November 27th, 1972
CIA Headquarters, Saigon, III Corps, Republic of South Vietnam

Four days. Four days of nonstop interrogation. The ARVN and South Vietnamese intelligence were a pretty infamous lot within the CIA. They were known to use torture methods at times, but not to the point where it was excessive. Nevertheless, since the prisoners spoke English, or at least a variant, a CIA advisor was attending every session of interrogation, on every prisoner. From the most insignificant private, to the most reliable lieutenant. Slowly, bit by bit, they were able to gather some basic information, and now here they were. The commander of the forces, General Reiner, it was his order that had caused much suffering in Saigon this past holiday. It was because of that that by the time the CIA was able to transfer him to their headquarters on 22 Gia Long Street*, he was covered in bruises and was already relatively thin, the Vietnamese certainly took their revenge and anger out on someone. Now the agent standing by , watching his prisoner walk into the office, had his work cut out for him. He began by having him blindfolded and placed in a sealed, solitary cell, with nothing but white, white walls, white ceilings, white floors, no windows, just air conditioning, and bright lights 24/7. The general’s hooves were socked, just to add in as much sensory deprivation as possible. All they had to do now was wait. As the figure waited by the door, calmly sipping his coffee.

“What is this place?” The general thought. He looked around at the sea of white, there would be nothing to break the color scheme, nothing but white. His fur kept him safe from the cold air conditioning, however, already after a few hours he began to feel antsy. He paced around the room, only stopped by some walls. He wasn’t in the habit of being social when he was with his men, but even for him, solitary confinement seem to make him wish for someone to talk to. In hours, the general slowly began to lose it, he did nothing but pace around, and slowly began to feel more agitated, he then tried to buck the wall in anger, grunting as he tried to put in as much effort as possible. He was only able to make a little dent in the white steel. He then tried to hit and scratch his hooves against the walls, trying to free himself from this white, helpless void, only for his efforts to become fruitless. He tried once more to break the wall with a punch, only to hurt his left hoof.

After a few hours of trying to get himself out, the general collapsed on the floor and tried to fall asleep, a difficult thing to do with non-stop bright light. Suddenly, he was assaulted by a thousand voices, began to tremble, trying to talk to himself to keep himself sane in the face of all the voices whispering repeatedly in his head, harassing him of the war crimes he had committed.

By the 2nd day of his internment, the general was yelling bloody murder, and tried to pound against the door. The figure was smiling to himself as the general was led out of the cell, at least this method literally beat the South Vietnamese method. It was certain, he was ready to talk. The strange, suited figure sat on a chair across from Reiner, who was restrained and monitored by additional agents. He set his papers straight and began to clear his throat. “Well, judging by your screaming general, it sounded like you wanted to talk?”

“Like I wanted to, I have already lost my dignity to you, you might was well shoot me where I stand, your shorter buddies didn’t seem to keep that out of the picture.”

“We’re not the South Vietnamese.” the agent said straight-faced at the stubborn general.

“Then who are you?”

“Just a lil’ ‘ol friend of theirs.”

“Why are you questioning me then?”

“Because whatever happens to them, or whatever happens to our people, makes it become our business.” the figure said, staring down the general. “Now let me be very clear, your army has fucked up a lot of people and you have a shit ton of people who would love to see you dead, and unless you start talking, you’re going back into the white room, or even better, we may even return you to those little munchkins, and you’ve already seen what they could do…”

“No torture?’

“You’ve already seen what our methods yield, do you really want to test us?” the agent said in a threatening voice. The general’s face briefly had a look of surprise, followed by calculation. The suited G-Man then set down some dossiers and opened them up for the general to read as he paced around the room. “Your lieutenants said that your force came here to gain more resources and to subjugate more people into your ideology.”

“That is correct.”

“You also hired some guns to help you out, because apparently, you can’t fight for shit.”

Reiner winced at the comment, “We are a band of warriors, and only the strong survive.”

“Pretty cute bullshit, general, but based on our questioning of your men, most of them don’t even know jackshit of combat strategy or this so-called, “Magic.” The general remained seated. “Doesn’t explain how you toppled a government though… unless you had help, which is pretty obvious based on your mercenaries. Maybe that help wasn’t enough for you…”

“What do you mean?”

“Oh, that maybe you were also looking for some more powerful people to control and manipulate, seeing as that seems to be the only strong suit you… caribou have…" the figure paced around the room for a bit, he lit a cigarette and took several puffs, before he suddenly and abruptly turned back and faced Reiner, startling him. “It begs the question, where are you from? What kind of gain were you looking for in this conquest? And what kind of nation would try to expand with nothing but the power of a slippery mouth or bribery, simply to get people to fuck and control? Seeing as that’s what most of your men did after you took over parts of Saigon according to reports. It can't be to simply subjugate people into your fucked up religion, and it sure as hell doesn't look like you have any equipment to search for resources.”

“We are here on a peaceful expedi-” He was met with a violent yank of his antlers to the table, his neck crushed against the edge of the desk, he began to gag and choke, coughing violently as the suited man added pressure to his throat.

“We both know that that’s bullshit. Since you just told me beforehand that your fucking intention was to gain resources and enslave people!” the figure would then shove him back into the chair, he would then move close and yell, “Now tell me where are you guys from, how were you going to take us over, and what were your government’s intentions in this swamp of a country! Tell me the truth, or I swear to god, if you spill out any more bullshit, I will stuff you back in the white room, and leave you there ‘til your brain turns into mush, or hell, maybe I can jerry rig something right now to perhaps fuck you up even more!” he then backed out and calmly smoothed out his dress shirt. “Or, maybe I can get you out of here with a lighter sentence from the Vietnamese government, because I’m pretty sure you won’t last on your own.”

Sweating, Reiner contemplated his choices…

November 27th, 1972
DAO, Biên Hòa Air Force Base, Biên Hòa, III Corps, Republic of South Vietnam

“They are a race called the caribou. From a nation called Caridoon” the figure said, gesturing to a slide of a picture of a group of caribou soldiers, as an ARVN Lieutenant Colonel, only identifiable by his nametag reading Truc, translated his words into Vietnamese. “They are a race of creatures who believe that women are inherently weaker, and thus have to be controlled by men. They are essentially a nation in perpetual turmoil, they are a nation rife with power struggles and rebellions, the biggest, strongest hunk gets the throne.”

The slide then switched to an artist rendition of a large caribou, wearing a crown and covered in bushy fur. “Their old monarch was starting to look weak in the eyes of many. Because of this, one of his associates,” He gestured to the rendition, " a leader named Diann, had overthrown him, and had reformed it into a dictatorship called the Caribou Empire."

The slide then switched again to a rudimentary drawing of a white tricolor banner with red sides, and an emblem of a set of antlers over two crossed swords and a shield with a coat of arms. “Since then, they have expanded past oceans to new continents, and had invaded several nations on this continent, the general failed to reveal anything else regarding the treatment of their new possessions, but I assume what we saw in Saigon was a common practice.” Many of the personnel murmured in shock at the extent of evil the caribou had enacted, the majority of the personnel there were Vietnamese, but a small minority represented the American advisors and the remaining American forces that had yet to withdraw.

“Agent Graham.” Lieutenant Colonel Truc started, “What exactly did you do to the general?”

“Real simple, Colonel, we gave him a chance at instant freedom, he took it, and now he’s in a maximum security prison for deranged psychopaths like him. I have no doubt in my mind that your troops will treat him with “hospitality” for what he’s done?”

Truc turned and talked with South Vietnamese officers deep in a whispered discussion. After a few minutes, he turned back to Graham, and nodded, “Let’s say that we are, as you Americans say, “Giving him five-star treatment?”

Graham nodded back, and said, “That concludes my briefing on our enemy, or at least what we know of them so far.” He then shut off the projector and said, “Should I leave you to talk among yourselves?”

Truc shook his head and said, “You are also important to helping determine what our country should do, we might not have power but the least we could do is organize and suggest a plan of action to President Thieu, and he’ll try to appeal to our National Assembly to see if we can take action against these monsters.” Graham nodded in acceptance, and so the field agent, along with his posse of advisors and generals went into a deep discussion on a plan to combat these killer equines from outer space.

November 30th, 1972
Presidential Palace, Saigon, III Corps, Republic of South Vietnam

Thieu has been under a lot of stress for the past few months. It had only been a month since the near disaster called the Easter offensive nearly swept his country whole. A lot of incompetent mistakes were made in those first months, to the point where he had to dismiss several of his commanding officers. The enemy was 56 miles away from Saigon. Had it not been through the talents of several of his generals, the fighting spirit of the South Vietnamese armed forces, and the awesome power of the U.S. air forces, Thieu was sure that Saigon would’ve fallen. And now, after all the bombings and the mining of several seaports, the communists were finally suing for peace. His hope was that the ongoing Paris Peace Accords could conclude with the communist forces withdrawing from occupied areas, and leaving South Vietnam in peace to make its own sovereign decisions. But now he had another invasion on his hands, and this time, it was not the doing of the communists. His forces were able to repel the enemy and wear them down to capitulation, but now he was faced with a difficult situation.

“It is at the conclusion of our briefing with the CIA and CIO* Mr. President, that these invading forces are a clear threat to Southeast Asia. They have been proven to be ruthless, and who knows what is behind that portal, all we know is that someone needs our help over there.” Brigadier General Le Nguyen Vy, commander of the ARVN 5th division brought up, he was accompanied by all commanders of all the military tactical zones. “They have attacked our capital, we must defend ourselves from this threat.”

“I do agree with you, but our resources are running thin, with the fact that America is starting to-“

“The international community is at an uproar!” Exclaimed Tran Thiem Khiem, the prime minister of South Vietnam. “They have just had evidence of life beyond the earth, and the fact that it’s hostile. They must send support to us if they want to keep the world safe.”

“Prime minister, that plan that the generals have suggested assumes that the U.S. will follow their word on maintaining support for us and continue to equip our military. In addition, it assumes that our enemies in the north would back down and would leave us in peace, though they have been left starving and crippled from American bombing, we just cannot assume these facts.”

“The CIA agent gave his word that they will try to get Kissinger to help Tran Van Lam* negotiate to a position where South Vietnam’s sovereignty is in safe hands, and the Americans could stay.”

“What makes you think that he won’t do anything to end this war with these...aliens? Everyone is tired of our current war with the north, even our own people are tired of this war.”

“Mr. President, the news had recorded footage from the Thanksgiving Offensive, we have had reports from our embassy in Washington that that footage had been broadcasted all over the United States, and that a lot of people are shocked and disturbed that something like this is happening right in front of them. There will be public support to at least leave a few advisors to help us defeat this evil.”

“I see. Well, regardless of the concerns I have prime minister, Vietnam has been attacked, and as such, it is our duty to defend our lands against hordes, human or not. We will go to war gentlemen, but as it stands, our forces are stretched out pretty thin right now as it is. We are not sure that the Americans will keep their word, and will continue to supply us. Furthermore, aside from Australia, South Korea, Laos, and Cambodia, who else would care for a nation such as ours? We will declare war gentlemen, I can guarantee that, but it will be a long a difficult fight, adding weight to a strain we already have. I’ll do my best to help pass the declaration of war through the national assembly, but let me warn you my generals, this will be a difficult fight. Understood?” Thieu received nods from his generals and staff.

“Then we shall discuss further plans in our own offense and defense in the event that such a war were to happen…”

December 3rd, 1972
National Assembly Building, Saigon, III Corps, Republic of South Vietnam

The South Vietnamese National Assembly was at an uproar. In the weeks following the attack on Saigon, many government offices were receiving concerns regarding the safety and the well-being of the people. Many of the Vietnamese people were outraged at the lack of a quick response against the failed attack. They wanted revenge. The room was filled with arguing and talking, while members of the western media, from the BBC to the Associated Press, to the evening news casters of ABC, NBC, and CBS, swiveled and rolled their cameras and checked the sound from their mics, as they awaited the response from the South Vietnamese government. President Thieu walked into the room to abrupt silence, and the flashing of several cameras. He slowly walked to the podium, in the middle of the House of Representatives, and fixed his stack of papers. He then spoke into the microphones.

“My fellow countrymen, two weeks ago, on November 23rd, 1972, the Republic of Vietnam had made humanity’s first contact with an extraterrestrial being. That first contact had resulted in the massacre and rape of thousands of innocent civilians."

There was an explosion of chattering, yelling in outrage, and questions being frantically asked. Camera lights flashed on and off, the room quickly fell into disarray before the speaker of the house ordered everyone to be silent. Thieu continued with his speech.

“Since our founding, we have been a nation that has been in constant state of war. We have never been at peace, internationally or domestically, we have never known quiet, and we were never one-hundred percent safe. Now, when we are at the cusp of peace with our neighbors in the north, fate has seemed to have given us another problem to combat with the departure of our American allies. We are at the crossroads, between unsure peace, and a prolonged war, no longer only against our brothers and sisters in the north, but against creatures which have never been seen since the empires of old. Let me reassure you that the United States has done everything within their power to help us get crucial information about our foe.'" He paused to wait for a reaction, then continued on with his speech.

"What we know is limited, our enemy is a different species to us, essentially being animals. Our enemy leads a government that thrives on imperialism and conquest, and creates atrocities parallel to communism. Our enemy takes away the freedoms of certain people, and lets the privileged abuse their power. And more importantly, our enemy possibly has the influence of an entire world to provide them support for their conquests, their treacheries, and their immoralities. Let me assure you that our generals and I have been able to create a plan to combat this new foe. It will be a difficult undertaking, for we may have little to no support from the Americans, as we speak our Minister of Foreign Affairs is not only trying to settle for a ceasefire which would be in our favor, he is also trying to look for allies to help us explore this new world. Our resources as they are, are dwindling from this long and arduous war." Several members from some of the more conservative parties and some of the anti-war parties began to yell in outrage and argument before Thieu silenced them with a raise of his palm. He calmly returned to his speech.

"However, to those who consciously object to the possibility to a new war, let me remind you that as a sovereign nation, it is our duty to protect the fatherland when he is preemptively attacked. In addition, with the introduction of this new threat, we are not the only ones in danger. This foe has shown that he fights to conquer, and will not be sated until everyone, communist, or no, is under their twisted control. Already and we have representatives from Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Japan, and South Korea who are willing to take part to defend the region against this alien threat.

We do not know of any information yet regarding our cousins in the north, or their allies in China or the Soviet Union, or among the Khmer Rouge, or among our remaining few but radicalized members within the Viet Cong, but with information of this attack, there is a chance they will tread lightly on a situation that could easily lead to Armageddon. More will come to help us, they have seen our suffering on their screens at home at night. And more will come, whether they be our former colonizers from France, or a coalition from the United Nations, they will come. We do not guarantee that our American allies will come and assist us any more than just supply and advise, but they will do their part to save the world.

And that brings me to my final call. Based on intelligence gathered from both our American allies, and from our intelligence. The enemy may be enslaving millions and millions of beings. To what horror they are being subjected to, we can only guess. But there is a people out there that is in need of liberation from an authoritarian regime."

Thieu looked on as he saw the assembly room's atmosphere turned cold, and soon, the only movement came from the scribbling of journalists from their notes. Thieu paused before he reached to his conclusion.

"As the strongest nation in this region, and as a protégée to a nation that thrives on free choice, and democracy, we must pay it forward, and help these people. For if we don’t help them, who will? To them, we will be the beacon of freedom, of choice, and of happiness; Just as how the Americans had tried to be when they helped fight our battles. And thus, I urge of you, we must declare war not just to save ourselves, but to save others. Thank you, thank you very much.”

The National Assembly applauded as President Thieu left the podium. As the assembly began their vote, the footage recorded from the media was quickly broadcasted worldwide. After an hour long debate and planning, the vote to declare war had come to be, and with unanimous support, the Republic of Vietnam; a nation still torn up in internal strife, was now at war to save two worlds.

In the west, recordings of Thieu’s speech were translated and broadcasted on every TV station. South Vietnam’s proclamation and its near suicidal move shocked the world. Many were in awe and in wonder that the South Vietnamese were willing to go through such lengths just to respond to an atrocity. There’s a general sense of alarm, and in some cases, heavy skepticism by many on whether or not South Vietnam would be able to handle a two front war.

Within the week, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea, declared war against the Caribou Empire, the Philippines and Japan pledged support. Within the next two weeks, The Royal Laotian government, The Khmer Republic of Cambodia, and the Royal Thai Government also pledged support. It wasn’t a large force, but it was a good start. For now, this new war seemed to be a regional conflict. But as this coalition mobilized their forces, the world would hold their breath, waiting for a response from not just the United Nations, but from the two Cold War superpowers, the U.S. and the U.S.S.R, as tensions began to slowly rise within this old battleground. Whether or not the war in Vietnam ended, and whether or not South Vietnam would have support in this new war, leaned desperately on the actions of these two superpowers.

Author's Notes:

And there's chapter two of this story. Just to reiterate, I do not own either MLP:FIM, nor GATE. Tell me what you guys think of it. And stay tuned! Oh and sorry if I bored you out with political stuff, but trust me, there will be more combat by at least the next chapter. Anyway, Adios.

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Fast Facts

*This building would've been the same building that was featured in a famous photo from the fall of Saigon in 1975, in which CIA allies were boarding one of the final helicopters on top of the building

* The Central Intelligence Office, South Vietnam's Intelligence agency, their main focuses included espionage, counter-intelligence, and interrogation.

*Minister of Affairs for South Vietnam since 1969, he was one of the negotiators within the Paris Peace Accords.