//------------------------------// // Chapter 8 // Story: Dawn's Candor // by Clarke Otterton //------------------------------// The negotiations with Commander Weit lasted well into the night. The atmosphere was forced to start, with Commander Weit and Lieutenant Dawn attempting to maintain an air of politeness. Dawn felt increasingly awkward, for although she held the power as victor, the gray mare was her senior in rank and age. “As I have said before,” Dawn said, unsure whether to add a “ma’am” but finally opting to omit the courtesy, “I have no interest in taking prisoners. I only want the colors that you took from my battalion.” “But why risk lives for a piece of cloth? It makes no sense to me. Surely you Equestrians are here for much more than that.” Weit leaned her chair against the wall, her eyes narrowing on the Equestrian lieutenant. “You want to force me to give up my way of life, my beliefs to your so-called perversion of harmony.” Dawn took a breath to reply, but the conversation was interrupted as Ditty entered the small room. She informed the officers that two Boerperd ponies had succumbed to their wounds. One Equestrian, Private Daisy, had also died. Dawn let her face droop. Weit renewed her argument, her face considerably harder. “Tell me, Lieutenant Dawn, why do ponies like you who believe so much in harmony with each other fight as you do, killing instead of befriending? It seems rather hypocritical, don’t you say” Dawn did not understand why either. She might have won the battle, but she felt like she was losing. “Perhaps I may ask the same for you, commander,” Dawn said, hoping that reciprocating the mare’s logos would help her gain ground. “I fight to defend myself from that which threatens my internal harmony. To kill is not a violation of my integrity, but rather a means which when necessary holds it together,” Weit stated; she did not flinch. Dawn paused, trying to pull a response together. “Our answer for violence is the same then,” Dawn said. “Except we fight for something greater than ourselves. We fight for the right of our ponies to live in harmony with each other. We fight for our princesses whose rule creates that harmony for everypony. And we fight for those colors, which symbolize our princesses, our fellow ponies, our homes, and, ultimately, our harmony.” Weit let her chair return flat with the floor. She rubbed her muzzle before softening her face. “Well said, lieutenant,” she said. “If that piece of silk represents all of that, then I can have no peace for myself knowing that I have denied that which is harmony for you. But after you get your flags and return to your unit, what then? Will you continue to deny me my own chance for harmony?” “Frankly, I cannot guarantee what happens when my ponies leave your village. But you have won my heart and thus I have no quarrel with you. I can only do my best to convince my commanders to see the same.” Dawn knew her last promise was near impossible given her current relationship with the battalion’s leadership. There was one more question that tugged at Dawn’s conscience. “I am curious, commander, where simple farmers such as yourselves get the kind of rifles you used against our battalion. That design of firearm is barely available in Equestria, let alone out here I imagine.” Weit hesitated, then spoke with a measured tone. “The weapons were sold to me in exchange for raids conducted against the mines at the edge of my territories. The supplier, whom I never made direct contact with, wanted the gems extracted from those mines. The deal seemed mutually beneficial, especially when they told me your intentions, which were to threaten the Boerperds and our independence. Dawn took note of Weit’s use of the collective noun amid her strict adherence to singular cases, but she paid attention more to the mare’s description of the deal. Somepony wanted this conflict to escalate and was willing to feed the fears of the Boerperds to ignite it. She shuddered. “Thank you, Commander Weit, I believe that will be all if you are in agreement,” Dawn said, blood rushing back to relieve the stiffness in her body as she stood up. “I find the terms satisfactory, provided you do actually convince your ponies to stop the fighting. I can guarantee that my Commando will not take any aggressive action unless it is displayed against me first. And I will have your colors brought out immediately.” Weit clapped her hooves to a lime colored stallion who ran off to complete the order. She offered her hoof to Dawn who promptly shook it. “To a more harmonic future together.” Dawn stepped outside the building and squinted to readjust her eyes to the changing light. The sun was just beginning to peak over the escarpment, lighting up Dawn’s section which stood in formation in the center of town. Applesnack and Crag had retrieved the uniforms while Dawn was negotiating. She was happy to see them fully dressed in their red tunics once again. The lime stallion returned with the flags and laid them before Dawn. She picked up the poles and gave them to Big Mac and Applesnack. “Gentlecolts, unfurl the colors.” The ponies removed the canvas tubes that covered the tops of the poles, allowing the silks to catch the wind and shimmer in the first light of morning. A cheer erupted from her ponies as the blue and white flags fluttered and rippled the golden imprint of the dual monarchs circling their celestial bodies. Dawn felt a surge of pride, allowing it to radiate across her face. She thought she saw the same sentiment in Applesnack’s expression. Confident, she drew her saber and took her place next to the section. “Section, at my command. Right, FACE! At the walk, forward, MARCH!” The rhythmic crunch of equipment and hooves on the rocky street further enhanced the lieutenant’s strut. She could see the Boerperds watching from the side and allowed herself to feel proud as the victorious column marched out of the village. “Wait, before you go…” Malt said as she limped up from the crowd towards Dawn, a bottle in her mouth. Dawn stepped out of her position to address the yellow mare. “I want you to have this, for bringing me back here. My own specialty brew of scotch. I hope it warms you inside as it does me.” Dawn looked into the pony’s eyes, a weak smile and colored cheeks expressing her gratitude. “Thank you,” she stammered, grabbing the amber bottle and placing it in her saddlebag. It would a great replacement for the shattered bottle of cider in her desk. “Take care of yourself, Malt,” she said warmly. Malt gave one last wave before Dawn’s soldiers marched out of the village and into the veldt. They marched forward, with colors blazing like the rising run, and spirits restored with the same intensity of fire. Dawn was beaming. Colonel Spitfire loathed paperwork, the least favorite part of her job as wing commander. Fresh morning sunlight shined through the large windows behind her desk to illuminate stacks of endless personnel reports, financial proposals, and disciplinary letters, all of which needed the approval only she had the authority to provide. Outside, the first pegasi were lining up and stretching, ready to begin a day of pattern work and maneuvers. Spitfire played with a figurine of a flying Wonderbolt on her desk, missing the days when her only duty was as captain of the famous aerial demonstration team. The only paperwork she had then was signing posters to send to the young fillies and colts who were fans all across Equestria. But now, in addition to her normal paperwork, she had dozens of memorandums that had been tele-fired in from commanders throughout the Equestrian Armed Forces, all requesting their unit to be selected to take part in the expedition. An expedition, the colonel noted, that was supposed to be top secret. So naturally everypony in the military knew about it. A knock on the door woke Spitfire from her daydream. She fumbled to put the figurine back on her desk then said, “Come in.” A turquoise pegasus entered, carrying a wrapped scroll which she laid on the colonel’s desk. “Good morning, colonel. New tele-fire from the North Equus, ma’am,” she said. “Put it with the others, Sergeant Sassaflash,” Spitfire grumbled. She spun around in her chair as Sassaflash left the room, then righted herself and picked up the new message. The writing was neat, almost typed. Spitfire was grateful for the detailed penmanship since so many of the other memorandums were lacking in it, a fact that baffled her when she knew that most of the commanding officers were unicorns and thus left with little excuse for sloppy handling of a pen. Spitfire started reading. MEMORANDUM FOR COLONEL SPITFIRE, 1PW/CC FROM LT COLONEL F. D. SIMMER, 2/NORTH EQUUS 1. It has come to my attention that you are in need of a fine battalion of hoof to accompany your expedition. A mission of such importance therefore warrants the necessity for the very best to execute it, qualifications which your command, the 1st Pegasus Wing, certainly has. However, I would like to propose that my unit likewise possesses the same quality of soldiering that will make us a valuable asset to assist your wing. As you have likely received numerous messages just like this one, allow me to explain why the 2/North Equus stands out. 2. First, our unit is one of the few in the Equestrian Army with recent combat experience. Our current deployment on the Northwest Frontier has exposed us to the complexities of real-world operations. We have learned lessons here that any other unit would have to learn while on your expedition, potentially costing more time and resources. 3. Furthermore, our deployment has also made us first on the list to receive the newest equipment as part of the Lunar Defense Reforms. All our ponies are equipped and trained according to the latest edition of the service manuals. This technological advantage will no doubt fit in seamlessly with the innovative style of your Wonderbolts. Therefore, I urge you to consider us your first choice for this expedition. I have no doubt you will not regret your decision. Spitfire looked up from the memorandum. She had met Colonel Simmer once before and the impression she had gathered from him made her doubt that he possessed the eloquence this memorandum portrayed. The hoof-writing, too, seemed to remind her of an earth pony officer she had met while giving performances in the plantation towns of southern Equestria. Regardless, she found the reasoning and facts compelling. “Sergeant Sassaflash!” she shouted into the space outside her office. The pony appeared in the doorway a moment later. “Get me the train schedules for today. And a paper and quill. I need to inform the Princess that I have finalized my unit composition for the expedition.” Colonel Spitfire would be taking the North Equus with her to the Zebra Isles. She only hoped they had the right stuff to face the challenges that awaited them in that distant land. Lieutenant Dawn’s section arrived on the edge of camp at midday. The sight of the colors at the head of the small column attracted an audience of curious ponies who lined the dusty road to see for themselves whether the sight was merely a visage generated by the heat of day. Dawn could feel the spirit the cheering ponies radiated onto the returning soldiers, although she mainly felt the wet clinging of her tunic to her sweat-drenched back and the sting of dust and salt in her eyes. She also felt a tight knot in her stomach that persisted through the overall exhaustion. And she still needed to write her report, clean up, and then debrief the major on her mission. All before she was allowed to rest. The camp was animated, more animated than Dawn expected even considering the return of the battalion’s colors. She halted her section near the flagpoles in the center of camp. “Everypony, great work out there. Now fall out and get some rest, you earned it. Dismissed!” Dawn breathed a heavy sigh, allowing the burden of command to leave her shoulders. “Dawn, Dawn, I saw, congratulations,” panted Cornet Star as she trotted up to greet Dawn, who in turn placed a few wrinkles on her muzzle in a half-smile. “Thanks, Star. How have things been in camp while we were gone? Everypony seems more energetic than I imagined,” Dawn inquired of her friend. “A regiment of the Princess’s Dragoon Guards arrived about half an hour ago. Rumor has it we are being relieved and sent somewhere else, but nothing official has come from the staff yet. Oh, and the new uniforms arrived! Along with the Elements of Harmony.” “Wait, why would they send those here?” Dawn asked, a mixture of surprise and excitement on her face. “So we can wear them to our next deployment, of course,” Star said, eyes looking upward as she imagined herself in the new uniform. “No, I meant the Elements.” “Oh, of course, silly me. I don’t know, your guess is probably as good as mine.” Dawn had a fairly good guess. “If you excuse me, Star, I still have to deliver my report to the major. We will grab some lunch afterwards and chat about those uniforms, eh?” Dawn said, taking the cornet’s sparkling eyes and wide grin as an affirmative. Trudging back to her tent, flopping down on her cot was the only thing Dawn could think off. She opened the canvas flap and saw that another blue pony had the same idea as her. She stared at the dozing pegasus then smirked and gave the cot a hefty kick, causing the occupant to shoot straight up. Her head hit the tent’s pole with a resounding smack. “Hey, what was that for,” Rainbow Dash said, rubbing sleep from her eyes. She smiled when she saw her assailant. “Dawn! I knew I found the right tent to take a nap in. Or maybe I didn’t,” she said, placing a hoof on the small bruise that had formed above her ear. Dawn pulled her stool out and sat down at her desk while Rainbow resumed a sprawled position on the cot. “You know, for one of the best athletes in Equestria you sure are the laziest pony I’ve met,” Dawn kidded. She noticed the broken shards of glass and drops of cider over her desk and shot a mock look of dismay at Rainbow and added, “and the clumsiest…” “Hey, it’s a long way from Canterlot on those awful train benches. Especially when Pinkie Pie is in a singing mood. Which she was,” Rainbow defended herself. “And your cider was already broken. I just tried to, you know, clean it up for you.” “Sure,” said Dawn, wiping the mess from her desk while pulling out a paper and quill. She replaced the shattered bottle of cider with the scotch she had received from Malt. “So how is Ponyville? Is Scootaloo doing well?” Dawn inquired as she started writing. “It’s been so boring,” Rainbow complained. “And with train ticket prices so outrageous everyone has been stuck in town, including me! I even tried going to the opera one night with Rarity, but even that got boring.” Rainbow stuck out her tongue. “Oh, and Scootaloo has been trying to start a little scooter shop off of main street,” she added. She jumped up from the cot and started running her hoof wildly through Dawn’s mane. “But what about you, still all work I see?” “The responsibilities of command,” Dawn stated while attempting to push the hoof away. She never understood why Rainbow did that to her and Scootaloo. “You know,” she said wanting to shift the conversation away from her, “you could earn more of those responsibilities if you went active duty.” “I still command, sometimes,” Rainbow said. “Besides, I’d have to give up a grade and Lieutenant Dash just doesn’t have the same ring as,” she took a dramatic breath to buff out her chest, “Captain Dash!” “You still thinking of putting your application into the Wonderbolts?” “Always,” Rainbow replied. “But Princess Celestia said I should wait a little longer. Something about needing the Elements together and all that stuff. But I asked about you, not me.” “Scotch?” said Dawn, maneuvering the bottle into Rainbow’s eyesight. “What now?” “It’s apparently a specialty drink for this region, kind of like cider but better I suppose,” Dawn explained while fishing two glasses from her desk and pouring the amber liquid into each. “I doubt that! But I’ll give it a try,” Rainbow answered, grabbing the glass. She drank it too fast, coughing then going back for more sips. Dawn held her composure better, although the drink had a bite that burned her throat. It was, though, warming to her as Malt had said. Dawn quickly hid her face from Rainbow as she remembered the yellow mare. “Well, what do you think, Rainbow?” The pegasus wiped a tear from her eye with her wing and coughed again. “Yeah, I’d say that’s pretty good. Not as good as Sweet Apple Acres Cider, but better than any other cider for sure.” Rainbow grabbed the bottle and examined it. “You said that this was local? Maybe I’ll grab a bottle when we go see the Boerperds.” The comment reminded Dawn of her report, to which she intensified her scribbling. She finished a few minutes later while Rainbow played with the bottle, looking at her distorted face through the liquid into the mirror on the desk. “Finished,” Dawn breathed, signing her name at the bottom. “Now then, I have to go debrief Major Bolt. You are welcome to stay in here with the, uh, bottle.” Rainbow set the bottle back down and feigned an innocent expression which widened into a look of realization. “Oh shoot, I am supposed to meet with him, too,” Rainbow fumbled, looking around. “Should I put my tunic on to meet him?” She pulled the grey SWS garment out of her bag, trying to smooth the wrinkles out. “I don’t think it matters, Rainbow. But a good military impression might not be a bad thing in this context. Just hurry up, I’m about to leave.” Rainbow pulled her wings and forelegs through the tunic then buttoned it. Dawn rolled her eyes then motioned for Captain Dash to follow her out of the tent. Lieutenant Dawn and Captain Dash walked up to the headquarters tent and stood outside. “So, which one of us goes in first?” Rainbow asked. Dawn rolled her eyes. “I will handle the reporting-in. Are your friends already inside, Rainbow?” “Actually, we are right here,” panted a lavender unicorn as she and the rest of the Element bearers trotted to the pair of blue ponies. “I hope we’re not late.” Dawn matched the pony’s physical appearance along with the anxious expression she wore to stories Rainbow had shared. She assumed the pony must be Twilight Sparkle. “No, ma’am. Rainbow and I were just about to go in ourselves,” Dawn told Twilight. She gave the lieutenant a puzzled look which Rainbow caught. “Oh, sorry Twilight. This is Lieutenant Dawn Glean. We used to work together in Ponyville,” Rainbow explained. “Well, it’s very nice to meet you,” Twilight smiled politely. She gestured to each of her friends to continue introductions. “And this is Applejack …” “Howdy,” said the orange pony as she tipped her hat. “… Fluttershy …” “Hello, Dawn,” whispered the yellow pegasus with a sweet smile of recognition. “… Pinkie Pie …” “This is so exciting! I love meeting new friends.” Pinkie Pie bounced on all four hooves then stopped to examine the sole and frog of her right hoof. “Pinkie,” Twilight said, “is your hoof alright?” “Oh yeah, it’s fine now. Just felt a weird burning tinkling, must be a new Pinkie sense.” “Pinkie,” Twilight scoffed. “It’s probably nothing,” Pinkie said, resuming her bouncing. “And I’m Rarity. Pleased to finally meet you, darling,” the white unicorn said. “I do say, that uniform looks rather dashing on you. But Rainbow, dear, we must do something about yours,” Rarity exclaimed as she wrapped the grey tunic in her magic, smoothing out the wrinkles. “Thank you, Rarity,” Dawn said, blushing. “But I have your handiwork to thank for how well it looks. It’s too bad I won’t be wearing it much longer.” “Oh, yes, I remember working on that. Military costumes are always such a thrilling challenge. But whatever do you mean, darling?” “The army has changed the uniform from red to khaki. Everypony is supposed to be issued new uniforms soon. I will have to buy a new one for myself,” Dawn explained. “Oh, well then allow me to make it for you. I already have your measurements, so I just need an example for the pattern.” “No, you don’t have to do that,” Dawn protested. “Oh, but I insist.” “Um, aren’t we supposed to be going inside,” Rainbow interrupted. Dawn cleared her expression and straightened her saber. “Right, everypony follow me.” Dawn ducked through the tent’s door, then marched to where Major Bolt sat at a desk in the center of the tent. She squared her corners then snapped a salute as she halted. “Major Bolt, Lieutenant Dawn reports as ordered.” Rainbow stood at attention next to Dawn, but the other ponies looked around awkwardly. Major Bolt looked up from the mess of maps and papers on his desk. “Stand at ease, lieutenant. I take it by the chatter outside before you came in that you have already met our guests.” “Um, yes, sir,” Dawn stammered. “And here is my report on my mission, sir.” She handed the paper to Bolt who read over it quickly. He put the report down and then smiled towards Twilight. “Twilight Sparkle, isn’t it.” The lavender unicorn stepped forward, nodding. “It appears Lieutenant Dawn has already made things a bit easier for you six. But don’t worry, there is still plenty for you to do; our battalion, unfortunately, made quite a mess. Lieutenant, would you care to explain.” He gestured to where a map of the region was placed on a stand next to his desk. “Yes, sir,” Dawn said as she walked towards the map and addressed the six ponies. “Two days ago, the battalion engaged with a Boerperd commando in a battle which left many dead but accomplished nothing for either side. Yesterday, I led a small section of ponies into Boerperd territory. We were able to force talks with the leader of that commando, a Commander Donker Weit, in the village of Paardenburg about three-quarters of a day march from here. Based on these talks, it is my understanding that the Boerperds do not want armed conflict with Equestria, but rather are being spurred on by the fear that their harmony is being threatened by our encroachment.” Dawn left out the part about the unknown weapons supplier, a fact likely too sensitive for civilians. She was not too sure of it either. “I read about their ideas of harmony,” Twilight piped up, seeing the confused look on her friends’ faces. “It came about as their response to the Windigos. They split off from the earth pony tribe, favoring an introspective form of harmony.” “Indeed,” continued Dawn. “Capitalizing on shared ideas of harmony may be the best approach to reestablishing relations. Also, there is a yellow pony by the name of Gerst Malt who might be of assistance. It’s kind of a long story how I met this pony but talking with her may give you better insight on the Boerperd point of view.” “Thank you, lieutenant,” Major Bolt said. He stood up from his desk. “You six will leave for Paardenburg in the morning. We can only spare a troop from the dragoons to escort you there, as by tomorrow both this battalion and the dragoon regiment will be on a train bound for our next duty. But I doubt you will need them. Lieutenant Dawn’s talk with Commander, err, Weit has halted any threat of aggressive activity. The veldt is perfectly safe for you ponies.” Bolt smiled. “It’s been a pleasure to meet you six. Best of wishes for tomorrow. Oh, and you are invited to the mess tonight for dinner, our treat. I hear one of you in particular is quite skilled with parties.” Bolt tossed a wink to Pinkie Pie before the ponies left the tent. He turned his attention to Dawn while replacing his smile with a frown. “Will that be all, sir,” Dawn asked, the sudden change in mood bringing the knot in her stomach back. “No, I’m afraid not. Take a seat, Dawn,” he said, indicating to a wicker chair while he retook his seat behind his desk. “I commend you on a job well done, Dawn. You have brought back this unit’s spirit, and you have earned my trust. But this is why I find the details of your report troubling. You really think somepony is playing the cards here?” “The evidence seems to point that way, sir. The rifles, for instance, are foreign copies of Equestrian models. And Commander Weit mentioned a supplier who led them to attack the mines in the first place.” “The rifles you describe are of Zebra origin, but I have no idea how they arrived here, thousands of miles from the Zebra Empire. But that’s not what troubles me most.” “What does then, sir?” Dawn felt her mind race at the possibilities. “The intelligence which spurred our action at the ridge did not come from my own staff or recon teams. As I recall, Colonel Simmer told me he received the intel from a local informant. What if that pony and our mysterious weapons supplier are related?” “We could ask the colonel to find out more information,” Dawn suggested. Bolt increased the width of his frown. “The colonel is currently in Canterlot on some urgent business. Which leads me to my most troubling news for you. Colonel Simmer, acting on a report from an officer in this battalion, is recommending that your commission be revoked.” Dawn let her mouth hang open as her heart fell into the churning mess of her stomach. “But the colors. And my progress on relations with the Boerperds. That has to count for something.” “Unfortunately, Dawn, Colonel Simmer will deny that the colors were ever lost in the first place. Furthermore, credit for improving relations will ultimately go to the Element bearers, as it normally does. The ponies of Equestria don’t care about an army lieutenant, or the truth for that matter. They would rather listen to the sweet lies that reinforce the world they think they live in.” Bolt’s tone was bitter, betraying experience. He softened his tone. “But I care, Dawn.” Dawn blinked a tear away to look into the major’s eyes. “The paperwork process takes time. I’d say you have two, maybe three weeks before anypony sees the recommendation. The expedition we are about to take part in will involve many risks, and thus opportunities for you to prove that recommendation wrong. Until then, there is a vacancy as the executive officer in C Company that I am assigning you to.” “Thank you, sir. I-I don’t know what to say,” Dawn stammered. She was embarrassed by the emotion that crept into her voice. “Like I said, Dawn. Grapes, cotton, and molasses.” Bolt winked. “Now then, go get some rest. I expect to see you in the mess tonight. You need a proper introduction without that uppity prancer to ruin it. And knowing the reputation of that pink pony, it’ll be one hell of a party.”