“Boss, boss are you okay?” Heinrich wouldn't leave me alone. Couldn't he see that I didn't want any company? I should've thought that me barring up the door to my quarters was close enough evidence for him to get.

I didn't answer him. It's been three days since Jack… since they got Jack, and Celestia’s been parading him around, showing every human via magic that how even one of our commanders, one of our very leaders now was a pony and Jack himself has been spouting propaganda everywhere.

I've spent three days locked in my room mourning. Can you blame me? My brother, the last member of my family, has just been brainwashed into my enemy. I know it sounds stupid but I always believed that we’d go down together in some heroic act of bravery.

“Boss, ze Chief Simon McLoud ist wanting to speak with du,” Heinrich said again,

“Tell him I'm busy,” I merely grunted.

Our forces had suffered a very de-moralising blow. With at least 760 men either killed or ponified, and no word from the evacuees that Jack was in charge of. Last time I knew where they were going, they were in Saint Martin De Belleville, and if they’re still there, they haven't returned.

“Boss, Alex, du cannot stay in zere forever, Jack would vant du to fight for him,” Heinrich tried to convince me to leave.

“Well he’s dead now so what does it matter?” I yelled at him through the door. Poor Jack. My brother…

Kill me straight away. It may talk with my voice and try to convince you its me, but it's not. Kill me, promise me you will.

Those words echoed through my head. His death wish. The one that I couldn't fulfil. I promised him I would and now I can't. To think that I was seriously considering drinking that Potion that Jack gave me. At least I’d be with him again.

“Boss, do you want me to take charge?” Heinrich suggested, “after the stunt you pulled, people don't trust you as much, especially since you still haven't held a meeting addressing the attack,”

“MY BROTHER IS DEAD!” I roared, “IF THEY WANT A DAMN MEETING THEY CAN DAMN WELL WAIT!”

I could hear Heinrich sigh, “Fine, I vill tell zem to vait, but please, talk to Simon McLoud. He deserves an explanation,”

“Fine, pass us the radio,” I grumbled and opened the door. Heinrich took a step back at my appearance, my eyes were bloodshot and I was unshaven, my hair a dishevelled mess. I probably looked like a hardcore druggy.

Heinrich gave me the radio and then muttered something about being needed elsewhere. I sent out a call into the station that was used to contact this other group in the Amazon.

“Hello? Anyone?”

“Receiving you, this is Chief Simon McLoud, who is this?” Came the reply almost immediately.

“Commander Alex Pritchard.” I replied,

“I am so sorry about what happened to you brother,” he said, “Celestia’s been making sure everyone hears what the Newfoal he is now is saying. She even made him one of her military higher-ups.”

“I know,” I choked out, “I- he almost convinced me to take the Potion. If it wasn't for his last words…”

“Look, I know this is a bad time for you, but we really need to join forces if we want to have a hope to survive this,” he said

“We have no transport,” I pointed out the obvious.

“Okay, I many have told a little lie when I said that. I needed to know if you were really human or just faking it to fool us and give us false hope.” He admitted,

“What do you have?” I asked, “you're not going to be able to get from the Amazon to the Alps in a car or two.”

“Try a helicopter or two.” Came his reply.

,.,.,

PRINCESS CELESTIA POV

,.,.,

I wouldn't class that first assault as a victory. They took down the Her Benevolence, they killed a lot of my Pegasi fleet with that tank and their automatic weapons. However, it was definitely not a defeat. Co-Commander Jack Pritchard, younger brother to Commander Alex Pritchard, was ponified by none other then my very own student herself.

He now calls himself Silver Snow. Captain Silver Snow, that is. There is nothing more disheartening then to save one of their own leaders and use them as your own leader. I really thought that he’d be able to convince Commander Alex Pritchard to join us, he almost had. I saw the indecision on his face myself.

Maybe I should try using the Elements on them, perhaps something interesting will happen.

As for the humans in the Amazon and Rockies, we’re keeping a very close eye on them. The BBHS aren't much of a threat though, they may have disappeared, but that doesn't matter. I have bigger problems.

“Princess Celestia!” Came the voice of Captain Silver Snow. My ultimate weapon against Commander Alex Pritchard,

“What is it, my little pony?” I asked him, smiling in my motherly way.

“Your Highness, I know my brother is misguided and brainwashed to think that all ponies are evil, but please Your Highness, let me try and convince him otherwise. He’ll linen to me. He’ll have to,” Silver Snow asked. It appeared he still harboured strong feelings for his brother, I can play that to my advantage.

“Of course, Captain,” I said, “but remember, he will try to kill you. He may be your brother, but he thinks you’re his enemy. You're not. Show him the way,”

“Thank you, Your Highness,” Silver Snow smiled at me and trotted out of the room.

He is my greatest achievement of this war-time. He is my knife, as long as I have him, Commander Alex Pritchard will never be able to forgive himself. His precious EURF have been demoralised and I have upped the morale of my ponies.

Things are definitely looking up for me in this war.