Jeremiah said being true, 300 foot (91 meters) tall trees two hundred and twenty feet (67 meters) taller than the M500A1C SEPV2 GunGallago land cruiser, with branches more than 88 feet (26 meters) long laced with Light Purple leaves 15 inches (38 centimeters) in width, and 18 inches (45 centimeters) in length. This of course paled in comparison to the trunk of the tree which spanned a whopping 45 feet (13 meters) thick, the roots that pierced the ground and saw the light of day being 77 inches (195 centimeters) thick, it was thought that even thicker ones lay beneath the surface.

When the convoy was on the cusp of entering the forest the waypoint came up on everyone's HUDs (Heads Up Display), it was at that moment that everyone in the convoy was traveling in a different direction from where the waypoint was placed, they were traveling 60 degrees in the opposite direction of the abandoned castle. So in response the convoy changed direction and was now properly traveling in the direction of the waypoint, as the convoy made it's way through the forest it only exemplified how massive these "Mega-Spruces" actually were, despite each tree being separated by what was a 70 foot (21 meter) gap, their branches were still able to touch each other and formed natural bridges.

'I wonder if there's any animals that live up there? Like this world's version of birds and stuff.' Said Alan internally, his eyes studying the vast landscape that blocked any assemblance of light that laid beyond it, the Purple Light of the Moon only piercing through small fractures that the gargantuan branches couldn't mask. The extreme darkness wasn't a problem for the armored vehicles and infantry units of the convoy, thanks to the MDONVCS (Modular Digital Optical Night Vision Camera System) that you can find embedded in all Exo-suit helmets currently in service with the USMC, US Army, USN, and USAF; as well as inside armored vehicles and remote controlled gun optics. The MDONVCS system is one of the best, if not the best Gen VIII night-vision devise used by any modern military, the MDONVCS can multiply the smallest amount of light by 50,000 and minimise light glare while showing the world in full color so it's wearer can effectively see the environment they're in, and since the MDONVCS is majority software instead of hardware it comes at a low cost to the soldier since the system uses the 5,000 FPS cameras that are already equipped on the helmet.

Needless to say the MDONVCS is extraordinarily useful in environments like this, not only to effectively maneuver in said environment but also be able to spot enemy combatants first, giving U.S. forces the capability to engage unknowing enemy forces and win. Systems like the MDONVCS when paired with other software/hardware systems like MMSCH, AFUTS, and AHUTS (Automated Hostile Unit Tracking System), HONVBS (Hostile Optics and Night Vision Blinding System), and HMITR (Helmets Mounted Infantry Tracking Radar) offer the United State's armed ground forces First See, First Shot, and First Kill capabilities against near pier forces. But in the off chance the United States finds itself interlocked in a battle against the forces of yesteryear, like when the USMC engaged ZDK (Zimlip Daseeta Kingdom) forces in the North pole, that don't have the latest and greatest software/hardware systems, than U.S. forces are equipped with Software and hardware like HBSTS (Heart Beat Sensor Tracking System), WRPS (Wearable Rocket Propulsion System), and MIRTS (Modular InfraRed Tracking System) to properly engage them in combat.

These systems are, much like every other system embedded on U.S. military Exo-suits, all connected via neuralink on the wearer's helmet for ease of use. Since every system equipped on the Exo-suits, whether it be for combat against near pier or obsolete forces, are linked together they can all be utilized and be wirelessly connected to systems not exactly connected to the wearer's Exo-suit, systems like ALG (active laser guidance) and ARSS (Automated Rifle Sights System) can be activated and used in tandem by the wearer with a single thought, creating the ultimate fighting force that, when paired with other military assets [Aircraft, Armoured Vehicles, Naval Vessels, etc], is almost unknowable. Opening the door for Pure Domination.

As the convoy was 2 miles into their trek to the abandoned castle an intense amount of rustling could be heard coming from the south, as it got closer one of the Marines, a Cpl named Alexander O'Gallagher, used his HBSTS and MIRTS to find out what was heading their way and what he saw absolutely terrified him. 60 to 70 unidentifiable creatures swinging and jumping from branch to branch were currently racing in the direction of the convoy, in the ensuing seconds Cpl Alexander spotted the creatures he began to raise his rifle, a CH2M16A1 coil gun, and fired three 2 round bursts of 5.56 APCT rounds which reached 5,589 feet per second (1,703 meters per second/3,810 mph/6,132 kph). Currently 2 5.56 APCT, or Armor Piercing Crimson Tip, rounds were flying at supersonic speeds towards the unknown creature, the bullets themselves being made of a Tungsten core surrounded by a layer of Gold-J as to not fragment or exit the target, the theory being that the tough and heavy build of the bullet wouldn't fragment or exit the target. Once the 5.56 APCT enters the body it deforms due to the mass amount of force applied to it, making the round tumble within the intended target, turning their insides into what can only be seen as "jellified-meat." The APCT is so good at making good communists that it has adorned a name within the United States armed forces: "Commie-Begone," but jokes aside there's plenty of other rounds currently in service with the United States military, some being smart bullets and others being smartly engineered kinetic penetrators like the APCT round.

Getting back to the scientific-discovery-to-be about to get it shit pushed in, once the first round pierced the creatures skin it hit directly on what was it's 2nd heart, after going completely through the heart it continued for about an inch before tumbling up and back towards the creatures 3rd heart, tearing through it before it finally stopped. The second round however pierced the creatures stomach, shredding what was it's small intestine, jettisoning up into the pancreas, stomach, lungs, and went straight out of the creatures right shoulder.

After taking the herculean blows the 8 ft (2.4 meter) tall creature, which at first didn't appear all too large when the Corporal saw it, fell as it missed the branch it jumped towards before it was shot and struck multiple other of the large branches as it fell back to the earth below. As the creature hit the snow below, it's Glowing Pink blood splattering around it, it's brethren scattered in panick as their friend was taken from them by a seemingly unknowable force. The creature itself fortunately didn't suffer a long and painful death, because once both bullets made contact the creature was killed almost instantly, but as said creature was laying lifeless on the floor several of the Marines walked up to examine it.

"What the fuck...did...you kill Alexander?" Asked Staff Sergeant Nathan Reeds, confused and slightly frightened at the creature in front of him.

"Sir I-I-" Responded Corporal Alexander, stuttering over himself.

"It's fine, it was a...mistake."

As the Marines examined the creature they were astonished, the creature itself resembled that of a Baboon, only bigger and more muscular, with 4 large muscular arms accompanied by 2 large legs that were also muscular. Adorned on the end of each of the 6 limbs were 6, long, 3 jointed, taloned fingers that reached 9 inches (22 centimeters) in length, the talons as sharp as knives. The blood and retinas of the creature was Pink, and it's teeth, much like it's talons were sharp as knives, even the smaller teeth were sharp.

"Haha...yeah, I'm getting back into the Humvee, feel free to join me." Said Tristan, who just barely joined his colleagues.

"Soooo...do we take this with us?" Asked Alan, remembering the whole science aspect of this operation.

"Well it'd only make sense. Alexander, Frederick, bring this thing back to the third logistics truck, and hurry, this place gives me the heebie-jeebies." Demanded Nathan as he looked above with a shaken and uneasy look, his command would be met with a "YES SIR" by both Alexander and Frederick.

After Frederick and Alexander put the body in the logistics truck and got into one of the Humvees, the convoy started back up again, now at a faster pace due to the fact the infantry units were now not on the ground, but in the vehicles. At the pace the convoy was going now it would take an hour or so for the convoy to arrive at the waypoint, by then it would stil be dark and allow these new explorers to set up camp.

Soon enough the convoy would arrive at the castle, and was it amazing, according to satellite images the castle was 600 square feet with walls that reached 40 feet in height, enough room for a group of explorers to set up shop. After a couple of seconds of staring at the door one of the M1A5's forced it open, surprisingly meeting zero resistance, as the door opened it revealed a courtyard inside and than another door that led into the castle itself. The convoy than entered the castle and closed the doors behind them because they aren't rude, after closing the large door behind them the same M1A5 Abram's that opened the last door proceeded to do the same with the next, having the same result. As the door opened it revealed a extravagant throne room with large rooms to the left and right of it, when examined the rooms were smaller than the throne room but big enough to store multiple vehicles. This castle was perfect.

"Exploration! Exploration! Exploration!" Said both Melvin and Coleman as they carried Marco away with them to explore the castle, Marco screaming "Please, I want to live! I want to live!"

To set up the camp and park the vehicles took around 20 to 30 minutes maximum, allowing ample to for the Marines to do what Marco, Melvin, and Coleman were doing and explore, sleep, or check the vehicles or equipment. As of right now, all the Marines had to do was notify the U.S.S. Photosphere about their arrival, and wait for back-up to arrive."

"Okay men, who wants to go exploring?" Asked Nathan with a child like smile.

"Here's to the families that live in the reality of this video, and to the ones that didn't make it back home"
- Justin Moore | Country Musician

Author's Note

All Empire of Rising Suns Army (ERSA) branches

1. Solar Guard: The Empire of Rising Sun's Equunian Solar Guard commonly used ERS as a first line of defense against anything that threatens the mighty Empire wether it be foreign or domestic, these threats could be anything from Changeling Militias, the CDF (Changeling Defense Force), monsters, cryptids, and Heathens. Depite this massive list the Solar Guard is, and will always be, first line of defense and usually doesn't finish a battle alone, but it happens.
2. Sun Chasers Corps: Despite the popularity of the Sun Chasers among Colts and young stallions, their operations and overall role within the ERSA is largely unknown to the general public, this includes date of creation, operations, reason for creation, and who they're meant to fight against. Many ponies in the Empire of Rising Suns theorized that they were an auxiliary force created to aid the Solar Guard in long term battles, but this couldn't be further from the truth, although the idea of the Sun Chasers Helping the Solar Guard isn't wrong considering the Solar Guards role, but their mean reason for existing is to protect the ERS from his Elevated Immanence, the God King of the mountains titans and ruler of the Highlands, a place populated by mountain titans that reside within mountains, watching over land that has been claimed by His Elevated Immanence.
3. Heat Dancers Division: Much like the Sun Chasers, the Heat Dancers can aid the Solar guard in engaging conventional threats often faced by kingdoms like the ERS, but that doesn't take away from the fact they were formed for a very specific task. The task in question being very similar to the Sun Chasers, only instead of dealing with massive mountain titans the Hot Dancers dealt with elemental Demons and Orks, more commonly known as the Lavademons and Iceorks. Sharing another commonality with the Sun Chasers, the Heat Dancers are also highly secretive and the general public doesn't know much about them, but unlike the Sun Chasers, they aren't as popular.
4. Sunrise Detachment: The Sunrise Detachment, much like the last two branches, is highly secretive with its operations and missions, but that's where the similarities end, because the general public does have a good understanding of why they were formed and who they combat. Formed in 2552 the Sunrise Detachment was created to combat the ever growing threat of attacks from paid mercenary groups like the Shadowbolts, which were often used by nations to destroy or disrupt their enemies military outposts, government buildings, and civilian out posts.
5. Brightest Guard: Sister force to the Solar Guard, the Brightest Guard responds as a secondary fighting force.

On Bukastillo continant, Ponderosa Pine trees are extremely sought-after because they have the uncanny ability to absorb large amounts of raw magic throughout it's life, even when cut down, cut into pieces, or made into items like furniture or kitchen ware. Much like the Malbrown Miteus the Ponderosa Pine grows exclusively in the New Luner Republic, it's properties being tightly controlled by the nation, only being exported to close allies like the Empire of Rising Suns, Vageta Temi Mima Dominion, and many others because of ideological differences, but the tree is very rare which is another factor it's tightly in why it's tightly controlled.

In loving Memory of...

Detective Sandra Y. Adrian

Detective I Gerard A. Ahearn

Detective James John Albanese

Chief of Detectives William H. Allee

Detective Sixto Almonte

Detective Luis Gustavo Alvarez

Sergeant Alex W. Baez

Police Officer Curtis Joseph Bako

Police Officer Karen E. Barnes

Detective Thomas J. Barnitt

Police Officer Ronald G. Becker, Jr.

Detective Aslyn A. Beckles

Police Officer James A. Betso

Sergeant Gerard Thomas Beyrodt

Police Officer Derrick Bishop

Police Officer Scott R. Blackshaw

Police Officer Frank M. Bolusi

Deputy Chief Steven Joseph Bonano

Sergeant Patrick J. Boyle

Police Officer Thomas Gerard Brophy

Lieutenant Rebecca A. Buck

Police Officer James M. Burke

Captain Carmine C. Cantalino

Police Officer Audrey P. Capra

Police Officer Madeline Carlo

Detective Megan K. Carr-Wilks

Detective Joseph A. Cavitolo

Police Officer Yolanda Cawley

Sergeant Christopher M. Christodoulou

Police Officer Peter D. Ciaccio

Lieutenant Steven L. Cioffi

Sergeant Charles J. Clark

Police Officer Daniel Charles Conroy

Sergeant John Gerard Coughlin

Sergeant Patrick T. Coyne

Detective Christopher Edward Cranston

Detective Angel Antonio
Creagh

Sergeant Michael Sean Curtin

Detective Kevin Anthony Czartoryski

Police Officer John D'Allara

Police Officer Anthony D'Erasmo

Detective Annetta G. Daniels

Police Officer Vincent G. Danz

Sergeant Garrett S. Danza

Detective Michael Kenneth Davis

Police Officer Anthony DeJesus

Deputy Chief Vincent A. DeMarino

Police Officer Michael O. Diamond

Detective Corey J. Diaz

Detective Leroy Dixon

Police Officer Kenneth Xavier Domenech

Police Officer Jerome Mark Patrick Dominguez

Police Officer Stephen Patrick Driscoll

Police Officer Renee Dunbar

Police Officer Robert M. Ehmer

Police Officer Mark Joseph Ellis

Police Officer Otto R. Espinoza

Detective Pedro Esponda, Jr.

Police Officer William P. Farley

Police Officer Robert Fazio, Jr.

Detective Luis G. Fernandez

Sergeant Paul Michael Ferrara

Police Officer Keith A. Ferrara

Police Officer John P. Ferrari

Police Officer Edward M. Ferraro

Inspector Donald G. Feser

Detective Carmen M. Figueroa

Police Officer Alexander Figueroa

Police Officer Nicholas G. Finelli

Detective Stuart F. Fishkin

Police Officer Edward J. Fitzgerald

Lieutenant Jeffrey W. Francis

Sergeant Gary M. Franklin

Detective Sean Patrick Franklin

Police Officer Scott N. Gaines

Captain Barry Galfano

Police Officer Thomas J. Gallagher

Sergeant Michael J. Galvin

Police Officer Deborah A. Garbutt-Jeff

Police Officer Matthew J. Gay

Police Officer Judy Ann Ghany-
Barounis

Police Officer Anthony C. Giambra, Jr.

Detective Peter "Pietro" Gianfrancesco

Detective James Thomas Giery

Sergeant Rodney C. Gillis

Captain Edward Charles Gilpin

Detective Charles Gilbert Gittens, Jr.

Detective Michael E. Glazer

Police Officer James Junior Godbee

Detective John E. Goggin

Police Officer Robert C. Grossman

Police Officer Dave E. Guevara

Inspector James Guida

Sergeant Charles R.
Gunzelman

Police Officer Diane F. Halbran

Police Officer Michael J. Hance

Police Officer Anthony R. Hanlon

Sergeant Claire T. Hanrahan
Police Officer Raymond Harris

Detective Kevin George Hawkins

Police Officer Joseph F. Heid

Police Officer Robert Bernard Helmke

Detective Michael R. Henry

Detective Alick W. Herrmann

Detective William J. Holfester

Police Officer Richard G. Holland

Detective Nathaniel Holland, Jr.

Detective Steven Hom

Police Officer Demetrias Hopkins

Detective Charles James Humphry

Sergeant Michael Vincent Incontrera

Sergeant Wayne A. Jackson

Police Officer Richard Jakubowsky

Police Officer Cheryl D. Johnson

Police Officer Paul J. Johnson

Police Officer Louise M. Johnston

Sergeant Scott Johnston
Police Officer Robert W. Kaminski

Police Officer Charles M. Karen

Detective William D. Kinane

Police Officer William J. King

Police Officer Ronald Philip Kloepfer

Police Officer Gary Lee Koch

Police Officer Kelly Christine Korchak

Police Officer Fred J. Krines

Detective John F. Kristoffersen

Detective Stephen T. Kubinski

Police Officer Thomas Michael Langone

Detective Robert F. Larke

Sergeant Mark Lawler

Police Officer James Patrick Leahy

Detective Michael Lawrence Ledek

Detective Jeffrey A. Lee

Police Officer Andrew J. Lewis

Detective Christian R. Lindsay

Lieutenant Luis A. Lopez

Police Officer Richard Lopez

Detective Thomas J. Lyons

Police Officer Frank Gerard Macri

Police Officer David Mahmoud

Police Officer Shaun M. Mahoney

Detective John J. Marshall
Sergeant Robert P. Masci

Police Officer Vito S. Mauro

Police Officer Gary Gerald Mausberg

Lieutenant Jacqueline McCarthy

Police Officer Brian Grady McDonnell

Police Officer Patrick Thomas McGovern

Sergeant Colleen A. McGowan

Captain Edward Joseph McGreal

Sergeant Michael J. McHugh

Police Officer Denis Reid McLarney

Police Officer Christopher Shawn McMurry

Lieutenant Jennifer Meehan

Police Officer Gregory V. Melita

Detective Tommy L. Merriweather

Detective Mark Mkwanazi

Lieutenant Brian S. Mohamed

Deputy Chief James Gerard Molloy

Detective James W. Monahan

Detective Robert A. Montanez

Detective Michael P. Morales

Captain Dennis Morales

Detective John K. Muller

Sergeant Patrick P. Murphy

Lieutenant Paul Murphy

Sergeant Edmund P. Murray

Sergeant Anthony Napolitano

Police Officer Mark J. Natale

Police Officer Robert J. Nicosia

Detective Maureen M. O'Flaherty

Sergeant Terrence Scott O'Hara

Sergeant Donald J. O'Leary, Jr.

Lieutenant Carlos J. Ocasio

Police Officer Jason Howard Offner

Detective Edwin Ortiz

Police Officer Robert Ortiz

Police Officer Robert V. Oswain, Jr.

Police Officer Joseph Cavanaugh Pagnani

Police Officer Allison Marie Palmer

Lieutenant Phillip E. Panzarella

Detective Joseph Paolillo

Police Officer William G. Parker

Police Officer Marie Ann Patterson-Bohanan

Captain Ronald G. Peifer, Sr.

Police Officer Angelo Peluso, Jr.

Police Officer John William Perry

Detective Philip T. Perry

Police Officer Glen Kerrin Pettit

Detective Joseph L. Pidoto

Sergeant Louis R. Pioli

Captain Peter L. Pischera

Police Officer Francis Thomas Pitone

Police Officer Frank J. Pizzo

Lieutenant Christopher M. Pupo

Assistant Chief Michael V. Quinn

Detective Andrea Renee Jacqueline Rainer

Police Officer Moira Ann Reddy-Smith

Police Officer Christine Anne Reilly

Detective George Clay Remouns, Jr.

Lieutenant Gerald Rex

Lieutenant Robert Daniel Rice

Detective Claude Daniel Richards

Detective Ronald A. Richards

Detective Roberto L. Rivera

Police Officer Lawrence J. Rivera

Police Officer Peter O. Rodriguez

Detective Joseph M. Roman

Lieutenant Kenneth W. Rosello

Lieutenant John Charles Rowland

Sergeant Timothy Alan Roy, Sr.

Lieutenant James D. Russell

Detective John A. Russo

Sergeant Michael W. Ryan

Lieutenant James E. Ryan

Police Officer Patrice Marie
Ryan-Ott

Detective Thomas Santoro

Sergeant Stephen P. Scalza

Sergeant Jacqueline C.
Schaefer

Detective James A. Schiavone, Jr.

Detective Joseph Edward Seabrook

Police Officer Peter M. Sheridan, Jr.

Lieutenant Marci Simms

Detective Basilio A. Simons

Detective Andrew L. Siroka

Sergeant Harold John Smith

Captain Scott V. Stelmok

Detective Christopher Strucker

Police Officer Ramon Suarez

Sergeant Barbara J. Sullivan

Police Officer Robert S. Summers

Detective Traci L. Tack-Czajkowski

Police Officer Paul Talty

Police Officer Richard E. Taylor

Sergeant Edward Doyle "Ned"
Thompson

Detective Sally A. Thompson

Detective William B. Titus, Jr.

Police Officer Martin Tom

Police Officer Reginald Umpthery, Sr.

Police Officer Santos Valentin, Jr.

Detective Harry Valentin

Police Officer Manuel Vargas, Jr.

Detective Dennis J. Vickery

Police Officer John F. Vierling, Jr.

Detective Joseph Vincent Vigiano

Police Officer Perry T. Villani

Police Officer Matthew S. von Seydewitz

Sergeant Michael B. Wagner

Police Officer William T. Walsh

Lieutenant William H. Wanser, III

Detective Thomas P. Ward

Police Officer Walter Edward Weaver

Detective Thomas Francis Weiner, Jr.

Police Officer Ronald Evan Weintraub

Detective Richard H. Wentz

Detective Jennifer A. Williams

Police Officer Wade Jason Williams

Detective Robert W. Williamson

Inspector Richard Daniel Winter

Police Officer Kenneth W. Wolf

Police Officer George Mon Cheng Wong

Detective John T. Young

Detective James Zadroga

Police Officer Robert A. Zane, Jr.

Trooper First Class Eugene Kenneth Baron, Jr.

Trooper First Class Walter Greene, Jr.

Detective Mark S. Gado

Police Officer Kathleen O'Connor-Funigiello

Police Officer Brian R. Abbondandelo

Police Officer Charles Dennis Cole, Jr.

Police Officer Peter Francis Curran

Police Officer Peter Martino

Police Officer Paul J. McCabe

Police Officer James V. Quinn

Lieutenant Michael P. Shea

Sergeant Christopher A. Vidro

Police Officer Walter L. Mallinson

Corporal Harvey Snook, III

Sergeant James Thomas Farrell

Detective Stephen John Mullen

Sergeant Dennis Wallace Reichardt

Police Officer Christopher Amoroso

Police Officer Maurice Barry

Police Officer Charles Barzydlo

Lieutenant John J. Brant

Police Officer Liam Callahan

Lieutenant Robert Cirri

Police Officer John Mark Cortazzo

Police Officer Clinton Davis

Police Officer Donald Foreman

Police Officer Gregg Froehner

Police Officer Thomas Gorman

Police Officer Uhuru Gonja Houston

Police Officer George Howard

Police Officer Stephen Huczko, Jr.
I
nspector Anthony Infante

Police Officer Paul Jurgens

Sergeant Robert Kaulfers

Police Officer James W. Kennelly

Police Officer Paul Laszczynski

Police Officer William James Leahy

Police Officer David P.
LeMagne

Police Officer John Lennon

Police Officer John Levi

Police Officer James Lynch

Captain Kathy Mazza

Police Officer Donald McIntyre

Police Officer Walter McNeil

Police Officer Mark J. Meier

Director of Public Safety Fred V. Morrone

Police Officer Joseph Navas

Police Officer James Nelson

Police Officer Alfonse Niedermeyer

Sergeant Vincent Joseph Oliva

Police Officer Pavlos D. Pallas

Police Officer James Parham

Police Officer Dominick
Pezzulo

Police Officer Bruce Reynolds

Police Officer Antonio Rodrigues

Police Officer Richard Rodriguez

Chief James Romito

Police Officer John Skala

Police Officer Walwyn Stuart

Police Officer Michael Edmund Teel

Police Officer Kenneth Tietjen

Police Officer Steven John Tursellino

Police Officer Nathaniel Webb

Police Officer Michael Wholey

And Many, Many More...

Map of Bukastillo V1

Alan Dedric Church is not mine, he belongs to Souls_USA.

Remember, if you spot any mistakes, please notify me.