Things haven't ever really settled down after the Solar Guard moved in. Reflective Light was putting any and all offenses that each Solar Guard committed into their permanent file. I had to spend my nights rectifying it and trying to keep all the “By the Book” hounds at bay.
“Should I get dad?” Flurry asked one night.
“If you think that'll sor.....” I began when a firm knock was heard.
Flurry opened the door and in stepped Captain Armor.
“Well, shit creek's arrived. Where's the paddle?” I asked.
That got a real chuckle out of Captain Armor. “I know I'm your father and your commanding officer, but there's no need to make such a statement,” he said.
“Well, that's the issue dad,” Flurry interjected, stopping my reply. “Ever since the Solar Guard came here, they've been either little angels or little troublemakers and their NCOs only care about getting a promotion by sinking as many of their underlings as they can. Phoenix has been trying to sort out the mess they don't want sorted out.”
Shining's eyes narrowed. I waited.
“Is this true?” he asked.
“Yes,” I said. “It is.”
He became as solid as a stone wall and the only words from him in the next five minutes were, “Bring me to the NCOs and the Solar Guard.”
I obliged and took him to the office of the NCOs and went back to my office. Sorting out the paperwork and cleaning up everyone's files, the explosion could be heard from miles away. I had to refrain from abandoning my duties to enjoy the show.
“Who knew dad could blow up like that?” Skyla said.
“Well.....,” Flurry said. “He's brought up in the old style, where they tolerated stupidity of the troops.”
“Ah,” Skyla said.
“Yeah,” Flurry replied.
“Ladies, do you mind, take your talk somewhere else,” I grunted. “I'm ready to throw something and I don't wanna do it and have dad jump down my throat with Polygrip and Gravel when a copy of the Dictionary comes flying through the air, hits a wall and have him believe it hit you.”
They chuckled.
“Why don't you relax and I can cover the paperwork,” Flurry said. “I trained in the Manehatten Royal 12th division Fusiliers.”
“Being a Fusilier and a regular office rat are two completely different things,” I pointed out.
“I was an office rat,” Flurry retorted.
I chuckled.
“Knock yourself out,” I said. “Remind me, I owe you one.”
“Nah, We're square,” she replied
I found my bed and after telling Skyla to send in the Marching Band, fell asleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The first intimation that someone unauthorized was in my room was when a feather tickled my nose. I shot up to see Luna standing there.
“Good evening,” she said.
“Oh, hello your Grace,” I said. “What time is it?”
“Midnight,” she replied.
“Oh, so I've only slept for ten hours,” I yawned.
“Try twenty four hours,” she deadpanned.
I chuckled, yawned again, and stretched out. I then turned to her.
“So, what brings you here?” I asked.
“As your sister would say, Are you free Friday night?” she asked.
“Yes, Your Grace, why?” I asked.
“Would you mind going out with me for a date?” she asked.
I stared. Okay, it's only the 18th chapter and already, Luna's asking me on a date. Did I do something wrong?
“Sounds good,” I said.
“See you at 8:00 pm?” she asked.
“Yes,” I replied. “Here, I'll show you out. The NCOs here are a bunch of book heavy types who if you have no reason to be here would throw the book at you.”
“So your my excuse for being here?” she asked.
“Excuse is one way of saying it. I would have stated it as this-“I am the official you have scheduled an appointment with to arrange an event on Friday night”,” I said.
She nodded. I saw her out to her chariot and once it was safely off, I turned and went back in. Making my way to my office, I was stopped by Reflective Light, who was shaking his head.
“A date with the Princess of the Night,” he growled. “That's a court marshal offense.”
“Court marshal him and Captain Armor will have your head,” a voice said.
“Shut it pest,” he growled.
I lost my temper and punched him hard enough to knock several teeth down his throat. From there, we fought in the hall until we were separated by several larger Solar and Lunar guards.
“Enough.”
We looked to see a large and rather burly looking Earth pony storm up.
“Hello,” I said.
“Who are you two?” he asked.
“Lance Corporal Brighton Radstock Phoenix,” I said.
“Gunnery Sergeant Reflective Light,” came the growl of Reflective Light.
“Ah. I see. Well, I am Platoon Sergeant Golden Midnight Stars,” he said. “I am to oversee and make sure things flow smoothly. As it stands, I will be relieving Gunnery Sergeant Reflective Light for the time being, pending an investigation of the Military Training he received.”
“YOU CAN'T DO THAT!” came the explosion.
“I can, Gunnery Sergeant,” he said. “Signed Authority orders from Brigadier Dragonstorm of the Solar Army and Field Marshal Dangersignal of the Lunar Army. Signed off by the three princesses and General Shining Armor of the Crystal Guard.”
I smiled as the Gunnery Sergeant's metaphorical gun ran out of ammunition. Once Reflective Light was shown out and given his leave papers, I showed Platoon Sergeant Golden Midnight Stars what to do and the force he was in charge of.
“Thank you for this,” he said. “I'll whip them into shape.”
“Thank you, sir,” I said, saluting.
He saluted back and I left him to tend to the paperwork. Now, to do some weapons training. I absolutely despise the fact that nobody gave the low down on weapons training. Nightmare had told us once that weapons training wasn't necessary as there was no need for weaponry. Telling the team, their first reaction was to complain.
“You can turn me into a sieve later,” I chuckled.
“Two words-Go die,” Malestrom huffed.
“I would, but I'm already dead,” I said.
“And yet, you keep coming back to us like a badly forged bit,” Lyra huffed.
I gave them the most dead chuckle I could muster and showed them to the weapons storage. Once they picked up their weapons, I took them to the training rooms tied to their weapons and went out to let them get organized. Once ready, I went through and helped them as well as watched them. It would be a waste of time and space to detail every minute of the training, so suffice it to say, it was about as smooth as a pothole filled road.
“We have archers, close quarters combaters and no strategists,” Cloud Chaser stated, raising a brow. “Any plans o fearless leader?”
“Wing it,” was my answer.
“We're toast,” Inkwell huffed.
“Look, we need to work with what we have,” Echo put in. “Sometimes we don't need a dedicated strategist.”
“And how would you know?” Inkwell asked, a brow raised.
“Simple, my family's got a military history of winging it,” she chuckled. “Also, sometime, you and I should go out.”
He smiled softly. I let them alone and scanned the others.
“Well, that's enough for today,” I said. “Since Tomorrow's Friday, you are allowed one day of leave.”
“Thank you,” they said.
Echo and Inkwell took that as their day to go out for a first date. Stripping down, we hit the showers to clean up and made our way to the chow hall. Tonight's dinner was Swill Slop and Gruel, a spicy chili.
“Okay, that's cruel,” Western Brass moaned. “First teased that we'll be eating Swill Slop and Gruel and now eating the stuff, whatever other tortures are there here for us?”
Never ask that question. Trouble always comes to the one who asked the one who asked the question.