//------------------------------//
// Lands of Incarceration 
// Story: PonyHammer 40,000: Magic of War | SpiritStorm 
// by Dragon Heart 
//------------------------------//

	The Blood Phoenixes had learned the value of speed and mobility through hard battlefield experience. Force Commander Poneale, who had studied under the famed Captain Pegalos, sought to make his reliance on stationary, defensive structures as small as possible.

Therefore, rather than build up the Pony Marines' central command, entire companies were reserved in the fleet above Pandora II. These would be ready to deep strike with deadly speed into any territory, including the Blood Phoenixes' own headquarters. If attacked by any enemy, drop pods would cover the Pony Marines' stronghold in a steely and thunderous hail, swarming the Pony Marines' enemies with super-soldiers and Harmonaughts.

Force Commander Poneale was sure of his plan. His greatest weapon was, after all, the superiority of the Pony Marines themselves. Who could weather such a rapid and devastating defensive tactic?


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Lightningeagles were landing and deploying troops, vehicles, and supplies for the Blood Phoenixes' upcoming battle. A large group of Pony Marines stood before Commander Poneale himself. A Pony Scout approached the Commander with urgent news.

"Commander Poneale," he addressed, "enemy forces in our perimeter."

"Where?" Poneale asked.

"Southern quadrant," the scout answered, "but they were on the move. Current location unknown."

"There is no time to be lost. Battle Siblings!" Poneale called. "Pony Marines, today the enemy is at our door. We know our duty, and we will do it. We fight for our honor as Blood Phoenixes, as Pony Marines... and we fight in the name of the Empress!" The Pony Marines shot their front-left hooves into the air. "And if we die this day, we die in glory. We die heroes' deaths... but we shall not die. No! It is the enemy who will taste death and defeat. As you know... Most of our Battle Siblings are stationed in space, prepared to deep strike."

The Pony Scout galloped towards enemy positions. "Our perimeter has been prepared in the event that our enemies should be so bold and so foolish." said Poneale. "We have placed numerous beacons, allowing for multiple, simultaneous, and devastating defensive deep strikes."

Near one of the beacons, three drop pods smashed into the ground, and out came three squads of Pony Marines. The scout joined with them, and they galloped in to engage the enemy. They spotted something out of view and opened fire. "Charge!" they shouted as three more drop pods fell, and out came more Pony Marines, Termineightors, and a Hellfire Harmonaught. "Pony Marines, attack!" they shouted as they continued firing at the target.

"The Codex Astartes names this maneuver Steel Rain." said Poneale. "We will descend upon the foe, we will overwhelm them... we will leave none alive. Meanwhile, our ground forces will ensure the full defense of our headquarters."

Poneale raised his sword skyward. "We are the Pony Marines! We are the Empress's fury!"