December 30th, 1972 1200 Hours (12:00 AM)
Mess Hall, Bà Triệu Airbase, Undiscovered West, Equestria, Equus

The air was filled with a comforting ambiance of chatter as the many servicemen and women converged on the only place to provide both food and poison all at one place. Bà Triệu Airbase was home to what was expected to be thousands of military personnel, the logistics to provide such a population was an OCD-ridden company clerk's worst nightmare. So by the time An and his lieutenant had gathered the refugees to the mess hall, kitchen personnel were rushing left and right to prepare meals. In addition to the tons of rice, fish, and meat they had imported from nearby farms in Saigon, the ARVN had the courtesy to ask for recipes for American breakfasts from the DAO personnel to better accommodate the refugees. And so ANZAC, Korean, and Vietnamese cooks rushed to and fro to cook a variety of pancakes, rice and fried fish, scrambled eggs, and other foodstuffs that K-Rations could provide for an herbivorous diet. The line was already as long as it was, going on from the serving tables, several feet out to the doorway, as pilots, nurses, doctors, officers, and soldiers alike waited for their next meal to be served.

"Oh boy..." An sighed, wiping his brow from the heat and from nervousness. His lieutenants and NCO's tried to organize the refugees into groups , and sat them down at the designated tables, while he talked with the cooks as to the progress of the meals for the refugees.

"I wonder what the humans eat?" Crystal said aloud, as Daleering fidgeted with the plastic silverware given to them. Crystal noted the smell of pancakes, just like the ones her mother made, being cooked. She also noticed how the Korean and Vietnamese troops mainly got some sort of meat, lạp xường*, or fish with rice, and soy sauce, while the Australian (Austallion?), New Zealander, and what few American personnel were present had some sort of meat, green beans, mashed potatoes with some green garnish and gravy, and rolls. "So they're omnivores... interesting..."

Daleering looked back at Crystal, and then at the personnel, then back to Crystal. "You don't think they eat equines do you?"

Crystal shook her head in response, "I'm not sure... it might be something I have to ask An about."

It was just then when An returned to the group of tables, his men and him pushing carts full of trays of food as they went "Alright! Grab one tray, and don't take seconds, we'll offer them when everyone's done eating!"

Crystal grabbed a tray from the cart with her magic, and she looked at its contents. The tray contained mainly hay, but also, some person unusually (not that it was bad) thought to give them pancakes with their hay, in addition to candy, and some water, and rolls, with a small bowl of white rice, and a muffin, with a supplement of various heated canned goods from boxes of what were labeled as 'Meal Combat Individuals'. She had ham and lima beans.

"We couldn't figure out what you eat, apart that you were herbivores, apologies if it's not what you like." An sheepishly replied.

A passing American ranger looked at the meal Crystal got, and then looked sympathetically at her when he saw the ration kit she received. "Oh man, I do not envy you right now, those things suck!" Without elaboration, he walked on to the mess line.

An look back at Crystal. "He's right, I've tried one of those rations before. They tasted terrible compared to what I usually eat. I won't blame you if you don't eat it."

"It's okay, An, it can't be that bad, right? Besides, there's these other meals that I got from you guys as well. It all looks delicious. I-I mean, I can eat meat when I'm desperate so..." Crystal trailed off picking at the ham and lima beans, she scooped a fork full, and took a bite, quickly contorting in agony and then spitting them out. She quickly took a sip from her glass of water, before cutting and taking a bite out of the pancakes. "Mmmh, these are great, don't you think so, Daleering?"

The caribou doe turned to look and smiled. "Yes! This was a lot more than what our masters gave us, and most of it's delicious! The rolls are soft and plentiful, and the rice tastes great with this 'turkey roll' I've got. Don't tell me you all eat like this when you fight, An."

"Well, it's worse than what we usually eat."

"Worse?"

An nodded. "South Vietnam is the breadbasket of all of Vietnam. We have plentiful seafood and rice, so we're used to better, fresher, and more varied meals."

"I can't imagine what food in South Vietnam tastes like." Crystal said.

"Well, if we are able to take you to Saigon, maybe you'll get your chance."

Crystal's face fell into a state of confusion, "What do you mean?"

"Well, we are trying to get more allies to fight for our cause, what better way than to get some refugees to testify within the National Assembly. The orders aren't set in stone, but logically, that's what we might be looking at." An wiped his brow. "I just hope we can get you some safe shelter."

Crystal decided to switch the subject to help An keep his mind off of the future meeting with the National Assembly. "Daleering and I were also wondering if you eat equines?"

An raised his left eyebrow in confusion and turned with a response, "Only when we are desperate or poor, why?"

Crystal and Daleering both had a look of horror on their faces as Crystal pressed on, "Well, we've noticed that you humans are omnivores, we're just afraid you might eat us."

An processed the answer for a moment, posing in a similar stance to the thinker statue before he laughed, "We aren't that cruel, the horses we have on our world don't talk or think, they are less advanced than you are. Besides, you are nice creatures, I really doubt that anyone here would want to eat you. Now go on and eat, take your time though, we're still trying to build your new homes, when you're done you can go out and watch the engineers work."

Crystal nodded, and together, she and Daleering both giggled, talked, and shared their meals, even spork-feeding each of their respective dishes to each other, enjoying each other's company while they filled their stomachs.

December 30th, 1972 1245 Hours (12:45 AM)
Bà Triệu Airbase, Undiscovered West, Equestria, Equus

Crystal was in awe. The digging machines she and Daleering saw when they walked out from the mess hall were huge, green things that had a bucket with claws connected to one, large arm connected to the machine, mounted on some elliptical tracks. Not far away another machine with four wheels and a little wall in the middle, on under a topless driver, pushed away dirt to clear a pathway. "This is...really impressive. You... guys are going to build permanent shelters for us?"

"Just some temporary housing" An replied back, walking up behind the couple, "You'll live in them for the time being until you make a decision on where you want to go from here. Afterwards, any new refugees that we take in can stay here. And once we run out of refugees, we can open them up as new offices or barracks."

"Sounds... clever. Where will we be staying until these are built?"

"First block of shelters should be finished by today at least, so we won't have to worry much about setting up tents or anything like that. We already have the furniture delivered from Australia. If we get behind schedule though, we already have some barracks set up for you to stay for a little bit." An fiddled with his pistol belt. "I've got to do some more paperwork, the rest of the refugees aren't far from you. Come on, I'll walk you there.

For hours on end the engineering corps had set up the foundations and structures for walls, hammering the planks together and setting up the insulation and the drywall. The windows were promptly installed, and wiring was also installed and connected to the power generator. As a health precaution, mosquito netting covered the windows. Soon, after several hours of construction, with help from the refugees, the new temporary housing was completed. Children laughed as they, along with adults and military personnel, worked to paint the buildings with murals and colors. Inside, the walls were also painted a plain cream, while Equestrians and humans alike worked together to furnish the housing with bunks, closets, and shelves. By the end of the day, the buildings were ready for their new guests.

December 30th, 1972 2100 Hours (9:00 PM)
Refugee Housing Block A, Bà Triệu Airbase, Undiscovered West, Equestria, Equus

"Here you are, your new bunks, don't worry I'll help you get settled in." An said, walking into the new buildings as he and his subordinates helped direct the refugees to their new homes. Crystal and Daleering, both tired from a honest day's work helping out the humans with building their new homes, trailed behind. Following a diagram set of the building on his clip board, he directed the two to a bunk, patting the mattress in confirmation. "Here you go, your own bunks, at least for the time being. We'll talk about your choices later, deal?"

Crystal nodded and yawned. "Today was pretty tiring, but it was pretty fun."

"There will be a lot more to do tomorrow, honest. Now, let's get you to bed, who wants to take the top bunk?" An looked at the couple.

Daleering raised her hoof and turned to Crystal, "I-If you don't mind that is." She rubbed her fore hooves together against the tile flooring.

Crystal smiled and nodded, "Sure, as long as we aren't far away from each other, I'll be fine." Daleering smiled, and wrapped her fore hoof around Crystal's before she climbed up the ladder to the top bunk, and dove under the covers.

Crystal followed, digging into the covers of the lower bunk. "These beds are amazing. Better than the ones the caribou gave us, right Daleering?" The doe nodded back, after turning to face An.

"Well you were sleeping on nothing but hay. I wouldn't blame you. Are you all tucked in?"

Crystal nodded. An turned to leave, but before he could, Crystal called him back. "What is it?"

"Daleering wanted to tell you something."

An nodded, and then climbed up to the top bunk, "You wanted to say something?"

"Y-yes, An, thank you for what you've been doing for us. You've fed us, gave us shelter, protection, I know that colts like you think that w-"

"Before you say that you're a burden, don't. You were only born with the wrong set of cards. We're just here to fix the problem. We would never leave anyone helpless, it's not humane. Would you leave a friend homeless on the streets if you found out that they were a beggar?" Daleering shook her head. "Then you know why we do this, you are our friends, we will fight for you, defend you, and give you a good home, die for you until you are free. We just can't leave you to die. Rest easy knowing we won't desert you in the night. Now rest up, tomorrow is going to be a real busy day." The doe nodded, and closed her eyes as An climbed down to ground level and walked back to check with his subordinates.

December 31st, 1972 0800 Hours (8:00 AM)
Bà Triệu Airbase, Undiscovered West, Equestria, Equus

"Lieutenant Colonel Truc sir." The helicopter crew chief and his crew saluted in front of their chopper.

"At ease, major. Is the chopper prepared for the day ahead?"

The crew chief nodded "Yes sir, we are ready to leave at your order."

"Excellent, let's go then." Truc said as he fiddled with the folded map in his breast pocket. "You have the map provided to you captured from the enemy camp, you know your orders, let's get to it."

The crew nodded, and scrambled to prep the Huey for a day of scouting. As Truc boarded the chopper, he noticed the nearby choppers surrounding his spooling up as troops climbed in. Soon the sky was filled with a swarm of choppers, flying off to nearby outposts or flying out for patrols.

After a few minutes of radio chatter, the pilots spooled the chopper, and soon they were in the air. It took a few minutes, but soon they were passing over the recently-captured enemy camp, Truc noticed the activity, as several choppers landed nearby, and trucks full of coalition troops rolled in to fortify the area. A little further east, South Vietnamese engineers were fortifying a train station and blowing up the rails to prevent further enemy movement.

The chopper flew south, and Truc quickly looked around the area through his binoculars. According to the map provided to them, they should be coming up to the occupied city of Los Pegasus right after they passed a bridge. Sure enough, Truc spotted a bridge, and a city not so far past the bridge with the iconic sign only familiar to him from postcards in America. Something wasn't right, though.

The city was magnificent to be sure, but the city was in flames, and under siege. Truc quickly turned back to his pilot and yelled, "Get us out of here, if they spot us, we'll be fucked!"

Suddenly, alarms rang out, as the helicopter soon went into a tailspin. "I don't know what happened! We've lost control!"

"Send out a mayday call with coordinates! We need to let the divisional headquarters know what's going on!"

As the pilot and co-pilot struggled to keep the helicopter flying, and communicate with headquarters, Truc gathered his supplies: an aircraft bailout ration kit, flares, survival kit, and of course, his helmet. He quickly was thrown to his seat by the g-forces of the spinning chopper and quickly, he strapped in. His last sights were of an ensuing battle spinning around him, before he heard a loud "Crash!" and faded into the dark depths of unconsciousness.

Nearby, a patch of light and dark brown slithered away, as a magenta-maned, orange Pegasus walked to the flaming wreckage. The humans have finally started to roll the dice. He mused. Time for them to create chaos within all of Equestria. Discord said with a maleficent smile, as he faded into the aether.

December 31st, 1972 0900 Hours (9:00 AM)
Briefing Room, Bà Triệu Airbase, Undiscovered West, Equestria, Equus

"What do you mean, 'missing', sir?" An asked, face contorted in concern.

"I mean his pilot sent a Mayday call before the transmission cut out. Camp Roughneck received the radio transmission thirty minutes ago. They have coordinates, but all the A-1 Skyraiders had found were flaming wreckage."

An sat there, processing the information as he, Lieutenant Hoàng (the same one from questioning) and a Lieutenant donning a black beret with a tank insignia listened to the information.

"Look, I think the situation is grim as well, but we have to consider all possibilities. That's why command is ordering me to dispatch a unit to recon the area and search for the crew. It happens to be that your unit is the only who has returned and who could be quickly prepped for another mission. You will be teamed up with 3rd Armored Cavalry Brigade, as you will ride mounted near the coordinates to assist in the search. If things go awry, we have Rangers on standby to provide reinforcements until the main force arrives. Mobility is the key here, so do not engage the enemy until you've been fired upon, and do not take prisoners unless you are sure they will not hinder your mobility, understood?"

"Yes, sir."

"That will be all, questions?" An raised his hand, "Yes, Captain?"

"Umm, Major, what is the status for Crystal Clear's credentials? Surely she could be useful to my unit in assisting with communicating with the locals and navigating the territory? She's great with languages."

"Captain, after serious consideration, she has been granted permission to go with you on the mission. You understand that this civilian must be defended at all costs?"

"Yes sir, I will personally put my life down for her." the Major nodded.

"Then that is settled if there are any additional questions, let me know as soon as possible, dismissed."

As the ARVN officers left the briefing room, Crystal and Daleering rushed to An and the Major patiently waiting outside previously, "Well, what did they say?" Crystal asked, "Am I clear to go on the mission?"

An nodded and said, "You are clear to go, the major gave you permission, you just have to be careful out there, alright?" Crystal looked up with glee while Daleering, unbeknownst to the rest of the group, contorted and scrunched her brow in worriment. "Alright, we'll head down to the quartermaster, and get you outfitted with a uniform and gear, let's g-"

"Wait!" Everyone turned to Daleering. "If Crystal is going, then so am I. I can't bear being without her."

The Major stroked his chin, then replied with a question. "Are you sure you want to go? It will be a dangerous battlefield with great risks, if you get captured-"

"I understand the risks, Major." Daleering replied back hesitantly in an increasingly heavy German or Scandinavian-accented English, Crystal translating some of the words the doe couldn't say. "I've lived with those demons for most of my life. I understand the risks, and that's why I want to protect her." Daleering replied.

The major turned to An, "Captain, can you manage to protect two civilians from harm?"

"I will do my best, sir."

The Major hummed in thought, "I'll see to the paperwork, keep them safe captain, and you two," he stared down both girls. "Don't do anything rash, it could mean the difference between life and death, understood?"

"Yes," both responded, albeit Daleering stuttered her reply.

"Good, dismissed." An and Hoàng saluted.

As soon as the major left the hallway, An turned to the two girls and said, "Alright, let's go gear up and head to the motor pool, Lieutenant?"

"Sir!"

"Prep the men, and get them to the motor pool."

"Yes sir, on it sir!" Hong saluted, and rushed to the barracks.

December 31st, 1972 1000 Hours (10:00 AM)
Las Pegasus Nexus, Las Pegasus Equestria, Equuis

Truc groaned as he opened his eyes, he was met with a dark, damp room with bars. Great, Truc thought, We've been captured, who knows wh-

The cell door opened, and in came a strange orange mare with a magenta mane, looking to be in her early teens, and wearing a red collar, she was flanked by two Caribou guards.

"You're awake!" The mare exclaimed. "Oh, wait until my master meets you, you seem to be awesome creatures."

Truc looked at the mare with confusion. "Wait, are you in charge o-"

"No, of course not, my master just let me go with the guards to meet you, your other five friends are awake, too. You need to go to the governor's office to meet with him." Truc nodded, and he was led out of the cell.

As he climbed the stairs, he noticed how busy the building was, Caribou males, some dragging chained slaves, rushed around the building, some of them carrying forms, some of them yelling at their slaves. Not too far away a slave was being auctioned. But overall, many of them were panicked. Sounds of battle were heard in the distance. Caribou troops looked around nervously, as if waiting for another strike, slaves and masters alike walked a little more quickly than Truc would've thought as normal office hubbub, and he should know, he was stuffed in an office for most of his career.

I have to get out of here. Truc mused, Might be easy with the situation I've been given. He was thinking of a method to escape when they reached a normal set of double doors.

On them were plaques in some sort of unknown written language, translated to English it had said, "Meeting Room." He was pushed into the room, and met with both of his pilots, the crew chief, and the two door gunners, still in their pilot jumpsuits, and still alive. At the other end of the conference table sat a large Caribou with ornate armor painted in a dull dark bluish grey with black markings of what looked to be the German Iron cross in the middle, flanked by two red and gold markings on the collar. In front of him was the handheld radio, the flares, three K-bars, and three Colt M1911's. The guards walked out the door and closed it, after getting a nod to leave from their commander.

"Truc, I assume from the nametag? Come, sit." The Caribou bellowed out. He had a deep, almost Germanic voice, he spoke perfect English, and he had a regal and formal air to him, his back straight and his neck held high.

Truc and his men obliged, and sat on both ends of the table near the Caribou officer.

"I did not expect the enemy we were fighting, these, 'Men in Green' that the retreating troops had talked about, to be short and small."

Truc nodded. It was true, due to malnutrition as to their previous third world country status, not many Vietnamese were gifted with great height, he was just one of the lucky ones with a tall, but modest height of 5'8. "Likewise with your civility, Mister...?'

"Freiheit, Governor of Las Pegasus, Dominion of the Caribou Empire."

Truc quickly reached for his pistol, and aimed it at the Governor, his two pilots followed. The governor surprisingly didn't react, he just raised his right eyebrow.

"Before you choose to kill me, I hope you realize that we're all in a precarious situation."

"All I saw was a siege, what is going on? Who are those soldiers?" Truc asked, still training his aim at the Governor.

"Disgruntled mercenaries." Freiheit responded. "Your presence has created fear. Those who you routed felt like this wasn't the type of war they were expected to fight."

"So? Why Las Pegasus?'

Freiheit quipped, "Las Pegasus is lying at a crossroads, Truc. We lie on a port, a railroad, and a road. That road leads to the capital. You have a map Truc, I can see you have noticed the tactical advantage of this city, but the mercenaries are looking to ransack the place."

Truc thought to himself, If we let this invasion happen, we can simply leave in the chaos, but then what?

"If you were thinking of escaping, I'd advise highly against it, the entire city is covered in a force field."

"What are you trying to propose?'

Freiheit looked at Truc in slight panic, "We need your help Truc, if you called for the green men to arrive we-"

"Why should we help you!?" Truc yelled back. "You enslave your people, and others! Made them into sex slaves to do your bidding! not just the women! But the children as well, so tell me, Governor! Why should I give a damn!?"

Freiheit jolted back in shock and... offense? He looked offended that Truc had accused him of such an act. "How dare you bring that topic up! Slavery is a plague! Sure, the emperor has seen to make it mandatory, but I hate it with every ounce of my body!" He slammed his hoof on the table. "I have passed as much legislation as possible to make sure the slaves were treated fairly, I made rape illegal! He stuck his face near Truc, "I have kept Scootaloo safe from any sort of harm that a ten year old should never face!"

Truc looked back with a straight line on his face, and asked, "Who is this Scootaloo?"

"That orange filly you saw in the cells, I have treated her like a daughter. Did you know she never had any parents?" He asked.

Truc bit his lower lip, then yelled back, "What does this have to do with anything?!"

Then, in a completely unexpected move, Freiheit untied his sword, scabbard and all, and laid it at the table, "I cannot raise her in a place like this, I can't bear the thought of any more slaves being subjugated to the wills of a madman slowly leading us to an early grave. I surrender, Truc, I choose to surrender, I have no will to fight in this war anymore, not if it means the endless suffering of my people." Freiheit bowed down, "I am at your mercy."

Truc gestured for his men to grab their things. He clipped on his pistol belt, and took his radio. He aimed his pistol back at Freiheit's head. As the Governor closed his eyes, he heard a click, and felt the cold metal leave his antlers. He looked up, and saw that Truc was holstering his pistol. "What sort of help do you need?" Truc asked.

"The provisional guard have done their best in manning the walls, our supplies our running low, and so is our will." Freiheit said, as they walked to the throne room.

"Why are we walking to the throne room anyway, Governor? Aren't you the ruler of this city?"

"I keep my... subordinate in the throne room, she is the true leader of this city." Freiheit walked up to the door, and opened it. As they walked in, a Pegacorn in a purple and blue-streaked mane and a pink coat also wearing a red collar, sat next to Scootaloo. "May I introduce Princess Flurry Heart, one of the former princesses of the Equestrian diarchy." Truc looked at the princess in shock. "She was captured with her family in the Crystal Empire, I managed to buy her before someone much worse did. She has been helping me govern this city in secret since."

"How old is she?"

"She will be turning eleven this year, Colonel." Freiheit said, "Scootaloo is barely sixteen."

My god... Truc thought to himself. These are certainly high stakes, I hope the cavalry arrive.

"What can you offer, Colonel?" Freiheit asked.

"We sent a distress signal to your now-occupied camp, reinforcements could come within two days if they can pick up the signal on this." He gestured to the handheld radio. "It has a limited range, so we'll have to use it periodically and hope that someone will pick up our location."

Freiheit nodded. "Very well, we'll try to hold this city until your men to arrive, for now it is time to battle. He turned to Flurry Heart. "I will do my best to defend this city, princess. Until these men arrive."

"You are most honorable, Freiheit."

"I shall prepare the guard and the city watch, here's to hoping we hold." Freiheit then put on his helmet, and marched out, leaving Truc and his pilots alone with the two ponies.

What have I gotten myself into?

Author's Notes:

Thank you so much, everybody for sticking with the story so far, apologies for delays, but as I said, I run many of these chapters through beta-readers, and to me, good quality chapters beats quantity any day. Speaking of beta readers, special thanks to Blitzkrieg for assisting in the beta process for this chapter.

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Fast Facts

*lạp xường: Chinese Sausage, basically, large, red sausage. 'nough said.

*South Vietnamese troops were receiving American MCI's on the field, but, as you would guess, they sucked, and for the troops of Vietnam's bread basket, it was too strange to eat from cans when they usually had fresh food. They sucked so much, that the Vietnamese received the majority of their food by having the quartermaster draw up the list of food, and having someone go to town to buy the stuff.