As the ponies and the humans walked into the war room, Twilight gasped. Displayed on a table was a picture-perfect map of the Equestrian coastline. Small wooden pegs, shaped like ships, were arranged on the ocean. Three arrows led to positions behind the Caribou lines. Twilight asked what it was all for, and Eisenhower laughed.

"Since we're assisting you, we thought it reasonable that your troops wouldn't have to do all of the fighting. These are plans for Operation TROPHY SHOOT."

"An invasion?" Twilight asked.

"Right in one." Page said. "The Caribou lines are heavily fortified from the front, but hey neglected to protect their flanks. If it's one thing we humans can pull off, it's an amphibious invasion. We hit them from the side, with three Marine divisions, One Armored brigade, and several army divisions. The landing craft hit the beach, then they raise hell. Once the Caribou have been pushed back, we can start landing our main forces. Then, it's search and destroy."

"When can we expect it to begin?" Celestial asked.

"Within the hour. We're also going to launch a naval bombardment to keep their forces occupied, alongside air squadrons to take command of the skies."

"That's easier said than done. Caribou airships are heavily armored and armed with cannons." Twilight said. "Their top speed is 35 miles per hour."

"Our P-51E Mustangs can do better. Besides, cannons are best used for air to ground combat, not air to air. They'll be shot out of the sky like turkeys." Page said.

"Sounds good." Celestia said. "I'll radio our forces for a frontal assault."

"With all due respect, Princess." Eisenhower said. "We can handle this. We've fought against worse odds, and won with even worse still. Keep your forces on standby, but keep them in reserve."

"Alright. Twilight, Spike, shall we get going?" Celestia said. As the three of them teleported out, Nimitz turned to Eisenhower.

"Shall we get going?"

"Let's." Was the reply. Nimitz turned on the intercom and spoke.

"All units, this is Admiral Nimitz. Battle Stations, I repeat, Battlestations! All units report to launch bays and gear for combat!"

=====================================
PERSPECTIVE-Pvt. John Baker, 1st Battalion, Third Marines.

As we boarded up into the launch craft, I looked over at my buddy Paul, who was shifting in his suit.

"You okay, man?" I asked, and he nodded nervously.

"I'm good. Just jittery."

"We'll be fine." I said. Then, Lieutenant Carlson stood up at the front of the craft.

"We know our mission! Secure the forest with the tanks! Marines! HOORAH!"

"HOORAH!" We all bellowed. As the landing doors opened, and seawater flooded the deployment bay, we were dropped into the ocean. The pilots gunned the engine, and we waited for the flare shot that was the signal to begin the attack.

"How long?" I heard one of the recruits asked.

"Not to long, soldier. Stay focused."

Then, the shot pierced the night sky.

"Let's go!" Carlson yelled, and the boat lurched forward. As the outlines of boats flowed through the night, a Flare shell was fired from one of the ships to illuminate our path. As we swayed around, Paul asked me when we would start being shot at.

"Pretty...."

A cannon shot hit the water, barely missing us. Soon, the big guns aboard the ships were letting loose, and the outlines of Mustangs were flying through the sky. Cannon trails were everywhere as all hell came loose.

"Fuck!" Paul yelled, covering his head.

"Get up, Marine!" Carlson yelled. As the landing craft hit the beach, the door fell, sending up a spray of sand.

"GO!GO!GO!" I heard Carlson yell, and we stumbled out of the craft into a sea of cannon fire. As we strafed from cover to cover, using our exos to mantle, dive, and dodge, I saw a cannon shot slam into one of the boats, a few soldiers dived out as it exploded.

"First deaths of the war." I spoke quietly. Then, I heard a guttural yell, and a horde of Caribou came swarming out of the woods, firing bolts of energy at us. I fired back with my M3 Garand II rifle, scoring two kills. I jumped back into cover to reload, then I saw Paul stick his bayonet into a Caribou's gut. As Paul pulled it out, he sprinted over to me.

"Where's the fucking tanks!" he yelled.

"Dunno! Just hold on!" I yelled back, shooting a Caribou warrior wielding a spear. Then, I heard a dull "THUNK", and a Tank shot flew past us and detonated. As the bodies of Caribou warriors flew into the air, I saw the relieving sight of three M85 Panther tanks drive up. As we climbed up onto the second, I saw the name painted onto the side.

CURB STOMPER.

I chuckled and Paul did too. I looked around for Lt. Carlson, and I sighed in relief at seeing him directing the first tank into the woods. As we moved into the dark forest, Paul tapped me on the shoulder.

"Think we'll make it out of this alive?"

"I sure hope so." I replied, reloading my rifle. "I sure fucking hope so."

==============================================

As the guns echoed in the distance, General Prias of the Caribou Dynasty sprinted into his command center. As he hastily summoned a communication ritual, he start to sweat nervously. Then, the voice of King Dainn appeared in his head.

"What is going on?"

"It's the humans, sire. They have allied with the Equestrians. They outflanked us and have our troops on the run. I ask permission to retreat."

"No! Hold the line at all costs! Curse the humans for allying with the alicorn whores! Damn them to Tartarus! Kill as many as you can or possess…"

"They can't be possessed, Sire! The sages tell me their minds are like iron! They cannot be turned! And their are no females for them to turn on!"

"DAMN THEM! Hold the line, I say! DO NOT RETREAT!"

As the ritual ended, Prias looked over at the rapidly collapsing trench lines. The soldiers were fleeing from metal machines that were mounted with cannons beyond comparison. Their fire-lances were cutting down his troops before they could get in close, and even the spellcaster's spells did not harm them. He sighed, and drew his knife to place it to his throat. Then, there was a gunshot, and he collapsed, shot in the leg. He saw through his pained vision one of the metal machines, accompanied by seven humans, near his tent. As the humans rushed up to him, he could hear them speaking.

"Nice find. The General's going to want to see it."

"Him, I think."

"How can you tell?" A soldier said.

"His dick's out, dumbass."

As the soldiers chuckled, Prias growled slightly. Then, a soldier struck him in the face with the butt of his rifle, and he knew no more.

======================================================

Back on the Traveler, the ponies watched in shock and awe as the humans smashed...no...ripped through the Caribou lines like a hot knife through butter. Twilight was taken back by the human's strategy. Then, Paige walked up.

"How's...the invasion?" Spike asked.

"Going fine. Resistance is crumbling, and our tanks have 'em on the run. Celestia, should we advance further?"

"I do not know, General." Celestia replied. "I have a feeling we could end the war right now, but...I doesn't seem like a fair fight."

"Then, give it the benefit of the doubt. I'll tell all units to hold position, and let them regroup. We might see a few more skirmishes during the day, but for the moment, we'll lock down our current locations and let your units occupy them and clear out resistance."

"Sounds like a plan." Celestia said.

"Let's head to the radio room, then." Paige said. As the ponies walked back into the ship, the sun rose in the sky, illuminating the bodies of human and Caribou. Next Chapter: Chapter 3-Tidings of War Estimated time remaining: 30 Minutes