Bellosh

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It all felt like a blur to Sunset: Tempest Shadow taking on the pack leader alone, Sunset being all concerned for the other mare’s safety, Temy going for the dirty hit, and then that business out on the ice lake. Ah yes, the ice lake... Tempest would have joined the other stone wolves beneath the ice had Sunset not swooped in there in time and teleported the two unicorns to the opposite shore a mere split-second before the ice crumbled beneath their hooves.

With much of her own magic having been depleted, Sunset had no choice but to physically drag Tempest’s sorry carcass to a relative place of safety. And lemme’ tell you; Tempest Shadow was one big hunk of a unicorn, making the dragging along all the more excruciating. The amber unicorn ended up having to use the last of her spellcasting strength to hover Tempest onto her own back to ensure they’d both make it, leaving the ex-apprentice with an unbearable load upon her back.

Sunset was just about ready to slay her companion by the time she reached the towering keep... which, of course, was perched on a steep hilltop with access granted only by a winding stair hewn into the rock. Unceremoniously throwing the unconscious Tempest onto the ground, Sunset next worked on applying one of their stashed poultices on the site where Temy got hit hard; it was all Sunny would be able to do for the moment, until her mana sufficiently recharged.

Oh yeah, you know what also sucks? Having to start a fire WITHOUT being able to use your magic. About half an hour passed before Sunset finally figured out how to get a campfire started by using a dumb flint and steel. By this point, her language had devolved into uncivilized profanities and curses; many of them aimed at Tempest.

When night came, and it came especially swift this up North (only less than one quarter of a 24-hour cycle was just barely daylight, actually), Sunset finally felt recharged enough to use a Growth Spurt spell on Tempest’s ribs, which would further help with the healing process. She’d still feel immense pain for several days afterward, but her bones would more or less be fine... mostly. Only then could Sunset allow herself some sleep, cuddling up against Tempest for warmth.....

.......................

Tempest Shadow took her sweet time awakening. When she did, Sunset was already up keeping a watch over the surroundings. Hearing her friend stir, Sunny didn’t bother looking back as she said in a half-scolding, half-congratulatory manner; “...That was a ballsy move you pulled off back there.....”

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*Pop* *Pop* *BOOM!!!!!*

BLAST that confounded alpha wolf!!! Sunset hit that thing with everything she had, but when the smoke cleared from the furious explosion, the canine rock elemental remained standing... completely unharmed, in fact! It seemed quite unimpressed with the unicorn’s awesome display of magic, responding only by dusting itself off.

“Uhhhhh, Tempest?” Sunset expressed her profound fear; “Got any ideas?”

Twilight Sparkle was a wonkish pony princess; truly she was. Unfortunately, she was letting the present status quo blind her to the future of warfare that was about to unfold. When the princess rattled down the list of deposits, General Pummel quickly added; “And Long Guo.” It would have had been egregious to leave out the civilization that had been the historic pioneer behind gunpowder weaponry, and which to this day remains the world’s largest manufacturer of civilian and military rocketry.

". . . There is a reason the most advanced military forces on the planet . . . do not use them as the main thrust of their arms. It isn't access or lack of know-how."

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that.” A new voice brimming with chilling smugness immediately interjected from the far end of the conference table from Princess Twilight. The earth pony mare speaking up sported a short stylishly-trimmed mane, a pair of half-tinted glasses, and a rather fashionable cravat. The credentials for this odd one out being here was that she was none other than Spyglass; Director of the Secret Monster Intelligence League of Equestria — or S.M.I.L.E. for short. S.M.I.L.E. was a civilian agency, but the intell it gathered abroad (and the other clandestine activities it conducted) gave S.M.I.L.E wide-ranging importance in national security affairs.

“From what we’ve gathered from our informants,” Director Spyglass coolly explained; “House Silverbeak of Aquellia is pouring vast sums of money into experimental weapons development. In fact, they’ve already produced numerous designs on par with WRAITH’s; in some cases... too eerily so. If there’s one thing about Aquellians... they’re a prideful nation, and they won’t rest until THEY can claim the unquestioned title of most advanced military. Their leadership is 100% committed to this goal, no matter the expense.

And so as Aquellia start equipping its forces with these weapons, other regional powers will inevitably feel they have no choice but to follow suit, or else risk getting muscled out of their spheres of influence... or outright losing territory. Our analysts believe that a decade from now, the designs pioneered today by WRAITH will become standard-issue in most militaries capable of projecting force on a regional scale.....”

When it became clear that Director Spyglass had finished speaking, Pummel moved swiftly to give his own rebuttal; “With all due respect Madam Princess, barely any resource exploration has even been done in the Painted Pinto Desert. The geologists we’ve consulted however are confident that there is every reason to expect that suitable deposits can be found, much as they’ve been located in other arid corners of the world. I assure you that scarcity won’t be an issue.

As for how cannons compare to ballistae, the simple fact is that a siege-grade cannon has five times the range of a bolt thrower and can fire its projectile at far greater speed, giving a round shot enough force to reduce any fortification to rubble without the need for enchantments. No heavy bolt enchantments have ever come close to replicating those results.

Now, if we then compare ballistae to lighter anti-personnel cannons... it is possible to create enchanted bolt varieties with superior range and accuracy to round shot. However, that comes with the trade-off of that projectile requiring a lot more horse-hours to make, which can ONLY be done with an artificing specialist. And the end result is a heavy bolt that can only hit one target at a time. A single round shot projectile meanwhile... can plow its way through multiple rank-and-file the way a bowling ball mows down pins; no magic required. And not only can a cannonball be made by literally anypony in a factory, but light cannons are far more mobile and easier to set up than equivalent bolt throwers.

Finally, we’ve seen WRAITH make effective use of small hoof-held cannons that can be readily carried into battle by a single pony. While even a mundane crossbow boasts superior range, accuracy, and rate of fire... a small cannonball fired at close-quarters can make mincemeat out of a heavily-armored combatant, regardless of where it hits. The same can’t be done with crossbow bolts without either exceptional aim, or costly enchantments.”

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On the matter of field tactics, Princess Twilight again betrayed her inherent tunnel vision. “Need I remind you,” Gen. Pummel countered as he sighed in frustration; “That the REASON rogue changelings and caribou attack en masse is because our over-reliance on antiquated and hard-to-manufacture weaponry allows them to get away with it. Give the Army and Navy a generous supply of cannons and rockets... and our opposition will start singing a different tune.

...You must also understand that if our troops depend solely on frontal assaults during offensive actions, we’ll suffer extensive casualties when taking the fight to the Enemy. That is something you MUST consider if you deploy your forces on an overseas intervention. When we fight over there for Freedom... it’s not just enough for us to have the bigger stick..... but we have to fight smarter than the other guy too. Because if we DON’T... it means a ton of brave stallions and mares won’t make it back Home, and your subjects will sour on everything we hope to accomplish here real fast.”

For one slight moment, Pummel’s eyes appeared downcast as if in a mournful mood, suggesting that even a gruff pegasus as he could show a vulnerable side; “...I ask a lot of the ponies who serve under my command. I would like to think that in return, we’d give them every tool we could — and all the know-how they'll need —  to ensure they return home to their families.....”

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“For what it’s worth;” Sunset placed a comforting foreleg around her adventuring partner; “.....I myself used to HATE Hearth’s Warming. Well, ‘hate’ is a rather strong word I suppose, but still. This... this isn’t something I can tell most people. I’m not comfortable letting others know that I have no family to go to during the holidays... and uggh, I don’t wanna be invited over to somebody else’s place just because they feel sorry for me.

Considering we’ve already nearly died TWICE on this expedition, I’d say this has a fine holiday season for me so far.” Sunset fondly sighed; “I almost forgot how much I loved questing back when I was Celestia’s lil’ sidekick... although I don’t remember the wilderness kicking me in the flank so hard before.....”

Finishing her grumbling, the ex-apprentice took a swig of her own (non-alcoholic) drink; “For a mare who’s so vastly different from everyone else, you Tempest — of all ponies — are the one friend who makes me miss Equestria the most. I pretty much made my peace long ago with the fact that I’ll never be anyone AMAZING like a princess or a master of sorcery who’ll be written about in the history books.” (But has she really, though?) “Yet I can’t deny that sometimes, it just feels so good to be able to let loose and, you know, do pony things!”

Sunset wrapped her forelegs around Tempest’s neck and fondly smiled. “Thank you for taking me way out here to the middle of nowhere... Temy.....”

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*OOC: Proper responses to those who've addressed Pummel's ideas so far will come after the next Twilight post, I promise.*

General Pummel had thoughts of his own concerning military procurement; “As far as I’m concerned, the civilian-run Municipal Guard forces have the right idea doing away with antiquated suits of armor. If you think our army will be winning the wars of tomorrow with phalanges and mass charges, think again. Our potential adversaries are either larger in number, better equipped, or are creatures of freakish strength. We can’t afford to get into straight fights with hostiles... so we need gear that will better enable us to fight differently.

.....And no other group knows how to fight differently better than the WRAITH insurgents.”

The pegasus grimly shook his head; “Say what you want about those poor dumb bastards... but they’re clever enough to understand that they’d get wiped out effortlessly if they ever tried attacking in equine waves. If you refer to the section on Battlefield Tactics in the Suntrot Commission Report, you’ll see how WRAITH combatants consistently employ suppressive fire, cover and concealment, and highly-coordinated maneuvers on a platoon level during skirmishes. In conjunction with their cutting-edge weaponry, that is how WRAITH has been able to punch far above its weight until now.

Based on the demonstrated effectiveness of Fire and Maneuver tactics, there is no reason why the Royal Equestrian Army couldn’t be trained and equipped to fight in the same manner. You’ll note the Suntrot Commission’s recommendations on new standard-issue equipment for our serviceponies, which meet the criteria of being both easily mass-produced, and maintainable with the bare minimum of tools.

The specifics are all in the report, but to keep it brief; over the next five to ten years, melee weaponry and armor suits should be gradually phased out in favor of gear more suited to ranged squad-to-squad combat. Camouflaged combat uniforms. Lamellar protection systems. Repeating crossbows. Bombs. Cannons. Rockets. The technology behind these are already available in Equestria! All the Princess has to do is give the word, and our nation’s factories can start chumming these out at a moment’s notice. And given enough time and resources, our domestic defense contractors will be able to adapt AND improve on existing magitech and steam-powered designs in use by foreign powers and WRAITH, allowing us to readily equip our troops with rotary magicannons, flamethrowers... armored crawlers.....

Equestria’s economic and industrial might is second-to-none. If we commit to a total modernization program today, our nation has the means to build an Arsenal of Harmony within the decade.....”

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“YOU KNOW TEMPEST,” Sunset angrily vented in the heat of the moment; “MAYBE THEY WOULDN’T BE SO HOSTILE IF YOU DIDN’T ACT LIKE A MENACING HORSE OF THE APOCALYPSE ALL THE TIME!” In the chaos of the chase, Tempest was swiftly regressing to her base instincts; “BLAST THEM??? ARE YOU CRAZY!!???” There was no way Sunset was able to carry out that command... but there were other things the amber unicorn could do with her talents.

Sunset Shimmer halted and turned to face her primitive pursuers. Taking a page out of her foxxy buddy’s playbook, Sunset’s horn lit up in flames as she conjured a fiery apparition for a phoenix. It was “real” in the technical sense, but it looked and sounded real enough for the wild ponies, who fled in terror as the illusory phoenix screeched and swooped down.....
 

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Sunset was incredulous; “What do you mean you don’t want to sing?” The two adventuring unicorns were in a cave, huddling around a campfire as a freak blizzard raged outside. Tempest as always was being her difficult, miserly self. “Singing Hearth’s Warming carols was how Equestria’s founders made it through the windigos’ storm! Come on, Tempest.” She jabbed the dark-coated unicorn’s shoulder; “Live a little.....”

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With a pained wince, Tempest Shadow recoiled from the swipe of the rock wolf’s claws, barely managing to hold it together. Blew, how typical of that brick-headed fighter! As always, she just HAD to pick a fight with the local wildlife for the sheer thrill of it, and in typical Tempest fashion, she exhausted all her fighting strength without even so much as putting a meaningful dent in the ranks of the wolf pack. Welp, it looked like it’d be up to Sunset Shimmer to dispose of these pests!

Using her quick thinking, Sunset calculated a fool-proof plan to get rid of the threat in one fell swoop. Taking aim at the mountainside above, the amber unicorn inhaled as her horn tip glowed with a reddish-rose light. Then she exhaled, releasing a beam of superheated energy that cackled in the air like firecrackers!

*Pop* *Pop* *BOOM!!!!!*

The beam exploded upon contact with the mountainside, triggering an avalanche of rock and snow that fell down upon the hapless rock wolves. As for our heroes... the falling debris was of no concern at all, naturally. If it had been, then SURELY Sunset would have remembered dodging all that rubble. But regardless, Miss Shimmer was undoubtedly the clear-cut hero of that particular encounter.

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It didn’t seem that long ago when Filthy’s daughter would have revolted at the mere thought of getting her hooves dirty. She was surely maturing, indeed! As for Rarity, her mind operating on the same page as Mr. Rich’s caused him to make an embarrassed half-laugh. Diamond didn’t take too long to get ready; as she left with the carolers, Daddy watched from the front door, exchanging a goodbye wave of his own. Once the others were out of sight, Filthy shut the door, eager to spoil Spoiled with a night to themselves.....

*EXIT FILTHY RICH*

Wait... are the two mares... caroling? Filthy Rich probably should have seen it coming; both Rarity and Fluttershy were members of the Ponytones, after all. But as far as dinnertime interruptions went, a visit from carolers was by far one of the most pleasant among then. Filthy was in fact about to call over the rest of the family over when the stallion noticed his sweet angel had already come up to the front door too. As for the wife..... she could be honestly harder to herd than a cat.

Once the Ponytone duo finished their heartwarming carol, Mr. Rich was left with a case of eye wateriness that required prompt drying out. As he did so, his daughter surprisingly asked if she could come along caroling with the other mares! After a moment of processing the filly’s question, the daddy beamed; “Well of course, Diamond Tiara! Just make sure you put on some warm clothes before going outside..."

Maybe a year ago or earlier, Filthy would have insisted on tagging along like the involved father he wanted to be. But Diamond Tiara was growing up fast these days, and she needed space to be her own pony. Besides, with the daughter gone for a couple of hours, maybe Filthy and Spoiled could do their special little thing to bring warmth to the season... although knowing the wife, the husband will probably have to do some caroling of his own first.....

Filthy Rich was in the middle of a pleasant dinner with his family when he heard knocking at their front door. “I’ll get the door,” he got up from his seat; “I promise not to take long.” Filthy couldn’t imagine somepony wanting to hang around outside in the cold this late in the evening, what with the first scheduled snows of winter falling down upon Ponyville tonight.

Opening the door, Mr. Rich found Fluttershy and Rarity dressed up in winter accouterments. “Oh, hello there ladies,” the stallion politely greeted the two, his voice betraying only a tiny hint of perplexion; “How may I help you?”

Sugar Apple reflected on Earthy’s musings as she finished breakfast and waited to be delivered her bill. As she started counting the bits for both her and her ex’s meals (as if she was going to insist that a down on his luck stallion foot up his half), Mr. Writer proposed another meeting this evening. The mare replied without hesitation; “Sure thing, hun! Ah may run a lil’ late, and ah’ll definitely be pooped as heck, but meet me back hyar at ‘round six or so.”

Leaving her money on the table, the pegasus mare got up along with Earth Writer. “Ah suppose ah gotta head off now,” Sugar announced as she put a hoof on one of the stallion’s scruffy cheeks; “Take care, Earthy.” The mare stood there for a moment or so as if unsure what to do, before ultimately giving Earthy a quick peck on his other cheek; “.....Ah missed ya, hun.” With all the changes to her life, Sugar Apple was glad to indulge herself with at least one little bit of happy nostalgia.

With nothing else left to do, Sugar started to trot out of Feather Jon’s, but not before giving her former coltfriend one last grin; “Don't be a stranger now, you hear!”

*EXIT SUGAR APPLE*

Shining Armor went on at some length about the value of fairy tales and chivalry, and how those were connected to the issue General Pummel raised of maintaining nation-wide solidarity. Although Pummel’s accent didn’t reflect it, he had been born and raised in Stalliongrad, and how the Crystal Prince described the regional culture definitely gelled with Pummel’s own foalhood memories. The question was then how to forge a shared national identity for Equestria; from Pummel’s perspective, Armor’s answer... made for sound crisis response policy, but did not actually address the fundamental problem they were trying to solve.

Gen. Pummel quickly nodded at Admiral Chaser as he entered the room, then he wasted no additional time in answering Prince Shining’s question; “Although I remain a firm believer in a clear divide between military and civilian institutions, I also see the value of cooperation between the military branches and civilian administrative officials in coordinating a shared national defense policy. I am aware that this school year, the School of Friendship initiated a pilot program geared at instructing students in defensive techniques against corrupted beings. Should that course be deemed successful enough to be expanded and permanently incorporated into Friendship curriculum, I advise working with Archchancellor Blueblood and the Friendship Ministry on expanding that course’s scope towards teaching students how to organize... civil defense squads as proposed by Prince Shining Armor.”

There; that was a much better name than “Friendship Militia”, which evoked images of militant bands not bound by any law. It's no accident that bigger cities tended to refer to their military reserve forces as a “Municipal Guard”; a more formalized designation.

With Shining Armor’s proposal given the due acknowledgement entitled to it, Pummel could now get into the real hay and potatoes... and the grizzled pegasus had the perfect segway into his pivot. “In addition, the EEA should be consulted on the matter of drafting a policy for providing every colt and filly in Equestria with an expanded, standardized knowledge of history and civics. As the Prince reminds us, it’s the stories we tell our kids that ultimately define the nation we live in... and the sad truth is that we can’t rely on parents to do the job! And how can they? Kingdom-wide, we only expect ponies to complete one year’s worth of compulsory kindergarten instruction, and then that’s it!!! You’re either off to a specialized school, or getting a job!”

Pummel questioned incredulously; “How do we expect schoolteachers to make each pony from Stalliongrad to Manehattan feel deep in their hearts that they belong to one country in less than a year? On top of everything else we mandate them to teach???”

The general calmly shook his head; “I spent much of my adolescence living in Aquellia as an exchange student — as a guest of House Razorclaw — and those griffons certainly didn’t believe in leaving matters like building national identity to chance! Heh..... there’s a reason why they address family matriarch Morianna Razorclaw as “Professor”: because she breathes down the neck of any Aquellian legislator foolish enough to suggest making cutbacks to compulsory education programs! So it’s no wonder that despite rampant cynicism across all levels of Aquellian society, they still manage to somehow find plenty of willing and able recruits for their armed forces every year.

.....Based on studies of foreign education systems compiled by our thinktank, we conservatively estimate that at bare minimum, it takes SEVEN years of compulsory education for a student to incorporate their country of residence as a core component of his or her self-identity. The trends indicate is that the greater background an adolescent creature has in social studies, the more they will engage in civic activities upon reaching adulthood... including military service.”

This policy conference was shaping up to be a very long meeting, indeed.....

“Awww,” Sugar Apple reassured Earthy; “Thar's nothin' t' apologize for. Ah ain’t done anythin’ all thet heroic anyway; th’ real heroes... well, y’all know what they say ‘bout real heroes.....”

On that downlifting note, Sugar finally got around to munching a bit on her meal. However, a minor thing Earth Writer mentioned a minute ago triggered an old memory of hers. “Ya’ know Earthy, back when ah was growin’ up, mah childhood dream was t’ be one of them dustpunchers.....”
 

*OOC Commentary*:

*EXIT SUNSET*