//------------------------------//
// Part 6: Orders 
// Story: Zugzwang: Two German soldiers in Equestria 
// by Nokstella 
//------------------------------//

Somewhere in the Canterlot Palace's left wing

It's well into midnight, the sound of faint steps can be heard in the dark hallway, a Royal Guard on their usual late patrol. The guard passes through a high-ranking officer's office nervously quickly. The door has a plaque that says, "NO ENTERING WITHOUT PERMISSION."

He knew that this officer does everything in his office, eat, drink, do work, sleep, but rarely. He scurries off to patrol other parts of the palace. Careful not to disturb the officer as he is probably awake, most likely reviewing reforms or doing paperwork.

This officer is none other than a well-known officer known as Field Marshal Longspear Sicario, a grey stallion with brown mane, he's brilliant strategist adapting to Equestria's incompetent, limited military. Though having some very concerning anger issues, he once shouted at a corporal for being too loud inside the left wing. He has a map of Equestria pinned to the wall, with strategic points and potential threats.

Longspear rests his head with his hoof as he reads the message that Princess Celestia sent to him, it's a report from a captain in Thistlewood town, his faced made an expression that one could describe as annoyance.

He reads the message from Princess Celestia. "Really, princess? You're asking me to help your student track down some thieves?" Longspear mutters to himself while scanning the request.

"This seems like a waste of my time, I'd rather be managing Equestria's defenses on the east coast, where we're facing threats from the Land of The Rising Stars or whatever they call themselves," Despite his complaints, he reluctantly decides to give the request a chance, "Maybe I'll help her, but not directly."

The commander's keen eyes fixated on the request, and then he slowly turns his head to the right. With a careful gaze, he studies the map pinned on the wall before him. The majority of Equestria's forces were currently stationed at the eastern coastal forts, leading him to shift his focus to the west. His eyes landed on Fortress Fielding, situated not too far from Vanhoover. Perfect, he would assign a few specific troops from different units for this tracking task.





The next day at Fortress Fielding

It's early in the morning and Fortress Fielding is ever so empty with an occasional shout interrupting the silence, which if there was an attack, they would barely hold the huge fortress. The only sound they can hear is the sound of wind blowing in the distance, as to Sergeant Keeperon's disappointment. It's too boring and quiet here because most of the Equestrian forces are relocated to the east coast of Equestria. Keeperon is a tan pony with a black mane, he's been in this fort for a long time.

Keeperon, using his freetime in his schedule, decide to pay his friend that is in the 2nd Sapper Specialists a visit. Keeperon walked through the quiet hallways of Fortress Fielding, his hoofsteps echoing in the emptiness. He passes a few guards that was sleeping, but he ignored them as he could perhaps relate. As a seasoned NCO, he was used to the solitude that came with being stationed at a relatively empty fort. But today, he felt an unexplainable sense of restlessness.

He arrived at the barracks of the 2nd Sapper Specialists and pushed open the door, finding his friend, a white stallion with blonde mane, Corporal Stonecliff, engrossed in a book. The barracks was brightly lit, with many small windows overlooking the barracks or the fort walls.

"Hey there, Stonecliff," Keeperon greeted with a smile. "Mind if I join you?"

Stonecliff glanced up from his reading and grinned. "Keeperon! Always a pleasure to have you around. Pull up a chair."

Keeperon settled himself on an empty chair and leaned back, sighing deeply. "You know, Stonecliff, why does Field Marshal Longspear is so focused on the Rising Stars? Princess Celestia already assured that everything was going well diplomatically."

Stonecliff reads his book while saying, "Well it's Field Marshal Longspear being himself, without him Equestria probably wouldn't exist on the map already. But I think the Rising Stars are probably up to something," He glances at Keeperon before going back to his book, "Don't worry about the low troops, we're far from any hostile nations, for now."

Keeperon sighs, "Maybe, I heard that they are developing their weapons very quickly, I suppose Longspear is perhaps right," he looks out of the window, "Besides there are only the 7th Light Infantry Troop, 2nd Sapper Specialists Platoon and 9th Pegasi Fighters Battery stationed at the fortress, we're literally a free fort."

Stonecliff looked at Keeperon uninterestingly, "You know I doubt that we're still far from any hostile nations so, an attack might be unlikely unless they got deep into Equestria, let's hope that will not hap-," Stonecliff was interrupted by somepony who opened the door.

It is a Royal Guard, a mare wearing the instead the usual golden armor, she wore a white one, it has a unique insignia on the helmet, it looks stronger. Though the most notable is her Equestrian insignia, it is an officer. Stonecliff and Keeperon stood up in attention and saluted.

"At ease," the officer said, returning the salute with a nod. Her voice was firm but measured. "You are relocated to another location, at Field Marshal Longspear Sicario's order."

Stonecliff and Keeperon exchanged glances, their curiosity piqued. Orders were rare, especially if they haven't got any in months. Keeperon stepped forward, his eyes filled with anticipation. "Is Equestria at War? A relocation sounds very bad."

The mare raised an eyebrow at this question. The captain's stern gaze swept across the room, her eyes settling on each of them in turn. "Fortunately, not. We have received a report of thieves stealing in the nearby town of Thistlewood. This was very recent as it happened two days ago. Unfortunately, Longspear doesn't tell any details other than call three troops each from a unit."

"And who will be the 3rd one here? It must be from the Pegasi Fighters," Keeperon asked casually.

The officer smiled lightly, "You'll meet the third guy shortly, pack your things, but not too many stuff," she responded sternly, "We'll wait at the gates, take your time."

Stonecliff closes his book and puts it inside his bag which is on the floor, Keeperon passed beside the officer. Going back to his quarters to pack his stuff. As Keeperon brisk to his quarters, he wondered, "Why are we tracking some thieves? Why not somepony else? Besides thievery here is impossible."

As he reached his quarters, he grabs his bag which is on his bed and packs it with mostly rations. He folded a blanket neatly, surely this could help. He holds his sword by wearing the cork strap which is attached to his sheath. He put his bag on his back before heading to the gate. He sees Stonecliff following the officer and he joins behind him.

Stonecliff and Keeperon exchanged puzzled glances before following the officer out of the barracks. The early morning sun cast a warm golden glow across the fortress as they made their way towards the gates. A sense of excitement filled the air, mingled with a hint of apprehension. They passed through the previous guards, who are still sleeping while standing, holding their spears upright.

As they reached the gates, they were met by the third member of their team. Wings glistening in the sunlight, a vibrant orange Pegasus stood before them. He had a confident smirk on his face as he adjusted his armor.

"Hey there, comrades!" the orange Pegasus with red mane greeted. "Name's Blaze, and I'm ready to capture some thieves!" Said in a very thick accent of northern Equestria.

Stonecliff and Keeperon nodded in acknowledgement. With their team assembled, they set off towards Thistlewood Town, following the officer's lead.

The journey was not a long one, but it gave them ample time to discuss the mission at hoof.

"So, who do you think stole something?" Stonecliff asked the two of them.

"Maybe the Griffins? I don't like their greedy needs," Keeperon reluctantly said.

"I don't think so, because there's barely any Griffins living in Equestria!" Blaze explained.

As the three of them continue their conversation about their mission, the mare officer leading the way simply listens without interrupting. Before they know it, they have arrived at Thistlewood Town where they are greeted by a heavy presence of Royal Guards, most likely in response to the recent theft that occurred in the area. Even though most of them are probably stationed at the east.

"One last thing, Field Marshal Longspear wants you to capture or at least gather information about the thieves," The officer said seriously, "Also, the thieves left the town using the western exit, they are also spotted in some sort of vehicle from Manehattan in the northern fields, best use the northern exit instead," The officer said before departing.

"So... What the fuck do we do now?" Keeperon reluctantly said.

Blaze looks at Keeperon, "Maybe we should set up a camp somewhere where the thieves are last seen? That is a good idea comrade," Blaze said with confidence.

"I suppose, let's not waste any time. Let's go," Stonecliff agreed enthusiastically. Before they go off into the northern path, nearby ponies wondered what just happened. They just got here. Looks like they aren't meeting the main six.