Ok, for those of you who don't know... School has been absolute hell. I work on homework for at least 4 hours a day. So expect sparse updates and filler chapters. I'm still typing part two of the Daring Dash finale and it will take a while because I want at least 5k words. Anyways, I'm done my head hurts. This is raw and unedited but you can bite me. I have many idea's for Equestrian tech and possibly my next story arc. I'm discombobulated... look at me rambling on. I'll just blog post a few future plans.
Until next time,
Tie RoamingHooves.
The Siege of New Yoke
New Yoke City
Bronklyn Express Tunnel
July 18, 1543PH (2013)
Lyra and I made had joined up with a group of civilians along the way through the city. We were navigating through the subway system under New Yoke. I was in front and had my AR raised pointing straight ahead as we approached a station. I signaled for the group to stop as I continued forward when I heard voices. An explosion from the surface rattled the tunnel covering me with a bit of dust as I crept up along the wall and looked atop the paltform. I had expected griffons but was relieved to see friendly faces for once.
Civilians were being ushered in by armored ponies as the sounds of battle flowed in from the entrance. I waved my hand and the ponies behind me came to the platform. I had startled the soldiers at first but they then recognized me and gave a salute. I didn't return the formality as I lifted up Lyra and put her platform and a few soldier came to aid me in getting the rest of the ponies off the tracks.
We get the rest of the collective onto the platform and I start walking. "Colonel, sir!" a mare said from behind me. I turn around and find that an red unicorn mare clad in armor saluting.
"At ease." I say through clenched teeth. The saluting was getting extreamly annoying. "Who is your CO?"
"Your speaking to her. I'm Major Arrowhead."
"Well Major, what the hell is happening up there? I've been in the this tunnel for god knows how long. I'm sure the situation has changed by now." I look around at the ponies being led down the stairs
"Griffon airships have arrived and are bombing the city. We have some anti-air but we didn't expect a fleet. If things keep going the way the are, we could lose New Yoke. On top of that, with mountains to our west, the city is surrounded. We can't evacuate the civilians."
"I'm not exactly familiar with Equestrian tech but don't you have any airships?"
"Yes but most are not fitted for battle. The few that are would be docked in Canterlot."
"We need to contact Canterlot then."
"We sent out our fastest messengers to Canterlot and Trottington. Even so, it will take a day for the message to get to Trottington and two days to Canterlot. Those are in good conditions and as you can see, these are not."
"So were on our own then?"
"For now, yes."
The tunnel shook and the lights flickered. I look over to the entrance and decide to step out to get a look at the situation. "Excuse me Major." I walk through the crowd of civilians and up the stairs. I reached the stop and my eyes got a view of the city. The city burned and smoke rose against the orange sky. Ash fell as panic-stricken ponies fled into the subway. Airships were over the city dropping explosives while they were being pelted by red beams of light that shot into the air. Once again, I have been reminded of Earth.
There was then a thunderous sound as an airship streaked over head leaving a trail of fire before crashing into the harbor. I watched it sink into the waves and rubbed my face. I look at the ponies and gave a sad sigh. I honestly didn't know what to do, although there was only one thing to do.
I was brought into a makeshift command center in the station office where maps were tacked sloppily to the walls and placed on tables. Ponies stood around a single map which dominated the center table. Upon closer inspection the map was revealed to be enchanted if I guessed correctly. It was displaying various troop movements and positions as well as the many lines that were being held around the city. But it also displayed enemy movements and positions as well and the entire thing looked to be "updating" for lack of a better word. The lines shifted and the positions of what I guessed were airships were constantly moving or disappearing from the map signaling that they were destroyed. I looked down at the map and noticed there were several large groups green on different parts of the map.
The largest contingent was held up in the industrial district. It had a caption thus identifying them as 3rd Battalion. Another large group was cut off near the business district in upper Manehatten. It seemed that the Griffon air support was tearing this group a new one. Several other large groups were spread out around the city but most were located on the west side of the harbor which was indefinitely under Equestrian control as of now. We had some territory on the east side of the harbor and well into downtown. Another battalion was holed up in the Bronx, cut off from the rest of our forces and were several miles into enemy lines. Other than that we had lost a considerable amount of the city and lines were threatening to collapse to the north of Stable Avenue.
I then look up and away from the map to meet the collective gaze of a room-full of officers. They were looking at me in silence and some were wary of me being double their height while others had mixture of hope and determination in there eyes.
"I know what you've heard of me, but don't expect me to have a brilliant plan to save the day. I swear it was a fluke and only as such. Just continue what you were doing." I say backing away from the table much to the disappointment of the commanders. I sighed because despite the fact that I was lucky the first time, I knew the ponies were dependent on me right now. I had to do this. I look up and the commanders were looking at me, hoping I would do something. "Alright, fill me in on the details and I'll see what I can come up with. If I'm doing something that is "wrong", let me know because I'm not used to leading armies on a daily basis despite what you would think."
The officers started to fill me in on troop numbers, distribution, and the works. We a grand total of 10,000 defending. Within those are about 5,000 pegasi, 3,500 unicorns, and 1,500 earthponies. We control everything to the west of the harbor and have our front lines about three miles inland on the east side. AA (Anti Airship) batteries from what I was told are just heavily enchanted gems which discharge potent beams of concentrated magic when focused through an equally heavily enchanted firing tube. AA batteries were concentrated around the harbor making it nearly impossible for airships to penetrate that far into our territory.
Griffon troops were staged mainly in the outskirts of downtown. The decided to stay on their lines for some odd reason which is a grave mistake. "Tell me Lieutenant," I say to the black pegasus next to me. "Is it possible to discharge the gems used in the AA batteries alone?" Everypony in the room was quiet when I spoke.
"Yes but they would just discharge outward instead of directionally."
"Major grab me a map of the subway tunnels running from Stable Avenue to Canter Street. Lieutenant, how powerful would the blast of a single gem would be?" The Major levitated a map over to the table.
"I'm not sure," he started. His face then lit up and he caught on. "I do know that six of them going off at once is enough to take out a city block."
At this point everypony else in the room caught on to my plan and started contributing. Messengers were sent to rally any volunteers for this mission. The plan is relatively simple. Take AA gems through the subway and underneath their lines. Detonate them a little ways back behind them to kill as many as possible and confuse the rest. Afterwards the forces topside will charge in and kill and take back as much ground as possible before the Griffons can react effectively. If this works we could get closer to the Bronx and possibly rescue the troops stranded there.
As the officers are talking amongst themselves, I stare at the map. With a mountain to the west and open sea to the north, the only ways out of the city were south and east. The only way we'd get out was to fight a force with superior numbers and training. This of course, was not an option. What we need right now is luck. Dumb luck and time.
Take your complaints about this chapter to the office of I Don't Give A Shit Inc.