War Was All We Knew.

Chapter Sixteen

Much to my surprise, the Changelings have been attempting to infiltrate the Castle much more than expected. Are they not intimidated by the COG? I thought they would be at least back down and try to create a diversion so they could launch a full attack, but it seems like they want to get close to the Gears for some reason. What are they planning to do? What is their motive that risks getting caught constantly? All I can hope is that Chairman Hoffman and his loyal soldiers can find out before it's too late.

(Princess Celestia's personal journal.)

***

Canterlot Castle Courtyard.
Two days later.

"Come on guys, you can't fight Changelings if you can't keep focused in a battle field."
Marcus was pacing up and down the line of Canterlot Royal Guards mock fighting each other. Marcus thought that this was a good idea, considering that the Changelings could become Royal Guards themselves and they'll end up fighting each other. He stopped next to a pair of Unicorn Guards who were trying to pin one another and then thrust a wooden sword into each other.

"Hey, hey. What did I tell you before the drill?"

The two guards stopped and looked up at Marcus.

"Um...Don't kill your attacker until you can confirm he's a Changeling," one guard said. Marcus nodded.

"Exactly, and how do you do that?"

"Look into their eyes for any abnormal traces of green or blue?" the other guard said slowly and shakily.

"Good, so why aren't you doing just that?" Marcus asked.

"Um...Wouldn't it be hard if we're fighting?"

"No, all you've got to do is look at the irises for a few seconds and the color flash will give them away. You're supposed to be training how to do that covertly."

"How do you humans know all this?"

"We've been studying the Changelings we captured," Marcus replied, "You learn a lot from your enemies when you've got them under your control."

"How did you make them do your bidding?" the first guard asked, "Changelings are notoriously violent and uncooperative. It's hard for us to just get them in a holding cell."

"We showed them what would happen if they didn't work with us," Marcus said grimly, "As you were."

He walked away from the two guards and walked up to Cole, who was showing a group of guards how to set up a defensive wall similar to defensive positions that thrashball players used. He stopped and smiled when he saw Marcus walking over to him. He dismissed the guards and stood up.

"Yo Marcus, how's training the guards going?"

"I don't think these guards have had a lot of combat experience. They're great as guards, as soldiers, they could get killed if things turn violent."

"Mhmm, if we could spare the weapons or they had the ability to hold them for a long time we could train them with our weapons."

"Hoffman already told me we can't. The Princess doesn't want our weapons in the guard's possession, she's worried that they might hurt themselves with the chainsaws."

"Can't blame her," Cole said, looking over to the Gear drill sergeants who were shouting at the guard ponies. "Wanna go see if Baird's found anything interesting in the labs?"

"Sure, hopefully we finally use that gel shit for something other than an epoxy."

COG R&D labs. Formerly Canterlot Castle dungeons.

Baird paced up and down the Changeling holding cell, staring dead in the eyes of each and every one of the hissing creatures. He gritted his teeth and stopped in front of the growing mound, pulled a frag grenade out of his back pouch and held onto the chain.

"Now, I'm gonna tell you assholes one more time, we put you in this cell for a reason. We want to see what you can create when you all morph together like you did last night. Don't bullshit me on this, I saw the footage of you guys turning into Minotaurs and Timberwolves. So, you show us what you can do or I'm throwing this grenade in there and afterwards, take your horns."

The Changelings hissed back at Baird, who just smirked and put his fingers over the pin.

"Okay, if you're gonna be like that, then no point in keeping you."

The Changelings then growled and then gathered up into a huge mound. Baird stepped back and watched as the gel seeped over them and hardened into a semi-transparent, green pile of goo until it changed color and moved. Baird stood in amazement as the Changelings had turned themselves into a small dragon. Its head them moved and stared at Baird who was nodding in approval and putting the grenade back in his pouch.

"Okay, I'm convinced. That is pretty neat," he said and then looked to the Gear who was guarding the cell, "Gas them so they don't escape."

The Gear nodded and then pulled a lever on the wall, which caused a metal wall to drop from the ceiling and seal the cell. Baird watched through the small window as the knockout gas was delivered through a series of small holes and pipes in the walls and ceiling of the cell, causing the Changeling dragon to dissolve and fall apart as Changelings were rendered unconscious. Baird stepped back and sighed and shook his head.

"I'm impressed with how they can turn into a dragon, but I'm more impressed on how this cell is equipped with knockout gas. It's like they were expecting this."

"Oh yes," one of the unicorn scientists said, "We had these cells built many years ago to hold some of Equestria's more violent residents. The gas is actually a magical sleeping elixir, only to be used when the prisoner gets too rowdy or is trying to escape."

"Seems legit," Baird said. The door opened behind him and he turned to see Cole and Marcus walk into the room.

"Baird, how's the research going?" Marcus asked.

"I've gotten a lot more information about the Changelings that I could ever need. There's more info about these bugs here on this table than all the years we've fought the Locust, but that's because we got some as prisoners rather than the old "shoot-to-kill" policy we had with the Locust."

"So you got anything good?" Cole asked.

"I'll tell you once we move these guys," Baird said as he jerked a thumb behind him at the cell full of sleeping Changelings. "Gotta separate these tenacious fuckers before they wake up."

"Why's that?"

"Just help me and I'll explain when we're done."

Cole, Marcus and a few other Gears helped out Baird as they placed small groups of Changelings in several cells. Cole picked up the last Changeling and hoisted it over his shoulder.

"Shit, these guys are heavy for hole filled bugs."

"I'm still working on why that is," Baird said, "But the holes in their legs do decrease drag when flying. Don't know how they keep flying with the holes in their wings."

The Changeling on Cole's shoulder started making clicking sounds and move slightly.

"Don't worry, it's all involuntary," Baird said. Suddenly it sprang awake, let out a piercing scream and flew out of Cole's grasp.

"Ah, shit! Kill it!" Marcus bellowed. The Changeling darted around the room, knocking over beakers and computers, the unicorn scientists hid under tables as the Gears tried to keep track of it with their weapons. One Gear ran to the door and slammed it shut. The Changeling stopped dead in front of the Gear and then gel started to secrete from its horn.

"No point trying to change your look," the Gear said, raising his Lancer. Before the Gear could fire a shot the gel formed into a bullet shaped mold and rocketed off the horn and hit the Gear directly in the chest, sending him flying into the door. Cole vaulted over a table and planted his boots on the back of the Changeling's head and crushing it once he hit the floor.

"That's how I crush bugs, bitch!"

"Shit, you okay?" Marcus said as he ran over to the Gear.

"Fuck..." the Gear choughed, "Bastard got me through my armor."

"Well, that's new as well," Baird said, "They can create ballistic projectiles with the gel."

"Why didn't you warn us?" Marcus said in a low growl. Baird put up his hands and stepped back as Marcus helped up the stricken Gear and Cole wiped the Changeling's head off his boot.

"I didn't fucking know until now."

"Shitttt, get him to the infirmary."

The other two Gears nodded and carried the wounded Gear out of the room as the unicorn scientists came out from under the tables.

"Wh-what happened?" one asked.

"I think this one held it's breath until the doors opened," Baird said, leaning over the corpse. He smirked and then pulled the half-crushed horn from the pile of brain matter, skull and blood. "Thank you, bug."

Marcus sighed and went to the door. Memories of the Slab resurfacing.

"Come on, let's get out of here. I'm sick of being in this fucking hole."

Canterlot Castle Gardens.

Carmine sat across from Sam, watching her disassemble her Longshot and clean it out. Sweetie Belle was cradled in his arms, sleeping, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo were leaning against him fro either side both yawning from the lack of sleep they had the last few nights. The day was when they felt safe to sleep and especially when Carmine was with them. Sam leaned over the table and saw Sweetie Belle curled up and fast asleep and smiled.

"That's cute," Sam said, her voice lowered as to not disturb the sleeping fillies. Carmine smiled under his helmet and stroked the filly's mane.

"Yep, poor girls kept having nightmares. But they seem to be sleeping easy now."

"So do you think the Changelings will back off now that we've upped the patrols and number of active guards?"

"Maybe, I mean, there's a lot less changeling activity. But I dunno, hopefully they'll do."

Sam nodded and went back to cleaning her rifle when the sound of hooves approaching the table where she and Carmine were sitting at. She looked up and saw Fluttershy, Rarity and Applejack trotting over to them, Sam waved at them and motioned for them to stay quiet as she pointed at Carmine and the Crusaders.

"Hello there," Fluttershy said, "How are you?"

"Doing fine," Sam said, "Been keeping to myself, slotting the occasional Changeling, usual stuff."

"Aww, ain't that cute?" Applejack said as she sat down next to Apple Bloom, "How ya'll been with Carmine?"

Sweetie Belle rolled over in Carmine's arms and Apple Bloom looked up at her sister.

"He's been great. Keeping us safe and letting us sleep in his arms."

"They like doing that," Carmine said, gently shaking Sweetie Belle awake.

"Hmm, what is it Carmine?"

"Hi Sweetie Belle," Rarity said softly. Sweetie Belle leaned her head back and saw her older sister smiling at her.

"Hi Rarity."

"Sleeping okay there?"

"You should try it, it's more comfortable than it looks."

"It won't be for me," Carmine said.

"I could probably hold her."

The ponies and two Gears looked up and saw Cole jogging over to them, smiling. Baird and Marcus were several steps behind him, but both of them weren't smiling, their expression was grim and solum.

"You wanna take a turn holding these kids?" Carmine asked, holding up Sweetie Belle.

"Awwww, that's cute," Cole said.

"Shit...not again," Baird hissed under his breath.

"Where were you guys?" Sam asked.

"Down in the dungeons with the Changelings," Marcus said, "Baird's made some interesting discoveries. One of which we saw firsthand."

"What did you learn about them?" Fluttershy asked. Baird sat down between Carmine and Fluttershy and pulled out a small notebook and opened it.

"Well, the first thing we learned out these bugs is that the horn contains an organ that makes a gel which is what the Changelings use to change their outer look. The only use we could make of it was weapon grease."

"Really?" Sam asked, "I could use some of that stuff now."

"Next time I get one of those Changelings I'll save the horn for you. Anyways, we also learned that they can change into much bigger creatures so long as they can somehow link together into one mound of bugs. What else? Oh yeah, they can also use the gel to make ballistic projectiles. Bullets if you don't know what I mean."

Sam and Carmine looked at Baird, then at each other and back to Baird.

"Saw it firsthand," Marcus said, folding his arms. "The Changelings are now an official threat."

"Well...shit," Carmine sighed.

"What happened?" Sam asked.

"One of the Changelings woke up and escaped the cell," Baird said, "It managed to make it to the door but a Gear blocked it off. Then the Changeling used its gel to shoot a bullet shaped mold at him. Punched through the armor."

"Is the Gear okay?" Fluttershy asked.

"Might be, didn't seem to be bleeding," Marcus said.

"What do we do now?" Applejack asked.

But to everyone's surprise, no-one had an answer.

Canterlot Royal Library.
One day later.

"Books, parchment, scrolls. This library is really stuck in the past, but it's got stuff we won't have on Sera for years," Hoffman thought as he strolled through the aisles of the library. He stopped at one large looking scroll, read the side and placed it back on the shelf.

"What I would give for decent toilet paper back home."

However, Hoffman's leisurely stroll through the library was interrupted when an Onyx Guard jogged over to him and saluted.

"Sir, we've got a problem."

"What is it? And don't bullshit me on the details, I want to know everything."

"It appears that Corporal Damon Baird has discovered that the Changelings have the ability to produce ballistic projectiles that are capable of penetrating Gear armor."

Hoffman went silent which seemed to last several minutes. He grit his teeth and then spoke, the color slowly draining from his face.

"So now these Changelings can kill us?" he asked.

"No sir, the Gear who was wounded survived with minor bruising. Corporal Baird has offered a theory stating that these 'gel bullets' or whatever terminology is used for them could kill Gears if large enough or multiple rounds were to hit a Gear and break the armor."

"Well...shit. This is fucking great, I thought these bugs would back down but now they can kill our Gears. Did word of this get out?"

"No sir, the Changeling that did this has been terminated. We believe they won't learn this ability unless by fluke."

"Okay, no more dicking around," Hoffman said, "From now on, I'm issuing a shoot to kill policy on the Changelings. This discovery is Classified from now on."

"Sir, do you think that this shoot to kill order is a good idea?"

"No, not for keeping a good relation with the ponies. But if we don't take action any hope of saving Sera is gonna turn FUBAR real fast."

"Understood sir," the Onyx Guard said, "What are your orders now?"

"Get our Gears together and tell them the new policy, we'll tell Princess Celestia too," Hoffman said. He then realized something, he had not seen the Princess or her sister Luna for a while, he turned to the Onyx Guard. "Say, where is Princess Celestia?"

"We're not sure, sir. She hasn't been seen by either our Gears or the Royal Guards. Not even the Guard Captain has seen the Princess."

Hoffman rubbed his chin and shook his head. Both Princesses missing, what was going on? Clearly whoever, or whatever was at commanding the Changelings clearly had been watching the COG and had planned the attack for a very long time. He marched out of the library, the Onyx Guard followed him after taking a book out of his back pocket and slid into a space on one of the shelves. He looked behind him and then jogged to catch up with Hoffman."

"Hope no-one notices the missing pages, or the smell."

Hoffman grunted and placed a finger to his ear and switched on his radio. Even as a Chairman, Hoffman prefered to have a radio on him at all times like back in his days in the COG military. He knew that he'd have to contact someone important quickly and having someone go find that person would be nothing more than a waste of time, also, there were no COG phone lines in Equestria and there was no need for them after the radio relays were set up.

"Chairman Hoffman to Commander Mataki, you there Bernie?"

"Roger that, Chairman," Bernie replied, "Something important you want to tell me? You only use the radio if it's urgent."

"Yes, do you know where Princess Celestia or Luna is?"

"No actually, I don't. Did you ask Twilight?"

"The unicorn? No. Why should I ask her? Does she know where the Princesses are?"

"Maybe, Twilight sends letters to Princess Celestia. I can go find her if you want."

"Do that and then report to me once you find out where the Princess is, we need to have another announcement."

"Yes sir, what's this new announcement of yours?"

"I'll tell you when we're alone, it's classified information. Baird discovered something particularly nasty about the Changelings. Because of it, I'm issuing a shoot to kill, no tolerance policy."

White noise was all Hoffman heard for what felt like several minutes before he heard Bernie draw breath and speak.

"Okay, I'll make sure that Twilight or her brother finds the Princess."

"Make sure you do and tell her to meet with me, Marcus, Anya, Cole and Baird. You all need to hear what Baird has discovered the Changelings can do. Trust me, you won't like it."

"Shit, this mission just got a whole lot harder didn't it?"

"We were fucked the minute we found that portal," Hoffman sighed, "But I'm confident that if it hits the fan, we can fight through it and win."

"You've still got the Two-Six RTI spirit in you, haven't you, Victor?" Bernie said, a much more calm tone in her voice.

"I'll have it until the day I die."