Twilight and her friends spent the rest of the day recovering from their encounter with the Humans by trying to comprehend their position in the safety of Fluttershy's abode. Tried. With little to no warning to their arrival and the threat of the Hydra coming from equal warning, along with the pressure of being interrogated by Celestia's guard upon the Human's departure, to say they were under pressure would be like laying that Discord can get a bit out of hoof.
They were all inside Fluttershy's cottage trying to recollect what had transpired and began to compare notes on what they should expect, along with what they should plan out in the near future. Pinkie being the first one to talk about it, as usual.
"So, do you think they'll have bigger flying things, or do you think that they'll come down with more people, ready to party their flanks off!? OOH! Maybe we should see if they left any kind of invitation to their big ship thingie, or maybe some kind of teleporter that can beam us up to their ship, or if they left some notes on what they eat! You think they'll be able o digest cake? * Gasp * What if they CAN'T EAT CAKE!?!?!? THAT WOULD BE THE WORST THING EVAAAAAARR!!!!!!"
Twilight came up to the pink mare to try and calm her.
"Pinkie, relax. I'm sure they'll just be here to ask for some samples for their whole fuel situation before anything else. We can ask them later what they can eat, and see where to go from there. For now, let's just let the Royal Planners handle things, okay?"
"But, but, but!!!"
"Pinkie."
She let out a sigh of defeat and nodded to Twilight before returning to her seat on the couch. Next to her was a recovering Rainbow Dash, with her wings in splits and casts, some of which showed the alien bandaging from earlier. Applejack, next to her, turned to Twilight after eying said bandages for some time.
"Twi, do ya think they'll be as nice as the ones we saw earlier?"
Twilight nodded slowly after some seconds of consideration and smiled faintly.
"I hope so. Joshua did say that he was their leader, but I'm not sure if he meant for their entirety or just that team. I know that he wouldn't give names unless he was sure, though. It's a lot like any other leader would do, give a name so the next meeting wouldn't feel too rushed. He's probably sitting up there, right now, thinking of what he'll bring up at the meeting, or what kind of knowledge his kind will share."
\\\\\\//////
"So, are the Titans going to be ready to kick some ass by Drop-Time?" Joshua asked the technician.
"It's a bit hazy right now sir, but we have a custom Atlas ready for drop on your command."
They looked over to the green and orange beast of a weapon in the launch tube as it held onto it's XO-16 Chaingun, along with the slight boxy bulge underneath the gun, signifying the extended clip upgrade to the weapon.
"What's it got in terms of ordnance and defenses?"
"Well, sir, it's got a single-fire cluster missile with a fast-reload upgrade, and a particle-field defensive attachment, all equipped with a damage-boost core and an accelerated attachment for the core, as well."
"Good. That means precise, contained blows and a faster boost time on the field. Well done."
With that, the Titan was loaded into the lower bay, along with the Drop-Pods readied for exo-atmospheric insertion, and Crows awaiting weaponization for the imminent war.
\\\\\\//////
"Twilight is right, darling," started Rarity, "we can be sure that with the gentlecolts they are, they'll be here on time and possibly willing to start a trade with our cultures. Maybe even a little dash of Rarity originals, here and there."
Twilight shook her head and chuckled slightly at her friend's interpretation of the situation at hoof, but decided it best to let her cope this way. She shifted her gaze to Fluttershy, who had been quieter than usual, and saw her there with a blank stare.
"Fluttershy?"
At that, her senses kicked her to reality and forced her to join in Twilight's question.
"Oh, um, yes, Twilight?"
"What's wrong? Aren't you excited? This is First Contact! Why do you seem so... distant?"
"I was, um... just... remembering the Hydra and that... it... how it didn't even try to listen to reason... and that they..." at that, Fluttershy began to tear up and cry, and was then comforted by Twilight and Rarity going to her side.
"Darling, please, just try to explain. Is it that they... killed it?"
She nodded shakily and quickly, then Twilight moved in.
"Fluttershy, please, it was going to eat us, and even you couldn't talk to it. They saved us by doing what needed to be done. It may not have been the preferred way, but we're here because they had to and did so."
"T-T-Twilight, I k-know that, but... w-what about how f-fast they k-k-killed it? Those things they h-had?" she sniffled.
Twilight felt like a train hit her. The weapons they were using were beyond advanced. They had no magical discharge or back-firing of any kind, and when they made contact with the Hydra, every hit seemed to rip the usually magic-proof scales of the beast. Even more, some were larger than others, and fired off a series of cracks in succession. She couldn't feel them being used at all, nor could she feel any kind of magic hitting the Hydra, it just... died.
"Celestia, you're right. They had complete control over their magic weapons and hit it hard enough to kill... but they went completely unnoticed by my feel for magic."
She shot a worried look to Rarity, who also realized the seriousness of the revelation, and turned to the rest. Twilight then shook her head and started.
"No, they didn't hurt us, even when they had the chance. We could have just as easily been food for them like the Hydra would have done and not have even given it a second thought, yet they chose to make sure we were alright. They even gave up some medicine to help Rainbow Dash! We don't need to worry about their weapons, Fluttershy, because they're in good hooves."
\\\\\\//////
"Smith, God Dammit!" Joshua yelled at the Grunt as the fully-automatic carbine was ripped from his hands.
"What'd I do now?"
"YOU ALMOST BLEW MY DAMN HEAD OFF YOU MORON!" Juarez yelled.
"Sorry, princess."
"Smith, two hundred laps around the exercise room and toilet duty for three months." Joshua deadpanned.
"WHAT!? WHY!?"
"Because now." Joshua stated.
The Grunt stormed off towards the other side of the ship as Joshua shook his head.
\\\\\\//////
3 Days Later
\\\\\\//////
Celestia trotted back and forth between the sets of tables along the War Room in Canterlot Castle, trying to ensure the maximum security for the borders of Equestria from the Griffon invaders. She contemplated whether or not she could call in for allied support, but was stuck with excuses. The Minotaurs were already declining ahead of the question, stating that their duties to guard Tartarus' gates are more important than the war at hoof, Zebras were refusing to go to war at all, and the Changelings were still recovering after having their people finally getting laws in place for equal rights among Equestria, and were too few to make a difference, anyways.
Her options were limited and the defenses were scattered at best. Luna came up behind her and sparked conversation.
"Sister, the time for the 'Humans' arrival draws near. We should not try and build any more stress by undertaking the military defenses of Equestria alone. Let the Generals do their work, or at least allow me to share the burden."
"Luna, I'm sorry, but if our kingdom is under attack while the aliens try to make contact with us, they may see it as an act of war against them entirely. We may be strong, you and I, as well as the Elements, but we cannot survive a war that can fall from every part of the sky at any second."
Luna placed a hoof on Celestia's shoulder and tried to calm her.
"Please, the Griffons would not dare to attack so soon. Not after their defeat mere hours ago."
"That was because our Pegasi had matched them one to one. Had the Wonderbolts not been touring, Apploosa would have fallen to them, and from there... I can't just expect these to happen for the rest of the war, and we need to make sure that First Contact goes well, otherwise we'll be fighting two losing wars."
"Sister, please."
Celestia turned to see Luna's eyes in their begging mode, and melted soon after. She smiled at her sister and sighed.
"Alright. Let the Generals know of this. We need to ready Ponyville for another of it's most important days."
\\\\\\//////
1 Day Later
\\\\\\//////
Joshua stood at the bridge with his crew as they watched the Griffons balloons make their way through jagged mountains in a single-filed line below the mountain tops, avoiding any line of sight from the town near it.
"Smart move, using that kind of cover," admitted the Pilot, "they're not even ready for a simple battle, let alone an invasion of this scale."
The screen showed a straight downwards view of Ponyville and the mountains by the Everfree Forest, showing large amounts of color flowing through the village as First Contact neared, and approximately 50 warships inbound from the Everfree. Scans showed they had some cannons already pointed towards the town, should they be noticed, but had enough cover to not need it. The velocities of the vehicles, coupled with their size, mass, and turning abilities, had about two days left before they reached their destination.
The Militia were ready six days ago.
Some of the crew even recommended that they fire now, as to not allow the war-hungry Griffons anywhere near the innocent Ponies. However, Joshua was in charge now, and he said that without any evidence, orbital bombardment wouldn't bode well with the leaders of either, seeing as how they would be shooting a landmark for the Ponies, and how close it would be to their town.
The plan was to wait. Wait until the Griffons were in visible range of Ponyville and they were ready to attack. Then the Militia would come in and stop the invasion, leaving a somewhat good impression on the first step to an alliance.
All that was left, was the execution of Operation: Skyfall.
A little something makes me think the ponies should be aware of the human weapons, or at least who is manning them. I wonder why.
And now I'm ITCHING to see Operation Skyfall!
Nice.
let the skyfall
Twilight: I'm sure those weapons are in capable hands (Cue scene on board ship where one of them almost accidentally shoots another one)
And so it begins
I actually feel bad for the griffons, simply because of how badly outmatched they are.
This is the end.
Hold your breath and coooooouuunt to te-
Was I singing that aloud? Sorry.
Anyways, nice chap. I like how the tension's being built up.
Looks like the griffins are gonna take it deep
shit is about to hit the fan! for the griffin's!
The gore better be awesome or else...
They need food right? well I wonder how griffin tastes.
Lets get some war crimes in here. With all good hope by the end of this it will be raining blood.
I swore to myself, that if there even any references to that movie, I would shove an apocalypse cookie down their throat (name references count)
Better watch your back boy
4163424 in the skyfaaaaal!
4163945 your walking on thin ice boy, you would hate to have 6'2" black guy built like a living tank behind you (that's me) ready to snap your neck at any moment
THAT GOES FOR ALL OF YOU OTHER READERS TOO
Total Destruction Inbound
4164163 and that boys is how to get dislikes!
ALL HANDS! PREP UP ALL TITANS FOR ORBITAL DROP! PREPARE FOR OPERATION:SKYFALL.
Goddamn Smith.
4165758 your #2 on my list now, congratulations!
4164163 did you even look at me? I'm a fucking giant robot.
I'm sure the weapons are in good hooves
Reads next chapter. AH FUCK IT ALL!
4168101 you look at me? I'm really a 9 foot immortal demigod with a giant fucking gauntlet for a hand strangling a demon who is twice my size with his own chain, think about that
4168641 think about the fact I'm taller than a titan. How big are they? Oh yeah 24 foot.
4168831 oh, and he's taken out about 5 30 foot demons as well
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yG7wCC5rwaM
4168846 who you?
4168945 yes me, I was talking about my past self, that one was impaled by a sword, so I took over his body when he was revived
4168831 oh and I carry a sword that is the same size as me with one hand with ease, as well as a scythe, a power gauntlets hat can crush giant crystals with one punch, not to mention wrath powers, and an ultimate that doubles my size and makes me invincible
4169062 Sorry buddy, but the God-Emperor or one of his Primarchs could easily wipe the floor with "you." Seriously, the Emperor is a living god. (Talking pre-Heresy.) Even a single decent Grey Knight might even be able to kill War, and they aren't demi-gods or anything! Unfortunately, you're awesomeness is very tiny when compared to these legends, heretic!
4170173 again, he is immortal, he can't die in real life, only certain things can kill him, like the Armageddon blade, or when he is in a weakened state, and if you manage to kill him, he'll turn to ashes and will be reborn in lava
4171039 talking in the view of the crowfather
4169062 *steps on him*
4174097 *grabs his foot, stabbing it with his sword, causing many more copies of his sword impaling every bit of it, while melting*
"It will take more than your foot to take me down, soundwave, I've been crushed by a stone hand that is the size of your torso"
4174097 "THAT THE BEST YOU CAN DO!?!? I KNOW YOU CANT SHOOT, YEAH I WATCHED TRANSFORMERS 3 YOU SHOT 10 TIMES AT BUMBLEBEE, AND MISSED. EVERY. SINGLE. SHOT."
I laghed through this entier chapter. Good job on this one.
4180502 Ladies please, you're both pretty, now shut the fuck up and read the damn story
Well... it's time for assault rifles vs muskets
That Operation name man. "Skyfall" An amazing James Bond movie and a catchy and fitting name too.
What are you smoking and where can I get some? If you are under attack when humans arrive, why would we think you are making war against us? That makes absolutely no sense. We'd be more likely to assume it is an attempt to attack us from your enemy.
No shit. That is what has caused most "pseudo-wars" (the last declaration of war, by America, at least, was World War II) to go to shit. Because there isn't a declaration of war, the military cannot commander leadership of the campaign. Instead, politicians can set protocol and constraints on operations so long as war is not officially declared. I don't know how it is in other countries, but from what I've seen, it is probably similar in most first world countries (why is it called first "world", anyway?)
Wait wait wait! You spent over half the time until the invasion without telling your generals that your country is at WAR!?!?!?
4970353 assault rifles is an instant win
5296280 Let me go grab me cannon!
5386160 ...*Points at you* Dosh. *A man in a gasmask jumps in and steals your cannon*
This is where the story has done its absolute best so far. The characterization and interactions are enjoyable to read, and Equestria seems very true to the show. The above does an excellent job of showing that, for all the fighting the Mane 6 have done up to this point, none of those fights have been particularly violent (Twilight against Tirek being an exception), and none of them have included any kind of horrific death or injury (the hydra getting blown apart, Rainbow getting seriously injured). Actually, why did Fluttershy act sad? Didn't one of the soldiers say that the tissue was quickly regenerating, and that it could rise at any moment? It doesn't sound like it actually died.
Anyway, I got a great laugh out of the perspective changes showing the guys pretty much proving Twilight wrong every time she opened her mouth.
Finally, there's this:
Ignoring the fact that a fight shouldn't be happening in the first place (I think I've said enough last time), this is the one part of the chapter that doesn't make sense to me. How in the world would attacking while the griffons were in the forest right next to Ponyville, a town in viewing distance of the capital (how did they even get there without being seen? It's not like Ponyville is on the border or something. I mean, they had to travel into pretty much the heart of Equestria to get there), make it hard to get evidence? How much more evidence do you need when you have an entire invasion force right outside a town and the capital of the entire country? What if, by waiting, an innocent pony dies in the attack? An attack that could have been prevented while it was in Equestria (meaning all the evidence anyone needs), and that anyone with a working brain (Celestia, Luna, Mane 6, etc.) would know could have been prevented? Even if no one gets hurt (which is certainly possible and might even be likely), I still can't see the princesses not saying something like, "So, we are all very grateful for what you have done for us, but, um, is there a reason you let them get within shooting distance before stopping them? I mean, we certainly wouldn't have been any less grateful had you stopped them further in advance."
Anyway, it's still a million times better than what happened last chapter. Well, it's still happening (what with the attack and everything), but at least it's balanced out by everything else being awesome.
....DAMMIT NOW IM SINGING THE SONG IN MY MIND...DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAM YOU BRAIN
fallinginlol.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/laugh-is-medicine.png
I like how grunts are called grunts when they're really highly trained marines.
5582180 well that wasn't very nice.
6331405 you got all wrong
VYNIL! GET THE BASS CANNON!
Why?
Because griffons
Again why?
Because their here to kill us and also
Because..... The Bass Cannon
BASS CANNON
4162199 when it crumbles