//------------------------------//
// On A Pier With A Traveled Gun 
// Story: Mother, I'm Coming Home 
// by Visharo 
//------------------------------//

A few hours later and Sunset is now walking down the streets of Manehatten. Her destination, a tall tower near the coast. It didn't take long, she only had to ask for directions once, and before she knew it, she was standing in front of the front doors. There is still time to go back. The mare scoffed and opened the doors and beelined straight for the desk.

"Yes, ma'am, how may I help you?" The mare behind the desk put on a fake smile. 

"I want to sign up." She left no room for debate in her voice. The mare either recognized it or didn't care enough to notice it.

"Very good, ma'am. If you'll just read and sign this paper." The mare hoofed over a clipboard with papers.

Sunset took the clipboard in her magical grasp and sat down in one of the many seats. She flipped through it, skimming it mostly. Most of the listed things were of the 'if blah blah blah were to happen, the Marine Corps are not held responsible', some talked about the legality of it all. By the time she got to the last page, Sunset was quite sure that none of that mattered. She signed it without a second thought.

"Here you go."

"Thank you, ma'am." The mare pointed with a hoof. "If you could go that way, ma'am, and turn left. There will be a room where the volunteers of today are waiting."

Sunset nodded and followed the instructions. Down the hallway, the walls covered with various certificates, awards, pictures, and then turned left. The visitor room was quite spacious, a large table dominated the center, comfy seating, a chandelier. more nonsense on the walls. But the most important part was the eight ponies who are in the room. Sunset noted that there are three mares and five stallions.  

"Another volunteer!" A stallion said joyfully. 

"What's your name, honey?" A mare asked.

"Don't be shy, we won't bite." Another stallion murmured. 

The door burst open, interrupting whatever scathing remarks Sunset had prepared to lash back with, and in stepped a marine of interest. "I'm the lieutenant here, be sure to remember that. Now, let's get a move on!" The mare turned an 180 and marched out of the headquarters, Sunset and the other eight scrambling after her.

It was learned pretty quickly, that the lieutenant did not care for unnecessary noise, so the group traveled in relative silence. It wasn't long before they arrived at Manehatten's docks. Sunset's, as well as the others, mouths dropped. There, floating in the water, lay a huge battleship. It was sleek, metallic, masculine, and very much battle ready.