"The Solar Guard have got heavy fortifications set up along the side of this hill, here," Hussar points to a large natural feature on the map which lies between us and Shining's base. "They've used leftover crates and materials to build walls in order to provide them with some cover. We had some luck earlier by using our aerial units to fly overhead and engage them from a distance. At range the spears are easy to dodge, we've been able to pick them off like apples at an apple bobbing stand."

I shake my head as I look to her, "'Like apples at an apple bobbing stand?' Fucking hell. I need to teach you guys some better phrases, especially when you refer to everyone and everybody as 'everypony.' It's infuriating. Besides the expression you want is 'like shooting fish in a barrel.'"

"Is now really the-"

"-And don't even get me started on swearing. You mostly use 'buck.' Seriously? Do I need to teach you all how to use variety? There's a wide selection to chose from. Cunt, twat, bellend, fucker, tosser, nob, wanker-"

"-John!" Hussar shouts causing me to look to her, "Now isn't really the time."

Waving my hand I look at the map once again, "You're right. I'm still gonna sort that issue out at some point. Now, where were we?"

Clearing her throat she looks to the map once again, "In our previous assault we took twenty-seven casualties but were able to eliminate thirty of their defenders. Considering they had the high ground and strong cover points I'd consider the assault as highly effective. If we focused primarily on that point and assaulted it with our main force we'd easily be able to take it with few casualties. The only issue is that the main base is only located three-hundred meters down range, they could easily reinforce the site if we don't eliminate it quickly enough."

Nodding I point out a number of dirt roads leading to the Solar Guard's base, "What about these roads? Have you encountered much resistance on the roads?"

"Not much, only a few light patrols. When my Platoon was out on the field we encountered the remnants of their assault force as they made their way back to the base. Other then that we've been able to keep the enemy back, they haven't been able to push past our assault force following their first assault."

"So we've got them on the ropes. Despite their efforts, they're unable to break out. What has been the biggest threat for our forces out there?"

"The Imperial Pegasi of the Solar Guard have been a thorn in our side. We've been able to engage their infantry with ease at range, the Pegasi have caused no end of issues with their attack runs. Other than that, we've had little issues."

Glancing at my watch I check the time, 18:09. With the evening sun beginning to set, it won't be long before the moon starts to take over for the night. "Well then... we're the Lunar Guard, we serve the Princess of the night, so let's attack under the cover of Luna's night."

"You're proposing a night raid?"

"I am. Under the cover of darkness we'll be able to advance close to the enemy's position without being detected, we'll use the night to our advantage. The first wave will consist primarily of Thestrals, with their night eye they'll easily be able to pick out and eliminate targets. We'll surround the hill fortification then assault it in force. I'd imagine Shining will act like a true Rupert and expect his unit to sleep through the night, likely preparing for a full-scale assault of his own in the morning. We'll catch them all with their pants down... even though they don't wear pants or trousers for that matter."

Stepping back from the map, Hussar looks over our camp as a number of the defensive force begin to prepare their evening rations. "We can attack before midnight, it will allow our attack force to prepare and get some rest. But who will lead the attack?"

"I've been sat back here and have only been on a few patrols, I'll lead from the front. Since Venture is out there now, keeping the pressure on them, his unit can rest and sleep in rotations to keep the base safe. Our Platoons will assault, our combined force along with the cover of night and the range of our weapons should give us an advantage."

Nodding, Hussar moves past me, "I'll inform the NCO's to get their squads prepared. They'll be ready, John." As she moves off to inform the squad leaders I roll up the map and stuff it into my field pack. Moving across the base I keep my rifle hooked over my shoulder as I pass by numerous Rangers, despite being engaged in skirmishes through the day they all still seem to be fairly relaxed and full of energy.

Reaching my team I sit down with them around a small campfire as they start to eat their own ration packs, not fancying one of the pony rations I dig out one of the Griffin MRE's we had stocked away for Georg and Janine and place it into a mess tin containing water before placing it over the fire. As it cooks I remove my helmet and rest it alongside me.

Groaning I rub my face as I look at everyone, "We'll be launching an assault on the Solar Guard's base."

"What time?" Chaser asks as he continues to chew his food.

"Just before midnight."

"Seriously? I'd rather be in bed."

"That's exactly the point. I bet a large number of the Solar Guard will be caught unaware, we'll attack them whilst they're sleeping. We've got Thestrals with night eye, may as well let them have their fun in the dark."

Chuckling, Spectre lifts her head, "You make it sound so kinky."

Grinning I shake my head, "How the hell did you make that dirty?"

"She's like that," Shadow states as she looks to her sister.

Spectre looks back to her as she raises a hoof defensively, "It's not my fault. Being in the Rangers has warped my fragile little mind."

"You never had a fragile mind. Sex is on the brain with you, I'm surprised you haven't tried bedding anypony yet."

"Hey, I'm not that bad."

Scoffing, Shadow turns to face her sister fully, "Not that bad? With most garrisons we've been with I've caught you in bed with at least one mare."

Spluttering, Chaser looks to her, "Wait... mares?"

Spectre shrugs, "I'm gay, big deal. As soon as a stallions learn there's a gay mare around they all suddenly become interested."

Chaser slowly shifts his head to Shadow, "So are you-"

Sunny jabs him with her hoof cutting him off, "-Seriously? You're gonna ask her that?"

"What? I'm just asking," He replies in an innocent tone.

Shadow grins as she watches them, "No, I'm not gay."

As the water finally boils in my mess tin I take it off the fire and open the MRE, the contents don't exactly look very appetising but you learn to eat whatever you're given in the army. Chewing a mouthful of sausage and beans I point to Chaser, "It makes no difference to you, you've already got a girlfriend."

"I know," Chaser states. "I was just pursuing a line of enquiry."

"'Pursuing a line of enquiry?' I never expected to hear that phrase escape from your lips." As everyone begins to tuck into their food I notice Dawnstar's muzzle scrunching slightly as she tries to eat her rations. "Not a fan of the food I take it?"

Finishing her mouthful she rests the tin on the floor, "Not particularly. I know it's got all necessary calories and carbohydrates guards require for their duties, but it isn't exactly-"

"-Tasty, I know. Trust me when I say it never grows on you. I spent months in a row eating this shit, you just learn to put up with the flavour." Taking another mouthful I point my fork to Chaser, "That bastard seems to be able to eat just about anything that's given to him."

Grinning he finishes the last of his rations to reinforce my point, "If it's edible then I'll eat it." Looking to Dawnstar's rations he points to it, "You gonna eat that?" Dawnstar simply levitates the mess tin into his hooves giving him the meal, in a matter of seconds he's tucking straight into it. Finishing another mouthful he looks to Janine, "While we're on the topic, are you into stallions or mares?"

As Sunny jabs Chaser and scowls at him, Janine lifts her head, "You're asking me now?"

"Yeah, it allows us all to bond closer as a team." Tilting his head he looks to me for support, "Isn't that right, officer?"

Shrugging I focus back on my food, "I should have guessed you'd drag me into this, I guess it can do. I'm more used to talking about these things with guys since I only had men in my team back in Afghanistan."

Before Janine can respond, Georg steps in, "I don't exactly want to learn about my sister's sex life, thank you very much."

Chuckling, Spectre rests her mess tin on the floor, "It ain't that bad. You should hear about the stuff Shadow is into."

Shadow lowers her head as a blush surfaces, "Don't you dare."

As Spectre grins to her sister, Janine looks back to Chaser. "To answer your question, I'm heterosexual. Never been with a pony, or Griffin for that matter."

Spectre's head quickly snaps to Janine, "Hold on. You've never been with anypony?" Janine shakes her head, "We need to get you laid, this is an emergency!"

Georg steps in once again as a number of us start to chuckle, "We're not going to get my sister laid."

"Why not? It's only natural. You can't tell me that you haven't been with somepony else."

Georg pauses as he scratches the back of his neck, "Well... no, I can't say I haven't been with someone."

"Exactly. You've done it, why can't your sister?" I start to laugh as I watch Janine's reaction, as the two argue over her sex life she seems to be sinking into the floor in embarrassment.

Resting my mess tin on the floor I look to everyone, "Come on, guys. Stop acting like a bunch of horny teenagers."

"Naw," Spectre pouts. "But it's so fun. I bet if you didn't have a marefriend you'd be diving straight in to help Janine with her issue."

Janine's blush intensifies as Georg snaps his neck towards Spectre, "Seriously!? Can we stop talking about my sister in that way?"

"What? I'm just saying, she's a good looking Griffin." Spectre gives Janine a playful wink as she hides her face in embarrassment.

Chuckling I throw my empty MRE pack at Spectre, "Now is not the time to make advances on one another. Save that for later. Let's get our kit ready for tonight. I want you all to restock any equipment you need, we'll have a full briefing in two hours." Getting up from the floor I start to move around everyone as they slowly get up to prepare their kit for tonight.

That is on thing I miss about the army back home, the banter. You'd dive into a complete shit storm with your team and would experience many horrors together, but you'd still be able to take the piss and have a laugh with each other. You learn to develop a sick sense of humour in the military, it's the only way to stay sane during war.

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With the glow of the stars and moon painting the night sky, we prepare for our push on the Solar Guard's camp. We should be able to catch them unprepared as they try to rest for the night. I'm used to carrying out assaults in the night, one thing we were prepared for in the army was utilising the natural darkness to our advantage, we'd carry out regular training exercise at night making us efficient fighters in those environments.

Every Thestral was deployed to relieve Venture's Platoon who were still out on the front line, they'd hold the position that Venture had secured until the relief Platoon's turn up and launch the assault. Waiting at the base it doesn't take very long until Venture and his team start to return to the base, Hussar mobilises her Platoon to reinforce the front as I move forward to debrief Venture.

Stepping up to him I notice two yellow streaks along his frontal armour. "Looks like you've had a fun afternoon."

Grinning he nods his head, "It provided some... entertainment." Pausing he glances to the flour that litters the advance to our base, "It looks as though your day didn't disappoint either, sir."

"I love a good fight, it gets the blood pumping." Turning my head to my Platoon I wave them ahead. As they start to push forward towards the frontline I look back to Venture, "Establish a shift rotation for your guards. Take turns on Guard duty and catching some sleep, with luck we'll be finishing these games before the night is over. Keep on alert and keep that flag safe."

"We won't let you down, sir." Patting his back I run off ahead to catch up with my Platoon. Joining them at the front I split them up into squads and order them to space out their formations, with our spacing and the dark colour of our uniforms we are granted with a good level of concealment to prevent us from being detected. Compared to the Solar Guard's in their golden armour we are practically invisible.

It only takes us twenty minutes to reach our rendezvous point, the Thestrals were waiting in position carrying out observations as Hussar and her Platoon remained concealed within a thin woodland. Up ahead is the hill that the Solar Guard have decided to use as a makeshift fortification. Hussar wasn't lying about them using leftover resources to build defences, on our side of the hill numerous walls have been erected along with small trenches dug out in the natural terrain.

At the base of the hill, the road splits off in both directions around the natural structure, both directions providing us with a route onto the hill where defences are fairly weak in comparison. The right side is the most reinforced out for the two with a gradual incline towards the summit, the left side has a steep incline with large rock formations creating a difficult passage to reach the top. The left side had practically no defences apart from a few sentries watching the skies overhead, a number of us should be able to scale the rocks to catch them off guard.

Securing my face mask I creep forward towards one of the Thestral NCO's, "How's it looking?"

"So far, so good," The Staff Sergeant responds in a hushed tone. "It seems that a significant number of the guards have gone to sleep, only a third of the garrison are up and about. They couldn't see us performing a reconnaissance run, we should be able to attack them from overhead before they have time to react."

"Launch the assault when ready, make sure you stay out of range and take out the sentries from the air. From there I want you to get up close and personal. I'll tell Hussar to take her Platoon to the right and advance up the path, my Platoon will move left and move around the hill to cut off any reinforcements or anyone retreating. I'm gonna take a squad up that rock face to engage them from the rear, make sure you don't hit us."

Grinning the Staff Sergeant signals the Thestrals to his position, "We won't have that issue. We'll see you up top." Jumping into the air the rest of the Ranger's Thestrals all follow his lead, a group of roughly thirty including Shadow and Spectre moving high into the sky ready to strike. The only exception was Slicer seeing as she didn't have wings, but she'd still be able to join us on the ground.

Moving quickly to Hussar I point out the right passage, "I want your Platoon to move up and assault along the path. The Thestrals will provide you cover as you make your push. I'm going to have my Platoon move left as my squad pushes up the rock face." Before she can acknowledge the order a succession of shots rings out from the sky overhead, looking to the hill I can quickly see the mass majority of the sentries dropping to the floor. "MOVE UP!"

On my order, both Platoons immediately move out from the trees and start to assault the hill. Sprinting to the left I move to the base of the rocks as my squad join me. Signalling for them to start climbing I turn back to one of the Sergeant's in my Platoon, "Keep moving around the hill! Hold the other side and eliminate any forces trying to retreat or any incoming reinforcements!"

"Yes, sir!" Signalling for the rest of the Platoon to move, he quickly advances with them moving out of sight. Grasping onto the rocks I start to hoist myself up, the rest of my team are already ahead with the Pegasi supporting them as they keep watch overhead with their rifles at the ready. As I scale the last few rocks my foot slips a couple of times on the damp moss, the only thing which stops me falling is Chaser pushing on my back keeping me in position.

Once we reach the top, both Chaser and Sure Strike land at the edge and start to open fire. As they provide us cover we're able to pull ourselves over the top to join them, as I predicted the majority of the Solar Guards who remain all have their backs to us engaging Hussar's Platoon. Grasping onto my rifle I bring it into position and take aim.

PHAT

The round impacts with the armour covering the rear of her neck, from this angle the round instantly produces a red mark as the armour would have stood no chance against a live round.

PHAT

An exposed section of the guard's chest is through a small opening in the armour, without any sufficient protection a red mark paints his coat as the force of the round knocks him down onto the floor.

PHAT - PHAT

The first round failed to connect as he moved to dodge and incoming strike from a Ranger's sword. As soon as a clear shot presents itself I fire off another round which catches the rear of his leg knocking him down. As he's taken to the floor the Ranger seizeds the opportunity to strike bringing the blade across his exposed neck.

Moving forward I start to search a small selection of tents the Solar Guard were using as a forward camp, one by one my team start to clear them out as Hussar's Platon continue to engage those who are outside. Reaching forward with my left hand I grasp onto the flap of the tent and throw it open, almost immediately a blade comes down catching on the barrel of my rifle.

Flicking my rifle up I'm able to push the sword away as I try to identify my target. Clasping the sword in her hoof is an Imperial Pegasus member of the Solar Guard, she must have been sleeping during the attack since she hasn't had time to equip her armour. As she attempts another strike I jump to the side bringing me inside the large tent as the flap closes behind me. Not having the room to bring my rifle around to aim at her I instead drop it causing it to fall to my side on its sling as I draw my own sword.

As soon as I bring my sword up I'm forced to block a quick flurry of strikes each of which are aimed for my lower abdomen, I'm forced to move my arm in some awkward positions in order to counter the attacks. Sweeping my leg forward I kick out her foreleg from underneath her causing her to roll onto the side, as she rolls she's able to dodge my downward strike as it slashes across the floor a few inches from her chest.

Before I'm able to reposition, she's able to slash upward with her sword scraping over my breastplate. To my surprise she copies my tactic at sweeping my leg, within seconds I fall forward landing on top of her as my body weight keeps her sword pinned between my breastplate and her collar.

Stretching my arm out I apply pressure over her neck keeping her head down against the floor, despite her efforts to struggle free she's only able to kick her hindlegs which has little effect on me. Deciding to end this fight I position my sword over my forearm ready to slash, as soon as I'm ready I withdraw my forearm and instantly drag it across her throat painting a thick red line.

With the fight over I climb off her as she tries to regain her breath. Looking down at her I grin as I offer my hand to her, "Good effort." Rubbing her forehoof over the line on her neck she extends her foreleg to me which I grab to hoist her back up. Once she's standing I sheath my sword and take control of my rifle again before leaving the tent to join the others.

Jogging around the tents I look over the others to check on their progress, all of the tents at this forward position have now been cleared and any guards posted here have been eliminated. The sound of gunfire still breaks through the night though, from the sounds of it the rounds seem to be coming from the far end of the hill towards the Solar Guard's main base. Whistling to my team they all form in on my location as we all advance towards the source.

Reaching the end of the hill I look down the incline to see my Platoon engaging the advancing Solar Guards at range, it seems that Shining ordered the majority of his force to our location in an attempt to keep the fighting away from the base. Taking a knee I look back to Hussar as her entire Platoon join us around the hill top, from our position we have a full Platoon providing overwatch on the group below.

With the Solar Guard within range and closing the distance I raise my rifle ready, "ON MY ORDER!" Immediately the Ranger's around me mimic my action aiming at the advancing hostiles. "RAPID FIRE!" Upon hearing the order the entire hillside fire off towards the crowd, a powerful crack breaks through the night sky from the volume of rifles being fired simultaneously.

The mass majority of the enemy all drop to the floor, the volley of bullets in their direction proving to be impossible to avoid. With the main group eliminated everyone reloads and continues to fire on any who remain standing, with the force being drastically reduced from the first barrage this leaves the remaining soldiers to be pelted with numerous rounds as they continue to drop.

Raising my hand I shout back to the Rangers, "CEASE FIRE!" A majority of the Rangers stop firing but due to the volume of the rifles I'm not heard by everyone so I'm forced to repeat myself, "CEASE FIRE! CEASE FIRE!" Finally, everyone's rifles fall silent as they scan over the Solar Guard which had just been eliminated. Standing tall I look back to the Staff Sergeant of the Thestrals, "Why don't you go off ahead and have some fun? Take all the Pegasi with you as well, they could do with stretching their wings."

Grinning he loads a fresh magazine into his rifle, "With Pleasure." Jumping into the air with a heavy beat of his wings he looks over the Thestrals and all Pegasi units, "LET'S MOVE! STICK CLOSE TO ME!" As the rest of the aerial team join him they rapidly glide through the air towards the main target, as they close the distance a few magic bolts are fired towards them but they're easily able to dodge before engaging in a mixture of low strikes and returning fire as they move high overhead.

Lifting my rifle I swing it over my back and tighten the sling keeping it secured against my body, for the last attack I decide to go all out and adopt my pistol in the one hand with the sword in the other. Moving cautiously I descend the steep slope of the hill to join the rest of my Platoon below, as I make my descent the rest of the Rangers follow suit. Once everyone is in position I move to the very front and centre, on either side of me is Slicer and Dawnstar.

Nodding to them both I raise my sword and bellow my order to the Platoons, "CHARGE!" Digging my feet into the dirt I push off at full speed with the rest of the Ranger's following my example, as we sprint full speed towards the enemy position a number of the unit let out war cries as we move to close the distance. With many of the Solar Guard being too occupied engaging the aerial units only a short number of them shift their focus to us, as we close within one-hundred meters they begin to open fire on us.

Only a few of the magical bolts make contact with a number of our soldiers, due to the large group approaching and them hastily reacting to our presence they don't bother aiming but instead fire blindly. The Rangers respond on the flanks by breaking off to the side to return fire, this allows them to cover us as we advance and close the distance.

As I reach the defensive line I let out a war cry of my own as I jump up to step onto the sandbag line, springing off the makeshift wall I leap over and roll on the floor as I land. Pivoting my body I rapidly aim at the three Solar Guards who are too busy trying to determine which soldiers to engage as they take cover at the sandbag line.

PHAT PHAT PHAT PHAT PHAT

The three targets drop as the rounds impact with their backs. Standing once again I move further into the camp as fights break out all around me, it seems that Shining's entire Company were at the two positions rather than patrolling or launching an offensive of their own. A sudden shout grabs my attention, tilting my head to the side I barely have time to duck as a spear swings for my head. Falling to my back the Guard swipes downward with the blade, rolling to the left I'm able to avoid the initial strike before taking aim.

PHAT PHAT PHAT

The two rounds impact his chest with the third catching the base of his throat knocking the wind out of him as he collapses gasping for air. Holstering my pistol I grab onto the spear and decide to head into battle with the two melee weapons. As another Guard charges me I bring the handle of the spear up to block his downward strike before plunging my sword against his armour painting a large red pip on the golden breastplate.

As the others are all engaged in their own little skirmishes I move deeper into the camp to try and locate the enemy flag. Where the fuck is it? As another Guard tries to engage with me I simply grin as I raise the spear in my one hand and shuffle its position to rest my hand on the trigger. Winking to him I apply pressure to the trigger to fire a bolt impacting with his leg knocking him to the floor as he rolls towards me. Finishing him off I place the tip of the spear against his central mass before firing again.

"John!" Slicer calls out to me and she comes to a stop next to me. "I've found the flag, I'll need your help though."

"Where is it?"

Before she replies she takes a dagger from her webbing and throws it past me, quickly twisting my neck I look behind me as the blade slices along a Solar Guard's neck as he tried advancing on us. "It's further in, but Shining Armor is guarding it within his shield. I'll need a distraction."

Chuckling I move to the side to retrieve her dagger and pass it back to her, "I can do that."

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Stepping out from around a number of tents I survey my surrounding. A number of my Rangers are engaging the close protection unit of the Solar Guard, the Imperial Pegasi. They seem to be causing a number of issues for my unit, a number of Rangers have already been eliminated by them but the Thestrals seem to be putting up more of a challenge for them. Looking to the centre I find Shining as he locks eyes with me. Adjusting the rear of my shirt I make try to hide the firing mechanism I broke off one of the Solar Guard's spears. If I can get him off guard the bolt will be able to pierce his shield.

Approaching him with only my sword out I stop a few meters from the edge of his shield as he glares at me, "So are you gonna be a pussy and hide behind your magic?" He doesn't respond as his eyes continue to assault me. "Hello?" Stepping closer I tap the barrier with the tip of my blade, "Can Shining come out to play?"

"Is this all a game to you?" He finally responds as he steps closer to the field.

Shrugging I rest my hand on my hip, "Well it is a war game." As I watch him I notice the glow of his horn intensify as I feel something tug at my thigh. Turning my head my eyes widen as I find my pistol levitating alongside me as it tries to aim at my head, acting on instinct I roll backwards as his magic compresses the trigger.

PHAT

The round only just misses as I was able to move on time, it hasn't done well for my hearing as the action fires off close to my ear. Rolling to the side I position myself on my knees as my ear continues to ring, as he tries to turn its aim to point at me I lunge forward and grab onto my pistol in the one hand. As he tries to wrestle it from my grasp the strength of his magic is able to throw me around as I desperately cling to it to prevent it firing on me.

Deciding to act I release the pistol causing me to be thrown to the side and roll across the dirt. As soon as I come to a stop I reach to the rear of my shirt and take out the firing mechanism of the magical spear, before Shining can react I fire the bolt directly at him. The bolt penetrates the shield with ease impacting the side of his chest causing the magical shield to cut off.

PHAT

A sudden pain jolts through my shoulder as my pistol drops, as his magical shield collapsed he was able to take a quick shot which managed to hit me. Hissing in pain I quickly move to pick up my pistol from the floor as I glance at my shoulder, there's only a yellow mark indicating that the round wouldn't have killed me. Once I retrieve my pistol I aim for Shining as he pushes himself to his hooves.

PHAT PHAT PHAT PHAT PHAT PHAT *CLICK

As soon as I started firing her threw up a small shield wall directly in front of himself, the bullets all impact against the shield as the slide on my pistol locks to the rear. Shaking his head Shining looks to me as his magic begins to draw his sword, "You never learn. Your weapons are no match for pure magical power."

My eyes quickly flick to the side as I notice Slicer stealthily pacing towards him from the rear, a blade resting in her hoof. Grinning I release the slide of my pistol and holster it. "Magic can only get you so far, just like technology. In the end, neither of them will stop you from getting a knife in your back."

Without flinching he shakes his head, "Do you think I'm gullible?"

"Nope, just stupid." Leaning to the side I focus on Slicer, "Now."

Slicer leaps onto his back taking him by surprise, before he can react in anyway Slicer drags her blade across his throat as he looks to me wide eyed. As soon as she retracts her blade Slicer jumps from his back and casually strolls to the flag. Pulling on the rope with her hooves she lowers the flag before recovering it. Rolling it up into a ball she throws it to me as I catch it.

Stepping up to Shining I rub the flag over his neck to wipe away most of the red marking, "You've got a little bit of red on you." As Shining continues to glare at me I retrieve the spears firing mechanism from the floor and fire at the backs of the remaining Imperial Pegasi ending their fights before throwing the mechanism into my field pack. "Shadow!?" I shout out into the air in the hope that she'll hear me.

Sure enough, she lowers from the sky and hovers alongside me, "You called?"

"That I did," Throwing the balled up flag up into the air she quickly catches it. "Would you kindly fly this back to our base? And stick the kettle on, we'll be back soon." Nodding she flies straight into the air and makes a rapid flight back towards our base. Turning back to Shining I lean closer and lightly pat his cheek, "Better luck next time."

Turning back I start to walk towards the main entrance of the base with Slicer alongside me as I start muttering to myself, "We are the champions. We are the champions. No time for losers, 'cause we are the champions of the world."

Well that was fun.