//------------------------------// // Calming Minds // Story: H-44 GERMANIA // by Sanguine Blade //------------------------------// Sun shone over Neighyers Island as Hanz materialized his form on board GERMANIA. 'Hans?' "Aquarius?" Hanz asked. 'Yes. I believe you have a potential problem that needs to be fixed.' Aquarius said. "The ponies seemed fine to me. What's wrong?" Hanz said. 'Its a facade Hanz. Think about it, if you were invaded by a clearly superior force and out comes a figure who they don't know of that could possibly be hostile?' Aquarius retorted. "Ah yes. You are right there and I need to show them that I'm on their side. That is why you brought me here." Hanz replied nodding in agreement. 'So what are you going to do about it?' She asked. "Well, I guess the best way would be the way my father earned his first freinds" Hans remarked. 'Which was?' "Talking over drinks" Hanz stated leaving his quarters. 'You can't drink. The only way you were able to even shake hands was me quickly teaching you how to focus parts of your form.' Aquarius said. "You...do have a point. Still, getting someone else drinks is a kind gesture and true thoughts are more likely to slip out of loose lips." Hanz retorted walking to the deck. Sargent Quick Shot was sitting at the pier when the strange...thing came off its vessel. He had done his best to not come off as threatening to the being who could easily obliterate the fort with one volley, but his paranoia was still very high whenever he saw "Admiral Hanz" as the being had addressed the captain. 'What is that thing planning. Wait..its got a package' Quick shot thought looking close to see a small crate under its arm. When Hanz looked his way Quick Shot looked away while Hanz waved before walking off towards the fort. 'I've got my eyes on you' Quick shot thought before choosing to tail Hanz. Hanz found his way to the Captain's office easily enough with the occasional direction from garrison members. Hanz gave a light knock on the doors. "Come in." The Captain said from the other side. Hanz opened the door and Captain Black Powder looked up before standing up. "Oh its you Admiral Hanz. What is the problem?" the captain asked. "Nothing. Look I know you are all probably worried about offending me, but its fine to admit you are scared. I brought a gift to ease tensions." Hanz said placing down the small crate. Opening the top and pulling out a glass bottle. "What is this?" Captain Powder asked. "Its some soda. I didn't know if you allowed alcohol on the job here so this was the best I could do." Hanz said pulling out a bottle of his own. The captain took a sip before sighing relaxed. "Tasty, whats it called?" The Captain asked. "Coca-Cola. Not much of its left where I'm from due to rationing of sugar. Some lucky smugglers had them so our crew bought as many as we could. There is about a hundred left on the ship." Hanz said. "Well I'll be honest. Many of us thought that you were sparing us to kill us yourself. This at least helps blow over some fears." Captain Powder said. "Understandable in pirate infested seas, but I assure you I'm here to help. So how do you think I could ease your garrison?" Hanz asked. "Well most of the people here are either competitive stallions or the occasional mare. So I bet if you show your mettle they won't care, but show you're also a gentle stallion to the mares on base." Captain Powder replied. Hans gave a nod then headed out leaving the small crate for the captain to enjoy. While Sargent Quick Shot continued to tail. Private Strong Wind and many of the other garrison soldiers were on break in the dining hall. The room was a little boring with long wooden benches that everyone sat on eating the same slop day in and day out. creeeeak went the door as everyone turned to see the stranger that they had met the first day. No one said anything as he walked over to one of the tables and sat down pulling out a knife out of its pocket and began to raise it into the air. 'What's he doing?' the private thought as they saw the stranger whistle and then brought down the knife towards his open hand only for it to miss his fingers as he picked up speed not hitting his fingers while whistling. Once he finished, the thing threw his knife into the wall. "Anybody want to try?" the being asked. "What was that?" a voice asked. "Its a game for masochists or knife experts." the creature replied. "you think that's strength!" a soldier called stepping forward and putting his elbow on the table. "Let's see your arm strength." the soldier continued. "oooooo no one beats Stone Wall in an arm wrestle." one private called. The stranger just walked calmly over and put his elbow down on the table. "3...2...1...GO!" the being said as the wrestle started. Stone Wall tried to force the arm down but he couldn't knock him out. After a minute of stalemate the stranger shoved his arm forward and slammed Stone Wall's hand to the table. The room was dead silent....then. "HA HA HA HA HA!" Stone Wall guffawed with laughter before shaking hands with the being. "It's been a while since anyone has beaten me. How'd you do it?" Stone Wall asked. "You have a lot of strength, but not eh endurance. Had you kept up that pressure over a longer period you would've had me." The stranger replied. "Of course. Most don't realize that at first. What's your name again... Hanz right?" Stone Wall asked. "Yes. It was a fun challenge thought...Stone Wall I believe they called you?" Hanz replied. "Aye I'm him but some simply call me Stoney or The Wall." Stone Wall replied. "I was told you might've had second thoughts about me so what better way to ease the tension than with some displays of manliness?" Hanz said and some of the troops laughed at this. "True true most stallions like to test one another's mettle round here. I think we'll get along just fine. So How's about a round of ale?!" Stone Wall shouted to the group who cheered. "Actually, if your're willing to help carry it, I've got some officer's wine on GERMANIA." Hanz offered. Stone Wall Nodded. "You heard him lads. Let's give 'im a hand at unloading the good shit!" Stone Wall shouted and some of the bigger troops followed to duo to GERMANIA to return with the booze. Things were finally calmed down for the garrison of Neighyers all except one. 'There is something he's hiding and I'm gonna find it.' Sargent Shout thought to himself before making himself scarce... "You say this vessel is truly a threat?" Valkenburg said. "Yes Sir. It is a metal monster that is a threat to our fleet if we don't eliminate it soon." one of the scouts replied. The group of scouts were shaking from what they had seen and Master Valkenburg stood from his chair. "Very well. Gather together the best ships we have and we shall attack soon." Victor Valkenburg replied. The scouts simply nodded and dashed away. A fight was truly on the horizon.