Chapter 145: Vulpesylvanian Reconquista III
Part 1: Oak of Iron
TIME: 09:18 EET
DATE: War Day 1088/26 Tertious, 1005 C.S.
LOCATION: Drama, Macedonkia
I was arriving in my HQ Company vehicles. The city and the area around it had been captured by NEIGHTO Forces a few days ago. Moreover, Shquiptaria was now officially out of the war - surrendered to NEIGHTO, withdrew from the Non-Aligned Movement, and ceased hostilities.
I now had most of CAG with me, now, too. The front had stabilized, and the majority of Macedonkian forces were now very isolated. Macedonkia was fighting a two-front war, and they were having problems trying to reinforce their eastern front. We had them held at the agreed-on border in the north. There was a narrow chunk of land they could send forces through, however.
That chunk of land was the Blagoevgrad County.. of what should be Blowgaria. As we learned, Macedonkia occupied it about 30 years ago using the same method they'd used on the Vulpines - slow infiltration followed by a 'homegrown' and 'popular' uprising.
What really got to me, though.. was the surprise that was brought to my Command Area along with Dusk Seeker and the girls.
Dusk: "K!" He motioned me over - he and the girls looked like they'd been through the thresher.
Applejack, before I could react, kinda ran up and jumped into my arms - keeping in mind, she's 180lbs+ of muscle, and that's a LOT for me to catch. I was smooshed against a tree, and kissed passionately.
Sunset: "Kay. We got the Rainbow Factory - it wasn't easy, but we had help."
Leytenant Zheliazo: "Erm.." He cleared his throat as I was being sloppy-styled.
Dusk: "Just.. ignore it." He shrugged.
Leytenant Zheliazo: "Starshi Leytenant Dub Zheliazo.. Alpine Regiment, Kingdom of Blowgaria." He kinda stood to attention - REALLY unsure of how to approach my situation.
We were moaning a bit, but Applejack was the first one to pull back.
Applejack: "Hey, huneybunnn..." She drizzled in my ear. "Ah missed y'all.. REAL.. bad."
Rarity: "Indeed, darling. We did miss our dear friend K." She grabbed AJ's tail in her teeth and YANKED her off of me. "But, now is not the time for a Lady to renew her acquaintance."
I was left holding air, shrugged, then stood to address Lieutenant Zheliazo.
K: "I'm K of Equestria. Currently the Stratarches of the Vulpesylvanian Armed Forces, but also Supreme Allied Commander of NEIGHTO and.. so forth." I looked at Dusk. "Explain?"
Dusk: "The Factory was actually in the village of Elatia." He shrugged. "We had to capture Drama, though, or we never would've made it through. Lieutenant Zheliazo and his Alpine Regiment was right across the border plotting to take out the factory themselves - Macedonkia has been a very bad neighbor."
Lt. Zheliazo: "They kidnapped over a thousand of my people, razed several villages in the land they stole, and when Tirek came to help them, made it very clear he would unleash an army of monsters to destroy us if we resisted." He shrugged. "Our Tsar wanted the factory destroyed. We knew the stolen people were being taken there - we did not know what it did until Dusk showed us." He sighed. "I lost several ponies in the attack. It was.. very well entrenched."
Dusk: "We lost four Rangers." He nodded. "It wasn't easy at all." He frowned. "Ty got wounded, too."
K: "Bad?" I looked at him.
Dusk: "He's out of it for a while, but he'll be back if he wants to be." He shrugged. "If it wasn't for Zheliazo and his colts, it would've been a bloodbath. They'd been watching the place for weeks, they had traps and hidden reinforcements everywhere - all Tirek's troops. Porcine and Troggles."
K: "Ouch." I looked at Lt. Zheliazo. "We are in your debt, sir."
Lt. Zheliazo: "As my Captain and Major were both killed, I'm in charge of the Alpine Regiment." He gestured. "At least I can say, sir, that my Major hoped to make contact with NEIGHTO. We.. want to know your intentions."
K: "We had already agreed to stop at the Blowgarian border, no matter what claims were made where - you aren't, or weren't, a party to this war." I gestured.
Lt. Zheliazo: "That represents a problem - Macedonkia took some of our lands as well." He frowned. "Unlike some other nations, we put down our Socialist uprising, and did not receive weapons in large numbers from the Herdiet Union. What we have is what we captured from revolutionaries."
K: "I'm guessing only your elite units have them, then?" I tilted my head to him.
Lt. Zheliazo: "Pretty much. The Alpine Regiment and the Border Guards. Everyone else is still armed with crossbows and lances." He lowered his head a bit. "We are working to begin production of our own weapon systems. We have been on the border for over a month and a half - I think we may have, by now, but I don't know. Our unit was to have no radio contact and be denied if the mission went wrong."
K: "I understand." I nodded a bit to him. "We need to make contact with your country - if we can supply them with basic weapons, and get them a little gun handling training, I think we can tag-team the Field Army the Macedonkians have here. You get your land back, Vulpesylvania gets theirs, we meet in the middle.. and we make sure the Macedonkians don't even THINK about trying this again for a thousand years." I nodded firmly and gripped his shoulder.
I had no idea what I'd just said. Still, Dub gave me a broad grin and nodded to me.
Lt. Zheliazo: "I think this is a good idea. Supply by sea is possible, if you can send vessels around the Dardanelle Peninsula." He gestured a bit.
Remember, readers, the Earth nation of "Turkey" doesn't exist here - at least, not attached to Europe. Geography is very different, here. So, the Dardanelle Strait is, instead, the name for the peninsula where Istanbul (Procellopolis here) is located, and the city is claimed by Blowgaria.
As I found out later "Procellopolis" translated to "Gusty City" - so, the city bore the name of Gusty the Great, not Emperor Constantine. Fascinating.
K: "FOREST SPIRIT!" I called him over.
Forest Spirit trotted up with Redheart and Teddy, who greeted the girls while Spirit and I talked.
Forest Spirit: "What's up, bro?" He nodded to me.
K: "We're going to be helping Blowgaria and hope they decide to join NEIGHTO. We need to get them arms and training and we need it fast. Grab Sherby, the Lads, Vig, Colgate, Slapshot, Teddy, Coco, Olivine, and Ochre. Get on the Inner Islands Defense ships and the Bounty, go around the Dardanelles, and bring the Blowgarians any firearms and ammo we can scrounge up from NEIGHTO stores. We have jagged cuts in their lines, but the Macedonkians are very dug in from here to the border, and they have a secure supply route covered by mountains. We can try to break them from here, but that'll cost a lot of bodies - if Blowgaria opens an official second front in the war, we can push them between two forces. I'll work out the formalities. YOU get ready to raise part of an army." I pointed at him.
Broken Dawn and Golden Wattle came over at this point, and nodded to me.
Broken: "You know, we could go, too." He shrugged.
K: "You two already pulled off a miracle." I looked back at Forest Spirit. "Round up Admiral Seaspray and Lieutenant Skyranger - they need the experience in strategic command."
Forest Spirit: "You got it. You keeping Blinda?" He looked over at his second-in-command.
K: "I need her for the amphib ops we'll be pulling - the Navarese are going to attack the island of Thasos in a couple days, and I want her teaching them how to pull an Amphibious Assault." I looked at Blinda. "YOU need to get going and hook up with the Navarese fleet."
Blinda: "I'm on it - I'll take Sigmask with me, too." She nodded.
K: "Take Kiwi and Dawn, too." I pointed to her.
Blinda: "You got it." She nodded and took off.
Forest Spirit: "This is some operation, huh?" He smirked.
K: "I'm finally doing Head Office stuff, but the lot of you under me are learning to do Theatre Command work. We'll need that for the invasion into Tirek's home lands." I shrugged. "I'll have multiple open fronts and possibly divided commands all over the place - I can't stay on top of all of it. I need Theatre Commanders, now. You, Sacquet, Seaspray, Gio, Maria and everyone else." I nodded to him. "Get going."
Forest Spirit: "On it, bro." He leaned in and gave me a hug, then one to Applejack, before taking off.
Applejack: "Mm.. 'bout durn time we cranked things up another notch, honeybun." She frowned a bit.
Sunset: "Yeah, Kay." She shrugged her wings. "You can't do everything.. and, I mean.. what about when you're gone? We need to learn how to do this ourselves, if it ever becomes necessary again."
K: "Yeah, huh?" I smirked. "Lieutenant Zheliazo." I nodded to him. "How can I get in contact with your government?"
Lt. Zheliazo: "I would say we could fly there, but you seem to lack wings." He flexed his own.
K: "Actually, I have something better." I nodded. "Octavia, go fetch Soarin' - I need to catch a flight. Dex, get Sacquet - tell him he's in charge for a few days. Orders are to hold the line, and not allow the enemy to retake lost land. Allow the NEIGHTO troops to withdraw and replace them 1 for 1." I nodded.
Dex: "You got it, K-Dude." He trotted off.
Octavia: "I'm on it, K." She smiled a bit and headed off.
Sunset: "Who're you taking with?" She tilted her head.
K: "You girls." I nodded to them. "You should see what Bright Eyes brought us." I looked at Lt. Zheliazo. "You've flown, but I guarantee, never like this."
I took the girls over to the improvised airfield - and I showed off Bright Eyes' latest invention - the UH-2. The passenger version had room enough for all of us. This larger, more powerful helicopter had a couple of variants. It was a true utility and light attack helicopter, while the UH-1 Sprite was just a light transport and scout, nothing more.
Time to make a new friend in this war.
[End of Part 1]
Part 2: Sofia
TIME: 11:38 EET
DATE: War Day 1088/26 Tertious, 1005 C.S.
LOCATION: Sofia, Kingdom of Blowgaria
Our helicopter was being followed on the ground by a... not small.. trail of soldiers. In the air, we were being escorted by a few Pegasi of mixed rank and service branch - some of their fastest, I was sure.
Lt. Zheliazo, with the use of our long range radio, contacted the capital and alerted them that the Supreme Commander of NEIGHTO wished an audience with the Tsar and his Consort. The message was one-way, as he didn't actually have military clearance to make such a request, or even broadcast that transmission in the first place. His Major and Captain did, but they were both killed in the Rainbow Factory raid.
So, we were going in without the express written permission of Major League Baseball. Or, in this case, the Blowgarian government.
As such, I left the machine guns behind, and we did not have our rifles equipped. I had Soarin as my pilot, plus all six girls, myself in the Co-Pilot seat, then Dusk, Trixie, and Lt. Zheliazo in the rear.
Trixie: "I must admit.." She purred. "..the Great and Powerful Trixie fantasized about things like this." She coo'd a bit, between Rarity and Dusk.
Fluttershy: "Uhm.. Trixie.." She blushed.
Trixie: "Yes, Fluttershy?" She went for egotistical to friend-shaped instantly.
Fluttershy: "I-If.. it's alright with you.. would you like to have your wedding to Dusk alongside mine to Golden?" She tilted her head, smiling.
Trixie: "Oh! Fluttershy!" She blushed as well. "OF COURSE!" She cheered.
As I learned, second marriages were not usually afforded anywhere near the same ceremony as a first marriage. So, a Stallion with more than one Wife would have a huge wedding with the first wife, while any subsequent ceremonies were more low-key, and rarely had the same levels of celebration. Fluttershy offering this was also saying that she and the other girls saw Trixie not as Dusk's 'second wife' (Mareiage Partner), but as an equal with Rarity in every way.
Rarity: "I would expect nothing less. Mareiage Partner." She smiled.
Trixie: "I-I don't know what.. to say.." She sniffled. "..thank you. All of you."
Sunset: "You're one of us." She nodded. "Kay - how much longer?"
K: "A few minutes - I want to put down in the square in front of the palace gate." I nodded.
Tsar Studenogrub I was the ruler of this land. I was hoping he'd be open to negotiations directly. Given what Zheliazo told me, this was very likely.
Soarin: "No problem, K." He pointed with his hoof. "Looks like they're clearing the square. I see someone with a torch motioning for us to go there."
I looked outside, and one of the Pegasi was as close to the helicopter as he could get and not get knocked away by downdraft. He was pointing, too.
K: "Our escort is saying the same thing." I pointed. "Put us down, Soarin."
Soarin: "You got it, Cousin." He expertly set the helicopter down in the square in front of the palace itself.
We landed, and Soarin shut down the engines as we did. The Blowgarian ponies were apprehensive about the helicopter, but once the rotors stopped, we got out. Lt. Zheliazo got out first, and spoke to his people.
I don't know Bulgarian.
After a moment, with all of us out of the helicopter, and Dub talking to his fellow troops, I noticed they suddenly made a hole as a taller, rather handsome stallion came out of the gate. He was about Big Mac's height, but not as chonky and thick. His mane was golden, and his coat was a sort of dark tan.
Tsar Studenogrub: "You are the human." He stated in a thick Bulgar accent.
K: "Yes, Highness." I bowed to him, respectfully.
I saw a sabre tossed to my feet. I looked up at him.. he was holding one in his mouth.
I get it - he needed to test my resolve. A challenge. I simply remained in my respectful bow. There was silence between us. The whole courtyard was still, not a single pony dared breathe. MY team knew how competent I was with a sword (that is, not very). His ponies obviously knew their Tsar's skills.
Finally, I spoke up.
K: "Highness, I do not wish to fight a Stallion I would accept as a brother. If you wish to test my resolve, judge my actions on the field of Battle. Speak to the ponies that I've commanded. The strength of my heart flows from my friends." I held my hand over my heart. "And my family."
Applejack: "Mah husband, yer Highness." She said, softly.
Tsar Studenogrub: "..mm." He resheathed his sword. "You do not lust for blood and battle." And nodded, holding out his hoof. "That shows wisdom. Restraint. And courage. I stood before you ready to strike, you refused to arm yourself, but remained standing."
K: "I come as a friend, Tsar Studenogrub." We shook, though I badly mispronounced that - Eastern European accents are actually not ones that're in my wheelhouse.
Everyone had a good chuckle at my bad pronunciation, and Tsar Studenogrub patted me on the back.
Tsar Studenogrub: "A valiant effort. Come, come, we have much to discuss." He led the way towards the palace gate, with us in tow.
The Palace was somewhat low key, compared to Western European ones. Guards were scattered about, and indeed, most were armed with lances and crossbows. Every so often, I saw one with an AK or something.
Tsar Studenogrub led us to a military command center. Several high ranking officers were here.
Vitseadmiral Vulcha Mukha: "My Tsar." He bowed, seeing us enter. "That must be The Human." He stood, and extended his right fore hoof. "Vitseadmiral Vulcha Mukha." He looked at the other senior officers. "Given circumstances, I am da Chief of Defense Staff."
We shook, and I could feel an earnest and forthright grip, and a look in his eyes, as we did.
I should note that he's a rather tall stallion, light cream coat, brown mane, cut short. While it's clear the Blowgarian Naval Uniform was very 19th century, with breeches and long boots with flowing shirt, vest, ascot, and large topcoat, he was stripped down to just the shirt, while the others in the room were done up tight.
His accent was light, but had traces of Ambleonian in it. It's clear he learned Equestrian from an Ambleonian university.
K: "General K of Equestria." I introduced myself simply. "These are the Elements of Harmony, Senior Altern Dusk Seeker of the Royal Guard, Captain Soarin' Apple, my cousin, and Trixie Lulamoon." I gestured to my team. "And your own Lieutenant Zheliazo."
Applejack: "Howdy, partners!" She beamed them all a broad grin. "Ah'm Applejack - K's waihf." And bowed to them all. "We shore are happy y'all wanna be friends!"
They ALL gave her a look, then looked to me, back to her, there were a couple of cocked brows, and an Army officer with a nasty scar across his face terminating in an eye patch over his right eye, along with an impressive mustache, came over.
Maior-General Visoka Planina: "Mai'djor-General Visoka Planina." He looked down to her, a bit. His coat was dark bluish-purple, his mane brown, and like the Admiral, buzzed, but a very military cut. His accent was thicker, too - he put his right foreleg out to Applejack with a cocked brow.
She grasped his foreleg in hers, and shook.. hard. I could tell she took it easy on him, but she still asserted her strength, and gave him a most pleasant smile in the meantime.
Applejack: "Howdy, sir." She said, slightly more softly. "Raight strong grip ya got, there."
M.G. Planina: "You as well." He smirked back, then looked to me. "Your vife is strong indeed, General."
K: "I'm glad that my good fortune in wedding the best mare in all of Equus impresses, General." I smirked at him, nodding my head a bit.
VAdm. Mukha: "Do not mind him, General. Viskoa thinks himself so much the Alpha Stallion - but his dear wife Tikhi, she rules the roost, yes?" He chuckled, as did they all. "So, my Tsar - I hope the Human's - General K's - arrival bodes well, yes?"
Tsar Studenogrub: "We would hear his words, yes." He nodded.
K: "My words are simple, as is my promise: Join us in this middling battle against a common foe, and I will see to it that you have the arms, equipment, means to produce them, training, and means to reproduce that, that you require to assure victory. Further, if you decide to join us in our fight against the Dark Lord, Tirek the Tyrant, then I would see us as allies, and after the war, close friends and trade partners." I looked at the senior officers. "I've been fortunate to travel to many lands, meet many brave ponies and other races, but I know my actions do not happen in a vacuum. Still, I promise you, if you join us, you join as equals, as has every other nation."
They all kinda glanced around the room, a bit, hearing my simple speech. They didn't really seem to object, either. They all glanced over to a very aged stallion in an Army uniform that was at least a generation older than theirs.
This stallion had a white coat, was wrinkled in the face, and had an impressive beard. A monocle was over his left eye. His mane was all snow white and grey, his eyes blue and sharp, of a stallion who's body failed him far before his mind.
M.G. Nepokolebim Shepot: "...the human speak truth, My Tsar." He finally said, looking right into me.
Tsar Studenogrub: "Thank you, Shepot." He bowed to him a little. "I think we can then assume we can work out the details." He gestured to the operational map. "Come, see."
I walked over to the map and had a look - it was clear the Blowgarian forces were being bullied, they'd abandoned positions in the occupied territory, and were holding a defensive line outside of it, giving significant operational latitude to the Macedonkians.
K: "I will have ships arriving soon with arms." I nodded. "I was informed you're looking into designing your own."
Tsar Studenogrub: "Indeed." He nodded.
I looked over at Procellopolis and saw that it, too, was occupied by Macedonkian forces. I had.. some.. minor recollection that taking this city was something Bulgaria in my world had long desired, but never did.
K: "Looks like you'll need some help, here, too." I nodded. "The Navarese Fleet can assist." I looked at the Admiral. "I presume you haven't got much of a modern Navy to speak of?"
VAdm. Mukha: "We have a single steel hulled vessel." He shrugged. "It has arbalests and arrownals."
K: "I think we have a couple of captured Macedonkian ships we can give you." I nodded. "They're a bit behind, as Macedonkia didn't bother to modernize past a point, but we can certainly give them to you as a starter."
Rarity: "Indeed, darlings.." She paced over to General Planina. "..and while these FINE looking uniforms may impress MANY a mare on the dance floor.. I will have to help your tailors produce some true Tactical Couture." She bowed to them slightly. "Rarity Seeker." And indicated Dusk. "Fashionista Extraordinaire." And gave them a slightly cheeky grin.
VAdm. Mukha: "Perhaps we should have allied, sooner, Highness - it seems our new allies are simply brimming with talent.." He bowed to Rarity. "..and grace and beauty."
Rarity allowed him to take her hoof a moment, and struck a VERY haughty pose (mainly for Dusk's benefit).
Tsar Studenogrub: "Excellent." He smiled. "Come, General, there are some things I want to discuss - and you should have refreshment as well." He gestured. "Do you happen to eat.. the Germanes call it Liverwurst."
Fluttershy blushed and ducked back. My face lit up, and I had to stop myself from drooling too hard.
I had a feeling we just made ourselves some VERY good new friends!
[End of Part 2]
Part 3: Blowgarian Front
TIME: 13:18 EET
DATE: War Day 1088/26 Tertious, 1005 C.S.
LOCATION: Sofia, Kingdom of Blowgaria
Tsar Studenogrub was treating us to a rather nice lunch. He called it a "small refreshment." Most of us had been eating rations for a bit, and this was a welcome change.
I personally scarfed down a half pound of Liverwurst on some very nice bread. And with proper mustard. And cheddar cheese. Really, what he considered a 'small refreshment,' was a full lunch to me.
Tsar Studenogrub: "So, General - the Alpine Regiment." He nodded to Zheliazo.
K: "I haven't had a chance to get acquainted." I shrugged. "If they're your best ground troops, I would advise they be armed immediately with what we can get from the fleet, assigned a NEIGHTO advisory officer, and brought to the front for some impromptu training on how NEIGHTO operates. We're bringing in some of our best officers to help train your troops, but we have the issue of time. If we afford the Macedonkians too much time, they can start scraping the barrel for reinforcements, cannibalizing other units - or, worse, trying to get reinforcement from Tirek himself." I shrugged. "You know of the Rainbow Factory's existence. Do you know what it does?"
Tsar Studenogrub: "Only that it kills." He shrugged at me.
Lt. Zheliazo: "My Tsar." He bowed deeply. "If I may. I saw it."
Tsar Studenogrub: "Ah, yes, Lieutenant." He nodded over to him.
Dub launched into an explanation in Blowgarian. Rapid-fire, tense.. slowing down.. rapid again. Then.. I could tell, he got to the part about seeing what the Rainbow Factory does to a pony. He caught himself, and tried VERY hard to maintain his bearing in front of his Liege. But, he's a Pony. He couldn't. He bowed his head, deeply, and I could see the tears.
I walked over to him, and in a very human gesture, hugged him. Tightly.
K: "It's okay, Dub." I said, softly. "I had.. the same reaction." I looked at Tsar Studenogrub. "Even the foals, Your Highness. Even foals." I shook my head. "That is the depth of Tirek's evil."
Dusk: "I've seen it, too, sire." He bowed and approached. "So have a few others." He looked at the girls.
K: "My friend, Philippe Sacquet.. he and his mare, they still have nightmares. And he's Prench Foreign Legion." I nodded. "Nopony should ever have to bear witness to that." I shrugged a bit, letting Dub regain himself. "Yet, we have." I shrugged again, gesturing. "If I could lay down my life right now to save all of you, spare everyone and anyone that fate.." I shook my head, looking at the floor. "No question, no hesitation. My life is worthless compared to that."
Studenogrub was still, frowning, eyes screwed shut, thinking about the suffering his herd had endured, and how he was powerless to stop it.
Tsar Studenogrub: "My Ponies will not know peace until Tirek is dead." He nodded a bit. "I have heard the Legend. I have seen how you are. I believe joining NEIGHTO is the only just and right thing to do." He shrugged. "How do I join?"
Sunset: "I-If I may.. Highness." She bowed a bit. "Sunset Shimmer - Element of Magic." She looked at me. "NEIGHTO isn't officially involved in this war as Vulpesylvania is trying to reconquer lands taken by the Macedonkians over 100 years ago." She shrugged her wings. "So.. we'd ask you to hold off until the donkeys are defeated. Once that's done, though, a majority vote of the NEIGHTO Council. They're currently in Taranto, and they'll be there until the job's done."
Tsar Studenogrub: "I agree." He nodded slowly. "Lieutenant." He addressed Zheliazo.
Lt. Zheliazo: "My Tsar." He regained his composure, and bowed to his Liege.
Tsar Studenogrub: "You have seen things nopony should, and still accomplished your mission. I promote you to the rank of Kapitan, and give you command of the Alpine Regiment." He looked at me. "I ask you work with General K and make the Alpine Regiment the finest in our army, and a source of pride for our nation."
KPT Zheliazo: "M-My Liege!" He looked up, then down, and bowed deeply. "You do me honor, My Tsar." He looked over to me. "General K seems to be a pony.. human.. I can certainly get along with, My Tsar."
K: "It will be my honor to make a new friend such as the Captain." I bowed a bit before their Tsar.
Dusk: "Now, sire, more immediately, what is your most serious military concern?" He gestured in the direction of the room where the command center was.
Tsar Studenogrub: "Procellopolis." He snorted a bit. "It is one of our largest cities, our main port, and a jewel of our nation. Losing it, even temporarily, was a grave dishonor. The Pony on the Street sees our retreat - however wise from a military perspective - to be cowardly." He shrugged. "I cannot entirely disagree."
K: "What have they got occupying the city?" I gestured.
Tsar Studenogrub: "Perhaps a battalion. Certainly no more. They have firearms, we do not." He shrugged.
K: "So, you either send ten thousand troops in there, expect to lose up to 80% of them perhaps, or.. you withdraw, and you chose to withdraw." I nodded. "A choice between dignity and life - you chose life."
Tsar Studenogrub: "Where there is life, there is hope." He nodded sagely.
K: "The Navarese Fleet is on its way - they'll pass close to it. I'll see that they take a detour. Give me a company of your best ponies that are in the capital right now, I'll get air transport and get them there." I nodded. "I ask Dub lead them - you DID just promote him."
Tsar Studenogrub: "So quickly?" He tilted his head. "I can tell you're not being reckless, either.. so be it." He stood. "Captain. Find me 58 other ponies - the best." He looked at me. "I require a weapon, General K." He smirked.. SMIRKED.
I had a feeling, Studenogrub and Solarenski were going to be best friends, when they met. Just a feeling.
With that, though, Dusk went back to the helicopter with Soarin to relay the instructions. The Navarese Marines and the hand-picked Blowgarians would attack the city and take it back. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I recognized the significance of this. History had a funny way of playing out in this world, and a strange way of fulfilling wishes.
[End of Part 3]
Part 4: We Might Be Giants
TIME: 05:18 EET
DATE: War Day 1093/1 Quartus, 1005 C.S.
LOCATION: Aboard RNB Alfonso VIII, 7nmi offshore from Procellopolis
The Alfonso VIII was an impressive Fast Battleship. Constructed on an enlarged Cruiser-style hull, it was very nimble for its size. The flagship of the Navarese fleet, Vice Almirante Count Reynoldo de Granito, the fleet commander, was going over the last of the invasion plans with me.
We would be trying something completely different. The RNB Tiede was loaded up with every Helicopter we could gather and in a position to land up to a full company of troops as Air Cavalry. At the same time, landing craft from the fleet would hit the peninsula at three points.
Macedonkian defenses were primarily organized towards the land side of the city, they had very little facing the ocean. Moreover, a sizable Macedonkian fleet was in port as well. Our intent was to overwhelm the defenders in short order and force capitulation - with a secondary goal of capturing the fleet intact to hand over to the Blowgarians.
Ct. Granito: "Senor Tsar." He looked to me. "Senor K." He swished his horns. "Your team is ready, si?"
Dusk: "Oh, we're ready, sir." He smirked, pacing up, handing me my assault pack. "Tsar Studenogrub." He helped him get his on.
Advanced tactical backpacks - or, in their case, saddlebags - were another thing I managed to get us made because of information brought back on those laptops I got from Sunset's imprisonment in the Humanized universe. While ours were made of light canvas, not high-speed, low-drag materials, the construction was much the same.
Ct. Granito: "If the worst should happen, we will engage the enemy fleet at point blank range and destroy them, senors." He nodded to us.
Tsar Studenogrub: "My ponies thank you, Count Granito." He nodded a little to him. "Let us go." He nodded to Dusk.
K: "Remember, purple for fire support, yellow for medical evacuation, red for reinforcement." I patted Count Granito's shoulder. "You got this."
We ran to the boat deck. All of the boats were already in the water with Navarese Marines aboard. Our UH-2 was parked there instead. I climbed aboard, accepting a rifle from Soarin as I did. Tsar Studenogrub was next to me, then Dusk, then Rarity, then Trixie, then AJ across from me, along with Sunset and Timber Spruce.
The helicopter lifted off, and we were joined in the air by several more, transporting a total of 120 ponies towards the center of the city, by way of a detour to the north. Looking down, I saw the Navarese light units get into blockade position at the Harbor. The Macedonkian fleet had no steam - the engines were dead cold. They had no early warning.
This was perfect.
A few shots from the RNB Barcelona hit the docks, warning any of the crews not to attempt to board the vessels. Motorboats from the fleet were rushing in to take the ships captive.
The last bits of the Macedonkian Navy were neutralized.
I ran the bolt on my Grant, and gripped the foregrip tightly. No matter how many times I did this, I'd never get over the sense of dread. I fixed my goggles to my face properly, tightly, and tapped the Sword of Rainbow's Light to make sure it was there.
Tsar Studenogrub: "There! The square there is very large and should be a good drop point!" He pointed to one of the larger squares in the city. It was close to our assigned target zone, which was a large stadium to the immediate north.
K: "..we'll take it. Soarin' - put us down! And give us some cover fire!"
Soarin: "You got it, Cousin!" He pitched the helicopter over, and we zoomed in low and at high speed.
K: C> "Alpha to all callsigns, we're going in. Square about five blocks south of the LZ. Alpha One-Two and Alpha One-Three, follow us in." I wanted the rest of my personal team to land with me.
Rainbow Dash: C> "On it, Alpha!" She cheered into the Mic.
K: "I'm going to try something stupid." I said, scooting to the door.
Dusk: "..okay, HOW stupid?" He tilted his head at me.
K: "I'm going to fly." I smirked. "Trust me." I opened the helicopter door, seeing a gaggle of enemy troops starting to gather in the Square.
Applejack: "HONEYBUN, YEW BETTER WATCH IT!" She cussed at me.
K: "I got this, I got this!" I said, holding the Sword of Rainbow's Light. "Feather of Icarus, Grant Me Flight!"
I jumped out, HOPING I GOT THAT INCANTATION RIGHT.
I did, and I caught a breeze as wings of light, crystalline and translucent, appeared under my arms down to my feet, like a wing suit made of magic.
After a moment, both Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy had jumped from THEIR choppers to join me.
Rainbow Dash: "HOW'YA LIKE IT!?" She beamed a grin at me.
K: "I'M THE HAPPIEST HUMAN EVER!" I pitched down, mindful of kinda how flight worked, and they both followed me.
Rainbow Dash: "YOU TOLD ME WHEN WE FIRST MET THAT YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO DO THIS!" That was five years ago.
Fluttershy: "BE CAREFUL!" She gave a little whine. "Remember, you're my Groomshuman!" In her wedding party.
K: "We got this! I got this! Come on!" I pointed to a roof to the side of the Square, and aimed for it, enjoying the feeling of the air under my body, over my face.. so many humans had dreamed of this, and I was getting to do it.
Just as we landed, we started taking fire, though - loose gunfire from a handful of soldiers.
Dash and Fluttershy took cover right next to me. Dash whipped up over the roof ledge, and put a grenade in the middle of the enemy formation. I whipped up and over, and started picking them off. Fluttershy slid around the side, and dumped a mag on full automatic on the troops trying to enter the square from the side.
Gilda and Webley landed behind us. Gilda set up her Abrams Machine Gun next to Fluttershy, and put some more volume of fire on the square. Webley put a grenade to the other side. The enemy troops in the square, scattered.
K: C> "Alpha Actual - bring in Alpha One-One, One-Two, and One-Three. Square is clear." I stood up. And nodded.
Fluttershy: "I-I'm glad you can fly, now." She smiled.
I pet her on the head, and held out the sword, before jumping from the roof and sailing to street level. I made a note that my flight time was perhaps 60 seconds or so - I could feel it weakening as it was.
The helicopters landed one at a time, and offloaded their troops. I moved over to them, nodding to Tsar Studenogrub.
K: "Stay close to us - no one doubts your courage, but we know how to fight like this." I nodded to him.
Tsar Studenogrub: "Yes." He nodded back to me. "Lead us." He looked at the other Blowgarian troops that landed in one of the three helicopters.
I nodded to Dusk, and Rarity. We stacked up, and started moving towards our objective. I had one of my team with every three or four Blowgarians. Our objective was to sweep and clear the city. Initially, though, since we landed early, we'd make our way to the stadium and secure it.
We moved up the street. Even though the Blowgarians had little firearms experience, they DID have soldiering experience, and kept their groups cohesive. I took a knee at the next corner, and Tsar Studenogrub was right over my shoulder, peering carefully out into the street. He was carrying the very first domestically produced rifle off of the assembly line - the Arsenal AK-1/05, with an optical sight. His was embellished a bit with some carvings along the metal parts. It had been intended to be a presentation piece. He demanded it see combat.
THe story of how they managed to field firearms was nothing short of one of the finest tales of friendship and cooperation in the greatest of Pony traditions. They had started reverse-engineering Herdiet weapons initially seized about 14 months ago, but ammunition and barrel creation eluded them until two months ago when they captured over 2,000 weapons from the enemy in a huge battle. The last steps to making the weapons their own came from me. The very first AR-1/05 was handed to us this morning, as we set out to join the fleet for the attack, derived from the crates of Bradleys we gave them not three days before.
Blowgaria would be able to start production immediately.
We moved up the block, and as we did, a squad of Donkeys crossed the street in front of us. They didn't even SEE us until it was too late for them. We all opened fire, a few short bursts and a few carefully aimed shots from Rarity and Dusk, and they were down. Tsar Studenogrub looked admiringly at the weapon.
Tsar Studenogrub: "It works." He smiled a bit.
K: "I'm glad for it." I nodded. "Come on."
We got to the entrance to the Stadium. Guards were outside, but Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Gilda, and Webley all took a wing, and dove down on them from above, with knives, taking them out silently. I grabbed Dash's Grant/Gavin and moved up to her, one in each hand, passing it to her as we approached.
Inside, we could hear radios - and someone violently issuing orders. He was angry. Very angry.
Webley Weaver: "There's a set of antenna on top of the wall - looks recent. I think.. this is actually their HQ!" She blinked, realizing it. "Oh, this wasn't planned."
K: "Good fortune smiles on us. If you see a Donkey with a lot of decorations on them, try NOT to kill them if you can." I nod. "Come on."
We all stacked up at the entrance to the Stadium, in lines by Platoon. One at each Door. On my signal, we broke into the Stadium's front lobby area, where the ticket counters and concession stands should be. Inside? Oh, we found Headquarters alright - dozens of radio sets, map planning tables, LOTS of officers of varied rank, radio operators, staff, support personnel.. and only a couple of Donkeys at the front had anything serious for weapons - whom we buffalo'd and put on the ground immediately.
Tsar Studenogrub: "I AM TSAR STUDENOGRUB OF BLOWGARIA! SURRENDER YOURSELVES! THIS CITY IS OURS! YOU SHALL BE OUR PRISONERS, OR OUR TARGET PRACTICE!"
Considering we had them all dead to rights? That was no mere boast.
Colonel-General Tvrdoglavec: "YOU?!" He puffs himself up, pushing another officer ahead of him. "Go on - do your duty!"
Major Pameten: "I think not." He pulled his whole holster off his belt, and threw it down.
Major-General Mudrost: "Sir - they could cut us down at any moment. It is over." He nods to us.
Colonel-General Tvrdoglavec: "YOU ARE ALL COWARDS!" He drew his sabre. "I WILL FIGHT TH-"
Rarity and Dusk put rounds through both his eyeballs at the same instant. Brain matter spattered the officers behind him. Anyone who was THINKING of resisting, stopped at that moment, and laid down on the ground.
Major-General Mudrost: "Ah.. yes.. we.. we surrender our forces. Unconditionally. And ask for mercy." He remained standing, but he detached his sword and pistol, and set them on the map table in front of him.
Tsar Studenogrub: "..just like that?" He looked at me - the victory had been fairly easy.
K: "Sometimes, yeah, just like that. Fortune was on our side, today." I nodded to the Major-General. "Your headquarters was supposed to be at the local Temple."
Major-General Mudrost: "It flooded yesterday, in the rains - we had to move, and hadn't the forces to seriously dig in the facility properly." He shrugged. "My apologies that we could not offer satisfying battle." And smiled a bit.
Tsar Studenogrub: "We, the Blowgarian Herd, accept." And HE smiled, accepting the pistol and sabre.
And with that, Procellopolis was ours again - orders went out to cease fire, and to surrender to the Blowgarians. The Blowgarian, Navarese, and CAG forces in the city, were likewise advised. As I found out, we lost only 6 wounded, and the Macedonkians lost 72 killed, 19 wounded. 728 soldiers surrendered, 32 escaped for a short time, but were later caught trying to reach their own lines.
A fine result.
[End of Part 4]
Part 5: They, The End
TIME: 07:12 EET
DATE: War Day 1096/4 Quartus, 1005 C.S.
LOCATION: Royal Palace, Athens, Vulpesylvania
I stood at the front of the party. The entire room was filled with dignitaries and royal officials. Celestia was wearing a gown made by Rarity. Luna, too. Everyone else was in formal uniforms. Myself included - as Supreme Allied Commander of NEIGHTO.
After all, NEIGHTO had negotiated this peace settlement.
First Minister Agol: "...and on behalf of the Central Committee of the Republic of Macedonkia.." He lowered his head, as he finished signing his name. "..we accept this treaty."
Prince Stavros: "On behalf of the Vulpinian Alliance, we accept your surrender." He signed, then, as well.
First Minister Agol: "I am shamed, Prince." He looked absolutely devastated.
After the conquest of Procellopolis and the official declaration of War by Blowgaria, Macedonkia immediately communicated a desire to surrender to Princess Escargot of Prance. A very short 12-hour offensive by the Blowgarians, tearing down from the mountains at the rear of the Macedonkian defenses resulted in 2,774 fatalities, 702 critically wounded, 904 other wounded, and 7,115 captured.
It instantly broke their back. Procellopolis was their last chance to win by Sea, with their last reserve fleet. Rumor had it that 10,000 ponies from the Herdiet Union had been on their way to the city, but our retaking of it, stopped that.
This also meant Macedonkia betrayed the Non-Aligned Movement.
First Secretary Celik: "We agree to the terms offered to the Non-Aligned Movement in general." He was the leader of the movement in general, and the First Secretary of the Tarpangoslavian Central Committee. "We promise this.. Macedonkia will not ever be in a position to make war like this again."
The First Minister of Macedonkia drooped like a whipped horse.
When Celik found out what happened, he literally cut Macedonkia off at the knees and offered them to us as sacrifice.
Macedonkia's fate would be grim, I knew it. Their cultural hatred had gotten to them, and they made huge boasts about how, together, the Movement could take Blowgaria, Vulpesylvania and Romanesca easily - Vulpesylvania before the NEIGHTO alliance could react, and the other two once Vulpesylvania was defeated. Then, they weren't - their attack on Athens was not the success it needed to be. Their double agent was killed. Their forces met weapons they had no way to properly counter.
Then, the Macedonkians made secret deals with the Herdiets, who've wanted a piece of me for ages. They got sent weapons, tanks, munitions, volunteers.. and then there was the deal they made with Tirek. For that, they got magical items and better training for their mages. The problem was, they overpromsied - even if they'd won, one of the three groups would have likely torn them apart for not fulfilling their end of the bargain.
So, Celik was cutting his losses. He denied knowledge of Macedonkia's back door deals, and told us to set whatever terms we thought were fair, and Macedonkia would be forced to accept. To that end, he marched two Army Divisions from the Tarpang Army into Macedonkia and occupied its capital.
Prince Stavros demanded all the land back. Every inch.
Tsar Studenogrub demanded the same, as well as any prizes his forces had captured.
NEIGHTO demanded an apology for the initial invasion, and the surrender of all of Macedonkia's major weapons of war. Artillery, ships, tanks, equipment.
First Minister Agol: "..General K.." He looked over to me with absolutely dead eyes. "I have a personal request."
K: "Alright." I nodded, my voice soft.
First Minister Agol: "I have come here with my young daughter. When I return to my homeland, I will be fortunate indeed if all they do is shoot or hang me. Please." He choked up. "My daughter, sir."
K: "Leave her here, I personally guarantee her safety." I nodded to him.
Tsar Studenogrub watched this exchange and stepped in.
Tsar Studenogrub: "First Minister." He nodded to him. "I say this as a father as well. If you permit it, I would adopt her myself."
Several world leaders looked over at us, hearing this conversation.
First Minister Agol: "T-Tsar Studenogrub?!" He recoiled in surprise.
Tsar Studenogrub: "Conquest is one thing - but the victors are equally judged by the treatment they give the defeated. Mercy is the hallmark of a true hero." He looked at me. "General K is famous for this." And back to the First Minister. "I want my family to be known for this as well. Perhaps some day, our people can meet as friends. But that will not happen unless one of us old men plants a seed for a tree we will not see the shade of."
First Minister Agol: "I-I.. I accept, Your Highness." He bowed him, quivering a bit.
Tsar Studenogrub: "For you, the war is over." He put a hoof on Agol's shoulder. "Dead ponies worry and suffer no longer. The living will see war continue, and they, the end."
K: "May this, then, be the last war." I nodded to them both.
Tsar Studenogrub: "I pray it will." He nodded to us both.
The Third anniversary of the War's beginning was thus marked with the end of one theatre of conflict. One that consumed thousands of lives in a senseless contest that ended with one nation humiliated, and a new friend added to NEIGHTO.
Over the next several months, I would hear the fate of Macedonkia whispered to me through intelligence reports. Of an uprising, a second revolution. One that saw ethnic cleansing and mass death. The rest of the Non-Aligned Movement didn't raise a hoof to stop it, nor could NEIGHTO. While it was the 'right' thing to do, none of us could muster the desire to spend blood and treasure for it.
After a general collapse of the Macedonkian government by the middle of the year, the Tarpangoslavian Army would enter and brutally repress the uprising. Not shockingly, every member of the Macedonkian government - Agol included - would be dead within two months. Tarpangoslavia would install puppet leaders afterwards, and Macedonkia would be forced to shoulder the burdens of the NAM Confederation - all the heavy industry and backbreaking labor would be done by them. Their economy would be even more managed than before.
In the end, by the end of 1005 C.S., about 1/8th of the pre-war population would be dead, another 1/8th shipped out to works as laborers on projects in other NAM Confederation nations, and another 1/8th would be conscripted to serve in joint NAM military units as laborers as well.. 3/8ths of the Macedonkian population would, in the end, never return home. Their loss of ocean access crippled them, too, economically, forcing them to rely on other nations for sea access.
Macedonkia would have Karma savage them for their aggressions.. and a large part of me, didn't agree with how bad that was. It did, however, as Celik promised, make absolutely sure that Macedonkia would never be able to threaten another nation again.
For a war year-ending victory, in some ways, I felt like I'd lost.
Blowgaria joined NEIGHTO on the same day. A new friend in this fight against Tirek's evil.
Friendship is Magic, right?
{End of Chapter 145}
