10TH SEPTEMBER 1939
-------------------ROYAL ARMY/AIR FORCE TRAINING CAMP, SOMEWHERE IN THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS--------------
It was now 7:30am here, which meant it was around 6:00am in Equestria. Twilight and Shining Armor were talking with the trainees, who were having breakfast, before they headed out for more training. The ENA problem was something they had not expected to deal with. Around 150 members of the ENA had been protesting outside the base since the last two days. Due to this, the ponies, who were planning to venture into the town of Rosvar for some off-time, which was just a kilometer from the base, could not do so.
The trainees had been complaining about the ENA the whole day, as they had heard some of their addresses on TV and radio, and Twilight had heard rumours that some of the trainees were planning to assassinate Bret Stiles if they got the choice. The base security were collaborating with the Rosvar Police to try and remove the protestors, but they weren't on base property yet, so they couldn't be arrested for trespassing.
This had highly disappointed the ponies, as Rosvar had an old castle they had planned to visit, and there were also a lot of shops, full of things they could send back to their families in Equestria and the Crystal Empire. Lot of products were being made specially for ponies, and soon, all vehicles, old or new, would be both human and pony-compatible. Even the restaurants and pubs in Rosvar had started offering pony-compatible meals.
The Royal Army trainees were still learning hand combat maneuvers, but were taking theory classes as well, such as Biology, History, and Geography, which was important, so they'd know wherever they might be fighting in. The RAF trainees were only during theory classes, but were also doing practical classes in survival skills, which the Army trainees would also start soon. They would also get to ride as back-seaters in RAF fighter planes, most likely Hurricanes, but maybe Spitfires, the next week, which Rainbow Dash was extremely excited about.
In the meantime, Twilight and Shining Armor were talking on the telephone in Shining Armor's room to the British ambassador, Wood, who said he would call Celestia and Luna later. Until they got a telephone network running in their home nation, they would relay all calls through the American and British warships docked in Manehattan. "How do we deal with the ENA? Already trainees want that Stiles guy dead." said Shining Armor, over the phone.
"Well, we can't arrest him yet, since he hasn't really done anything criminally wrong so far. We'll wait for him to make a mistake, and once he does, we'll take him and ENA down." replied Wood.
"Hopefully, we should. Also, how's construction going over there?" replied Shining Armor.
"Well, the airfields at Ponyville, Canterlot, and the Crystal Empire are being built, but pace is slow, due to the lack of an effective transportation network. The army bases are coming up pretty well, and should be finished this month. We have found some large coal and iron ore reserves, near some of the more rural towns. There, we plan to build mines, which we can use to help you set up industries. We will mainly start with coal, to get power plants up and running, and build up a road network. Once that's done, we'll make use of the iron reserves."
"Oh, good. Hopefully the modernisation of our countries can start soon. Also, what news of our large order of military equipment?"
"Well, close to 500 Lee-Enfield rifles, 300 Bren LMGs, and 700 Enfield No.2 revolvers can be delivered to you as soon as the base becomes operational. Once that is done, we can began construction of the explosives factory, where we'll manufacture smoke grenades and regular land grenades. Also, our training ship, the HMS Nile, will soon be in your possession temporarily, once we negotiate the lease agreement. Then, it can be delivered to your upcoming Navy base, at Fillydelphia. As for your vehicles, we can deliver quite a few jeeps and trucks, once your army bases are operational. As for your aircraft, I still don't have any details about them, sorry about that."
"That's fine. Hopefully, the future Equestrian Army, Navy, and Air Force will be ready to take on any threats those damn Nazis, Italians, or Japs have for us."
"Hopefully. Anyway, I need to go now, have to take a call with Prime Minister Chamberlain in some time, so I'll talk to you tomorrow. See you later, Shining Armor." replied Wood.
"See you later, Wood, and thank you." replied Shining Armor, as he cut the call. He sighed, and turned back to Twilight. "Well, that was a long call. Well, Twily, we gotta get ready. I have to meet a British politician at that fancy restaurant in the town, so we better get ready." said Shining Armor as he went into his bathroom. "See you in half an hour, Twily." smiled Shining Armor, as he closed the bathroom door. Twilight then decided to go back into her room, and change up.
Twenty-five minutes later, the two siblings were ready, and were heading outside, to where a car was waiting for them. It had been assigned to take them anywhere at a moment's notice. As they headed out to the main facade of the barracks, they saw the car, a brand new black coloured Austin 12 sedan, assigned specially to them. It was easily identifiable by the British and Equestrian flags on the bonnet.
"Mr. Armor? Ms. Sparkle? I'm Edward Bowman, your driver." said a rather young man, in his late twenties, well built, with brown hair, and green eyes. He was wearing a suit, and waiting outside the car for the two siblings.
"Ah, Mr. Bowman. Thanks for driving us. Also, Mr. Armor sounds very weird. Just call me Shining Armor, or Shining if you want." replied Shining Armor.
"Alright then. If you're Shining, then I'm Edward, or Eddie for short. Now let's go, so we aren't late." said Bowman, as he opened the rear door of the car for the two siblings, who got in. A few seconds later, they were about to leave the base, and despite the car's windows being closed, they could hear the shouts of the protestors outside. The protestors probably could tell the gate was about to open, because they were shouting louder than usual.
As the gate opened and the car began to drive out, the protestors all attempted to run into the base, but thankfully, a half ton of Royal Army soldiers had been deployed, so they instantly put up barricades, and a half ton of the protestors ran into the barricades. Although some attempted to climb over, they got arrested. However, some protestors noticed the car, and unfortunately, they realized there were ponies inside. They instantly ran towards the big Austin, scaring Twilight, who instantly held Shining Armor, who looked a little nervous as well.
Thankfully, Bowman noticed the protestors running towards the car, and hit the gas pedal. Unfortunately, the car was underpowered, and despite them gaining some speed, they wouldn't outrun the protestors, even if they were in a car. The two ponies noticed that Bowman was sweating, since he was rather nervously. He then suddenly swerved, and the two siblings almost got thrown into the door, as Shining Armor quickly stopped them with his magic. The sudden swerve was enough to keep them on the road, but not without a scratch.
As they avoided most of the protestors, a couple tried to jump at the car, and thankfully, Bowman was able to avoid most of them, but two of them were unfortunately sideswiped by the car as Bowman tried to avoid them. One was thrown away while the other was hit by a fender going close to 60 kilometers per hour, and collapsed on the spot. "Bowman! Stop! We have to help him!" shouted Twilight, looking shocked at the unconscious man.
"No can do, Ms. Sparkle. If we stop, all the other protestors will no doubt attempt to beat you up, and maybe try to kill you. No doubt the people at base would have noticed, and they'll probably send ambulances. They'll anyway need some, to deal with the injured protestors." said Bowman, as he began speeding away from the base, the car back under control. Twilight watched as the injured protestor's comrades ran towards him, and there was already a pool of blood under his chest and head. Twilight hoped that he was still alive, as she looked forward, the town of Rosvar ahead of them.