Chapters Command and Conquer Generals: The Equestrian Front
an unusual message: Milner's view
Today was a good day for Field Marshal Tom Sanchez-Milner II, and having recently defeated the airhead ironside at the kataar depression, his main regional base was now under threat. Tom's office was large, a dramatically large desk adorned with a computer and VR equipment (for the zero hour tactical software), along with maps, pens, pencils and empty mugs of coffee stood proudly in the center of the room. The flag of his faction hung proudly behind him; the rest of the space was filing cabinets, a coffee machine, and various other doodads you'd expect a successful leader to have.
"it's a long way to Tipperary," sang Milner happily, drawing some plans on a map "it's a looong way to go; it's a long way to tipperary, but my heart's right there..." He took a sip of tea, his English upbringing shining through. There was a knock at the door, and Milner begrudgingly drew his attention away from making his plans. "come in," he said, he corrected his beret, which he didn't need to wear, but did so anyway. a soldier entered, holding a scroll. Tom was confused, he hadn't seen a message scroll since....ever. "sir, this message is addressed to you, it looks important" Tom took it, he took out a letter opening knife, and cut the seal, the parchment rolled open, "private, where did this come from?" asked Milner "i don't know, sir, my section found it in one of the frontline bunkers" Milner considered this "dismissed" he said. The soldier saluted and marched out. Milner picked up the letter and started to read it, it said:
Dear Field marshal Milner-Sanchez II, i understand you have a great deal of experience and success commanding large armed forces, the land I rule has been invaded by a viscious empire, and you, and one of your kind are the best hope we've got for repelling them, i'm sorry, but you will need to put someone else in charge of your army for the time being, i apologize for the intrusion, but we need you that badly. pack your things, you will be teleported to equestria at sun down, i have examined the situation you are in, so your friend george Ironside junior will be joining you, so your wargames are not unfair. place a reliable secondary leader in charge and make ready, it will be difficult.
your sincerely, Princess Celestia.
Milner's good mood was shattered. "IRONSIDE IS NOT.....MY...... FRIEND" he bellowed "and I don't even know these people! what reason do I have to help them! and lastly, this is a real war, people are dying!"
at the the edge of the base: "you hear that?" a soldier asked his friend "yes, i haven't heard comrade marshal that angry since....since..er" "since ever" said the first guy.
back in Milner's office: he slouched miserably in his chair "i don't even know where equestria is!" he complained to thin air "and why me?, take ironside, he deserves it" he sighed "well, at least he gets the same treatment. might as well not fight this, by the looks of it, i'm going whether I like it or not" he picked up his phone and dialed in the number of his personal assistant "alphonse! deliver a suitcase to my personal quarters at once!" he ordered "of course, sir!" came the reply. Alphonse was Tom's personal servant and secretary, and a good friend at times.
It didn't take long for Milner to get ready, alphonse had delivered the suitcase, which was now fully packed. "if I might ask, sir, are you going somewhere?" Milner put on a wry smile "yes, i'm going on a small trip. tell Ethan he's in charge until I get back" he said "yes, sir" said alphonse, leaving the room. he looked down at his packed suitcase, there was barely enough room for all the clothing and personal amenities needed for a long trip. "i hope they have laundromats over there" he chuckled to himself.
he looked at his watch, 17:30 it read, so sundown would probably be in about 2 hours. "might as well pack a few more things" he sighed. after rummaging through his cupboards, a hand luggage case had been found and packed with more bits and pieces. Milner was just killing time, now. looking out his window waiting patiently for the sun to dip beneath the horizon. He drifted into a nap, lying down in his bed looking at his watch. He awoke with a start, and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes, he picked himself up and looked out the window. "it's nearly time" he mumbled. "better get a move on" he picked his way through the base, saying he was going to personally inspect the frontier defences, knowing full well that was not the case. Tom hated lying to his men, but it was sometimes needed. the inspection killed some more time until he was due to be teleported out. "bring a transport, and have alphonse fetch my suitcases" he said to a sergeant. i took a while for the to arrive, he faced the horizon, watching the sun slowly dip beneath it. he grabbed his suitcases. "men, what you are about to see" a white aura started to form around him "didn't happen" and with a flash. Milner was gone. There was an uproar, but Ethan markham ensured everyone it was a test of a new teleportation technology.
Milner arrived in a large, alabaster room, standing next to his greatest foe. they were just about to tear each other apart when a large equine figure walked up to them. both men stubbed their toes and their respective jaws. "i am princess Celestia" she said "and this land needs both of your help" the only thing both men could do is stare in disbelief.
Command and Conquer Generals: The Equestrian Front
an unusual message: Ironside's view
George Davison-Ironside was in a bad mood. he was in a bad mood at the best of times, but this time was worse than usual. his armour had been defeated at the kataar depression, giving that sadsack Milner a straight shot to the very base he was sitting in. The hot african sun shone through the window, ironside was sitting at his desk, which was hauntingly similar in layout to Milner's. (he doesn't know that, so don't tell him.) escept Iron's chair was much larger.
There was a knock at the door. he wasn't in the mood for visitors, but he couldn't risk that it might be important. he corrected his uniform and much loved peaked cap, he took a sip of strong coffee, and answered "come in" in his souther drawl. a soldier nervously marched in "well, what is it? don't waste my time!" barked ironside "th...this is addressed to you, s..sir, it looks important" stammered the soldier "i'll be the judge of that" growled iron, snatching the scroll off the messenger. "this has better be a joke, kid. who uses scrolls anymore? what is this? the medievel times?" scalded ironside "i just picked it up, sir, I didn't make it" ironside frowned "then who did?" "i don't know, sir, there's no address on it" ironside sighed. maybe this is some good news, he sure could use some "dismissed, kid" the soldier briskly walked out. he pulled it open, it unfurled neatly. "let's have a look-see" he mumbled, it read:
Dear Field marshal Davison-Ironside, i understand you have a great deal of experience and success commanding large armed forces, the land I rule has been invaded by a viscious empire, and you, and one of your kind are the best hope we've got for repelling them, i'm sorry, but you will need to put someone else in charge of your army for the time being, i apologize for the intrusion, but we need you that badly. pack your things, you will be teleported to equestria at sun down, i have examined the situation you are in, so your friend Tom Sanchez-Milner II will be joining you, so your wargames are not unfair. place a reliable secondary leader in charge and make ready, it will be difficult.
your sincerely, Princess Celestia.
as if ironside's day hadn't been going badly enough, this took the cake. "MILNER.....IS NOT......MY.....FRIEND!" he roared "and why the hell should i help these people? what did they do for me to earn my services!?" he was red in the face and seething "and with Milner, of all people!, just take him, he deserves it for standing in my way!" he ranted to no one in particular. he went on like this for an hour before calming down in the slightest.
he sat down sadly in his chair, slumped badly. "well, looks like I ain't got a choice. might as well try and make the best of it" he admitted. he picked up his phone and called his secretary. "get me a suitcase and hand luggage container, deliver it to my personal quarters ASAP!" he ordered. The cases were deilivered, and George began slowly packing. "if I might ask sir" asked john faulkner, the assistant "are you going somewhere?" Ironside looked at him blankly "why don't you use your brain, sherlock, can't be that hard to figure out" john's face fell "now get out of here, i have work to do" grunted Iron.
"now, sundown was it?" said ironside to himself, looking at a wall clock. 5:30 it read. "'bout 2 hours then" he lay down on his bed. "and i still don't know what the hell is goin' on with this whole business. i don't even know what this place is called, nor have i heard of celestia." he sighed "i thing i'll nap on it, kill some time"
he slowly woke back up. half an hour left. he picked himself up and made his way outside the base. "surprise line inspection, i sure hope you guys have the line tight as is possible!" he meticulously inspected the bunkers, turrets, men and machines. they all seemed to be in order. "you've done slightly less terrible than usual" he boomed "keep it that way!"
he took his mobile phone out his pocked and called John "bring my cases to the front of the base, i will need them soon, and tell ormoerod he will be in charge for when i'm gone. make sure he doesn't screw up" "yes, sir" came the reply. before long, the cases were at his feet "what took you so long?" scalded ironside "the cases are heavy" complained john "then grow some muscles, kid, they'll do you a lot of good in this world" "i...i will sir" replied john, his voice cracking slightly "now get out of here, i have better things to be doing" he wondered semi-idily around the base. he suddenly started ti feel strange "what the hell?" he muttered. it dawned on him. he was going to be teleported soon! he rushed back and grabbed the suitcases. "what's about to happen" he shouted "didn't happen!" and with a flash, he was gone.
he found himself in a massive marble hall "looks regal" he noted mentally. before noticing he was standing next to milner. they were about to kill each other when a large equine figure appeared before them both. they were both completely shocked. "i know you two dislike each other, but I need you. this country needs you" she said in an almost pleading tone
The 2 men regarded eachother "just give me what i need, him too" said ironside "and this shouldn't take long"
Command and Conquer Generals: The Equestrian Front
Both men took in their surroundings, and took in several deep breaths. "well..." Ironside said first "you gonna tell us what the hell we're doin' here?" Milner nodded in agreement "actually yes, do tell us why you've brought us here"
Celestia wasn't used to being addressed so crudely, that and the distinct lack of a bow or any kind of respect was somewhat off-putting to her "I must be patient" she thought "they don't know yet"
"I am ruler of this land" announced Celestia proudly, a hoof on her chest. "well, you musta screwed up somethin' fierce to need TWO lots of help" interrupted Ironside. she frowned "i was getting to that, before-" it was Milner's turn to interrupt "well stop beating your chest and get on with it! tell us the situation in plain English" He scalded. Celestia sighed "This land has been invaded by an insidious and aggressive foe, and despite our best efforts we cannot stop them. that's where you two come in useful. I have watched both your armies fight, win and lose. and I know you both suit different military doctrines" she looked to Tom "you, Mr Milner suit a defensive doctrine of building massive defense lines and fortresses" he nodded "that sounds like me, yes" she looked to George next "and you, Mr Ironside suit overpowering and masterful mixed assaults, always keeping your foe off balance" he grinned in agreement "that's what I do"
Milner interjected "but we'll both need one thing and one thing only" Celestia raised an eyebrow "I was expecting a long list of demands but go on, what is this one thing" she asked. "a construction dozer from our faction" both men said simultaneously. she frowned "I'm sorry, but I don't know what those are" she answered. "but you teleported us here, can't you teleport a few other things?" inquired Milner. Celestia looked pensive "describe them to me, and I will weave a spell to bring them here"
her horn glowed, and a large bubble appeared in mid air, both men were shocked at this. "what the hell is this!?" demanded Ironside. "the very same detector I used to summon both of you" a blurry image began to form, it eventually cleared up to reveal an overhead view of Tom's headquarters. "that's....my base" gasped Milner. "it is, yes." said Celestia airily. the view switched to Birdseye, so the whole base could be seen. Milner scanned the apparition in detail. "there" he said with a point "that vehicle, right there" he said quickly "very well...." Murmured Celestia, the bubble disappeared. and her horn glowed brighter, and brighter. Until it became blinding and both men had to shield their eyes. "gah!" squawked Ironside "that's brighter than a Nuke cannon shell!"
Eventually, the light subsided and they both uncovered their eyes. A full ECA excavator sat squarely in the middle of the room. The driver stuck his head out of the window "HOW DID I GET HERE!?" he shouted in his thick Swedish accent.
"general, and Ironside....and a horse." he frowned "oh balls. I've fallen asleep on the job and this is some crazy dream" he said. Celestia horn glowed, extracting the driver from his vehicle "no, this is very real, my little human" she said in a motherly tone. He wasn't impressed "don't patronize me, lady!" he said scornfully "and put me down! and let me wake up!" he said, sounding increasingly panicked, she set him gently down and walked over to him. "I'm not dreaming, am I?" he said calmly. "no, you're not" said Celestia gently. there was a moment of silence. "I....I'm sorry for snapping at you, miss. I was panicking and...i get angry when i panic." he hung his head "I'm Simon, by the way" he added. "it's OK" she said in the same motherly tone.
"I wonder if she's good with kids" whispered Ironside to Sanchez. "sure sounds like it" he replied
after some back and forth chatter, Simon gave a proud salute. "you're not going to die on me!" he said proudly. but then looked unsure. "are you?"
she walked back to Tom and George, looking towards Ironside. "now, shall we summon your version?" Ironside clasped his hands together. "let's". the same ritual happened again. the American Dozer was placed neatly alongside the excavator. the driver rolled down the window, and leaned out. "whoa!" said the driver in his heavy Chicago accent "whoa, what is this? are the fumes gettin' to me or somethin'?" Celestia walked briskly over to him "no, all is well." she said calmly. his eyes flew wide open "a talkin' horse!?" he slapped his forehead "oooooh man. what am i on!?" he stepped out his vehicle, and noticed everyone. he was shocked "ECA!? here!?" he shouted "it's OK!" called Simon from across the room "you're not high, this is actually happening!" there was a long silence. "what's your name?" asked Celestia "name's tony" he answered nervously "and you are?" Celestia was happy to answer "I, my friend am Princess Celestia, leader incumbent of the Kingdom of Equestria.
"we didn't get the fancy introduction" pouted Milner "you didn't give me the chance" she shot back.
Tony ran his fingers through his short, greasy hair. "well. what needs doin'?" he said with a sigh. "very good!" Boomed Celestia "now that we're all getting along..." tony and simon stood next to eachother "I have jobs for you all. but first, there's some Ponies I want you to meet. the very ones you will be working with" there was a knock at the large chamber door. everyone turned around, the two drivers correcting their crumpled uniforms. "come in!" she shouted. the two huge doors creaked slowly open. five ponies stood at the door walked in. "these are the elements of harmony, essentially second in command of the whole country. and they will be guiding you through the tough times ahead." explained Celestia, all the men were standing to attention.
the humans and ponies stood oppisite eachother, every human's hand was clasped in salute. "at ease, soldiers!" barked the Blue one, with a Rainbow colured mane and tail. on instinct they all took the stand at ease position.
a Magenta one spoke up "I have one very important. VERY serious question for you all!" she said in a severe tone. then, her eyes widened. "do you all like parties?"
four pairs of eyebrows were raised