Sombra stared at his top general. “What exactly do you mean by ‘they blew up the bridge’? Equestria doesn’t have explosives technology.”
Shattered Hope did his best to keep a neutral expression on his face, with little success. Beads of sweat rolled down his brow and into his deep, brown eyes. Pissing Sombra off with this kind of news was just asking for mining duty. “My lord, my scouts informed me that Atlantis has explosives technology.”
“And why does this country on the other side of the Celestial Sea concern us with a higher technological level? The voyage is literally a month long with good winds!”
“Sir, I have reason to believe that Celestia’s commander in Manehattan is Crimson Dawn, a recipient of the Atlantean Congressional Medal of Honor. Only the truest soldiers can be awarded this.” Hope held back an audible gulp.
“How did he receive this medal? I also require his military history.” Sombra’s curiosity was genuine.
“Let me see,” the general muttered, flipping through a notepad. “Here it is. Colonel Crimson Dawn, Second Coastal Regiment. Joined the twenty-ninth of May in the Year of Our Sun nine hundred eighty-six.” He briefly looked up from the pad. “Sixteen years ago.”
“The Year of Our Sun? I am not familiar with that date system,” Sombra commented.
“The Year of Our Sun, or YS, is used for the year after Nightmare Moon’s first defeat, sir.” Shattered Hope answered.
“I see. Go on.”
The general nodded. “Fought for three years before his regiment had to recruit mares to fill its ranks. His own sister was one of these. Two years later, the Second Coastal participated in the early stages of the Battle of Aquarius River. After the first day, Crimson was the highest-ranking officer left. He ordered his men to set up defenses with the other regiments and single-handedly destroyed the main bridge. There were two witnesses, and he received the medal.
“Atlantis won at Aquarius River at the cost of seven hundred thousand lives. Their enemy had similar losses. Two years after that, the Atlantean army stood with their capital less than a kilometer behind them. Once again, the Second Coastal served with great valor. The regiment was awarded with the Atlantean Steadfast Defense Medal. This is the highest honor an army corps can receive in Atlantis.
“After the war, the Second Coastal Regiment retired as the most decorated segment of the army. Their soldiers are looked to with great respect and are treated like celebrities. An official museum opened for them, and all surviving members attended. By now, most of them have begun to raise children of their own and like to claim to be in ‘inactive reserve’ for the sake of a soldier’s life.”
“Interesting. Is this Colonel one of those with a family?”
“Yes, sir. He married a field nurse by the name of Rose Thorn about two years after Aquarius River. Together, they had one filly: an alicorn. She is being raised by Crimson’s family, since Rose Thorn was executed by Atlantis’ enemy.”
Sombra stared at Shattered Hope with eyes wider than a hoofball was long. “Did you say alicorn?”
“Yes, my lord, I did.”
“Do you know what this means?”
“That I’m about to get another task to juggle the others with?”
“It means we must take her. Inform our scouts in Atlantis to return with this young alicorn. At all costs.” Sombra’s eyes had narrowed to an extremely serious look. Put together with his robe, dark coat, and whatever the hell came out of his eyes, the King of Shadows was truly intimidating. “If we can turn her to our cause, we will.”
Shattered Hope saluted. “It will be done.”
The general walked out of the throne room. He had many things to do, and Crimson’s daughter was only one. The main situation was Manehattan. If he couldn’t take it, not only would the Crystal Empire most likely lose the war, but he may end up spending the rest of his days digging out the Gem. However unlikely that may be, he wasn’t about to gamble on Sombra’s unseen mercy.
At the same time, Sombra plotted his next big move. He had just learned that an alicorn existed outside Equestria, and she was practically fair game. This would make the headlines of just about every newspaper in the world, and would definitely cause Crimson to choose between his duty and family. After that, with a little push in the right direction, Celestia would lose her most valuable commander.
Chrysalis would kill for this kind of asset. Sombra smiled a devious smile. No other pony in the history of this world could of dreamed the opportunity he had now. The possibility of converting an alicorn, with all her power, to his cause. Not even the Changeling Queen did that; the closest she got was removing one from the situation almost altogether.
Soon, even Celestia and Luna could be his slaves. His smile deepened at the thought. Now that was a worthy goal.