Friday 26th September 2014
09:16
Badlands
Equestrian Army Camp

My body aches as I continue to push through the discomfort, pulling my entire body weight up again for the final time in another pull-up. Releasing my hold on the steel bar overhead, I drop to the floor as I loudly exhale, quickly noticing a group of mares in the Guard and army turning their heads away when they realise that I'm looking in their direction. Rolling my eyes, I step to the side and reach for the towel before wiping the sweat from my bare chest.

"Do they really have to watch me every morning?" I mutter quietly to myself before retrieving my canteen and taking a long drink.

"What do you expect?" Tempest remarks, apparently having been able to hear me as she lounges casually on a series of crates as her eyes scan over a magazine in front of her. "You're out here, every morning, performing the same exercises. some mares like an athletic stallion. You may not be a stallion, but you have got a muscular form."

Chuckling, I throw the empty canteen to the floor beside me. "Christ, does that mean you've been checking me out?" I tease with a wiggle of my eyebrows.

"You ain't my type," Tempest answers without hesitation. "I prefer a stallion. A pony."

"Yeah, and I preferred women. Human women. Yet, here I am. Having slept with a handful of ponies." Upon finishing the sentence, I shudder at the realisation as to what I just said. "If I was back on Earth, that statement would be seriously fucked up. I'd be in prison for some fucked up crimes."

"Good luck finding a female of your own species."

"You'd be surprised." Stepping alongside Tempest, I hop onto the crate as I simultaneously spin, sitting alongside her in the process.

"You're the only one of your kind. How would that be possible?"

"The same way everything happens in this world. Magic."

"Magic?" She repeats sceptically.

"There are spells which can change the form of those it is cast upon-"

"-Transfiguration spells," Tempest finishes.

"Exactly. It was possible for me to take the form of a pony. Tweak the spell and it was possible to change a pony into a human."

"And, a female of your species, what do they look like?" She asks with some intrigue.

"Varies, just like mares," I answer. "Longer hair, a 'softer' face. Often smaller than men in physique and size." Taking out my phone, I load the photo gallery and cycle through the pictures until I find one of myself and my ex-girlfriend. The photograph is one of us together at the beach when we visited Porthgwidden Beach in Cornwall. She is stood with her arms wrapped around mine, wearing a red two-piece swimsuit with her black hair tied in a ponytail.

Tempest's eyes quickly scan over the photo, flicking between the two of us in the photograph. "How old is this photo?"

"Umm... about five years, I think. Why?"

"Were you both still in a relationship when you came to Equestria?"

I put my phone down between us, my hands resting on my knees. "No. She cheated on me while I was on tour."

"...Sorry," Tempest offers, although it sounds as though she wasn't entirely certain as to what to say.

"No reason to be. To be honest, it's probably a good thing that it went to shit before I came here. My time in Equestria would have been much tougher if I was in a committed relationship and I would never see her again. If I was still with her, then I wouldn't be with Luna."

"So, which is better?" She asks with an amused grin. "Luna or her?"

I raise an eyebrow, shaking my head with a soft chuckle. "In what sense?"

"The obvious one."

"I'm not answering that."

"Afraid Luna will find out and will hurt you?" Tempest laughs as she idly drags her hoof across my phone screen, swiping through the photos.

"I'm not afraid of that. I'm just not going to say which one is better in bed. They're both... different."

Tempest hisses between her teeth, "Just don't let Luna hear you say that."

"I just mean that they liked different things and I could only engage in certain... activities with one over the other."

"Explain?"

I run my hand over my chin, contemplating if I should even say anything or if it would be best to keep my mouth shut. Throwing caution to the wind, I pinch the bridge of my nose. "Okay. Jess has a certain something that Luna doesn't have-"

"-You mean these?" Tempest asks with a grin on her lips as she gestures to my phone.

Following her gaze, I quickly reach out to grab my phone in an attempt to cover it up. Without me realising, Tempest had scrolled to a picture that Jess had sent me while I was in Northern Ireland of her in the shower with water cascading over her naked body with the camera focused primarily on her exposed chest. Grabbing my phone, I lock the screen as I simultaneously clear my throat. "Y-yeah... those. Look, guys have certain... likes. The big divide between guys back home is if we prefer tits or ass."

To my surprise, Tempest seems to be nodding her head in some understanding, "Makes sense. Mare's here have something similar. Some like to look at the physique of a stallion. Some are satisfied with that whereas others would like to eye 'the goods' more than the physique."

"That's... not really the same."

"There is nothing wrong with a little window shopping," Tempest remarks with a cheeky grin as she nods towards the mares. "They're all browsing, but if you're as strong-willed as I think you are, then they'll never get to try the goods."

"Is that a compliment coming from the big bad merc?" I tease as I climb off the boxes and place the phone back in my pocket.

"That's the closest you'll ever get to one. I'm simply saying that I hope you're smart enough not to do anything with another mare when you're in a relationship with Luna." Tempest jumps off the boxes, landing low to the floor before tapping my hip with her forehoof. "If you ever were stupid enough to cheat on one of the most powerful ponies in the entire world, I'd hate to think what she could do to you. You'd likely be saying goodbye to your pride and joy."

"Yeah... I'd like to make sure that I don't lose any parts of my body, thank you."

"Then don't do anything stupid. Besides, you'll soon have other challenges. Ones that I will not be helping you with, no matter how much you pay me."

"And that is?" I ask with a cocked brow.

Returning to her magazine, Tempest rapidly flicks through the pages to come to a stop of a photo of me and Luna at the Ponyville train station. "Anyone with half a brain can tell what is going on there. Somehow you've knocked her up, though it's now evident how it was possible. I'm your protection, not your babysitter."

Closing the cover, I roll up the magazine and place it into the rear pocket of my trousers. "It’s hardly gonna be a secret. She'll start showing more and more, not to mention that we're not gonna be denying it soon. Everyone will soon know for certain. For now, it’s just rumours."

"Well, at least your foal won't have to worry about being picked on as they grow up. Especially with the bipedal warrior they'll have for a dad." Tempest remarks.

"Foals," I quietly correct her as we begin to walk back towards the SOG tent.

"Two? Well... that'll keep you busy."

"Yeah. But, I'm actually kinda looking forward to being a dad. I never thought that would be the case." I state with a shrug of my shoulders.

"Leave me out of the parenting talk. I don't have any interest in it."

"Aw, come on," I mock as I nudge her. "Hard as nails Tempest doesn't want to be a mom someday?"

The merc turns her head to me, staring at me with a menacing scowl. "No."

"Things can change."

"That won't change." She reinforces herself as she moves ahead of me.

We continue our walk through the makeshift base. My eyes continue to drift towards the various groups of soldiers as they go about their daily duties. Many of them are in the process of gearing up for the day, ready to head out on their routine patrols or operations which are being assigned to them. Since our fight in the south, we've been able to catch some downtime. Being the equivalent of Equestria's special forces, we could pick and choose our involvement. So far, there were no planned operations outside of the standard patrol patterns and nothing in the way of intelligence to identify any viable targets for us to pursue.

We were bored. We were far beyond bored and have taken to lounging around. Things had gotten pretty lax with us, and it didn't seem as though things would change until an operation would roll our way. We were exhausted after our last involvement in the south yet never really recovered from our downtime, staying in a relaxed stated instead of springing back into action.

Things had gotten so mellow that I found myself getting some practice in for being a father, essentially babysitting the others and keeping them out of mischief. Slicer seemed to routinely get the blame for a series of pranks around the base, Georg was claiming back some of his poker losses by targeting the gullible soldiers in other units, Crimson had taken to routinely posing for the journalists to get featured in more magazines and cinema newsreels, and I even had to cock-block Chaser after I caught him and Sunny getting it on in the shower block late one night.

Despite all of this, I tried to keep myself occupied as best as I could. My main focus was tinkering with the machine gun design to see what improvements I could make, but I was limited as to what I could do as I didn't have any sufficient work stations or equipment to strip it down or to make adaptations to the weapon system. The only other thing that prevented my total boredom was playing with the vehicle that I had gotten off the annoying twins. But, much like the weapon system, there was only so much I could do out here with limited resources.

I had hit a dead-end. I had developed the track system and had gotten the basis for the steering mechanism and the gears, but I had so few tools and materials that I could go no further. I'd have to wait until I got it back to Equestria and away from the frontline. There, I could work further on developing other parts such as the suspension, transmission, armour plating and weapon system. For now, it would sit in the makeshift vehicle dock and remain covered up. At best, it was currently a transport vehicle for supplies with the potential at mounting machine guns on the open top.

Returning to our open barracks, I pull the flap of the door to the side and quickly come to a stop causing Tempest to bump into me. Regaining her composure, she steps alongside me until we both stare wide-eyed at the spectacle before us. A series of soft moans fill the otherwise empty tent as Chaser leans over Sunny while lightly biting the back of her neck.

Clearing my throat, their eyes instantly snap onto me at the entrance before Sunny's magic quickly tugs at an adjacent bed sheet and wraps it around their bodies. "Again?" I ask with a chuckle. "I would say for Chaser to keep it in his pants, but ponies don't normally wear them."

"You can talk," Chaser replies as he pants for breath, adjusting his body so that he in no longer mounting her underneath the sheet. "Don't forget, we caught you and Luna in here."

"True. But at least we tried to have you distracted so we could get some privacy. You two are just being risky and having a quickie while the others are going about their business."

"Can't you just... give us five more minutes?" Chaser asks with a cocky grin.

"...I suppose I ca-" I soon cut myself off when I come to a realisation as to where exactly the two decided to do the deed. "-Wait a minute. That's my bed! You two are fucking in my bed!"

Sunny blushes as she smiles sheepishly. "S-sorry."

"The mood just kinda took us and yours was the closest," Chaser laughs as he gestures to the others. "Now, do you mind?"

Rolling my eyes, I take a step back as Tempest slowly follows. "You're gonna make sure you clean my bed very thoroughly once you are done. While you're at it, you can clean everyone's bed and the entire SOG quarters." Closing the flap behind me, I shout back as we begin to walk away. "You'd better make it worth it while you can. You're an old man. I bet you're hardly keeping it up as it is."

I quickly notice Tempest's coy smile as we begin to walk away. "It's like being around a group of horny teenagers. It seems that everyone in your unit either are bucking or trying to buck."

"Not everyone," I reply weakly.

"I caught the two Thestrals the other night. The griffin was trying his luck with a mare last week. Then there was the sniper who was getting off with-"

"-That'll do," I cut Tempest off as I pinch the bridge of my nose. "I don't need to know is shagging who. I don't mind... so long as they don't do it on my bed."

"I guess when you're all bored with nothing to do, it wouldn't take long before some of the soldiers sought entertainment."

"They say it’s good exercise," I joke as I sit on the front step leading into the main tent. "A good way to keep in shake and to lose weight."

"I don't know if it is different for your species, but ponies don't have a reputation for lasting long in bed." Tempest states as she sits alongside me.

"I heard that before. It must be shit for the girls, a couple of minutes of thrusting then he's spent."

Tempest cocks a brow, tilting her head as she drags her forehoof along the edge of the step. "Do I want to ask how long it is for humans?"

I shrug weakly, "It varies. I mean... I have never had an issue of being done too early if that is what you're asking." Pausing, I cock a brow as I turn my focus to her, "You know, we usually don't have any 'normal talks'. It is usually something to do with work or planned operations. Yet when we finally have a bit of a normal talk, it turns to sex."

Tempest maintains a stoic expression as she looks me in the eye. "Simply trying to learn about my protection mark."

"About questioning my species when it comes to sex?"

"It was the topic that came up."

Before I can reply, the sound of a soldier coming to attention turns my focus towards a Lance Corporal as he salutes me. "Sir, Lieutenant Colonel Thunder Strike has requested your presence in his office for a briefing at noon, along with your second in command."

While remaining seated, I weakly raise my hand and return the salute as a formality. "Did the CO say what this briefing would be about?"

"No, Sir. The intelligence officers have gathered sufficient intel to conduct an operation, requiring all bodies of the military. Officers of the Equestrian Army, Wonderbolts, Guard and Royal Navy will be present."

The ending of his sentence causes me to sit up as I looked at him intently. "The Navy? What role would they have if we're in the middle of a desert?"

"I don't know, Sir. The Lieutenant Colonel has all of the information."

I nod my head as I slowly stand. "Thank you, Lance Corporal. That'll be all." We exchange another quick salute before he quickly marches away. Turning my gaze to Tempest, I begin to walk out of the main tent. "Wait till they've finished fucking then tell Chaser we've got a briefing."

"You expect me to just sit here while they're in there?"

"Yup," I reply with a chuckle. "Try not to look like some weird sexual pervert while you're waiting." Before Tempest can reply, I step between the adjacent tents and begin to make my way across the camp, moving to carry out my next daily routine before the last-minute briefing.

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"I hope it's fucking spotless." I whisper to Chaser as he sits alongside me at the rear of the CO's office. "If I find one stain on that bed, I swear to god-"

"-Stop being a drama queen," He chuckles as his eyes scan over the officers sat in front of us, their focus fixed on the chalkboard positioned alongside the Lieutenant Colonel's desk.

"I'll tell you what. Next time, I'm gonna make sure Luna and I ruin your bed. And I'll make sure that I leave a nice big stain all over your pillow." Despite trying to maintain a quiet level, I soon find Shining Armor looking over his shoulder at us. Flashing a quick smile, I nonchalantly say, "Hey."

Shining rolls his eyes before returning to his conversation with his own second in command. Chaser snickers as he pushes me with his hoof, "Speak louder. The rest of the room hasn't heard you yet."

"It's your own fault," Deka states from the other side of me. "You've made the barrack fair game when it comes to bucking. Next time, don't get caught."

"I'll keep that in mind." My eyes quickly snap to the entrance for the CO's office as the guards posted outside come to attention. I watch as a group of four officers enter into the office, removing their white and golden peaked caps as they move to the last available front seats. Studying their uniforms, quickly realise that this is my first time encountering the Equestrian Navy or any of its personnel.

Their uniform resembles that more closely of a traditional military from back home, especially compared to the uniform of the Royal Guard when I first arrived in Equestria. The officers are wearing a long navy blue tunic with golden buttons and bands around their forehoofs to illustrate their high ranks. A small collection of medals and ribbons line the front of their chests, likely representing their accomplishments in the civil war where Equestria's navy were engaged in a series of naval skirmishes.

Despite having only just sat down, they're once again quickly to their hooves as the Lieutenant Colonel enters. The rest of the officers, including myself, quickly stand at attention as he enters. Resting a series of documents on his desk, his subordinate begins to start unfurling a series of maps and pinning them on the board.

"As you were," The CO addresses everyone. As everyone takes a seat, he begins to pace back and forth. "Thank you all for attending this briefing. This is likely the first many of you are hearing of this operation, but this plan has been underway for the last month. We have sufficient intelligence, along with the necessary ponypower, to launch an assault on the head of the Diamond Dog uprising. We have been able to locate her stronghold and base of operations."

"Her?" One of the officer's questions. "Our initial intelligence suggested that it was a male?"

"Further investigation has denduced that the individual we previously assumed to be in charge, was, in fact, the second in command of the uprising." As his assistant pins a portrait on the board, everyone's focus quickly turns to the illustration of a tan Diamond Dog with greying fur at the top of her head. She is shown wearing a set of chainmail armour, along with an adapted Equestrian breastplate to likely give her a form of ballistic protection.

"This is Lupus, the head of the uprising," The Lieutenant Colonel continues. "It turns out that she has close ties to the Militarists of the Griffonian civil war, including the fugitive and leader of the Children of the Motherland, Silverwing. She and a contingent of Diamond Dogs assisted the Militarist by mining large quantities of metals from the Griffonian mines, digging underneath Royalist supply lines to perform hit and run strikes and to sabotage makeshift repair depots as they were set up."

"She has a strong link to anti-Equestrian underground groups. During her time in Griffonia, she was trained by military officers and soon gained practical experience. She has since used this knowledge, along with support from Silverwing, to move on from demonstrations and low-level economic disruptions to the full-scale rebellion we are seeing today. The attempted assassination of Princess Luna, the attack on Coltchester, it's all Lupus' doing."

Turning his attention to the board, he presses the tip of his wing against a black and white photograph of an old military structure. The picture appears to be an aerial photograph of an ancient fort which has been built into the surrounding hills of the Eastern Jungle, positioned within a jagged bay with a narrow approach which connects to the Celestial Sea. The main approach from the bay has the fortress sitting high amongst the rocks, with multiple towers and sentry posts housing what appears to be field guns positioned to watch the bay.

It's safe to say that a frontal assault or coastal invasion would be costly. Sending ships into the bay would render them vulnerable to heavy fire from the field guns. In a modern world, the guns would pose little to no risk to the armour of modern frigates or destroyers, but would easily tear through the wooden hulls of Equestrian ships.

"This is Rockwood Keep,” Thunder Strike informs us as he looks at the pictures. “It was abandoned centuries ago due to a series of dragon attacks. The Wonderbolts have been able to carry out aerial reconnaissance of the fort and it seems the Diamond Dogs have moved in and repaired a majority of the exterior structure. They have been able to secure Griffonian field guns from the civil war and have set up a large number of traps on the approach.”

"Our best option is to attack from the air and to land troops within the bay to ensure minimal casualties from the defences they have established. The eastern wall has a break in the perimeter, this has only been repaired using wooden struts and boarding. With the Royal Navy, we can easily tear it down to allow ground troops in. Other than the field guns, the defence is non-existent."

Looking towards me, he raises his wing to gesture to me. "The initial stage of the plan is for the Special Operations Group, Wonderbolts and the Griffonian Artillery Regiment to be transported by the Royal Navy to the outskirts of the bay. From there, you will advance up the adjacent mountain where the Griffonian troops will set up their newest form of light artillery, giving us support for the main assault. The Wonderbolts will perform attacks from the air to disable the field guns while the SOG provide covering fire."

"What is the artillery we're expected to get into position?" I ask as I raise my hand.

"The Griffonians have created a new design of their naval mortars. They state they have developed a portable design to be carried into the field. In theory, these could be flown into position; But we don't know if the Diamond Dogs will have sentries in the surrounding hill. If they spot the mortar team before they set up, we will lose the element of surprise. The SOG and Wonderbolts will move in on the ground once the navy transports them close to the shore, push through the hill and silently take out any sentries, allowing the mortar team to come in."

The CO notices my facial expression, clearly seeing my trepidation at the idea of an amphibious assault. "Now, I understand that the SOG haven't exactly had much practical experience when it comes to amphibious assaults, but the Royal Navy will be providing additional assistance. They'll be providing a Platoon of Royal Marines to assist with the landing and to push into the hills. I want Alpha Section to work alongside the Marines, while Bravo and Charlie Section assist with the frontal assault."

Waving his extended wing, Thunder Strike brushes his feathers over the jungle which surrounds the western approach to the fort. "To buy them time and to minimize resistance, the Army and Guard will be taking part in a small number of skirmishes on the approach, making it appear as though a frontal assault is the main aim. Each Platoon will have its individual orders, how to push in sequence to slowly push the Diamond Dogs back and to spread out their defence."

"It's important that you listen carefully to your orders..."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sat in the officer's mess tent, I scan over the documents which I was presented for the assault plan as I idly pick at my food. Primarily, I'm being held back for the initial assault while the mortars are set up. We'll be acting as spotters for the mortars so they can target the field guns on the coastal bastions, eliminating the crew to allow the main naval ships to enter the natural harbour so the amphibious assault force can land and breach the outer walls.

While I'm holding back, the rest will attack slowly from the front to draw attention away from the coastline. I must admit, I'm not particularly fond of having to wait around while the others are engaged in the battle. I would much rather be on the front where I can be of more use, leading and fighting on the front.

"You gonna eat that?" Chaser asks with his own mouthful as he points his hoof to my meal.

Without lifting my head, I slide the plate over to him. "Nah. There's a reason I choose to eat Griffonian rations. I can't exactly eat hay."

"You made us eat rabbit. Just toughen up and eat a little hay." Chuckling, he lifts a fork with some of the food on it and slowly brings it towards the lip. "You'll have to get used to doing this. Open wide."

Lifting my head, I stare blankly at him. "Baby, don't wanna," I joke as I slap the fork from his grip causing it to clatter to the floor.

"I'm more surprised you got them to eat rabbit," Tempest remarks from across the table.

"They bitch about it, but the lesson was important. You gotta survive in any environment, and that means finding any sources of food."

"So eat the hay," Chaser insists as he taps the plate with his hoof.

"That's different. It doesn't have much nutrition and I can't really digest it. I can find fungi and berries which are safe in the wild, alongside hunting to get meat.

"I think you're just being a wuss."

Shaking my head, I pull the plate away from Chaser. "Yeah, yeah. Now get everyone in the other sections briefed with the plan. I'll be back shortly."

"Not gonna let me finish eating first?" He asks as he continues eyeing the food.

"Now, Staff Sergeant," I instruct him in my stern officer's voice.

Rolling his eyes, he releases an audible groan as he gets to his hooves. "Yes, sir."

As he wanders out of the officer's mess tent, I gather up all of the plans before me as Tempest eyes me curiously. "You're not scared?"

"What about?" I ask with a raised brow as I get up from the table.

"You know, about that discussion we had earlier," Tempest adds as she tries to keep the topic quiet from anyone overhearing us. "About new duties."

"No. Why would I be scared?"

"Well, you're about to be charging into a large battle."

"Not charging," I correct her as I begin to move towards the exit. "I'm sat waiting for the Dog's to take the bait before hitting them on the exposed flank. Attention will be away from me so we'll be able to storm them while they're caught off guard."

"Why do I get the feeling that you'd rather be in the thick of it?"

"Spend a month with me and you somehow become an expert," I joke as I look back at her.

"I just know how you act, and how your leadership differs from other commanders. I worked alongside 'commanders' of mercenary groups who led at the back, whose bark was worse than their bite. You... you're different. Your bite is worse than your bark. You're not the most intimidating looking force in the world, once they see past your height; but you have the skill and weapons to inflict a lot more damage. You want to be on the front, you live for it."

"I don't live for the fight," I argue as Tempest steps up to me. "I know what is expected of me and where my skills will serve a better purpose. My training and weapon make me among the most advanced soldiers on the field. I can gun down entire fighting groups with one magazine if needed and can reload in a matter of seconds. I had more experience than any Equestrian officer. My knowledge makes me an asset, and it works best on the front to develop a strategy."

"Come on, John, you can't trick me with that little speech." Tempest steps past me as she grins. "You're like me. It’s the adrenaline of the fight, the action which keeps pulling you back it. Fighting is a drug, the life and death situations which makes life more entertaining and keeps you coming back for more. You try to go away, but it pulls you back. Deep down, you love the fights... you live for them."

"I like her," Davies laughs in my head. "If I had my own body, I'd hit that."

I quickly shake my head, trying to get Davies to shut up and a sense of embarrassment suddenly sweeps over me. Clearing my throat, I rub the back of my neck as I avert my gaze from the battle-scarred unicorn. "There's a little adrenaline in the fight and a rush like no other, but I don't live for it. It's a necessity for my job and something I have to get through."

"You can try to convince yourself that’s the case, but we both know it isn't true." Smirking with confidence, she walks around me, turning to face me as she stands at the exit of the tent. "Tell me, when you came to Equestria, what was the first thing you did for a real job?"

"I-"

"-You joined the military as it was heading into a fight. You had your opportunity to walk away and do something else, but you dived into the fight." Tempest chuckles as she walks out of view, "You live for it, and always will."

"Seriously... give me one night with this body and I'd be all over that."

"Oh, will you shut up!" I internally scold Davies as I pinch the bridge of my nose. "You're not having control of my body so you can try and fuck her. And you're never controlling my body for anything to do with sex with Luna. I swear to god if you try to do anything like that-"

"-I get it. Don't get your panties in a twist." Stepping outside, I shuffle past another set of officers as they pass me to get their own dinner, exchanging salutes as we do so.

With the following group, Shining Armor splits from the rest as he approaches me. "John, have you got a minute?" Nodding my head, he lifts a forehoof and gestures to the side. Following alongside him, we move away from the main tent as he turns back towards me. "Cadence told me about a certain bit of news. Congratulations."

"I can only guess what that news was," I reply as I adjust the papers in my hand, recalling how Luna has previously sought advice from Cadence.

"Twins. Are you ready?"

"Can anyone ever be ready?" I ask in response. "I'm looking forward to it, but I have little to no experience with kids."

"You seemed to handle that young filly well at the homestead," Shining states. "I never expected to see that from you... no offence."

"When did Cadence tell you?"

"Just before I came here. Don't worry, I haven't told anypony else about it... though the signs are there."

"Yeah, it isn't exactly gonna remain hidden for long."

"That's not the reason you're getting married, is it?" He asks with some concern.

I quickly shake my head, "Of course not. I care for her and would do everything I can for her... this just kinda sped things along."

"You're not the only one who is going to be having a baby," Shining chuckles with a grin. "Cadence and I are also having one. You should have seen Twilight's face when she learnt that she was going to be an aunt."

"Congratulations," I smile softly to him. "I never figured I'd actually end up having kids here."

"It must have been a surprise."

"It sure was," I answer with a scoff. "It certainly sobered me right up."

Shining tilts his head as he watches me, "What?"

"I was a bit drunk when the news came."

"Right... dare I ask how it was actually possible for you to become a father?"

"You're married to the Princess of Love. I'm sure she has taught you all about the birds and the bees." Stepping away, I look back to him over my shoulder, "You sister knew a spell to temporarily make me a pony."

"There is nothing she can't do with her magic."

"Either way, it was still a surprise for the both of us. But Luna and I are ready for anything that comes."

Shining Armor offers me a supportive grin before he turns to head towards the officer's mess tent. "From what I saw with you and that young filly, I'm sure you'll both be able to handle any challenges thrown your way. Who knows, maybe our kids will end up growing up side by side."

I return his expression with a slight roll of the eyes as the corner of my mouth curls upwards. "Or maybe they won't get along like we didn't when we first met. Only time will tell."

Sunday 28th September 2014
05:00 / Operation Gatecrasher
Rockwood Keep
Western approach

With John and his Section five minutes away from making the first amphibious landing alongside the Marines to set up the mortars, it was up to myself and Chaser to lead the rest of the SOG alongside members of the Royal Guard and Army on the frontal assault. By assaulting the Diamond Dogs from the front, we would hopefully attract the entire focus of the defence to allow the others to flank the enemy and hit them in the rear.

As the late-night moon begins to slowly set, we have little time to lure out the defenders before the Griffins and Royal Navy bombard the keep. As soon as the sun begins to rise, the mortars will open fire and the Navy will move into the natural harbour before the large assault force of Marines make their landing.

Loading another shell into my shotgun, I glance from side to side to the adjacent officers in charge of their own Platoons. It's weird to see how rapidly the military has changed in the year John has been present. Along with new technology and weapons, he has introduced new techniques and training to swiftly improve upon the almost outdated Equestrian military. With these new tactics and weapons, I am certain that we have suffered far fewer casualties against the Diamond Dogs then we would have if we attempted to fight them up close.

Chaser gradually makes his way over to me, lowering his body close to the floor as he whispers, "Is everypony ready?"

"As ready as we'll ever be." I respond with a firm nod. "We know what we've got to do."

"Remember what the CO said, we're not pushing with everything we've got. The priority is to keep them occupied. No heroic charges into enemy lines. We hit them at the front, dig in for their counter-attacks and slowly move. Keep them throwing everything they have at us until the Marines hit them on their flank."

"I'd rather be the one assaulting them from the flank then running towards them with a large target on my head." Loading the last shell, I pull the fore-end back as the sound of our artillery firing begins to echo through the night.

Suddenly, the sound of the Equestrian Field Guns firing quickly fills the surrounding jungle as the artillery begins to pass over our heads. A heavy bombardment of shells begin to soar over our position, tearing down trees as they make their way towards the first defensive line which was located by the reconnaissance team. We remain motionless as we watch the barrage before us. Bright flashes illuminate the dark vegetation ahead, the volume of explosive charges sending shockwaves in every direction.

This tactic was fairly new to us, thanks mainly to the field guns provided to us by the Griffonians. We've never had a need to assault any defensive positions like this, especially since the Griffonain Civil war where we regularly had the support of Griffonian artillery. The plan was for the field guns to continually hit the Diamond Dog's positions, weakening their resolve before we push in. John was quick to warn us not to get complacent, telling us how his military used to regularly employ this tactic, only to find enemy positions would remain intact and in a strong fighting spirit.

The minutes tick by as the shells fly overhead, one-by-one tearing into the terrain and clearing our approach of natural obstacles. The sight is unlike anything I've never seen, quickly making me thankful that we're not on the receiving end of this assault. As the military develops, we will momentarily remain the most advanced force due to our weapons, but how long would it be before hostile armies gain this tech? How would we handle this if we were on the receiving end?

Finally, the artillery gradually peters out. The final shots soon lose their coordination, firing sporadically before finally coming to an end. The first thing to hit my ears is the screaming coming from within the jungle, the sounds of wounded Dog's crying out in agony as the last of the trees and debris clatters to the floor.

The land before us has turned into a barren wasteland. The first treeline acts as the barrier to Tartarus as I look out towards the destruction that we have created. The once beautiful scenery has been torn to shreds, the tall trees now fallen and scattered across the ground with multiple small fires dispersed around the various craters which have dug into the earth and thrown the fertile soil to the wind.

Before we can dwell on the scenery for too long, the surrounding officers begin to blow on their whistles, signalling the start of the ground assault. One by one, each Platoon begins to move forward through the destroyed jungle. Bravo and Charlie Section remain close to one another as our hooves snap the torn branches and twigs which scatter our approach, with the heavy jungle up ahead it would leave Bravo Section highly ineffective to perform strafing runs without firing blindly and potentially hitting friendly forces.

After two-hundred metres, we come across the tattered remains of the first defensive lines. The makeshift bunkers constructed from logs have been torn limb from limb, leaving flaming debris thrown across the ground. The frontal trench, clearly still in the process of being dug, has all but collapsed on itself, leaving partially buried Diamond Dogs lying motionless in the dirt, trapped in their impromptu graves.

I hop over the first trench line, having to quickly hop to the side to avoid landing on top of an injured Dog. My eyes quickly glance down at him, watching as he helplessly tries to cling onto the torn remnants of his hindlegs which has been blown off below the knee.

As I look down at him, the sudden crack of a gunshot forces me to tear my eyes away as I look ahead. The next defensive line, approximately one-hundred metres ahead has been able to mostly survive the bombardment. One by one, Diamond Dogs begin to lift their heads as they fire their captured rifles towards the advancing force.

Everypony quickly drops low to the floor, many of which attempt to hunker down inside the destroyed and buried remnants of the trench in an attempt to seek cover. Not feeling too keen on jumping into an already filled grave, I shuffle to the side where I hunker down in a shell crater alongside Aurora and Night Striker.

Those around us soon begin to return fire, turning the battlefield between us into a killing ground. anypony who would dare try to push forward would likely be torn to pieces by both sides as they fire upon one another. Hearing the clattering of metal at the next adjacent trench, I lock eyes with Matrix as he opens up the tripod for the EMG as Vladislav and Von Wahrenhoof begin to fit the weapon and load it. Before long, they're ready as they begin to return fire.

I quickly duck my head as the sound of a nearby explosion sends a shiver down my spine. Looking towards the rear of the advancing force, I look in horror as a group of ponies are thrown from their hooves, one of the officer's forelegs becoming severed by the blast as he falls motionless to the floor.

Lifting the binoculars from around my neck, I bring them to my eyes and scan the Defensive line. Bright flashes quickly illuminate stone bunkers which have been carved into the natural landscape, revealing field guns which have been secured inside the structures.

"Aim for their artillery!" I shout out to the EMG crew as the continue to fire. "Suppress those guns!"

Turning back to the front, I observe the next bunker and quickly freeze. I find myself looking directly down the barrel of a field gun as it's pointed directly towards my position. On instinct, I drop the binoculars from my magic and attempt to throw up a shield as the end of the barrel produces a powerful flash.

My horn quickly erupts in agony as an explosion rips into the ground before me, the shell easily breaking through my hastily formed shield. The blinding flash of the explosive charge wipes out my vision as the blistering heat runs over my body. The shockwave is powerful enough to throw me from my hooves, my back colliding against the opposite side of the crater as my head and helmet clatters against the stones behind me as everything fades into darkness.

...

Author's Notes:

Want to suggest names for John and Luna's children?
Then follow the link above and feel free to make suggestions. Some of my personal favourites will be chosen to be selected for a vote where readers will get the final decision.

This chapter took me a little time to write. I have still not recovered fully from my injury at work so typing is a bit of a hassle, but it won't stop me.