About a week later, Rainbow and one of her Maniples was only a few hours from where Luna had encamped the Equestrian Remnants. While the rest of the regiment would be another five weeks, this part of her unit had been able to squeeze into an airship that the Princess had brought with her. The plan was to have the First Maniple arrive first, and help improve the Equestrian Royal Guard. When the rest of the regiment arrived, they would press north, beginning the invasion of Changeling occupied territory.

The whole Regiment was ready to move in less than a day. In fact, most of the time was spent pulling in, giving orders to, and organizing fully the Free Company militia units that would act as Law Enforcement while the Regiment was gone. While her son begged to come with her, she refused. She didn't want him to get hurt. Despite his begging, she said goodbye and left aboard the Princess's airship.

"Break it up! Break it up!", she yelled, forcing apart Applejack and one of her troops. After they stopped pushing, she said, "Now, what in the Hell is going on!"

"Apologies, Praetor", the Pede said, saluting. "I was just talking with my friend here when she came up. According to Desmond here, she said she was a farmer; something called apples. She got Irate when I told her that I've never heard of them and that they sound disgusting."

"Applejack", Rainbow said. "My soldier here said that you got in his face and, quote, 'Irate', when he said apples sound disgusting to him. Is this true?"

"W-well yeah!", she said. "We put a lot of effort into apples, and for him to say they sound disgusting without even tryin' one, it's-"

Rainbow put up her talon, shushing her. "AJ, Pryhans have a type of food, called Copadia. It's a beef stew, laced with garum, onions, and spices. Now, tell me. Does that sound disgusting?"

"Of course! It's meat!", she said.

Rainbow smirked. "Oh, but you've never had it. How can you think that if you've never had it?"

"Toche, Dash"

"Thank you", she said, before turning to her troops. "However, you two. That being said, you know the policy of handling civilians." Both of them nodded, and she continued, "Tell your Tribune that your wine ration is to be cut by half for the next two months. Fail to tell him, and I'll cut it by three-fourths. Clear?"

After they nodded, she said, "Now, you three are going in separate directions. I've just woken up, and have to go talk with Princess Luna. I hear anything like this happening for the rest of the trip, I'll throw you off the side of the airship with a sack of rocks strapped to your legs, clear? Good." She stormed off, snorting in mild irritation.

She made her way along the outer deck of the ship, heading toward the bow. Princess Luna had asked to meet with her, and so she was on her way. Off to her left, the moon was beginning to fade below the horizon, and a light pink sliver began to poke up from the horizon. Below them, the sea gave way to a light, sandy beach, like the kind near Creui she had taken Depressi to on the weekends sometimes when school was out and she could escape the pile of paperwork. As the ship chugged along a bit further, she saw the sand darken in color from a light tan to a dull reddish-brown, and cacti pop up.

She finally arrived at the bow of the airship, where she was greeted by Princess Luna. Or, more accurately, she found Princess Luna barely awake, head tilted back as she downed several cups of coffee at once. The bags around her eyes were heavy, and she looked about ready to pass out. When she saw Rainbow standing there, she set the mugs down on the table and waved her over.

"Good morn--*YAWN*--, whoa, excuse me. Sorry. Good morning, Praetor Rainbow." Gesturing to the seat next to her at the small table, she said, "Come, come. Have a seat."

Rainbow did so, removing and placing her helmet on the ground as she did so. "Good morning to you too, Princess." After an awkward pause, she said, "So. I don't suppose you have any coffee left?"

The alicorn levitated the pot over to an empty mug, poured in the black liquid, and passed it to Rainbow. She grasped the warm mug in her wings and lifted it up to her face. She blew on it to clear some of the steam from the surface, then took a sip. Immediately, the bitter warmth of the black coffee filled her mouth, making her shudder and sigh in bliss. It was like taking a Pryhan Bath in her mouth.

"I had no idea I was such a good brewer", Luna said. "I just hit the espresso button, and let it handle it for me."

Rainbow lowered the mug, saying, "Yeah, well they don't have coffee in Pryha like, at all. So, this is my first cup in over nine years. Trust me when I say I'm enjoying myself." She took another slow sip, fully letting the warmth and the flavor filter into her bones.

"I see", she said. "Well, how have you been?"

"Fine, fine. I've had to avoid my 'Friends'", She said, a hint of bitterness leaking into that last word. "And I had to prevent a fight between Applejack and two of my men about her bloody Apples. But, well, other than that, I've been fine otherwise. Anyway, would you mind if I finish this? I want to enjoy this."

"By all means, do so."

While she did, the Princess began to float over several small bits. A chessboard, she realized when she was able to see it clearly. Luna said, "I'll admit, I don't know how to play well, but I want to try. Besides, a game of strategy might help us to come up with one of our own."

Not objecting to her logic, the Princess removed the several empty mugs and placed the board on the table, perfectly arranging the pieces on top; Rainbow was white, and she was black. As they talked, the two of them began to go over how to properly implement the various troops of nations Luna had managed to convince to help her.

Most of the forces would be made up of the Royal Guard, who would be rather inexperienced in most regards. They would act as a backbone but were still kind of bad. Some of the remaining Wonderbolts had adjusted training to allow them to act as elite infantry, but they still weren't exactly trained soldiers. The exact opposite of the Equestrians, her troops, would be the best troops and the core of the heavy infantry. Buffalo were massive, heavy, and could build up a bit of momentum on the run: the quintessential shock troops. Yaks function in the same way. The pony nations of Prance and Germaney had also supplied troops; simple, well-equipped and trained, if not battle-hardened troops. The griffonians were also skilled flyers and would be the main airborne troops. Finally, some Saddle Arabian troops were also coming and would act as fast, well-equipped skirmishers. Similar troops would be present in the northern front, with Yaks replacing Buffalo and a lack of Saddle Arabian and Pryhan troops.

They also discussed strategy. The plan was formed as to how to reclaim the country. From the north, the Crystal Empire, Yakyakistan, as well Griffonian, Prench, and Germane soldiers would move to capture several of the northern cities. Slow, steady advances, not wanting to overextend or become exposed. Meanwhile, with more troops and more experienced troops at that, Princess Luna would press up from the south, fast and hard. Both sides would convene around Canterlot, and from there just crush the remaining Changelings. Similar to the Unification Wars in a way; take the ends, then crush them like a vice between the two army groups.

Another aspect of the campaign that they discussed was the experimental equipment her regiment had been issued with. Part of the reason a full regiment was committed was to properly test new equipment. One of her maniples would have so-called 'Thunder-lances'; spears that had three barrels like mini-cannons that shot lead balls. They also had cannons and the previously discussed Hornet Swarms. Luna agreed that these were lethal weapons, and told her to thank the Caesar for these additional weapons. Rainbow said that they were for her men, and were testing them. Luna wilted but said she understood.

The two wrapped up their little game as the game plan was refined. Luna won, but Rainbow was only a few moves away from checkmate. The two then went their separate ways, heading back to their rooms to await the arrival at the Refugee Camp.

Next Chapter: 84~Familiar Faces Estimated time remaining: 2 Hours, 15 Minutes