Saint Dizier-Robinson Airbase, 8:00AM, 3 years after event
“So, as I’ve asked before, is it ready?” asked the local Air Marshall as he walks alongside a business representative of Dassault Aviation into one of the more ‘classified’ hangars located on the airbase.
“It is Air Marshall, We took a hit in terms of development when the country was transported but our backups were enough to restart the program in 2016. We’re ready for mass production as well so tell your superiors that we are ready to greenlight production immediately” as both arrived at the front of the hangar.
“Open the hangar” said the Marshall as the guards complied and opened the door. Both figures stepped into the hangar, the experimental plane parked in front of them.
“Ah the nEUROn, it has been a while since I’ve seen this beauty. So, the software’s ready to go yes?”
“It has been tested multiple times Marshall, yes this thing’s ready to go”
“Sad we don’t have the time to mass produce these bastards. Really wanted them to see actual combat.”
“Oh that won’t be a problem, the Napoleon is still under construction and based from the Admiral, he’s planning to implement at least 4 nEUROn’s into that carrier, sort of a test run”
“And what happens if the war ends by then?”
“Then the nEUROn would still see action in surveillance and the occasional strike mission if possible. This world still is mostly unknown to us and by far satellite imaging is the only tool we’ve got, we haven’t deployed our surveyors into what the ponies call the dragonlands subcontinent, Yakyakistan, the principality of Griffonstone and the rest of the western continent anyway. If anything contact with the rest of the Kirin empires would be our number 1 priority once this war’s over”
“Still, it won’t be that easy a sell unless your planes have actual combat experience. We don’t know when the National Assembly starts cutting our funding but I want to keep the nEUROn operational whatever the cost may be. Getting the battle proven mark for the nEUROn remains one of the Armee de l’air’s most important priorities.”
“Then you need to wait until the Napoleon is rolled out.”
“Sadly so. Also, what am I hearing about this new fighter you’re developing?. Unofficial reports aside, we’ve been hearing some rumours that Dassault is about to pitch the board for a replacement for the Super Etendard no?”
“Yep, damn plane’s nearly 40 years old by now. About time we replace it with a more suitable strike aircraft, it’s still on the drawing boards though so you won’t get your toys for quite a while”
“I don’t mind honestly, we need a replacement for the Etendard. Anyway the Chief of staff has given me full control on testing the nEUROn now. Do you want to proceed now? I can call the test pilot immediately” said the Marshall, trying his best to hide his enthusiasm.
“Oh yes do so immediately, I want this project just as much as you do Air Marshall”
“Heh, quite.”
Port Aux Francais, 9:00AM, 3 years after event
“Again? How many troops are they sending?” exclaimed the administrator as his hands are shaking at the official letter sent from the admiralty. Just when the de Gaulle is enough, now we have the Suffren and later the freaking NAPOLEON here. Didn’t they realize that we barely have a port?!?
“Well we have the 12th Cuirassiers, the 1st Tirailleurs, the 2nd Infanterie de Marine, and the 11th Marine artillery, with far more troops on the way”
“Oh god” as the Administrator reclines back in his chair in despair. “Why….freakin now?!? Don’t get me wrong officer I support France all the way………but this is too much for the small island, you do realize that right?”
“Of course, and that’s why you’re seeing the oiler right off the bay”
“Wait. You mean the oiler is not solely meant to resupply the De gaulle?”
“Of course not, we are not idiots now...one second I need to take this call, yes?”
A couple of seconds later
“WHAT?!? You mean that they’re moving in now? They haven’t discovered Kerguelen right? oh good….sure I’ll deploy the Mistrals immediately”
“So what’s up there officer, you’re sure looking a bit worried”
“And you should too, Combat Air Patrols has spotted another major incursion. This time they’re getting serious. Multiple Airships, dozens of Pegasus Guards and even more Alicorn Air Guards. De gaulle and his battlegroup is moving to intercept them as we speak although we might need to fall back to ground based systems”
“And how’s Kerguelen then?”
“Mostly safe, the island is a couple of kilometers west of the Southern tip so it should be fine, it is our secondary staging point besides the base anyway”
The Southern Ocean, 10:00AM, 3 years after event
Okay, the airships have spotted the Iron Dragons a while ago. Spread out immediately and watch out for those Fire Lances, seeing them and shooting them down are two different things entirely. As Captain Rainbow of unit 435 orders her squad to disperse, the captain secretly hopes that their maneuvers might put those human fire lances into disarray.
Yo Rainbow, I’ve been meaning to ask you
Go ahead Mashir
How did we get this info about the humans anyway? It seems so sudden that we suddenly have information about bipedal primates with technological sophistication rivaling our own.
Well….we kinda got it from the final transmission from Neshira’s outpost. She managed to order a unicorn to teleport it to Kledan’s desk and further contacts with the humans only confirmed our suspicions. Anyway get back to the mission soldier!!
Yes Ma’am!!
Meanwhile, on the other side of the ocean
“Magical barriers are up, all ships are reporting innnnnnnn…..we’re good sir”
“This is magic flight, requesting permission for take off?”
“Permission granted magic flight, give em hell boys” as another group of Rafales took off, changing the scene to the remaining Super Etendards readying themselves for take off. Captain Dennis Bonnaire chief among them as he got the dubious honor to be the first pilot to lead his flight of Super Etendards off the ground.
“This is Mako flight, requesting permission for take off?”
“Permission granted Mako flight, give em hell boys”
“We will command, we will”
And without any hesitation he punched the throttle and another 2 aircraft took off from the carrier. Ideally the Super Etendard wouldn’t be launched at all due to the simple fact that it is meant for strike missions but desperate times do call for desperate measures. And the sudden large incursion indicates that they might be the actual invasion force they’ve been waiting for.
A couple of minutes later
“Command this is Buckeye flight”
Our Air Guards have located the enemy, should we have the honor of firing the first shot?
“Confirmed, all Buckeye flight open fire.”
Understood Guard Commander, firing at the enemy right now
“This is Magic flight, we are dispersing and engaging the enemy now. Fire!!!”
These Iron Dragons are tougher than they look huh? Well we’ll see whose laughing in the end now shall we?
“Splash!! I got one!!”
“Command! Dagger lead here, splash two confirmed, splash two confirmed”
Reporting in Commander, I’ve shot down an enemy Iron Dragon. It’s dropping down in flames
Command, another type of iron dragon have been sighted. Engaging now!!!
“Mako flight weapons clear weapons clear, Fox 2!!!”
“Mako flight 3 here, shot down an enemy Pegasus, moving on with Alicorn- what? Dammit, bastard teleported!!”
That was too close, doing teleportation spells while flying and fighting your enemies sure is taxing.
“Mako flight 4. Splash target destroyed!!”
Reporting in Commander, another dragon shot down. This is going to be a long fight
With the battle raging on and both sides bruising each other with missiles and magical beams. The Airships slowly moved in and despite dropping apart like flies, managed to score in a few hits on French aircraft.
“This is the Airship Alicornia, another Iron Dragon down to our name”
“Airship Bijovian here, shot down another target”
“Airship Pride of the South moving into firing posi-” the Captain of the airship didn’t managed to finish his sentence as a missile struck home, bursting the airship in flames.
“This is Chevalier Paul and Forbin reporting in, moving to engage enemy airships”
“This is Admiral Daphne, clearance is already granted. Fire at those bastards!!!”
“Of course Admiral” as a salvo of anti air missiles erupted from both ships, targeting both Alicorn Air Guards and their Airships alike. Of course the airships didn’t take this as a gesture of friendship from the French ships.
“Realign those mana arrays to the ground. I want to destroy those ships!!!” ordered Captain Blue Skies as the Airship Bijovian repositions itself to fire at the Chevalier Paul.
“Captain, one of the airships is powering up their mana arrays. Shall we disable their weapons sir?”
“Of course, fire the Asters at their arrays. It should buy us more time to destroy the enemy” and another salvo of Aster missiles are launched from the airship. Both missiles found their mark as the Mana arrays for the Bijovian are instantly destroyed.
“Attention all pilots” announced Captain Jacques Rousseau as the battle rages on, “your orders are updated, all flights are to pull a fighting retreat over the course of half an hour. Magic and Dagger flights are to engage the enemy while the rest pull back, then Magic and Dagger flights switch again with Buckeye and Rapier flights and so forth until we reach the continent. These are orders from the Admiral herself with consent from the air marshall so you better follow it, once over the ground all flights are to reengage with the enemy with support from local Surface to Air Missile assets. Is that understood?”
“SIR YES SIR!!” replied the pilots as Operation Seine enters it’s second phase.
French Military Outpost, Southern Tip, 12:00PM, 3 years after event
The rumble of military vehicles as Jaguar IFV’s and Griffon APC’s moved out of their base, carrying Anti Aircraft Infantry and SAMS was deafening for Celestia, as part of Operation Seine. The Sun Princess was to remain on base until the second phase of the operation in which she and her Wonderbolt escorts were to deploy immediately in conjunction with the deployment of the 54th Artillery regiment, the 1st Foreign and 2nd Foreign Legions as well. Elements of the 2nd and 1st Foreign Legions are already in position since permanent defenses had been erected but nonetheless reinforcements are still being brought in as trucks leave the outpost, carrying more men ready for battle
“Is it time?” asked Celestia as the commander in charge of the operation looks down on a map.
“Yes it is Celestia, you’re cleared to move into these positions, immediately engage the enemy once you’ve sighted them”
“Of course commander. Spitfire, Soarin, Fleetfoot!!! We fly!!” ordered Celestia.
“Yes your highness!!” responded all three wonderbolts as they and the Princess took to the skies. Preparing themselves for the inevitable Alicorn onslaught. Should’ve killed all of them back in that battle, never thought that simple rebellion could lead into such a huge mess now.
Canterlot, 2:00PM, 3 years after event
Princess Luna was doing her usual busywork at Celestia’s daycourt. Her eyes still glazing over appeals and useless proposals conjured up by some power hungry noble. Thank Celestia she stripped the nobility during her thousand year reign, they’re practically jawless beasts who scream and shout but never have the power to do anything. Makes administration a lot easier Luna thought as she levitated another stack of paperwork for her to fill.
The usual chore in the throne room was broken however, by the appearance of the French Ambassador to Equestria. “Yes Mr Julien?” asked the night princess as she assumed whatever the ambassador carrying must be important judging by the frazzled look the ambassador is giving.
“Yes Princess thank you for having me here. We have…...developments going along the southern tip. You might want to see it”
“Hmm let’s seeeee” responded the night Princess as she opens the envelope and reads the official documents. Her eye shrink to pinpricks once she realized that the conquest has officially began. “So how is the current situation right now?”
“Right now? The Alicorn forces have landed but they are having a real hard time trying to dislodge our troops. Machine Gun emplacements, tanks, IFV’s and all sorts of nasty stuff is engaging the enemy as we speak your highness. We expect the Alicorns to have moderate gains by today but by tomorrow it should be all over. They haven’t counted on the arrival of the Suffren after all”
“And what about Celestia?!?” asked Luna, worrying that her older sister might get injured in battle. She knew the question is nonsense due to the fact that Celestia is immortal but rationality is not the main priority for Luna right now.
“She’s fine, latest reports tells that she and her Wonderbolt escorts have engaged the enemy and is currently doing fine on her own. Of course it won’t be easy for both us but-”
“Um Luna? I’ve been pestered by these guards lately, they kept saying that I’m not allowed in this place or that place and….oh?”
Luna’s face can be simply summed up as shock, pure shock. She never thought that her mother would simply barge in right up in her conversation with the French ambassador. This is really-really bad!!! Oh mother, why do you still have your playfulness?!?! Now I have to explain to the ambassador who you are…..and then they’re gonna talk and a whole lot of diplomatic stuff happening…...oh no.
Luna is already having so much work right now, the addition of the French talking to her mother about…..all kinds of stuff really would bring her into overdrive!!!!
“H…...h…...h-hello mother…...don’t you think it’s a liiiiitle bit inconvenient right now to bother me?”
“I assume this is the human you’ve been talking about…..hmmm very strange indeed.” Said Harmony as she circles around Mr Julien, analyzing his physique.
“This is interesting, hello there Ms?”
“Harmony, you can call me Harmony, I am the mother of Princess Luna and Celestia and soon to be Queen of Equestria if Luna is to be believed” responded Harmony with grace and poise rivaling Celestia herself.
“Oh? And why did Luna didn’t tell you about the embassy right in the castle? This information might be beneficial for one of Equestria’s major allies”
“Did she? That is fascinating information Mr Julien, hmmm I do wonder...” Harmony responded as she turns her head around the night Princess.
“Is it true that you withheld information regarding the French embassy Luna? I might find it interesting that you purposefully did that”
“N-now please understand mother….and Julien please stop using my mother against me!!!”
Luna’s face clearly blushes a profuse red as she tried to manage the diplomatic SNAFU happening right in front of her. She knew her act was up and it would be no use denying information to the French ambassador any longer.
“Fine…...I withheld mother from knowing the fact that the French embassy exists and in Canterlot castle no less…….b….b-because I’m…..afraid of more work”
………….
“That’s it?!?!?” responded Julien as he is very preplexed by Luna’s reasoning. “If that’s your main concern then just contact us already, we’ll take care of everything on our part”
“I…...I *sighs*” is the only response from Harmony as she gives a clear disappointed look on the night princess. “Just when I thought that there is some important reason, you end up with arguably the worst reason to withhold such important information”
“Well I’m sorry mother but I CANNOT HANDLE MORE WORK!!!!” as Luna’s temper snaps. She loved the French really, but her work as both the day and the night princess alongside liaisoning between Julien and Harmony turns her into a very grumpy mare. The fact that harmony is siding with the French Ambassador instead of herself only serves to anger her even more.
Immediately she realized that she might have probably turned Equestrian French relations into the backburner. Her brief anger was soon turned into a face of concern and worry as Luna’s mouth slowly opened and closed. Her already tired mind confused about what to do next.
“I…..If you would excuse me, p-please accept my apologies. Day court is adjourned…..for now” said Luna as she clears her throat, organises her papers and trots out of the room with haste. Reaching her bedroom and decided that sleep would be a good remedy for her tired mind.
Back in the throneroom
Harmony immediately went into damage control mode, that sort of brashness can lead to war back in her days. “I can speak on Luna’s behalf ambassador and as the mother of the Princess, I must expend my greatest apologies for Luna’s actions. She is not in her right mind when she snaps at you Mr Ambassador.” As Harmony immediately bows her head in apology.
“Don’t worry Harmony, I’ve figured that due to her workload. Luna must’ve been one really stressed out pony. I’ve been anticipating a snap in her temper anyway so it won’t harm Equestrian-French relations in any meaningful manner. My patience would be spread thin too if I were put into Luna’s position.”
“I think it would be wise to not report this incident to your superiors Mr Ambassador”
“That is pretty much a given harmony. Even if my superiors knew about the incident I could spin it into a way that wouldn’t put all the blame in Luna anyway, anyway enough about that. The foreign ministry would be highly interested in meeting Princess Luna’s mother, should I contact Ms Jacqueline Montagne to talk with you Ms Harmony? I assume you’ve read about humans after France’s arrival into Equestria yes?”
“Of course Mr Julien, and I would be delighted to talk with your foreign minister. When shall we start?” Responded Harmony with clear enthusiasm as she could meet humans for the first time. She’s getting bored reading books and watching ‘videos’ about humans anyway.
Paris, 3:00PM, 3 years after event
“So what are you saying Mr Julien? Am I supposed to believe that Princess Luna has a mother that somehow slipped under our radar because she doesn’t want more work? This seems far fetched even for me Mr Julien, and before going right through the fact that we’re living in a world where magic exists.”
“Well I can connect you with Harmony through a Skype call if you want to”
“Then I think I still have time byyyyyy 5o’clock by the looks of it, until I’ve seen her myself I’m going to take your words with a grain of salt, really says something to your claim does it? Anyway, see you later Julien”
“Of course Mr Fabius” replied Julien as he puts off his telephone.
Back at Canterlot castle
“Okay, so Ms Harmony?”
“Yes Mr Julien? Do I get to meet your foreign minister?”
“Not…..exactly” responded Julien nervously. How the hell am I supposed to explain what a skype call is to a millenia old magical creature?
“W-we are planning to initiate a skype call, you do know what a skype call is right?”
“Hmmmm….no, what exactly is a ‘skype call’ Mr Julien? Is it the same as dragonflame messages?”
“Well similar but different, for one a Skype Call doesn’t use messages and you can see the person you’re conversing with live”
“Highly interesting. When is this Skype Call taking place?”
“Oh, a couple of hours actually. 5 O’clock to be exact”
“If I understood your measurement of time correctly, it would be roughly…...2 hours from now correct?”
“Yes actually”
“Perfect!” replied Harmony, everything is going into place. Harmony will meet the foreign minister, Julien is going to get some credibility for his work and Equestrian French relations will enter another new milestone, there is one thing bugging Harmony’s mind though, something that must be addressed immediately.
“Mr Julien, if you may provide me with an answer. What exactly does ‘Skype’ mean exactly?”
Ruins of the Southern City, 6:00PM, 3 years after event
“Keep firing on their asses!!” ordered Captain Michel as the crossfire from both their Machine Guns are keeping the landing Earth Ponies, Zebras and Unicorns at bay. Despite heavy fire coming in from the Rafales, Super Etendards and now the Mirages coming in from Kerguelen. The Alicornian resistance force still managed to break through and has established a beachhead in the Southern Tip. Worse still, the Alicorns also managed to royally screw over the Foreign Legion tasked with defending the area and with the Foreign Legion in full retreat, the fighting has shifted into the remnants of the old city as both remnants of the French Foreign Legion reestablished defensive positions accompanied with the newly brought in 21st Regiment Infanterie de Marine, 3rd Regiment Infanterie de Marine and the Helicopter force arriving juuuuust.
“Now” Smiled the Captain as multiple Tigre Helicopters came swooping down into the plains below, belching fire and lead from their autocannons as well as peppering the enemy with Rockets. The enemy apparently has learned to better their defenses if recent engagements are to be believed. Nonetheless they still fell to concentrated firepower as Tigres, Machine Gun emplacements, IFV’s, Fighter Jets and Artillery poured in lead to slow down and delay the Alicornian advance.
“Damn these bastards, Lt Maurice! Situation report!!!”
“Lieutenant Maurice here, engaging with full prejudice sir, we are suppressing the enemy but we’re not sure how long we can hold them”
“Then use everything you have on them goddammit!!! We have supply trucks coming in right now!”
And it can be clearly seen as well. The battle of the Southern Tip has been raging all day now with no signs of stopping and with ammunition running low for all French defenders. Command has decided to bring in more supplies via convoys. Like a repeat of the goddamn road of hope thought the Captain as he could see the logistics truck from the distance guarded by VBL jeeps and the occasional Jaguar.
“Attention all troops this is the Commander speaking, get what you can because this convoy is going to be coming in hot and fast. I don’t want to risk another fuckup like the first engagement and the near collapse of the Legion, is that understood?”
“Understood Sir”
“Understood Sir”
“Understood Sir”
“Understood Sir”
“Good, we’ll be coming fast and we’ll be coming hot and the trucks are going to exit the battlefield before you know it. Grab what you can and wait another 30 minutes for the next supply convoy, Commander out”
A couple of minutes later
“Captain Michel sir, the convoy’s entering the North Gate right now” said one of his sniper teams as the convoy of trucks and VBL’s roared through the empty streets of the Southern City and raced through the depopulated residential district to reach their destination”
“The trucks are near our position sir, further orders?”
“You there and you as well, get off your asses and be there when the convoy arrives”
“Yes sir!” as the two men exited the house and awaits the arrival of the convoy.
******
To see the convoy arriving was a sight for sore eyes as Sergeant Johnson Rowe and Private Phillippe Beaumont rushed through the now stopping convoy. Johnson was one of the few US service members transferring to a flight to New York when the event happened and since then has steadily climbed the ranks of the French army, now sergeant. The former US Army Infantryman was now a rather happy sergeant serving for the French Marines.
“Okay now listen up!” as the truck driver outlines what’s going to happen. “This truck that I’m driving has all the ammo needed for assault rifles and Machine Guns, the truck over there has ammo for AA missile launchers, Anti Tank launchers and recoilless rifles while the truck in the back has spare parts and grenades. Take no more than 6 crates okay? We have ETA 5 minutes before moving”
“You hear that Phillippe? Take 3 ammo crates, 2 for the FAMAS and 1 for the FAL, take 2 missile crates, one for the Carl Gustav and the other for the MILAN and take 1 crate for spare parts move!!”
“I’ll take the Ammo and Milan crates, you take the rest!!” responded Phillippe as both men moved quickly to bring in much needed supplies to their comrades fighting in the front lines, they don’t want another fuckup like the first wave of the attack and although the ruins of the city provided good cover for suppressing fire and flanking, they still needed ammo.
******
“Is that all of em?” asked the truck driver as he sees both men returning back to the convoy.
“Yep that’s all of em, see you later” responded Johnson.
And just like that, the convoy rapidly exfiltrates the area, “just hope we don’t have to see the burning husks of those trucks tomorrow, that would be a real kick in the balls” Johnson said quietly as he eyes the dust trails coming out from the convoy.
“Johnson is that you?”
“Yep, what’s wrong Captain?”
“The Tigres are pulling back, they’ve lost half of their forces to those goddamn Alicorns, we’ve already sighted enemy recon forces moving into the suburbs, just come back here and wait for further orders, we’re planning to jump on the main force alongside the 3rd marines, give em some of their medicine”
“Roger that sir, Phillippe you heard the man!!” shouted Johnson as they both return back to their positions. Preparing themselves for the ambush.
This is going to be a looong battle thought Johnson as he clutched his FAMAS while running back to the abandoned house they now temporarily call home.
******
The battle for the Southern City has begun, French and Alicornian forces are engaging each other in house to house combat. Usage of smoke grenades and mortars becoming increasingly common.
Further reinforcements are coming in ETA 1 day as the newly completed PA2 Carrier Suffren and her battlegroup sails for the Southern Tip.