As we stood at the train station the next morning, waiting for the crews to finish setting up the flat cars, Dan poked me hard in the shoulder.

"Hey Chris, I just had a crazy idea. How fast is this train?"

I wasn’t prepared for a serious question. I shrugged and guessed. "Oh, 80 kph or so. Maybe less. I'm not used to being low to the ground. Why?"

"’Cause I'm getting that crazy paranoid feeling." Dan looked at me funny. "Usually you're the one who gets the crazy paranoid 'we should use this strategy' feelings."

I nodded slowly. "This place is too nice. Maybe it's throwing me off of my game." I took a deep breath of the fresh country air and tried to put the picturesque countryside out of my mind. “What are you thinking?”

Dan started pacing around, not looking me in the eyes. "I might just be being paranoid. There's only one train from here to the capitol?"

"Yeah."

"The Elements of Wonderosity are going to be at the capitol for the invasion?"

"As I understand it."

"Are there any other trains they could be taking between now and the invasion?"

"As I understand, they're stopping the train line after this because of the danger."

"And it's pretty well known that Twilight Sparkle and Friends will be taking this train to escort us?"

"Yeah, I'd say so." After a moment, my eyes flew open. All of the special forces were on one unguarded train. And everyone knew it. The happy swimming feeling of happy sunshine land snapped away and left me with my usual mechwarrior paranoia.

My expression must have shown my change in mood. Dan nodded grimly. "Yeah, that's about where I am."

I began speculating. "There's no point in terrorism, but a strategic strike against the main danger to their forces is totally fair game, and other losses aren't a concern."

"Yeah. Collateral damage. All's fair in love and war."

"I'll go talk to Twilight."

"No more ‘Ambassador’' now, eh?" Dan elbowed me in the ribs.

"You'd like that, wouldn't you," I called over my shoulder.

---

"Twilight! I need to talk to you!" I had heard someone yell 'All aboard!' and figured I was late. I was running full tilt across the platform once I ignored my way through ticketing. "Twilight!" I hurdled a baggage cart, clipped a hat box, and went sailing through the air. "Shit!" The platform smashing my face and following abrasion never came, and everything turned purple. I looked up to find several shocked looking ponies, and the now familiar disgruntled face of Twilight Sparkle. The world turned its normal color, and I fell two feet to the ground.

"Our society has rules, Commander Black."

"I need you to keep the train slow." I barely looked up from the ground.

"What?" I started standing up

"We are going to escort the train to Canterlot."

Twilight glared at me. "So you can show off-"

"Look Twilight," I snapped, "There is a serious threat to everyone on this goddamn train, and if you'd shut your academia-addled mouth for five seconds and accept that I might have learned something from experience, I will tell you."

Turns out people don't usually tell off Twilight Sparkle in Ponyville. The entire platform stopped dead. Every single pony was staring at me, some enraged, some appalled, most just shocked. I mentally cursed myself out. "Let's not talk military strategy right here," I offered. Applejack and Rainbow Dash were now standing next to and flying above Twilight respectively, looking about as angry as I had seen them. "Please hold the train." I turned and walked into the building.

I learned later that the angry blue pegasus in front of me had convinced the conductor to wait, but she was the first inside the building. "You better have a good reason for this," she said through clenched teeth.

"The train is gonna be attacked." Her expression went from surprise to suspicion.

"How do you know?"

"What's goin' on, Commander?" Applejack was thankfully level headed, but understandably on edge.

She and Twilight walked into the room, Twilight lighting the door in purple behind her.

"Ok, follow me here,” I said in my best diplomatic voice. “This is the last train from Ponyville to Canterlot, correct?" Twilight, knower of everything, nodded. "Everyone in Equestria knows all six of you live in Ponyville, right?" Nodding from all three. "And everyone in Equestria knows that if there's something terrible going on, the Elements of Harmony will be there by order of the Crown, right?"

Applejack nodded. "Of course! Equestria can always count on us!"

"Right!" Rainbow Dash chimed in.

"The Princesses send us to help in any situation they see fit. It's not precisely correct to say we will be at every catastrophe."

"But if everyone knew that there was going to be a catastrophe, you'd probably be there, right?"

"Well, I suppose that's a reasonable assumption."

"So if an enemy with the most minimal intel knew where you six were, and when you were going to be travelling, alone no less, to the capitol, why wouldn't they attack you when the Equestrian Royal Guard couldn't back you up? Why wouldn't they attack us at the same time when we aren't in our titans, ready to defend ourselves?”

"Because they…Because…" Twilight's expression slowly shifted from her enraged logical debate to silent fear.

"You ain't suggestin’ they're gonna attack a train?" Applejack asked with incredulity.

"I am suggesting exactly that."

"So why are we slowing the train down if they're gonna attack it?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Because the Atlas and the Stalker are very slow. We can guard the train all the way to Canterlot, but not if it moves at top speed. I am willing to bet that we can put out enough firepower to scare off any force that would be trying to strike an unarmed train. It's safer for everyone on the train this way, not just us. You six could defend yourselves, but we become very vulnerable, and the rest of the ponies on the train would be in harm’s way.”

"They wouldn't," Twilight mumbled, mostly to herself. Applejack nodded solemnly.

"Yeah they would, Twi. It makes logistical sense." Twilight looked up at Applejack, confused. "What, I run a farm! Of course I know what 'logistical' means."

"With my unit out of the picture and everyone in Canterlot preparing for a siege, they have almost nothing to lose by hitting the train. If they don't, then we just have a slow ride to Canterlot. Hell, I hope they don't. But I'm not willing to risk it."

"You have no guarantee, Commander." Twilight countered quietly, but she didn't look up at me.

"The thing about war is that there is no guarantee of anything, Twilight Sparkle. You just have to be prepared for as much as you can."

In the end, Twilight told the conductor, he agreed, and we all set off. We had an uneventful trip once the conductor learned how to match the speed of the train to the maximum speed of the Atlas and the Stalker. The Tiger and the Kodiak kept in formation. Until we got to the bridge.

---

I swore at myself, having crossed this particular ravine in my previous trip. I hadn't even given it a second thought at the time, the jump was trivial for the Tiger. I have made much more challenging maneuvers while being shot at.

Hiro, trained as a scout, realized the ambush point and the Tiger suddenly swung out of formation. Once he was a safe distance from the train, the Tiger roared into the air.

"Ninja?"

"Incoming, small formation and something else, bearing 290." The Tiger slammed into the ground and the whine of his engine told me it was hitting full speed. "I'm gonna jump the ravine, get around and hit 'em as soon as you can!" Another roar of the Tiger's jump jets and the mech flew over the chasm. Green lances of light spouted from its head.

"Orders commander?" Reaper sounded on edge. I ignored the comms in favor of mashing the external speaker button.

I yelled into the mic. "Twilight Sparkle, stop the train!"

"That'll work," Reaper commented.

"Nearest crossing is a half kilometer east, book it Atari. Ninja, you have the train."

"Roger Commander!"

The massive engine in the Kodiak whined to life as Big Bear floored it for the first time since we had run our demonstration. The Stalker and Atlas lumbered along at something like a jog, but the Kodiak could truly run. Ruby lances from its claws cleaved through trees in his path, and he tore through the small grove without breaking stride.

A horrible screech of metal on metal filled the air, and I noticed the whole train lurching. Just on the other side of the bridge, it was coming to a stop. The figures that Ninja had seen were just coming into my radar range. Somewhere between two and eight small things, ponies obviously, and one large thing. The last was as tall as a small scout mech, and as bulky as the Tiger. It was moving, but Ninja could easily outrun it. I started around the chasm.

"I don't know what's going on, but there's more of 'em, and they're casting some kinda spell." Ninja sounded worried.

I keyed my mic. "Are they in royal armor?"

"No?"

"Shoot to kill." I sighed and leaned back in my chair. I could only just barely see the train from inside the light forest I was walking through, and I was too low to feel safe about shooting over it. Big Bear was almost back to the train. Beside me, Reaper's Atlas plodded along. "Big Bear is incoming, fall back to the train if you are in danger."

"Roger."

There was a bit of a purple glow from the train, and a bubble suddenly appeared above it. The bubble popped, leaving six familiar figures standing on top of the train car. One of them immediately tore into the sky. Her rainbow trail headed toward the cultists. Yeah, Rainbow Dash seemed brash enough to think she could scout. There was some movement, another pop, and something thudded against my cockpit armor. Probably Twilight Sparkle. I flipped on the external speaker.

"-can teleport the girls out to safety, but not the whole train!" Twilight was on the verge of panic.

"Stay calm, ambassador. Big Bear and Ninja will hold them off until we arrive."

"Should I teleport us away?"

"I would feel more comfortable with you where I can see you. For all we know this is a diversion." I thought for a moment, and Twilight blissfully remained silent. "Stay at the train and do that shield thing until we push them away."

"Understood Commander." Before I could say anything else, there was another pop, and there were five figures on top of the train once more. Fortunately, the rainbow blur came back my way.

"Ten ponies in weird cloaks, and one monster, Commander!"

"Roger Dash, keep it loose out there and watch the lines of fire."

"Roger!" The rainbow trail shot back into the sky.

Reaper gave me about five seconds. "'Keep it loose'?"

"What?" I was sure I'd heard that before.

"Omega, never become an air jockey."

"Shut up."

"Three targets down, they've put up a shield, the weird thing is getting bigger!" Ninja called.

"On your six Ninja, move left!" Big Bear growled. There was a roar of the Tiger's jump jets, and I saw it for a moment as it moved out of the way. The searing scream of the Kodiak's large laser echoed over the plains. "Too strong," Big Bear reported.

"Fall back Ninja, we're almost in firing range," I ordered.

"Roger!"

The Kodiak was about to carefully step over the train tracks when they were surrounded in a black glow, and began to roll up like party favors. After a moment the train's brakes started squealing.

"They're going for the train, hit 'em hard, forget the tracks Big Bear."

Big Bear didn't even acknowledge. The Kodiak tore one huge foot at the earth, and lept forward when the other found purchase on the track bedding. Two steps later the tracks were bent beyond use, but the Kodiak was on its way.

"Reaper, support from range, see if you can hold those tracks down."

"On it."

I bounded across the tracks, as much as a Stalker ever can be described as 'bounding', and the Atlas stopped. With its two massive hands, it reached down and grabbed the rolling tracks and forced them back to the ground. The metal screamed at being torn in so many different directions at once, but the train stopped moving. I zoomed in on the magical barrier over the forms in the distance. "Firing."

My first shot went wide, and I once again cursed the weird physics on this planet. My second shot hit the ground in front of them, sending a wave of dirt over the shield. The third shot barely hit. What I saw first was the glow bending. Then it popped like a bubble, but in the wake of that pop, all of the figures inside were sent flying. The glow around the tracks went out instantly.

What I saw next was the big thing. It had horns, big bat-like wings on its back, and eyes that actually looked like they were on fire. It stood up, screamed an unearthly howl, and ran straight for me.

"Is that a demon?" Reaper asked from the train tracks. With the massive bulk of the Atlas holding the tracks down, he stood up on the tracks themselves. At least I assumed that's how he started pelting the thing with blue lasers from behind me. "Is that a fucking demon?" I didn't stop to compare notes. I opened fire.

Four more shots from my PPC's actually hit the thing somewhere near where I aimed, tearing great holes in its wings and causing it to fall backwards and scream, only to roll onto its feet and charge again. Nothing critical. The lasers Reaper was hitting it with didn't seem to do anything.

"Twilight says it's a creature of fire!" Rainbow's disembodied voice came from outside. I hoped she was far from the particle cannons.

"Right, no heat damage Atari."

"I've got some non heat damage for it," Big Bear growled. As the Kodiak finished closing the distance, the massive clawed arm of the battlemech reached back and it punched the thing across the face. The Kodiak recoiled from the blow, but the demon flew backwards. When it hit the ground, the Kodiak's autocannon barked.

The LBX-AC-20 tank-shotgun mounted to the Kodiak was the perfect weapon for the job. The demon rolled backwards again, as great gaping holes exploded across its body. Another unearthly scream came from it, and it stood up once more. Where I expected blood, I saw only fire. Magma dripped from its mouth. Its eyes looked like flares. It…well could only be described as screaming...once more, and my world was awash with pain and sound.

"What the hell!?" Ninja screamed in confusion and fear.

"Hell, Ninja." Big Bear thankfully remained calm.

When my vision cleared, all I could see out of the cockpit was fire. "Need melee backup!" I fired my lasers out of instinct, but nothing much changed.

"Hold still!" someone screamed into the radio, and I pulled the throttle back to neutral. The fire changed to metal, and the Kodiak lumbered past my window. I heard the Kodiak’s fist slam into something that wasn’t my mech, and I slammed the throttle into reverse. The Kodiak's autocannon barked again. The roar of the Tiger's jump jets came from behind me, and the Tiger's feet landed on top of the creature, which screamed again.

"Clear the target!" I shouted. The Kodiak wheeled away, and the Tiger's jump jets fired again. I fired all four of the PPC's at almost point blank range. The demon slammed into a crater on the ground, and fire sprayed everywhere.

"Internal heat warning," my computer spoke. My reactor kicked into high gear, trying to recharge the four capacitors fueling the four particle accelerators while running all of the radiators. I ignored it. The demon started climbing out of the hole, and I pulled the trigger again. Four more PPC shots. More fire spraying. The form flew backwards and fell beyond the rim of the crater.

"Reactor critical: Shutting down."

Everything in my cockpit went dark. Midnight drooped as the legs and gyroscopes lost power. The 800 degree nuclear reactor underneath me threatened to bake my cockpit, and the heat sinks whined their metallic cooling ping under the heavy stress. The coolant tubes in my vest worked overtime, trying to make sure I didn't bake to death. Midnight couldn't move. I could barely breathe. I was facing the hole though, and could see the crater through the reinforced cockpit glass.

Fire licked up from the edges of the crater I had buried the creature in. I thought I saw a hand, and I pulled the trigger again instinctively. Nothing happened of course, but the fire cleared and nothing was left in its wake.

"Reactor: online. Sensors: online. Weapons: online. All systems nominal." The silence was cut suddenly by my computer rebooting and the reactor kicking the power back on after it had cooled to within safe operating temperature, and the giant gyroscopes that kept the Stalker standing upright began spinning to life again. The dashboard lit up across my cockpit.

I slammed the throttle forward.

The Kodiak stood guard over the crater, one arm pulled back and ready to give it another hundred-ton punch, autocannon barrel glimmering with heat. The Tiger had pulled back and stood away, ready to pounce again. I strode up to the hole, looked down, and fired a single ppc at the middle of the flames. Aside from more dirt scattering, nothing happened.

"I think it's dead," Ninja offered.

"God I hope so," I said.

"Incoming!" Rainbow Dash yelled. I saw her rainbow trail shoot up over the battlefield.

"Movement, the cultists are back," Reaper called. I spun my giant torso around. The Tiger's engine whined as it rocketed forward, jump jets speeding it along. A small group of the original cultists were charging toward us. No shield. Ninja didn't even have to be told. The Tiger flew into the air on jets of plasma, spun and looked down, and red lasers fired from its weapon pods. Two of the cultists fell immediately, and he landed on a third. The lasers fired again and impaled a fourth. I fired a couple of shots wide to guide them back toward him. The Kodiak's blue laser fired from behind, killing another. The green lasers from the Tiger's center fired and the last fell.

I looked around. "Where's the rest?"

"Fled," Ninja huffed.

"Good. Reaper? How's the train?"

"All clear here Omega."

"Damage?" I asked.

"Leg armor's scratched," Ninja said.

"Right arm's melted, three AC shots fired." Big Bear responded.

"Clear here," Reaper said.

Nothing serious. "Just running hot, torso's scratched. Fine. Form up and wait at the train."

"Roger."

"Joining."

"'Kay."

The rainbow blur zoomed past my cockpit window.

"Wow, I could ride the thermal coming off of your machine," Rainbow Dash said. "The rest ran into the forest. We all clear?"

"Yeah, you guys ok?"

"Yeah, train's fine. Reaper saw to that."

"Good. We have to get this train going."

"On it." The rainbow blur led back to the train. The other two machines fell into step behind me.

The train tracks were still bent all funny from where Reaper had mashed them back into the ground and Big Bear had stepped on the bedding. The train was stopped, several ponies were looking out the window, most at us, in horror. Twilight looked up at us. “Is everything ok?”

"The train is safe for now. How do we get it going again?"

"We need to repair the tracks."

"Can we be of any help in that?"

"I don't think so, Daniel has managed to put them back where they were." She looked like she was still working things out in her own head.

"Alright, we will stand guard."

"Thank you Commander."

I nodded to myself. "Atari, give them some space. Ninja, cross the tracks and look for anything else coming our way."

"Roger Omega." The Tiger started moving again, jogged a respectful distance from the tracks, and leapt over with a burst from the jump jets. I was able to watch the fearful looks on the faces of the ponies in the train this time. Well, as long as one group of the citizens of this planet learned to respect our machines, maybe it would spread. I didn't think it would help our cause in the short term.

Twilight ended up straightening the railroad tracks. There was a bit of a pep talk beforehand, and Pinky Pie started singing. I shut off the external sound for that part.

One musical number later, the tracks were in place. Two earth ponies got out of the train and went about replacing the spikes with Rarity's help. I was about to question why the perfectionist was in charge of a quick repair job, but I realized that it gave me a moment to talk to Twilight. I opened the hatch and climbed down.

“Commander, in the future I would appreciate warning before you...engage like that.” She sounded and looked like she was going to be ill.

“I apologise Ambassador. The train looked to be in imminent danger.”

It took a moment, but Twilight looked almost ashamed. “Yes. Thank you for defending it.”

"The last time I saw those cultists use magic, they all teleported away and we haven't seen them since. Before that, they summoned four murderous, rampaging Titans from who-knows-where. I didn't think you wanted that again."

Twilight gritted her teeth. "No, we don't want that to happen again." I nodded.

"I am at your command, Ambassador. Feel free to tell me to stand down."

"Okay."

We stared past each other in awkward silence for a moment.

"Twilight, the tracks are done, and much nicer than before,” Rarity said, sounding proud.

"Good work Rarity. Commander," she said, turning back to me, "we are ready to move again."

"Understood Ambassador. Start the train at your leisure." I closed the hatch and got back on the mic. "Break's over Atari. Mount up."

---

The sun was close to setting by the time we finished winding our way up Canterlot Mountain. Princess Celestia herself met us at the station with royal guard in full fanfare. Reaper and Ninja stopped and immediately started scanning.

"Welcome back, Commander Black. I trust your trip went well?"

"We met with some resistance, Your Majesty. I will require a space to conduct repairs. The Colonel will want to hear my full report."

"Well, the train looks undamaged, so thank you for that."

"Happy to be of service, your Majesty." She gave me a lingering 'we're talking later' look as she turned away, and then was back in full Royal Princess mode. Shining Armor strode up to our formation, the guard pony looking intimidating despite being dwarfed by our legs.

"Commander, please follow me, we have prepared a space for your machines."

"Understood Captain." I flipped the external speakers back off. "We're moving, Atari. Apparently they built us a hangar."

"Classy," Reaper said hopefully.

---

"It's a barn," Reaper deadpanned.

It certainly looked like a barn.

"Hell of a barn," Big Bear countered.

"How is a barn not a hangar?" I was confused as to the difference.

"Less hay?" Reaper asked.

"It's tall enough, I'm not complaining."

The barn was indeed big enough for all of us. Someone must have taken some measurements, because the loft was at perfect exit height for Reaper and Big Bear. The Stalker, being shorter, left me climbing all the way down, but I wasn't about to complain that my free caviar wasn't my favorite color. As I hit the ground (which wasn't covered in hay) the Colonel walked in the door.

"Nice place, those earth ponies do quick work," he said, smiling at me.

I saluted him quickly. "Good to see you again Colonel."

He waved his hoof in what I had gathered was a salute. "I hear you boys hit some trouble on the way."

"Balrog, according to Twilight Sparkle. They were using it as a fast strike unit. About ten cultists backing it up, four or five got away. They know we're coming, and what we're packing."

The Colonel was silent for a moment, and looked at Midnight with a blank expression. "I was afraid of this. We hoped from their earlier mistake in summoning you four that they didn't know how to summon creatures from Tartarus. Now we know they can."

I nodded. "How many are we talking?"

"I don't have the numbers with me. Lots. They’ve probably been preparing for this for months. Enough to be glad your four are here. This is going to be bloody."

I grimaced. "I've faced worse odds."

He smiled at me. "Worse than 'this is going to be bloody'?"

I held up a hand and began counting off. "'We will disavow all knowledge of you if captured', 'We're not really all that formal around here', 'I can't believe they would attack a mercy mission', and my favorite, 'All previous legal disagreements will be forgotten if you accept this mission'." I looked up. "That one was particularly bad."

"Sounds like a good story for after this."

"Beer's on me."

"I'll hold you to that, Commander. Briefing will be at 1900." He turned and walked away with a grin.

"Roger, Colonel."

Reaper walked up beside me. "Local time?"

"About 1815."

"Just enough time to find our rooms then, I think."

"Yeah, go get settled. The Ambassador should be here soon." I looked up at the Kodiak distractedly as Rolf walked up. "How bad is it?"

"Right arm armor's half gone. Three of the lasers are out. Still makes a good fist though."

"Noted. Great work Rolf. I appreciate the ass-saving."

Rolf grinned. "You still scream like a girl Chris."

"A girl who authorizes your paycheck."

Rolf patted me roughly on the back. "I'm gonna go remind Dan he doesn't know where our rooms are."

I chuckled. "Good luck."

I was still looking at the Kodiak's arm when Hiro finally got himself out of the Tiger. He walked for the entrance staring at the ground.

"You ok Hiro?"

"I don't like shooting soldiers, Commander," he replied quietly.

"I know Hiro. You did good out there."

"Thanks Chris. It just…doesn't sit right."

I grimaced. "You know I try to avoid it. We have a new situation here though. Think of them like elementals. They're trying to hurt us, and they can if they want to. They're not defenseless and they know what they're up against. We saved lives of noncombatants."

Hiro nodded. "I suppose that's a good point."

I shrugged. "I doubt we'll have to deal with it much anyway. The Colonel seemed to think they're gonna bring more demons to the actual fight. Probably even a real titan."

He seemed to brighten up a bit at that. "See, being the underdog I can do."

"And you do it well." I patted Hiro on the back. "The bonus from this mission should be pretty good. We're getting paid in pure gold. Not even like 99% pure gold, apparently the unicorns just know how to make pure gold bars. We'll be sitting pretty when we get back."

"Yeah…can't wait to get home," Hiro said, distracted.

---

The ‘short briefing’ of the princesses and the heads of the Equestrian military was as terrible as the first meeting I had attended. It was painfully obvious that these ponies were doing this all by the book, and the book was incredibly dusty. They were deploying troops in laughably predictable setups. The intelligence collected by Twilight Sparkle was the only useful thing about the whole thing. They eventually decided on additional Battlemech training with the ground forces for the Equestrian Army (once I suggested it). This highlighted the lack of emergency mobile hospital staging points (which I also suggested) and having supply lines set and practiced (which I also suggested).

The four of us gave each other looks of relief and disgust once we had walked out of the meeting, walked down the hall and turned the corner.

"Are they always this terrible?" Dan asked with honest incredulity.

"Yeah. It's pretty sad. I'll take the rest of the meetings from here on out."

"Thanks," Hiro said. Rolf nodded.

Dan shook his head. "I'd invade the country too if I had to listen to this shit."

I internally winced and hoped we’d made it far enough from the room. "Stay classy Dan."

"I'm nothin but class."

"Orders Chris?" Rolf rumbled.

"Stay on comms. We don't know if they will need us to shore something up with almost no warning. I want daily checks on 'mech systems. Other than that, take it easy. Since it's a half day train ride to get here, the army won't be arriving with less than a day's warning."

"Woo paid leave!" Dan cheered as we stepped into the evening sunlight.

"Be back for dinner," I mentioned.

"I'm going exploring." Rolf turned away and waved. I headed back to the hangar with Dan and Hiro.

"I guess it's sim time and crisp mountain air for me," Dan said with a bit of boredom.

"Sorry we're not on a planet with good strip clubs."

"You pick the worst missions Chris."

"They probably have strip clubs," Hiro pointed out with a questioning hand wave. Dan stumbled for a moment and looked like he was going to be sick.

"Thank you for that image. It will never leave me." Dan split off with a wave and headed for the rooms we had been given. Hiro grinned at the victory.

"What about you Hiro?"

"Rarity told me that there are good performances here. Figured I'd catch some."

"Maybe do some performing yourself?"

"Nah, not gonna happen." He grinned and went to find his room. I grinned and knew he’d crack. I had notes of expected power and number of non-pony things we might be fighting fed into my personal computer from the briefing. I intended to spend the evening studying the list and playing with possible attack formations.

"Commander, I would like to speak with you," the soothing tone of Princess Celestia said from behind me. I spun around on a heel and saluted the princess.

"Of course your Majesty. Now?"

"Yes, I believe that would be best. If you would follow us?" A steward appeared from the crowd on cue, and I wasn't sure if it was by teleportation magic or practiced loyalty. I nodded and followed.

---

Princess Celestia's idea of a meeting was a quiet cup of tea on a balcony overlooking a glorious sunset. It rang false to me, but I told myself that was years of deception and contracts with House Liao at work. Here I was working with royalty who A: controlled the sun, and B: enjoyed the simple pleasures of life. The sunset was a pretty backdrop and a subtle reminder of who was in charge. I smiled at the simplicity, and was quietly in awe of someone who could assert their bargaining stance with a sunset.

"The train was three hours late, Commander."

"Yes, that was my fault, Your Majesty."

"Do not apologize, it was obviously your intention. I simply wanted to know how it came to be."

I took a breath and organized my thoughts. Usually mission reports weren’t something I gave on the spot. I was just going to have to be as professional as possible. "Well, it hit me that everyone in the kingdom knows where the Elements of Harmony live. My wingman Reaper figured that out, actually. You have our actions to blame for it, but everyone who was paying attention knew that they were still in Ponyville until yesterday. It was no secret that we would all be taking that train to get to Canterlot. Since the royal guard is preparing for an assault on the capitol, it made an attack on the train likely. It was a good target of opportunity, Princess. One I would have taken."

"I am in doubt that you would have attacked a civilian transport, Commander." I put on my best poker face. "This is exactly the sort of experience I had hoped I was buying. For this one thing, you and your unit have earned my thanks and your payment. Expect to be appropriately commended when this is over."

"You are most welcome, Princess. I expect there will be less surprise orders on my part though."

"On the contrary, I believe I have empowered you with the appropriate rank to do just that. The Royal Guard will regard you with your rank. But please, if you wouldn't mind, I have not heard the details, Commander."

"Of course, Princess. I arranged to have my unit escort the train here. I did not see what the ambush point would be until it happened. They struck after the train had crossed a ravine. There were about ten unicorns and a creature. Hiro held them off while my unit ran around to the nearest crossing. At that point they attempted to destroy the train by rolling the tracks up with magic, and cast a spell that enlarged the creature that was with them. Rolf and myself ended up shooting the creature until it seemed to disappear in fire. At that point several of the cultists attacked on foot, and we prevented them from reaching the train. Hiro made most of the kills and should be recognized as such. We unrolled the tracks and the Ambassador took over repairing them. There were no other incidents."

The Princess's expression was thoughtful. "Twilight Sparkle tells me it was a balrog?"

I allowed myself a moment of relaxation. "That is what she told me, Princess. It was tall, had wings, and bled fire. Beyond that, I couldn't tell you what it was, but I sure don't want to see one again."

The Princess grimaced. "Sadly there could be many more where that came from. The balrog is known for its foul temper and its speed. There are much stronger creatures in tartarus, but most are quite ponderous."

"I intend to compile a list of the various creatures that Twilight discussed and their weaknesses and spread that to my unit."

"A sound course of action."

"Was there anything else Princess?" I knew she had some other reason for wanting this meeting.

She looked out at the setting sun. "It takes a seasoned military mind to understand all of the moving parts of a war. It takes a particularly talented mind to think creatively about the situation. I want to make it perfectly clear that you are being paid to think creatively on the battlefield. My generals run my army, but you may make any requests that you think will safely end the conflict." She took another sip.

"I understand, Your Highness.”

"Thank you for saving the train, Commander." She smiled at me, turned back to the sun, and her steward showed me out.

I was surprised at how well that had gone.

---

The steward led me through the vaulted ceiling corridors of the castle. He led me up a flight of ornate stairs in another wing and showed me to four rooms at the end of a hallway. Each was very nice, but I was being given a suite with a sitting room. I radioed the team after I had settled in, but the steward had already met them at the entrance. Whatever he was getting paid, it wasn’t enough. He came with the other three and showed them their rooms as well. Then he showed us to the dining hall.

We were served the same high quality food I had been on my previous trip. Dan about died at the table in pleasure. I wasn’t going to point out that he was eating vegetarian. “Good evening Commander.” I turned at the voice and saw Twilight Sparkle and friends at the table next to us.

Pinky Pie and Applejack insisted that we share a table. Considering the size of them, fitting wasn’t an issue. We talked about our out of combat interests and lives, though Dan pointed out that he was just going to live in the dining hall for the rest of the tour. Pinky Pie pointed out a few desserts she had introduced the head chef to, and promised to get them for Dan. Twilight Sparkle promised to show Hiro the royal library, a place she was only too happy to show off. Rolf mentioned that he had spent a few minutes in the hangar with the construction crew as they worked on fabricating a new metal sheet. It sounded like they were trading welding techniques. For the first time, I almost felt like we were all getting along.

Fluttershy finally started to open up as we left, matching Hiro’s quiet demeanor quite nicely. I guess the six were reluctant to leave us once we’d actually started being friendly with each other, and they walked with us to our rooms. "Well, what would you like to do while you are here, Hiro?" Fluttershy asked. Hiro looked down, then glanced at me. I already knew his answer and nodded.

"I'd perform," he said quietly, "I haven't been on stage in years. I used to be a musician."

"You're still a musician," I pointed out.

"Yeah, just not professionally."

I turned to Rarity. "Don't let him fool you, he did solo concerts for thousands." Hiro looked at me with surprise, then away in embarrassment. "Hey, I do my homework."

Rarity smiled and fluttered her giant eyelashes. "Well that sounds amazing. What do you play?"

"He plays the flute," Twilight said with a dreamy sigh.

“Sweeter ‘n a summer evenin’ breeze,” Applejack added.

Hiro shook his head. "The flute is just a hobby. I play the koto."

Applejack raised an eyebrow. "The hay is a codo?"

"No, koto. It's an ancient Neighponese instrument," Twilight corrected, "though I have never heard it played. I wouldn't know where to find one. I'm sorry Hiro." She seemed genuinely saddened by this.

Hiro smiled and shrugged. "That's ok. Not a big deal."

"Is that all?" Pinky asked. "Here!" She motioned to a seemingly random room in the hallway we were in, opened the door and disappeared into the dark.

Twilight stopped, a mix of confusion and fear clear on her face. "Pinky, what are you doing?"

"I have kotos -grrr- stashed all over EquestriaaAAAAA!"

Pinky Pie flew out of the room on the heels of a crashing noise and several hats, with a koto rolling slowly behind her on casters, one of them squeaking softly. "In case of koto emergency!" She said, upside down leaning on the far wall and stopped the runaway instrument harmlessly with a hoof. While smiling.

"How...you-I'll be in my room," Dan said as he turned and walked away, eyes wide, “I’ll be in my room.”

Twilight held her head with a hoof. "Pinky Pie that’s the semiannual holiday decorations storage closet! How do you even have-"

"Who do you think gave the princesses half of these?" Pinky had righted herself and began shoving an assortment of banners and hats back into the closet before slamming it shut. "I'll clean it later."

Hiro stared at the thing for a moment before plucking a couple of strings experimentally. "Ok. Yeah, that's a nice instrument." He played a chord. “How is it in tune?” Twilight winced, I shrugged. Pinky Pie beamed with pride.

Rarity watched for a moment. "This is the instrument you know how to play, yes?"

Hiro nodded and played a few measures of a song. I nodded to the beat while Twilight stared with jaw open and Rarity's eyes widened.

"Oh, that's so exotic," she said quietly when he stopped. "It's positively soulful and alien, this could be amazing." She was instantly at Hiro's side. "Please tell me you'll put on a show, just one night. It will be the talk of all of Canterlot! I can arrange everything!"

Hiro looked scared at the assault. "Uh, ok, I mean I need a day or so to get warmed up and put together a set list."

"Night after tomorrow then! I haven't a moment to spare! I must-" she spun around suddenly in the middle of her wandering, gasped and stared at Hiro with a wide eyed, manic stare. "What will you wear!?"

Hiro staggered backward, away from her slow stalking advance. "It- I-if I were at home I'd be in traditional costume," he stammered.

Rarity smiled, looking excited. "Patterned silk, of course, I know just where to get the fabric, quickly!" She turned to run but glared at Hiro when he stayed where he was. “Darling, I simply cannot match fabric to your tones without you.” He looked at me for help, and I laughed.

"Your performance, Hiro, better get ready."

Hiro saluted and ran to catch up with Rarity.

---

Twilight Sparkle wished me good evening, but lingered in the hallway. “Can I help with something, Ambassador?”

She grimaced. “In your...professional experience, do you need to shoot soldiers with your machines very often?” Ah.

“No. Early in my career a lance I was with was tasked with stopping a riot. I watched a man kill a few hundred people armed with angry signs. I refuse those missions now,” I said as she turned green. “I’m sorry Ambassador. I did not know if the ones that attacked us would be capable of killing us inside of our machines.”

She took a moment to steady herself. “That was a rational conclusion from their willingness-” her voice caught in her throat for a moment, “to attack. And also probably a valid concern.” She looked up at me with a haunted expression. “Can you avoid that from now on?”

“I will do my best, Ambassador.” I watched her look down again. “Twilight, what happened in the changeling attack?” She winced. “I wouldn’t normally press, but something is obviously troubling you. That isn’t a luxury we have with the cult coming.”

She refused to look up, but she started talking. “We fought. I used magic against changelings. I accused my friends of...really bad things. Then Shining Armor and Princess Cadence saved us from the changelings.”

“But you all lived,” I pointed out.

“Yes.”

“If I may offer some advice, Twilight?”

“What’s that.” She didn’t seem enthusiastic about the prospect.

“Tell yourself whatever lie you have to. Tell yourself you are a good pony who saves the world, because you are. But convince yourself that what you did was right. If you get into the battle with the cult and you stop to question yourself, to ask if you are doing the right thing, you’re gonna die.” We were both silent for a moment. “Afterwards you can ask yourself if you are right.”

“Is that how you live with yourself?” She asked sadly, half to herself.

“That’s how I stay alive. I live with myself because I am helping.”

She looked up at me, swallowed, and the warmth faded from her expression. “Have a good evening Commander.” She walked off as I responded in kind. So we were back to that. I sighed and began looking through the cabinets of the suite for liquor.