//------------------------------//
// Under Siege 
// Story: PonyHammer 40,000: Magic of War 
// by Dragon Heart 
//------------------------------//

	Near a freshly constructed base, in a different city, the Blood Phoenixes were being bombarded by hidden artillery. Pegalos stood with Unidor at the headquarters, giving commands to individual squads through his comm link.

"Brother Steel. Second Squad is to garrison those buildings opposite the market streets. Go!" Pony Marines galloped towards their ordered location, barely dodging the shells that exploded near them.

"Brother Sagittarius. Take Ninth Squad and shore up our defenses along our southern flank. We need those gun emplacements operational." At said location, four turrets landed around a strategic point. A Dragon Servitor rushed in to construct the guns while the squad fired at the assaulting Hogs.

"That is correct, Brother Scorpius. Begin executing protocol 18." said Pegalos. "We will silence that Hog artillery." As they headed towards the eastern part of the base, the Colonel approached them.

"My Lord." He said, "I have taken the liberty of stationing my Equestrial Guard around the key facilities including the Spaceport and Power Plant."

"Your initiative is admirable, Colonel," said Pegalos, "but I need you to pull your stallions back to this location where they can concentrate their defense." Four Pony Marines fired their rocket launchers at a Hog tank, which was actually a stolen Equestrial tank.

The Colonel's heart and mind started racing from the given orders. "But if we abandon the Spaceport-"

"We cannot hold the Spaceport, Colonel." Pegalos interrupted. "We have to maximize our defense in one location to assure victory. Do not mistake the Hog's simple manner for stupidity. They are far more cunning than they may seem. Now go." The Rocket Marines opened fire on another stolen tank, but Hogs rounded the corners and charged at the squad.

The Colonel did not further object and nodded. "Yes, my Lord." He galloped away to fix his mistake. Pegalos and Unidor trotted back to the base, which was no longer being attacked, for now.

Unidor was also having other thoughts about Pegalos's plan. "I do not agree with this course of action." He said. "Why are we sitting back waiting for the Hogs to strike? We should attack! Surely it is better than doing nothing."

Pegalos stopped and turned to face Unidor. "You would have us go out and meet the Hogs on open ground?" He asked. "That would be madness. It is written in the Codex Astartes that this situation calls for a defensive action."

Unidor bowed his head. "Of course... you are right." He sighed. "Perhaps patience is the better virtue here."