The monthly meeting of squad captains with Virtue was boring as always, but these meetings were necessary to coordinate the military. They talked about supplies first; Halberd updated the stocks of armour and weapons, and Partisan asked for more bolts. After that they gave reports of training progress, injuries, anything dangerous that the patrols spotted and any fights since the last meeting. When they are done, Virtue asks "Is there anything else, you want to talk about?" Everypony is bored and just wants to go back to their duties, but Indigo rises a hoof. "I know it sounds crazy, but I think, we should we should explore the caverns."
Halberd snorts and gives Indigo a scornful look. "What for? There are at least five of those monsters down there. If you want to go, be my guest, but don't expect me to send anypony from the militia down there without a very good reason."
Naginata nods. "Falcata nearly died last time one of those things got out. We don't have any reason to go down there and give them another chance."
Partisan raises an eyebrow. "And besides, if we've got the top cavern layer sealed off nicely with the trap system."
Virtue sighs mentally. It sounded as if it was going to be another one of those days. Maybe this wouldn't devolve into a bickering argument between Halberd and Indigo. Neither pony seemed to be too keen on giving up on their positions. "I agree... heading into the caverns is very dangerous. Why would we want to do that?"
"Yes, I know it is dangerous, and we have the airlock. That's why I said, it is crazy, but the militia handled the caverns, when we had less training and worse equipment. I think we should be able to make it without losses. As to why, there are multiple reasons:
We can kill any dangerous things around that are left. This will show those beasts that we are not afraid of them, and may make them think twice before trying to molest us in the future. A military success on this scale will make civilians feel safer and raise morale. It did a while ago.
Unicorns can put magical alarms in the explored sections, so next time something comes too close to the mines, we will at least have an idea where is it, and how dangerous it is.
Finally there are resources in the caverns; gems, ores, spider silk, as well as some kind of plants. If we can find enough choke points to wall of a large section of a cavern, and maybe put some traps in the way of underground monsters, we will have safe access to those resources. Last time we needed spider silk, it ended in a small expedition." answers Indigo.
The captains look at each other questioningly. Virtue breaks the awkward silence by saying, "That... is true. I still shudder to think what would have happened, if we didn't manage to get that silk... but it is still a significant risk."
Halberd grunts and turns his gaze to Indigo. "Alright, suppose we do decide to go down there to gather more rare supplies. What happens when somepony gets killed? It still seems too dangerous to be worth the gain."
Naginata frowns. "Last time we tried to breach the caverns, one of the miners and Falcata nearly died. We'd need a better approach this time. Gathering more silk might be worthwhile, and there is a lot of gold down there, from what I hear..."
"Well, I've talked to some Rainbow Ponies about it a few years back and they told me, that the deeper you go, the more dangerous it is. The risk is indeed significant, therefore if we are going to do this at all, we should focus on the cavern closest to the surface." Indigo frowns "I believe two squads of soldiers can handle those monsters without losses."
Partisan nods. "We've already got the trap set up there, so we could probably kill any monsters safely there. The guard and I could either guard the entrance after that or just watch the surface if it's all clear."
Halberd cuts his eyes to Partisan. "Leaving the militia to actually fight the creatures down there? I'd rather have crossbow support in the caverns. If we're doing this, you're coming in with us." He looks to Indigo. "And what about you? This is your idea, want to put your own flank in trouble?"
Indigo rises his brow. "Oh? You've seen us training, and told we are not ready for battle, to put it politely. Even if you give us better equipment, anything dangerous to your squad will kill the reservists. Besides, if you all go down there, some ponies still have to guard the surface. I believe my squad is ready to handle whatever thieves manage to get through the traps. Anyway, if I may make a suggestion, I recommend that Captain Naginata's squad lead the expedition."
Naginata turns her head and gives him a surprised expression. "Why us?"
"Because you command Stiletto, and she is ridiculously dangerous. Besides, I mentioned the magical alarms, and her magic is very strong. I'm sure, she can learn the spell quickly." says Indigo.
Halberd gives him a small chuckle and an icy look. "You're not being all that subtle about trying to get her killed, you know."
"WHAT?! No! Even suggesting this... Look, I said I wanted her exiled, not dead. And even if I did, she isn't going there alone, and I certainly wouldn't be willing to sacrifice other ponies, just to be rid of her. Besides, while I disrespect her as a fellow pony and despise her debauchery, I'm still willing to stand with her against any outside threats. And stop this silly witch hunt already! Do I have to explain to you, how loyalty works?" She will be out of sight for a while and walling off the caverns may slow down the construction of her mansion, but to actually gamble her life against other ponies, would be insane. Killing ponies to protect them is not what this is about. Just when I consider her to be more of an asset than a liability and want to put that big horn of hers to some use, he accuses me of planning a murder... just after he suggested sending the reservists on the front lines against monsters.
"Sure," Halberd responds before giving him an indignant snort.
"Me against my brother. Me and my brother against my cousin. Me and my family against my clan. Me and my clan against my nation. Me and my nation against outsiders. And whatever allies I can get against monsters." explains Indigo.
Halberd glowers at him. "I'm not here to listen to riddles. What does that mean? You trying to pick a fight with somepony here?"
"No, it means that while I have some disagreements with a lot of ponies, I'm willing to put them aside, if need be and expect the same." says Indigo, frowning and looking at Halberd.
The glower softens a bit as he leans back in his chair. "You'll quickly find that combat erases any trivial differences you think you might have with somepony..."
Virtue frowns and interrupts the brewing fight by saying, "Please... let's stay on the topic. Let's talk a bit more about what the goals are and how we're going to go about doing this..." At least Indigo seemed to be willing to move past this whole fiasco. The sooner it was behind all of them, the better.
"Right, right," Naginata replies. Stiletto's lifestyle didn't set with her perfectly either, but she wasn't about to throw the mare into a situation needlessly endangering her life. She was a fine soldier and deserved respect for that if nothing else. "Perhaps we should ask the other soldiers about this? If it's going to be a somewhat unnecessary risk, they should at least get a say in the matter."
Halberd nods. "I doubt any of them would turn it down, but we may as well." He looks to each other pony in the room. "But while we're still being hypothetical, we may as well iron out the details before we drag them into it..."
"Not just the soldiers, I'm sure Chic, Diamond Shard, Mortar, Amor, Fauchard and maybe a few others will have things to say. And of course the final decision is Halberd's." Nods Indigo.
Indigo is mostly silent for the rest of the conversation. Virtue is relieved that she managed to quell an argument for once and that it looked like Indigo was going to put his vendetta against Stiletto behind them. The captains discuss the details. They are going to do this, but decide to tell their soldiers first.
The plan turns out as follows: Partisan's squad gets steel bolts. Reservists are mobilised, armed and armoured and defend the surface. All 3 squads of military meet at the airlock and move together, scouting the first level of the caverns quickly, killing things, mapping the area and placing magical alarms. When they are done, there will be another meeting over a map to decide what to do next. Walling off a section of the caverns is a possibility, but will require a camp in the caverns (a couple beds set as barracks, a couple more set as dormitory, a few chairs and tables, some food and drink, maybe a bolt stockpile, a burrow). For maximum efficiency miners would have to dig up stones on the spot, masons build walls section by section, and at least one squad defend them at all times.