//------------------------------// // Chapter 9:A Show of Force // Story: The Unicorn Wars: Equestria // by Constellation //------------------------------// Two month past quickly, nothing really happened at Fort Sun Guard, just a lot of patrol and guard duty, and a few small battles. But things started to get interesting one day when I came back from my patrol of manehatten. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I looked up at the fort on the hill, its lights danced in the dark of the night, obscuring the stars behind it and cutting the moon in half, but the sky was still just as lovely as it usually was. Then I turned my attention back to walking down the slightly steep path just North of the wall. Me and Fire Ball were on patrol tonight, and with no pony else to talk to, he talked to me, all night. I didn't mind the short talks we had in the mess hall, but to talk all night was just to much. Finally we where in side the safety of the wall and the door swung closed behind us, just as the sun broke over the mountains far in the distance. "Uah,"Fire Ball yawned, and said."I'm tired." "Yeah,"I said in agreement."lets hit the sack." "No way,"Fire Ball said."if I don't get some food, I'm going to die." "You do what you want,"I said."but I'm going to bed." At that we went are separate ways, he made a bee line for the mess, and I made a bee line for number three bunker, where I promptly fell face first into my bunk. Peace didn't last long though, as I was ripped from my sleep by Maximus shaking me. "Hey,"He said."Sorry to wake you, but the Sarge told me to tell you when you got back." For a second we just sat there, looking at each other. "Well?"I asked. "Oh right,"Maximus said."We're being moved, south along the ocean." "Why?"I asked. "I don't know,"Maximus started."but some of the guys say there is a large army massing for a counter attack against one of the biggest tribes down there." "When are we leaving?"I inquired. "Here's the part that you and Fire Ball won't like,"Maximus started."were leaving in five hours." "Five hours?!"I yelled."I was up all night and the day before listening to Fire Ball." "Orders are orders."Maximus said as he started down the hall, toward the door. "get some sleep, I've already packed your stuff, I'll come and get you when its time." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Sarge, is there any more to this then just being moved?"I asked as the fort was lost from site as we went down the other side of the hill, heading south. "Yup."The Sarge replied. "Is there anything you can tell us, Sir?"I asked the same question just more directly this time. "Yup."He answered, clearly just trying to annoy me. "Well, what are our orders?"I asked, again. "We're to join up with the 7th legion in a attack against the earth pony city of 'Clefrun',"The Sarge said calmly."then from there we will receive our orders from a Captain Night Guard." "But we're in the 8th legion."I stated. "Yes, but the 7th took heavy loses so they need reinforcements."The Sarge replied. The rest of the trip was spent in silence, as we marched through the country side, very rarely we would come across some towns scattered about, but we never stopped, just marched strait through, only one goal in mind. As fast as we marched the sun still beat us and was setting over the horizon as we set up camp, and had a short meal, nothing special, just some flavorless rations. But as soon as the sun broke over the mountains we were moving again, a hard march for miles with no brakes, but finally our unwavering marching repaid us as we made it to the top of a hill and looked out across the encampment of the 7th legion. Row after row of the white tents that were standard issue, made the recruitment camp look small, very small. All around the massive field, unicorn's were training, some had gleaming steel swords, some shiny muskets, and others used magic as they all practiced group movement, so they could maintain a firing wall while moving backwards, and other formations I was not familiar with. Then our gawking was done as the Sargent silently signaled for us to move forward, we took off down the hill and made straight for the biggest tent, however when we got there we found it was the generals tent, not the captains so we asked for directions to the captains tent, then we were off to see him, eager to pitch our tents and get some rest. We found his tent with ease, and were directed to an open part of the camp and told to pitch our tents there, and so we did. Later we all went to the mess and got our fill of grub, which to my surprise I liked it, it was certainly a lot better then what we got at fort Sun Guard, and sleep was the next step, that part after all the marching, came very easily. But before I allowed sleep to take me, I made a quick prayer to the gods, asking for protection from what tomorrow might bring, for me and my squad. Then I turned over in my bed, pulled up my standard issue wool blanket, closed my eyes, and was out faster then some pony can throw a stone.