DATE: 1007 ALB
LOCATION: Fort Dawnstar, Central Equestria
She was finally here, years of hard work and training had led her here. 2nd Lieutenant Fluttershy, a graduate of the Canterlot Military Institute, was now a pilot. Not one piloting a plane, no in fact she was much more comfortable on the ground. But rather a Mobility Suit pilot. She walked through the gates of Fort Dawnstar, receiving a salute from the gatekeeper in a gray MP uniform. She seemed a bit out of place, she was tall for a pilot, regulation put most at well under six feet tall yet she seemed to stand at five feet nine inches tall. Her hair was pink, it had been cut to just above the shoulder to fit with army regulations, and she wore the gray jumpsuit of a pilot. Patches showing her rank and unit number were sewn onto the shoulders. She walked along the paved road through the base, carrying herself with a strange timid nature abnormal for a soldier and even more for a pilot.
She jumped at the sound of tires roaring along the road, she was greeted by a soldier, a private, dressed in the regular sycamore gray uniform and forage cap that regular soldiers wore. He drove a Manehattan Motor Company light truck.
“Colonel Fury heard you were coming.” Said the young man with bluish green hair, his eyes behind a pair of aviator sunglasses. “Said for us to come get ya, ain’t no need for a pilot to be walkin’ like the rest of these bastards, hop in.” He spat a stream of tobacco juice on the ground, almost landing on Fluttershy’s black boots.
“Th-Thank you.” She said, her soft voice carrying the same timid nature she exuded. She sat her duffle bag in the backseat and climbed into the passenger seat. The private started off suddenly and recklessly down the road.
“I was told to take ya to the mobility suit hangar, by the way, you’ll be meetin’ your unit.” They passed by other trucks and logistics vehicles, as well as a line of tracked APCs. It wasn’t long before they reached the tall prefabricated building that was the hangar. The private dropped her off with a salute before speeding off yet again, nearly hitting a soldier walking by. The large sliding doors to the hangar were open, the sound of machinery emanating from within. Fluttershy walked inside, inside was a large Marion M46 heavy duty truck and trailer, a model imported from the Aritrovan Territories. Being unloaded by a crane were the new Mk3 Alicorn Mobility Suits. Suit was a strange name for them, they looked less like suits and more like legged platforms with armored cylinders for bodies and arms on either side of these cylinders.
Right now they were folded up, their legs in a crouching position and arms folded around them like a child in an upright fetal position. Standing near the machines was a single pilot. Fluttershy approached her nervously.
“E-Excuse me.” She said, her voice barely audible over the sound of the recovery vehicle and truck. “Excuse me.” She said again tapping on the shoulder of the pilot, a blonde haired woman in a Stetson style hat unbecoming of a soldier and mismatched with her jumpsuit. She turned around to face her, revealing her captain’s markings. Fluttershy stood at attention immediately. “Excuse me, C-Captain, are you with Dawnstar Company?”
“Why yes we are, Lieutenant…?” Her voice carried a southern accent.
“Fluttershy, Lieutenant Fluttershy, Captain.” Her voice was louder now, less timid.
“Captain Applejack, Lieutenant, let’s head outside where it’s quieter.” The two headed outside of the hangar. “I reckon you’re that new officer fresh out of pilot school.” She said, leaning against the wall of the building.
“Yes ma’am, just graduated, C-Captain.” She answered in a formal manner.
“You can lose the formalities sugar cube, unless Colonel Fury walks by that is.” She let out a boisterous laugh, Fluttershy let out a shy, quiet laugh. “I heard you were too of your class too.”
“Really? Where’d you hear that?”
“It’s been all the pilots could talk about, of course I’m a bit surprised, no offense but you’re… not quite what I was expecting.”
“I heard that a lot when I was training, I guess I don’t seem like a soldier to most.” Fluttershy said with a more confident sounding voice as she grew more comfortable talking to Captain Applejack. “But I’m a graduate of the Canterlot Institute, I was squad leader in basic and-“
“Pardon me, Lieutenant.” Captain Applejack said, cutting her off. “That stuff don’t matter, so long as you can pilot and fight you’ll do us good.” The truck and crane left the hangar, allowing the duo to go in and check out the newer mobility suits. The Mk3 Alicorns were tall, even when fully folded they stood over the two of them. They had a large armored body with a head made up of scanners and sensors protected by a spherical cover resembling a head. They had five fingered hands for holding the large autocannons they would wield in combat. Mounted on the sides of their armored torsos were smoke launchers. “I must say these new suits don’t look too different from the old ones.”
“You haven’t piloted the Mk3 yet?”
“You’re sayin’ you have?” Applejack looked at the Lieutenant with a bit of surprise.
“They brought one to the institute, since I was the top of my class I was allowed to operate it. The changes are in early warning systems and sensors, they also added a connection to sights on the cannons.” In the past, the Mk4 Autocannons had been fired from the hip without a proper sight.
“Well what’d you think.” Fluttershy thought for a moment.
“It was… smoother than older models, and the sensors allowed for more advanced movements and made me more aware of my surroundings.” The older models had only the camera and viewport to allow for travel, which limited visibility significantly.
“So they’re an upgrade from the old ones, I had heard. Of course I didn’t hear about retraining.”
“They’re functionally the same machine, just with updated displays.”
“I see.” the ground shook as the roar of jets filled the air, three Raven fighters flew over the base. “I swear, those air corps fellers fly lower and lower every time they pass over.” Applejack shook her head and picked up her hat, which had been blown off her head. She looked back at the young lieutenant. “Well, welcome to the MS Corps, Lieutenant.” They saluted one another.
DATE: 1557 UMC
LOCATION: Fort Patriot, Edge of Castletown in the Anders Territory
1st Lieutenant Josiah Williams leaned against the guardrail of the upper level of barracks. The sun was starting to set, easing the late summer heat. Two months, that was how long he had been there in this foreign land, away from his family. Well all but Captain Poppy Williams, his sister, a pilot in the Federal Air Service. Right now he didn’t know where she was, usually they would spend supper together in the officer’s mess, seeing as Fort Patriot acted as both an army base and air base with a large airport.
“Tensions are heating up.” The voice of 1st Lieutenant Mornia Fenna, a MS Pilot and Foxfolk, one of the few in the Knights’ Corps. She was shorter than Joey, who was rather tall, with gray fur like that of a southern gray fox. She hailed from Williamshire, in southern Aritrova.
“Where’d you hear that?” Josiah asked, turning to face the Lieutenant.
“It’s in the news, the radio’s been shouting about it for hours, said the Equestrians are putting soldiers near the border. Josiah scoffed.
“I don’t believe it, they say that all the time, besides, they’d have started deploying men to the outposts if they were.”
“What makes you so sure about that?” She leaned on the guardrail. “Ya know they don’t put us pilots up for border guards, no we’re the lucky ones.”
“My sister flies the transport planes that carry men and supplies out to the border, last we talked she said she hasn't been taking any more soldiers there than usual, just the usual border guards.”
“Speaking of sisters.” A young woman with cat like ears atop her head said as she walked up to the two pilots.
“Poppy, I was wondering where you were.” Josiah smiled. “We were supposed to meet at the officers’ mess.”
“Had a meeting with Colonel Strong, I’ll be leaving in about an hour.” Her accent, unlike Josiah's, had a more Westlander sound to it.
“Really? I didn’t know they’d be moving border guards this late.”
“It’s a cargo load, I’m flying it to Outpost 116.”
“Must be carrying guns, I’m telling ya Joey, they’re getting ready for a war.” Josiah rolled his eyes at Mornia.
“Wonder what Captain Silvo says, ya know she can’t stand your ramblings.” Mornia rolled her eyes and crossed her arms annoyed.
“I’ll fucking scratch ya.” She declared in a half joking half serious manner.
“Do you want me to scratch you?” Poppy drew her cat like claws, a common sight on Nekos. The two then laughed loudly, Josiah joining them. They laughed for some time before it slowly faded. “I have to go now, Lieutenant Hart’s waiting for me on the strip.” She gave her brother a hug. “I’ll see you tomorrow Joey.” She looked at Mornia. “Touch him and I’ll kill you.” She retracted her claws and left the two. As Poppy left, a soldier in olive drab fatigues ran up.
“Lieutenant Williams, sir!” He saluted Josiah. “You’ve been called to the MS Hangar, someone wishes to see you.” Josiah lifted an eyebrow.
“Who?”
“They didn’t say, just someone from Vanderbilt Industrial.”
“Very well, dismissed Corporal.” The soldier finished his salute and darted off. “Guess I’ll head to the hangar, don’t know what someone from Vanderbilt’s doing here this time of day.” Mornia simply nodded, and Josiah left. After a long walk from the barracks he reached Hangar D, a building shaped like a shrunk down aircraft hangar. Parked outside was a Rodderman van painted black with a white V painted on the side. A fully armed and dressed soldier stood at the side door to the hangar, Josiah entered without issue seeing as he wore a pilot’s jumpsuit. It was dark now, the only lights being a strand of dim lights hanging from the ceiling. It was to save power while allowing guards patrolling enough visibility to work. Lining the path through the center were KS-6 Mobility Suits called Saints. They all sat folded with only their sensor heads sticking up, even their communications antenna was folded away. “Hello?” He called.
“Hello.” A familiar voice said, Josiah turned around to see someone appearing from behind one of the suits. He was a short man, much shorter than Josiah at close to a foot shorter. He wore a regular blue business suit that seemed a bit oversized on his smaller frame. Unlike Josiah who had brown hair he had black hair that seemed rather messy for a businessman.
“Matt…” he smiled, the young man, Matthias Fuller was his name, was Josiah’s lover back home. “How’d you manage to get here.”
“They sent some folks here to look at the suits, I managed to convince them to let me come.”
“Just couldn’t be away from me, could ya?” Josiah pulled Matt into a hug and planted a kiss on his lips. A moment later they were outside catching up, neither of them had anything interesting to say, besides work and constant drills in the suits.
“I heard it’s getting serious over here.” Matt said after Joey finished his story about the time Mornia got stuck in a tank while drunk. “Something about more soldiers going to the border.”
“It’s all stories, Mornia told me that the news has been talking about it all day. You know the news gets all out of whack when it goes through the mirror, it’s gotta pass through a portal and across a sea and continent. You don’t need to worry yourself about it.”
“I hope you’re right, dear… I worry about you here…”
DATE: 1007 ALB
LOCATION: Canterlot Equestria
“It’s a black mark on diplomacy!” Cried a member of the House of Prominence over the chattering crowd of other politicians.
“They’ll surely put Equestria to the sword over this!” Cried another.
“Let them do it then, let’s kick those human bastards out of Equestria once and for all!” Cried one who wore an eyepatch and dressed in an army uniform, which was abnormal for a member of the house. Prime Minister Twilight Sparkle stood at the center of the round building that was the House of Prominence. The chatter of its members was a deafening cacophony of voices shouting about how to handle the situation Equestria had on its hand. The situation in question being a plane. An Aritrovan T184 twin engine transport to be exact, one that had supposedly been shot out of the sky not far from Equestria. “We should go to war with them, we should build our presence on the border even more than before! If we don’t then we’ll have Aritrovan paratroopers dropping on the steps of the Republican Palace!”
“You’re a fool for wanting to strike first!” A member shouted at the veteran. Twilight let out a dejected sigh and took the wand she always carried from her suit pocket, she quickly cast a spell, a simply flash of magic to get the house’s attention. As the flash set off the room got quiet.
“Now that I have everyone’s attention, I see we’ve all heard the news about what happened at the border.” As soon as she finished her statement the house was in an uproar again.
“It’s diplomatic disaster is what it is!” Shouted one.
“It’s the damned Hardknockers fault for this, they’re the ones who put missiles at the border.”
“I’ll have your head!” Shouted one from across the house. The House of Prominence was divided in two for the two major political parties that had founded themselves following the Republican Revolution that ended the nearly one thousand years of monarchist rule. The shouting and fighting grew to such a level that Twilight feared pistols would be drawn.
“ENOUGH!” She shouted over the house, they grew silent yet again. Twilight drew in a sharp breath and began again. “Now, I understand the worries about war breaking out. I also understand that many wish to go to war.”
“It’s the best damned solution for stopping them!” Shouted the eye patch wearing prominent.
“That’s if they decide to declare war, Prominent Blackpowder.” Twilight responded. “Talks between me and President Redwyn of Aritrova are scheduled a week from now.” The crowd murmured amongst themselves. “So we agree now, this is nothing to fuss over, war won’t come, not so long as I can prevent it.”
“We should still threaten military action.” Prominent Blackpowder declared. “It was our lack of proper intervention in Severyana that led to their fall to Markists.”
“Then we have a common enemy as the Aritrovans also have a disdain towards Markism.” Called one from the Harmony Party’s side. “And what of the Changelings? They pose a far greater threat that we need to focus on.”
“Your concerns have been noted, which is why talks between Aritrova are needed, it will allow us to focus our efforts on defending the northern border.”
“The southern border still needs to be defended!” Shouted Blackpowder.
“You saw what happened when we boosted defenses along the border, the Aritrovans believe we’re ready for war with them and the incident has done nothing but prove it.”
“Both of your concerns are noted, but it is in Equestria’s best interest that we stave off war as long as we can.”
“Staving off a war is a foolish endeavor!” The house went back to shouting amongst themselves. Twilight let out a dejected sigh and left the chamber through a doorway under a set of seats. The door was closed behind her by guards clad in the uniform of what used to be Royal Guards, something that carried over from the days of the monarchy. Waiting for her was a woman in a white officer’s uniform. Her hair was a fiery orangish red and tied in a neat bun.
“Prime Minister, Sparkle.” She saluted Twilight. “I’m here to escort you to lunch in the Republican Palace.” Twilight giggled quietly at the officer’s statement. It took her mind off the issues in the House or Prominence.
“Very well, General Shimmer.” Both of the women were young for their positions, Twilight was the youngest ever prime minister since the position had been founded some fifty eight years ago. Sunset Shimmer was a bit older than Twilight but still young for a general. Some believed she was appointed because of how close the two of them were. The two locked arms and walked the outdoor walkway which led across a courtyard to the Republican Palace proper. The palace was a building made up of towers supposedly built by the ancient Princess Celestia. It had been repurposed to serve the Prime Minister, the Ministry Council, and House of Prominence. They entered a door, opened again by guardsmen, and made their way to the Minister's Dining Hall.
“Which of the Prominents was causing trouble this time?” The two sat at the small table in the personal dining area after requesting their meal from a servant in a black suit.
“Prominent Steel Blackpowder.” Twilight answered through gritted teeth. “He’s calling for war, as usual.”
“He’s always calling for war with Aritrova, as if we don’t have enough problems elsewhere.” She referred to the Changelings to the north, if one were to ask the average Equestrian citizen which was the greatest concern about the nation's safety they would say the Changelings. To most the idea of war with Aritrova was an unpopular prospect. “I think he does it because he hates humans more than anything.” They were soon given their food and ate in peace.
DATE: 1557 UMC
LOCATION: Federal Army Headquarters: Anders Branch, Castletown, the Anders Territory
Lieutenant General Aaron Thatcher stood before the painting, lit cigar in hand. The painting he looked at was a painting of the last war between Aritrova and Equestria, it was the Battle of the Haystack River to be exact. Soldiers in khaki uniforms and pith helmets fighting off men in olive drab uniforms and forage caps. A Winston machine gun among the men in olive drab. Aaron rubbed his bearded chin as he observed the painting.
“I see you’re an admirer of Jameson.” A man who stood a head shorter than Aaron, who was a tall and broad man, approached him from behind.
“I suppose I am.” His voice was that of a man from the southern state of Riverland, it was aged like that of a man who had spent the better part of his life in the army. “Though I must say I’m more interested in the subject of the painting.” He puffed from his cigar. “You see my father served in this war, of course he’s passed on now, but he did tell me how he served in the war, he was part of Lee Chanton’s Battalion is what he said.”
“They fought at the Haystack River, my grandfather served there too.” Aaron turned to face the man, he looked to be in his thirties and bore the markings of a Lieutenant Colonel. Aaron, who was closing in on sixty by now, turned back to the painting. “You’re awful young for a light colonel.” He said
I got the rank during the Oil Wars.” The Lieutenant Colonel answered, he then got a better look at Aaron. “You’re Lieutenant General Aaron Thatcher, aren’t you?” He said before fumbling a salute.
“At ease soldier, we’re off duty.” Aaron smiled and chuckled.
“Right, sir, I hadn’t expected you here so early, s-sir. You know you’re a uh… war hero, sir.”
“I was a soldier, Lieutenant Colonel, no more a hero than the other men who fought in the 2nd Great War.” He never took his eyes off of the painting.
“Would you like me to escort you to your office, sir?” Aaron turned to him with a smile as warm as the last one.
“Yes sir, I’m afraid I’ve never been to this side of the mirror. Does this place have a lift? I’m afraid stairs are a bit of an issue for me.” He said in a half joking tone as he lifted his left pant leg to reveal a leg made of solid wood that resembled the shape of a normal human leg.
“Yes sir, it’s this way.” The young Lieutenant Colonel had regained his composure by now. He led Aaron down the hall, going slowly as Aaron limped on the wooden leg.
“I must say I prefer the crutch, what’s your name, soldier?”
“Lieutenant Colonel Nolan Brown, sir.”
“Very well Brown, what do you do around here?” They reached the lift to the building’s second floor.
“I’m in intelligence sir, I monitor the radios and satellites.”
“What are you doing escorting generals around then, that's a regular’s job.”
“I was getting back from a smoke break, I jsut happened to come across you.” The entered the lift and traveled to the second floor. They finally made their way down the green tiled walls to an office labeled General’s Quarters.
“Thank you Lieutenant Colonel Brown, you take care now and I’ll get settled in, my stuff came in a week ago ya know.” He chuckled again, and sent Brown on his way. The office was a simple one an oak desk in the middle with a computer sitting on it. It was one of the new ones, white and boxy made of metal. File cabinets lined the walls as did paintings and photos of past generals. The Aritrovan flag hung from a pole in the corner, next to it was the door to his living quarters. Boxes were also stacked against one wall which contained his personal belongings. A small wooden humidor had already been placed in his desk next to an ashtray. Aaron took his seat at the desk. It wasn’t long before a knock came at the door and a man only a bit younger than him entered with the markings of a full colonel. “Colonel Larynn.” Aaron stood and saluted the man and they shook hands. “Its good to see ya Tomwell.”
“Good to see ya too, Aaron, I never though they’d put you out here. This place is always on the back burner when it comes to the army.”
“Not anymore Tommy, word around Cannem is that we might be heading to war over that airplane, that’s unless President Redwyn manages to keep us at peace.”
“Like she did with the Oil Wars?” Tomwell opened the humidor and pulled out a cigar.
“Can’t put all that on her now, Tommy, it was President Hedder who put us on the warpath, she kept the Dominion from joining in against us.”
“I suppose so, but she ain’t some diplomatic genius, of course I don’t suppose you’d do any better.”
“Well Tommy, folks like us ain’t in the business of preventing wars.” He sat down and puffed his cigar. “We’re in the business of winning wars when the diplomats fail. Knowing the Equestrians they may not be looking to let ‘em win this round.” He watched as Tomwell lit his cigar and blew a smoke ring.
“So you think they’ll go to war over the plane?”
“Well, Tommy, lets just say I ain’t got my hopes up for the diplomacy side of things right now.”
