//------------------------------//
// The Calm 
// Story: The Guardian 
// by NYChris824 
//------------------------------//

I woke up the next morning, fully expecting to find someon standing over me to drag to Canterlot. I sent a letter that we finally received information from the changeling, but later drowned himself during his shower that night. While the Princesses were upset about the death of a prisoner, even if it was 'by his own hand', they were still glad we got something of use out of him. I knew that admitting to torture would have put my ass behind bars. 

I wanted to spend the next two days relaxing and I was still nervous about my combat command. Third Brigade was still resting, but the night before, no one would be out. We would leave shortly after dawn, along with the other divisions, leaving elsewhere from Equestria. I wasn't sure when any of us would arrive, but I looked at a map and figured a eight hour trip was ahead, a two in the afternoon arrival.

I figured a speech would be needed for everyone, while I did tell several people and had them spread the word, a speech would help as well. I got dressed in combat fatigues and went to the admin building to make an address. 

"Attention everyone," I began, "this is General Kroger. Many of you have heard the news. We will be part of the attack force against the changelings. This will be the second time most of you have seen combat. Fighting twice in a week was not uncommon for me. We have been chosen in order to test the idea of motorized warfare, which we did successfully several days ago. We shall leave here in two days, six in the morning and going to Appleloosa. Obviously, all passes are cancelled. Remember our motto. 'Si vis pacem, para bellum. If you want peace, prepare for war.' Thank you."

I switched off the mic and leaned back. I had no other concerns to handle, nothing urgent for me to worry about. I left the base, off to town to take my mind off things. That was the worst, knowing I'd be shipping off and not being able to take my mind off it. But this time was different, we won't be gone for months, no more than three weeks I imagine. 

I walked through a new part of town, where the families of my men and they live. Brand new shops and houses, some still for sale lined the roads and not all the lots for homes have been sold. I reached 'downtown' or part of the town before it expanded. I went to see an old friend.

"Morning, General! What can I get for you?" 

"Hey, Pinkie. I'm good, what's up with you?"

"It per-cellent! Pound and Pumpkin are beginning to speak now! And I have three birthdays tomorrow!" 

"That's good to hear, any of them kids of soldiers?"

"All of them are!" 

"Oh joy. Three more men not to lose." I muttered. 

"Why? Didn't everypony live when the scary changelings attacked?" 

"Yes. But what I'm going to tell you must be kept quiet. Actually, never mind, but don't scream it from the hills."

"Cross my heart, hope to fly, and a cupcake in my eye." Was the oath I was given.

"We are part of the attack force against the changelings. We leave in two days." 

"I don't know how to feel." Pinkie whimpered out, then immediately switched to confused. "But also you'd stop the changelings from attacking again." 

"Something we have to do. I'm not sure how many will die, less than a hundred. That's all I want. I don't expect for everyone to make it back."

"I understand. I think you'll be just fine." 

"I feel fine, like I'm comfortable commanding. Its just I'm still missing-"

"Five thousand and eight hundred stallions and mares?"

"Yeah, something like that. It was good seeing you, but I've got some other stuff to do."

"Okay Danny! Stay safe for me."

"I'll try, Pinkie." 

"I'd ask for you to give me a Pinkie Promise, but I know you really don't have control." Realistically I did have control of where I would be at. We exchanged hugs and I left.

A stroll through town put me in the market and bumped into Rarity and Applejack. 

"Hello, Dan. Applejack was telling me about your, um, trip." 

I cracked a smile, "Which one? The one I took to Canterlot or the one I'm taking two systems from now?"

"Ah thought you said you couldn't say a word of it."

"I am now. They made an announcement about it. Two days from now I'll be outside Appleloosa."

"Ah've been there! Got some family there. Is it just you?"

"No, it's us and two other divisions. Forty-eight thousand troops. That's a rather large amount, but no one knows how many the changelings have. Although, we have guns and they don't. We have plans, but those are secret." 

"How long will you be there?" Rarity asked.

"No clue, could be a week, could be a month. We can wake up tomorrow and see they want peace." 

"That'd be nice. I suppose those vile individuals aren't looking for peace."

"I'm not allowed to say."

"Regardless, I'm sure you must be ready to go back to fighting. If you don't mind me saying." 

"I'm nervous as hell, the waiting just absolutely sucks. My friends would take me out and we'd do stuff, but I couldn't take it off my mind. It's always there. At least this time, I have a short turnaround." 

"Darling, I just couldn't imagine carrying that around." Rarity said. Applejack nodded. "Unfortunately, darlings I must run. So long Applejack."

"See ya, 'round Rares." 

"And you, Dan. Do try and come home in one piece."

"I'll try." I said, she kissed my cheek and left. "Fuck me I need a drink or eight."

"Nerves got ya?" 

"Didn't we just talk about this? I have to go find Dash now, any idea where she might be?"

"She actually should be in the market, today is when she usually buys food."

"Thanks, AJ. I'll see you later."

"See ya, partner. Stay safe." Applejack said as I walked off.

"I'll try!" I called back. I needed to find Dash since she was a reserve member of the Wonderbolts and I knew she would want to come. I wasn't even sure if the Wonderbolts would even be there, but recon is necessary. I ignored the vendors calling out to me buy whatever they were selling. 

I found her walking around. "Hey, Dash."

"What's up, Dan?" 

"We're part of the response." I still had to keep the attack vague. "I know you want in." 

"Really? Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you." She said as she slowly began to fly off the ground. She landed and rubbed her hand. "Yeah, thanks for letting me know. When are we leaving?"

"Two days. Six in the morning, but be there a bit early." 

"Got it."

"I just wanted to let you know. I know you want to go. See ya then." I said and left, heading back to base. While it was nice to see some friends, my mind was still on edge. I couldn't help but sigh, maybe I should see a shrink.

2 days later

I looked all around me, soldiers running around and getting set. I checked my own gun and made sure I made all my magazines. A double check for maps and some other sensitive stuff. The time was five fifty. I checked the map for our route, we'd take Highway Five west, then take Four south. Next to the highway was a railway, no doubt we'd see another division pass. They each need thirty trains loaded with six hundred men each to move all of them. I had eighteen hundred trick for all needs: troop movement, supplies and injured. Plus missing troops opened up more trucks. So me arriving first would be important. 

The plan was to establish a defensive perimeter in front of the town, then establish contact with friendly changelings. After that we'd go from there, I wasn't in charge. 

Five fifty-eight. "Mount up, chucklefucks! It's go time!" I made my way to the front of the convoys. To keep the noise down, each brigade would leave every ten minutes, then meet up on the a few miles outside of town. I would lead the first group out along with Michael. We would wait for the rest then leave. 

"Wait!" A voice cried out. A man was running over, he was an earth pony with dark green fur and was wearing a suit. Before I could tell him this was a military base and have him fuck off he spoke again. "You have room for one more?"

"I got room for thousands, you want in?"

"Yes, sir. I'm Vivid Headlines and a reporter from the Vanhoover Daily. I've heard from sources that there's an attack on the changelings come up and I was sent to report on it." 

"You do realize I can't guarantee your safety?"

"That I do."

"Alright, your source is right. Head all the way to the back and jump in a truck. Everything up here is full. If anyone gives you an issue, tell them Dan allowed you in." 

"Yes, sir and thank you!" 

"No problem." I called back. I slid down into the tank, grabbed my intercom and goggles and went back out. I checked my phone, six oh-five. 

"Let's roll." I ordered. We began to move, Michael's tank and the trucks followed. I forgot to ask the Princesses about getting more trucks, since adding machine guns to them would lose seats in the trucks. I would need an extra three hundred trucks to account for having two less seats. I'd just have to ask the Princess I know on a personal level about it. 

We swung north to avoid cutting through town, we passed by no one. As we passed, I took a final look over my shoulder. 

"Stop in about a mile." I ordered over the tank's radio.

"Roger." Was the simple reply.

I grabbed the radio, "First Brigade, prepare to stop in one mile. Repeat, prepare to stop in one mile." By now Second Brigade should be leaving and Third in about ten minutes. 

As we slowed to a crawl, I slid into the tank.  Inside was quiet as hell, I didn't talk. I knew what they were all thinking. The ironic part was since this tank was from Earth, it was resistant to magic and that was the only weapon I've seen from the bugs. 

I should also stay in the tank during combat, instead of running around. It has a radio, armor, along with all of the guns. The only concern is that it sticks out and would be an obvious target. Of course, that would depend on whether or not magic explodes on impact. I knew absolutely nothing about magic. If we get hit enough times then personally got hit by magic, would I lose a leg or more in an explosion? Would my uniform catch fire? What even are the chances of magic hitting the same spot enough times to melt through inches magic-resistant steel then go through the small hole? Everyone's tank had sloped armor, expect for James, but even he has about four inches of armor on his Comet.

I pushed these thoughts to the back of my mind and peered out again. Second Brigade arrived and in the distance, I could see Third on the move. We'd be out of here in ten easily. I checked the map, to double check how many times we would need to refuel. It was a two hundred and forty mile trip to Appleloosa, all the while doing a max of thirty five. We would have to refuel at least twice, with the second being almost in Appleloosa. The government had some deals with gas companies so we could fuel at certain points, plus we had fuel trucks and ammo trucks. They're just going to stay a mile or two back from the rest of us. 

"You cunts want to move up there? Don't make me get out." James said over the radio, meaning he caught up. David said something back in Russian. "Sorry mate, I don't speak communism." 

"Cut the chatter you two. All units, we're moving out. As such, I'll fill you all in. We are going to Appleloosa to confront the changeling threat. We have a long trip ahead so get comfy. Chances are we will be in the first entire division there. If you have to take a piss, lean out the truck and piss off to the side." I told everyone over the radio. I hung the radio up. "Box, get this show on the road." 

"Roger, Dan." I went back outside as we began to move.