//------------------------------// // 15. Promotion (FB) // Story: The Red Sun Rises: Homefront // by The Atlantean //------------------------------// “Crimson Dawn, Staff Sergeant of the Atlantean Reserve Emergency Army, I commend you on safely bringing the remnants of the 2nd Coastal Regiment back to our lines. That was an action worthy of granting your request to officer according to my books, and I was able to convince High Command. Your command will be your comrades in the 2nd Coastal. Is that acceptable?” Crimson blinked in surprise and tried to say something, but the words couldn’t escape his mouth. Eventually, he cleared his throat and said, “Crystal, sir. I accept my position. What are my orders, Sarge?” “Boy, you don’t answer to me no more. I’m just to relay that you report to the command tent in thirty minutes for the official ceremony. You are to bring your three picks for NCO as well.” “Understood, sir.” Crimson saluted his former senior officer and took his hoof down when it was returned. “Thank you, sir. I won’t let you down.” “I know you won’t, Lieutenant.” Sarge extended his hoof and Crimson shook it, tears starting to form in his eyes. The old sergeant had been his top commander for nigh on five long, bloody years. Now, it looked like the infamous Sarge would be subordinate to him. Crimson turned and walked out of Sarge’s tent. Some nearby recruits saw the few tears on his face and thought he was dishonorably discharged. That was the worst thing that could happen in the army, with all the shame and failure that went with it. “Looks like they’re replacin’ ye oldies with us cool new guys,” one called. Crimson instantly whirled around to see the pony. “Whose regiment are you in?” “Forty-fifth Indy Isles, not that it matters to you.” “It does matter to me. Now you will give me the respect due my rank or I’ll court-martial you!” “You’ve been discharged, though. I technically don’t have to.” Crimson laughed aloud. “Now that is the stupidest thing I’ve heard all bucking year! I would like to inform you that I am a LIEUTENANT in the Atlantean Reserve Emergency Army, and you will show me the respect due my rank or I’ll have you up on charges for insubordination! IS THAT CLEAR?” His voice had steadily rose as he spoke. The colt immediately regretted his voiced opinion. “Crystal, sir,” he managed to gulp. “Good. I’ll have a word with your regiment commander later. And if you decide it’s funny to fuck with me, I’ll bring it up to the Sarge!” “No, no. please don’t, sir. It isn’t funny.” The colt threw a hasty salute. Crimson nodded and walked on. He reached the area of camp where his regiment rested from the previous day. When he walked into the circle of new recruits, one asked, “What did Sarge want you for?” “Nothing. Pass the word to the others, will you? Parade uniforms at the HQ tent at 0700. And one of you, go get Starlight, Haybale, and Hummingbird. Tell them to meet me in our regimental command tent in ten.” “Yes, sir!” the group of five chorused before galloping off to follow his orders. The tired red Pegasus smiled, as he was to command these ponies who already treated him like an officer even though he hadn’t been officially promoted yet. That was one of the perks that came with rank and experience, but Crimson knew much of it was because he got them out of yesterday’s ambush. He walked into the tent he shared with Platinum and changed into his ceremonial uniform. He squirmed with the few awards he had, working them into their proper places with his wing. After plopping the NCO hat on his head and placing his silver necklace around his neck, he walked out and to the command tent for the 2nd Coastal. The beige canvas sagged from five years of constant use, early-morning dew, and being rolled up. Beside it waited Haybale, Platinum, and Hummingbird on crutches. “Why the fancy stuff, Big Red?” “Come in.” Crimson walked into the tent and the three followed him in. There he told them. “I can’t believe it! You’re an officer! Congratulations, bro!” “That’s not all of it. Sarge told me I get three NCO’s, and I chose you guys. You all have the experience, hard-rock attitude, and charisma we need to hold this ragtag regiment together. I hope I can trust you to actually do it right.” They continued for a few minutes, then Crimson ordered them to change into parade uniforms and meet him at the HQ tent. The friends dispersed, and the Pegasus walked to the army’s headquarters. This beige tent wasn’t much prettier than his, but it was a helluva lot bigger. The thing was meant for meetings of every regimental commander, and Crimson had been inside as his colonel’s NCO once or twice to represent the 2nd Coastal. However, coming in to be a permanent representative of his ponies was a little overwhelming. Crimson was one to lead by example; that was why he’d even become an NCO. But his leadership strategy kept him from actually succeeding his commander - until today. Inside the HQ tent waited the generals and other main officers, advising the Queen of Atlantis herself. She always was the one to commission officers, so it made sense why Queen Atlanta would even be this close to the battle. Crimson saluted the officers and bowed deeply to the queen, asking permission to enter. “Granted, Sergeant Dawn. I do believe you arrived exactly seven minutes early.” answered Atlanta. “My lady, I believe that arriving exactly at the moment required is considered late. An early arrival guarantees that what final preparations are needed get done on time.” One of the generals, Ivory Marble, demanded, “Where are your NCO’s, Dawn?” The tent flap opened and Platinum, Haybale, and Hummingbird walked in. They followed the same entry procedures Crimson had and told the new lieutenant that the entire regiment was outside the tent. He thanked them and nodded to the queen. She gestured for them to follow her and went out the rear flap to the stage. “My dear Atlanteans,” she called, “if I could give all of you a higher pay grade, I wouldn’t be able to keep this army.” There were a few chuckles at that. “But there are some who I can afford to promote. They have proven themselves in the leadership position on the battlefield, giving me the opportunity to make that permanent. Staff Sergeant Crimson Dawn has done this, and it is my great pleasure and honor to accept his application for officer. Sergeant Dawn?” He walked up to stand next to the queen, facing her. He stood as straight as he could, almost shaking from the apprehension. Using her magic to pin the symbol on his uniform, she said, “Sergeant Dawn, repeat after me. I, state your name.” “I, Crimson Dawn.” “Vow to serve and protect the ponies of Atlantis.” He repeated. “From all who threaten them, and will do so until my dying breath, and will serve and protect her dear ruler from harm, until circumstances prevent me from continuing my duty.” When Crimson finished, Queen Atlanta lifted an officer’s emblem from a small table nearby and fastened it to his uniform. “Congratulations, Lieutenant,” she said. She extended her hoof and he took it cautiously. But he smiled and turned to face his regiment with the queen. “My dear Atlanteans,” she called in that loud, carrying voice, “may I present Lieutenant Crimson Dawn of the Atlantean Reserve Emergency Army!” Cheers erupted and the Pegasus’ face flushed slightly. He felt like he didn’t deserve this honor, but wanted to please the Queen. And the best way to do that was to accept and move on.