Battleship of Equestria Chapter Three: Learning, Bonds, and Plans
April 19th, 1942
(Jacob's POV)
I wake up, stretching with a yawn escaping from my lips. I feel completely energized, a peaceful sleep. I grin to myself as I get out of bed and straighten my uniform. Fixing the bed I was using, I notice a small note of paper slipped underneath my door. Curious, I walk over and unfold it with my hoof, reading:
Jacob,
We will see you at breakfast. If you have trouble finding the dining room, just ask one of the staff members to give you directions. Luna and I wish to discuss both what the council said after you left, as well as a proposal we would like you to hear.
Sincerely,
Princess Celestia
I turn to see that the sun had only just recently been raised. I look at a mirror to double-check, adjusting my sheathed naval academy sword. I ask a guard to show me to the dining room.
I pause before entering. Celestia and Luna look up from their food when I do enter. "Ah, Jacob. I trust you slept well after we talked?" Luna asks kindly. I nod. "I did, Princess Luna. Princess, you said you wished to discuss things with me?" Celestia nods. "Indeed. Please, be seated. What would you like to eat?" The older of the two sisters ask. I hesitate, knowing that it might not be such a good idea to eat meat considering that I am now a pony. "Just a salad for now," I decide, which one is quickly then made.
While the three of us eat, I listen with interest as Luna tells her sister about what she had done last night, other than helping me. I am most interested when she mentions some sort of creature known as a Timberwolf, and how she single-handedly fought off a whole pack of them.
When we finish eating, Princess Celestia clears her throat, gaining my attention. "The council has agreed to our proposal of your request. However, they would only agree to it on a single condition: That you and your crew will fight for Equestria in any time of dire need. Essentially, you and your crew will be a protectorate of sorts, mostly independent but able to rely on Equestrian support. Is that agreeable to you?"
I briefly mull it over while the pony sisters look at me expectantly. "I agree. It seems only logical after all. And now, what was the other proposal you wished to discuss?" This time Princess Luna answers. "Seeing as you are not a natural alicorn, or pony for that matter, my sister and I wish to teach you magic and flight and other such things. You crew are being offered the same thing by the Elements of Harmony. However, with Twilight only recently becoming an alicorn, and Princess Cadence in the Crystal Empire, only my sister and I are best suited to teach you how to fly, use magic, and of course, fight. It is your choice, of course."
Again a brief pause. Again I consider, though this one is quicker. 'I have nothing to use, and much to gain. And who knows? It might be fun,' I think to myself. "Thank you, princesses. I am honored and accept this offer. When do we begin?" I ask, eager. Both sisters look at each other with a smile. "Today," they both say in unison. "I will teach you magic and day-time flight starting in an hour, while Luna will teach of how to fly at night and combat skills." I nod at this, eager and yet nervous.
That evening…
Crash! "Urgh! You ponies make this look ridiculously easy!" I grumble as a cackling Discord watches as Celestia tires to teach me how to use magic to move things. Flight was very easy, the motions much like occasional osprey I might see when I was at the Naval Academy.
"Just keep trying JG. You're making smashing progress," Discord manages before bursting back into laughter. He does manage to snap his hands and make another flower pot appear on the empty pedestal. A half dozen other (broken) pots lie around it.
I stare at the pot with a sour look. "Does he have to be here?" I ask the sun mare. Celestia gives me a small, apologetic smile. "As a princess, I could order him to leave. But as a friend I must respect his desire to be here, however much disruptive behavior he displays. Now, try again," Princess Celestia says serenely.
I grumble slightly under my breath as I close my eyes and concentrate. I feel my horn charging up and feel my magic surround the pot. I open my eyes to see the plot floating in the air about an inch off the ground. Then I feel my 'grip' loosen and the pot drops. 'Shit!'
At the last minute a faint golden glow surrounds the pot, stopping its descent. "You keep focusing on your concentration. Magic is more fluid. Try again. But this time, think of it as being an extension of your hand," The sun mare suggests.
With a sigh, I nod. Once again I close my eyes and feel my newly-found magic surround the pottery. But this time, I take Princess Celestia's advice. I conjure a mental image in my head, of me as a human. I picture grabbing the pot and gently lifting my current source of vexation. I only open my eyes when I hear the gentle stomp of hoofs, which I learned from Discord was this world's clapping. To my surprise and joy, I have finally succeeded in being able to use magic to lift objects. "Good job, Jacob!" "Awe, no more source of jests for today with JG."
I simultaneously blushes at the princess's compliment and scowl at Discord for his comment. I listen as the eldest of the two sisters resumes. "Well, I have to lower the sun. Luna should be along to teach you alicorn combat after raising the moon. Once again, I am impressed by your quick learning. Truly this Navy you served in must be formidable to produce such warriors. And Discord, I would advise not trying to prank Jacob when he is training with my sister. She won't take kindly to such intrusions of her first student since the Nightmare Moon incident," Celestia warns the reformed draconequus, who nods with an exaggerated pout. "Good night, Jacob," Celestia says as she departs, Discord close behind, yakking his head off.
That night…
With a whoop, I dodge a (non-lethal) blast of magic from the princess of the night, wings furled in a barrel-roll. "You're definitely improving!" Luna shouts to me, charging up for another strike. I nod and speed up, allowing her to chase me. I duck and weave. 'No wonder those carrier jocks are bragging about being free! Pity that these aren't warships,' I muse before a stun spell from Luna's horn clips my wing, sending me into the dirt.
I spit out some grass. "Ow…" I remark quietly, the wing that was hit now stiff and unmoving. My muzzle once again hits the dirt as I feel a body land on top of me, pinning me to the ground. "Next time, Jacob, stay focuses if you have a foe on your tail," Luna's chiding voice whispers in my ear. I nod before she lets me up, offering a hoof which I gratefully accept.
"Well, I think you have gotten the basics, and quite a bit more, of aerial combat. The next time I see a pack of timberwolves, I'll bring you along to teach you hoof-to-hoof combat." "Yes, your majesty." Luna rolls her eyes with a slight smile. "Luna will do when we are talking in private. After all, we are both warriors, are we not? Equal in combat and whatnot."
"Yes, yo-I mean, Luna," I say before looking beyond her and cocking my head slightly. One of Luna's bat-winged guards is heading to us. "Um, Luna, I thought you said your guards were told to not interrupt unless there is an emergency." Luna follows my gaze. "Then it is not a good sign. Come," the midnight-blue alicorn spreads her wings and takes off, with me close behind.
We quickly intercept the member of her Night Guard. "Night Shade, what is it?" Luna asks, all business. "Your majesty, your sister requires your presence at Canterlot immediately. She told me to inform you that it was something of the utmost importance. In addition, Princess Celestia told me to inform you, Lieutenant Junior Grade Jacob, to have your ship manned and ready."
We look at each other with subtle looks of concern. The last time I heard that order, it was the only indication I had received before Pearl Harbor. "We better move. God speed, Princess Luna," I say, saluting. She returns the salute, concern in her eyes for whatever it is that has frightened her sister. I turn to the bat-winged pony known as Night Shade. "Lead the way, soldier," I say quietly.
Later at Ponyville…
"ALRIGHT I WANT ALL HANDS AT BATTLE STATIONS! LOAD THE MAIN BATTERY WITH ARMOR-PIERCING AND THE SIX-INCH GUNS WITH HIGH EXPLOSIVE! AA STATIONS WILL BE UNMMANED! GET THE AIRCRAFT DISSASSMBLED AND REMOVE THE RADIOS! WE ARE AT GENERAL QUARTERS!"
Instantly the mixed crew of American and Japanese ponies runs to the Fuso. Whatever positions that aren't manned by Japanese defectors, the four hundred sailors I recruited man them. The rest are SNLF or Marines, ready to fill in or repel boarders. I look for my
"Froster! Kaigun-Shōi Fuji! Get two of your best radio operators now!" I order my XO and gunnery officer. Two privates arrive, giving me a salute. The American unicorn speaks first. "Sir, Private Burns, reporting for duty!" The member of the SNLF, an earth pony, replies with a faint accent. "Sir, Ittōhei Satsuma reporting!" I nod. "At ease. Fuji, help Private Burns load one shell type for each of our gun calibers as well as the proper powder for each one, as well as one of the long-range radios the supply sub had given us for our raid. Have him board a train to Canterlot to establish a liaison." The Japanese unicorn nods and he and the Marine scurry off. I turn to the remaining radio operator.
"Private, take one of your high-capacity submachine guns you called a Model 2, as well as a sword. You are to stay close to Princess Twilight as our liaison to Ponyville. You will defend her and the radio with your life and on your honor. Is that clear?" "SIR YES SIR!" I nod, pleased. "Good. You're dismissed. Froster, help him out." I turn around and walk up the gangplank, heading to the bridge.
"LIEUTENANT JACOB!" I turn around to see Twilight's small purple dragon assistant, Spike, hurrying to catch up. I pause, noticing a scroll in his claws with the royal seal. "For your eyes only, sir," The dragon baby says. I nod. "Thank you. Don't worry, I am sure this is just a drill to make sure we will be an asset," I offer, failing to reassure him….and myself, for that matter.
"Well, good luck," Spike says before running back to the castle where he and Twilight live in. I watch before walking into the bridge at a brisk pace. The helmsman and bridge crew stand and salute me. "Captain on deck!" The duty officer says. "At ease," I mumble, breaking the seal to look at the instructions.
I re-read them before re-rolling the scroll. "Navigation, mark a course for the canal connecting the North and South Luna Oceans. We are to deny any ships access until further orders," I say, breaking the silence. As final preparations to get underway are wrapped up, my mind can't help but focus on a single train of though. 'Out of the frying pan, into the fire.'
At a small fishing village between Vanhoover and the Smokey Mountains….
Two hours earlier
The sleeping ponies never stood a chance. The raiders struck quickly. Most of the citizens had been eating or preparing to sleep. They saw the various knives flashing in the dark, felt the jagged, gaping holes in their throats as blood oozed out. Then they died. The few who were awake or members of the local sheriff department only prolonged their lives for a few more moments, unable to flee and unskilled in combat. Bodies were butchered with cruel swords that either had curves or where simply short swords made out of broken long swords, using the jagged broken area to inflict horrific wounds.
After finishing off the last survivor, the raiders loot the buildings, butchering pets and bodies for food. The commander, Sukalaka of the raiding task force looks at the commander of the fleet his force belongs to, Gu'klas. "This is good practice for tomorrow night," Sukalaka rasps.
One of the raiders sets the wooden roof of one of the boat cabins on fire, creating a hellish background to illuminate the scene of slaughter. The bipedal killers stand around five feet tall. Short blackish-gray hair covers their body, save their heads, which are covered with a layer of skin that looks like it is stretched to the limit. The legs are covered in small, curved spikes on the outer side. Curved claws clutch iron-shafted, multi-pronged spears, metal-studded clubs, swords and shields, and bows. The dancing fire highlights the amber iris surrounding the cat-like pupils of eyes. Drool, some of it mixed with fresh blood from their meals carved out of slain ponies, surrounds the gaping dagger-like teeth protruding from their mouths. Some have a small horn sticking out of the crown of their heads. Others have wings instead of the two tusk-like spikes jutting out of the shoulders of the other two kinds.
Gu'klas nods and looks at his sub-commander. "Once the soldiers are back aboard the ships, I will take the 'special' and the majority of the fleet to attack the nearby city. Do you remember your part in the plan for tomorrow's assault?" He hisses quietly. Sukalaka grunts before replying. "Indeed. I will take thirty ships, plus the five Ships-of-the-Lines, and have the 24,000 warriors assault the surround and cut-off the settlement. While the princesses look at the assault that starts in the evening, and most of their forces mobilizing to defend what they perceive as our target, my warriors will strike in the night, overwhelm the puny garrison that will be stationed and snatch our soon-to-be prisoner. After she is secured, what are your orders in regards to the city?" The raider smiles, a sight that would scar a bug-bear.
Gu'klas turns around, walking back to his flagship. "Burn it to the ground. No survivors. Do not fail the master, Sukalaka. If you do, you know what the price will be. In fact, it would be a mercy to be killed in combat if this happens." With that ominous warning, the two commanders depart, splitting up the task force.
April 20th, 6:00 PM
1 hour from Ponyville at the south end of 'The Slot'…
(Jacob's POV)
I pace the bridge, bored at the uneventful afternoon. After testing both radio connections, I had reported that we were on station. So far there had been no change in orders. In the past thirty minutes, Private Burns reported high levels of military activity and how a small platoon of the Royal Guard was sent to protect Princess Twilight. The most forbidding of everything Burns reported was of an attack on the northern city of Vanhoover by an unknown foe.
"Bridge to all watches. Anything unusual so far?" I say into the speaking tubes to the various positions. Instead of reassuring me, the solid report of 'negative' does quite the opposite. "XO, take the bridge. I am going to my cabin. Wake me at the first sign or report of trouble," I say, walking to my commandeered quarters. I lie down on the bunk and fall into an uneasy sleep, though it is one with no dreams, thanks to Princess Luna.
10:00 PM
Coastline off Ponyville…
The sound of the surf breaking onto the sand masks the sound of the longboats disembarking the last of their load. Returning to the transport ships, the bulk of the raiding force crouches in the sand dunes. In the meantime, the ships of the task force will take position fifteen minutes out, having already pressed their luck by barely avoiding the unexpected iron warship now stationed at their main source of escape.
Sukalaka turns to the first group of 150 raider-scouts, lightly armed with only a single sickle and a set of knifes of various sizes. "Group Tusken, take out the 'hidden' outposts the enemy had just set up. Group Fang, sabotage the railroad. Once the two groups give the flag signal, the rest of us will surround and attack the city. Remember, leave the purple alicorn alive and in one piece. Minimal force when/if she resists. Kill and burn everything and everyone. For the master!" He hisses quietly. The cheer is repeated at a muted roar, ready for the coming bloodshed.
Meanwhile, the citizens of the quite town sleep on, unaware of the horror creeping towards them.