Something different, by Shermanator

>Anonymous

>It's a simple name, for a simple man

>And a simple man with a simple name is perfect for the capacity that fate has landed you in

>The sound of boots stamping the ground in orderly fashion is familiar to you

>You hear it, every day

>And along with that low-tone chorus is the sound of metal clanging against metal

>Canteens banging against steel cuirasses

>Thick forests of pike shafts extend upwards over the shoulders of huge formations of soldiers, shadowing the ground adjacent to them

>The squeak and squawk of rusty artillery carriages towed by oxen

>It was the motto of the Human Kingdoms, after all

>The Gods were on the side with the best artillery

>You knew better, however

>Helping the war band keep step and hasten the march, drums rolled and fifes played their cadence

>There was no hoof beating, however

>The human kingdoms were absolutely without cavalry

>And this fact, alone, has been more of a damper on the rightful expansion of the kingdoms than anything

>It was depressing. Humans were good at war. Very good, in fact

>Tended to win battles

>Tended to sweep the field clean

>But could never pursue, and could be out maneuvered if things didn't go perfectly according to plan

>Placement was critical in the human way of battle

>And next to you marched the best of your generation

>A man by the name of Jose Del Rio

>Lord General Jose Del Rio, to be more specific

>Hero to the kingdoms, largely responsible for the continued survival of the race after the defeat of >Nightmare Moon

>...And uncompromising

>Not that there was no reason to be thankful, of course

>But you knew what was going on, here. You've seen it too many times before

>And, frankly, you didn't have the stomach for it

>Thank goodness you were out of the pike blocks

>Gruesome business

 

>You took a breath

>The General was silent, for the most part

>He was wise

>He didn't micromanage his men, at least not before battle

>He was content to allow the unit-level officers tend to that

>So, since he wasn't busy, you figured you would break the ice with him

My lord,

>You asked, which made him look to you

>When he did so, you remembered his commanding presence

>He was a very well groomed, very fit, and very regal man

>His mustache and beard fit his name

>And, unlike other generals of the Kingdoms, he wore the signature morion-pattern helmet

>Just like the men he lead

>He wanted to be seen as one of the soldiers

>To differentiate him, however, he had a series of large, fluffy plumes splayed out in a display upwards from his helmet

>Feathers from griffons he has personally bested in the various human-griffon frontier clashes

>He was not a man to be taken lightly

>“Yes?”

>He asked, noting your pause to consider him

>You snap out of it

No doubt our cause is righteous, my lord. But what is in dispute today?

>He was loyal to the combined kingship whenever the kingdoms quit their civil wars and rallied

>Those around him did well to underline their own loyalty as well

>He smiled and put a hand on your shoulder

>“Are you always so jittery before battle?”

>He asked

>You shifted your eyes off of him, looking forward

>You did not think you were being so obvious

Forgive me, my lord

>“You have nothing to apologize for, my friend. It is your timid nature of which I have come to rely”

>He produced a rolled parchment from his belt, the wax seal having already been broken

>“'Tis a simple matter, Anonymous. Explorers have discovered a vein of gold and claimed the land in the name of the united human territories last week.”

>“However...”

>You listen, having a feeling you know where this is going

>“The Equestrian dogs see to claim the territory as theirs.”

>You frown

Of course. A show of force is needed.

>“Correct. They are animals, Anonymous. And like animals, they must be shown who the masters are.”

>You have never set foot on Equestrian soil

>Ever since the Nightmare Moon fiasco so long ago, no human has that you know of

>They did carry themselves with pride and nobility, but they only very rarely interracted with humans and when they did so, it was less than kind

>Their god was tangible, and they knew it

>But the human gods were tangible, too

>And the human gods did not sit on a throne and allow its people to wage to war unarmed

>The human gods were science and technology

>And in the science of war, there was one new technology that promised to give humanity a head over its adversaries on the field

>Blackpowder

>Manufactured by hand, blessed by the word of seers, and handled by well trained and well drilled artillery men and arquebusiers of the kingdoms, it was a terrible weapon

>One which it was your job to make sure wouldn't be needed

I assume you will be allowing me the chance to negotiate

>You say, blankly

>“Of course. Of course. But really, Anonymous...”

>He nudges you and issues a mighty guffaw

>“How often does that work?”

>He was correct, of course

The Equestrians are not the griffons, my lord. Perhaps time has made them reasonable.

>He quickly interjected, furrowing his brows

>“And if time has not, then our pike and shot will.”

Of course, m'lord.

 

>The next morning, you were overlooking the territory in question

>The beginnings of a quarry were already starting to be dug, but the miners have all been run off and the haphazard wooden structures they built to facilitate their efforts were razed to the ground

>You frowned, hoping that this was not a hint of things to come

>You held hope that the Equestrians would be reasonable, that their leadership would be more open to discussion

>The griffons? Well, they were expansionists

>And they loved a good fight

>It wasn't until their first taste of a fire brigade that they even paused long enough for diplomatic dialogue

>Ever since then, black power has been hailed as the greatest triumph of human engineering

>But in your eyes, and you knew you weren't alone, it was also a sign of terrible things to come

>The kingdoms were more willing to go to war than ever before, having this new technological edge

>And this seemed like such a small thing

>The border with Equestria was only a few miles wide; surely their interest in the affairs of man didn't extend to military conquest

>But you can't deny what your eyes are seeing

>A human outpost, burned to the ground, with the flag of the nearest human kingdom charred and burned

>Your chest heaves as you take a breath

>And across the valley, you can see hundreds of small silhouettes facing you

>They are distant, small, but they are there

>More than you feel should be required to settle a dispute of this trivial nature

>But, then again...

>Your Lord-General was already ordering his artillery batteries into position, their oversized, thick, bronze muzzles elevating over the horizon

>It's a little early for that,

>You speak up

>It probably wasn't your place

>General Rio was the one to answer

>“I shall be the one to decide that, negotiator.”

>As the battle he expected drew closer, he was less and less tolerant of interruptions

>This wasn't the first time he acted like this. He didn't always play by the rules

>Sometimes, he wouldn't even allow you to do your job

>You hoped to heaven that this was not one of those times

>This was the first meaningful contact between man and ponykind in a thousand-or-so years

>You wanted to make a good impression

>As the sun rose behind the enemy's formation just over a thousand yards away, you could hear the >General planning on his regional map along side his colonels

>“If the Equestrians do not cede to us, I want the cannonade ready to fire immediately”

>“General... the sun will interfere with the gunnery calculations.”

>“Aye, sir. 'Tis a long shot you're askin' for. Even in the fairest of clarity.”

>You wait patiently, but eye the battle map out of curiosity

>Very not-standard

>Normally, General Rio uses a tericio style quincunx formation with artillery  on the flanks

>He was very conservative and by-the-book, letting infantry plow through the enemy while keeping the flanks secure to ensure that they were not interrupted in their work

>You knew this because you used to be there

>The pike blocks were not a nice place to be

>But this time, he wanted the Artillery to form the center, with infantry on the flanks

>Very... confusing, to say the least

>But you weren't the general

>“We will draw the enemy in to close range, and then demolish them before they have a chance to rally. This will be the first time they have ever encountered gunpowder.”

>Yous lids fall half closed, and your brows lay flat over your eyes

...That is quite the assumption, my lord.

>Rio turned and beamed at you over his shoulder

>One of the various infantry officers looked between you and the General

>“Sir, surely you want some of our pikes on the field, even if it's only the penal battalion?”

>Rio looks back to the man who dared speak on your behalf

>“I'm just suggesting, sir. The Equestrians are not short on cavalry, you must realize. You have seen what happens when our cannoniers face attack unsupported.”

>The Lord General contemplates for a moment, tugging on his beard

>“The plan stands. Anonymous, I believe you have a job to do.”

>You narrow your eyes to him, then look out on the field

>Indeed, two forms were marching down their side of the valley

>Two?

>Normally it's only one

>You look to the general one last time

Will you be joining me, sir?

>“No. Go, exchange your words, and come back.”

>You breathe a silent sigh and go forth

 

>At the center of the field, amidst the charred wreckage, you find yourself standing before two equines

>They are... smaller than you would have assumed

>Reaching up to your belly, at best

>One is of a moderate blue coat, armored.

>One is dressed slightly more formally; of an alabaster complexion

>You take a moment to regard both

>They both seem feminine, though you have no reference for that

>Anxiety becomes you

>You have a large task on your shoulders

>And they regard you with the same curiosity

Hail, and well met.

>You greet them

>“Well met”

>They return

>You took a moment to steel yourself

>Handle this just like you did with the griffons

>Stand tall to represent your people in the best light possible

>Be as friendly and polite as possible

>And, for the love of all that is holy,

>Don't get flustered

It would be a shame if our people were to meet after so long on a field of battle

>The well dressed one, a unicorn, you recognize, speaks up

>“A shame, yes. Alas, our repeated warnings were not heeded.”

>Yeah, definitely women

>You narrow your eyes and clasp your hands together before your sternum

What warnings?

>The armored one, this one with wings and no horn, took a step forward. He was much less nice about it

>“Do not play ignorant with us, human. This territory is marked a neutral zone; and it has been ever since your assistance with our enemies in the war.”

>You suddenly feel as if you do not have all the information that you would have liked to be given before you were sent out here

You speak of Nightmare Moon?

>They both nod

>You move off of that subject. No use splitting open old wounds

Can you produce proof of this territorial claim? I will be happy to return it to my superiors.

>The unicorn smiles at you and bows her head

>“Why, of course! Just giv...”

>She is cut off by the Pegasus

>“You've had your warnings issued ad nauseam. Clear the field, or I will take this as an act of war!”

>The unicorn gasps and lifts a hoof at the hastiness of her compatriot

>Your eyes widen and you lean away from her by a degree

Oh, well!

>You pull at your collar

>Fuck, there goes not getting flustered

Forgive me, please. I failed to introduce myself. My name is Anonymous. And you two?

>The Pegasus speaks up immediately

>“I am Commandant Storm Chaser; And this is my assistant, Crystal Charmer”

>You turn your attention to the one identified as Crystal Charmer

>Her head is hung low

>It looks like she is in the same predicament as you

>Both of your superiors were aggressive

>You offer a smile to try and lift her spirits

Charmed!

>It works somewhat, and she looks up to you with a half smile

>“Hey, buddy,”

>The Pegasus calls to you, and you return your attention to the commandant

>“So where is -your- commandant, anyway? Was he too much of a coward to face me?”

>Fantastic; if you tell her the truth, that he is preparing his men, then that'll set her right off

>But you don't want to lie, either

You'll have to excuse us, Miss Storm Chaser...

>You start, and she looks at you with one eye squinted

It was thought that it would be best for me, the corps negotiator to handle this alone, since it is the first contact between our peoples in over a thousand years. I, myself, am no less than twenty five generations younger than the last human being to set foot in your lands.

>Both of their eyes widen

>They look to one another, and then back to you

>You have no idea what is going through their heads

>“Wait a second... how old are you?”

>Storm Chaser asks

I do not believe...

>“How old?”

>You bite your lip

Twenty seven; well over half...

>The Pegasus snorts

>“They sent a FOAL to negotiate with us?!”

>Crystal Charmer places a hoof on the shoulder of her commander

>“Easy...”

>You throw up your hands submissively

I assure you, I am no child! Our average life spans are around forty years!

>“Horseapples!”

>The armored one says, flaring her wings aggressively

>“Get your commandant down here right now! I refuse to stand for this insult!”

>She heaves heavy breaths, you can see the frustration in her eyes

>The Equine diplomat, easily the most level headed of the two, takes a stand

>“Commander, I do not think he is lying to us. We should respect that he was brave enough to...”

>The pony General throws her head around to her assistant and snorts

>And, immediately, the Unicorn steps back submissively before looking to you with an apologetic expression

>You lower your hands to your sides and give a confirming nod

I apologize, commandant. I will go to him immediately.

>“We'll be waiting.”

>She strikes a hoof against the ground

>You back away a few steps before you turn and head off, casting an apologetic glance at the opposite negotiator

>Had it just been you two, there was a good chance

>There really, really was

 

>A few moments later, you reach camp and look back down into the valley

>In the middle, amidst the burnt-out buildings, the two still stood

>“Well? Have they ceded?”

>Your superior approached you

>Lord General Jose Del Rio – probably the last man you really wanted to send down there

>But maybe if you went with him...

Their commander refuses to talk to me and wishes to meet with you face to face.

>You turn to meet him

>He looks confident

>“So, despite your best efforts, they have refused to hear you”

>You blinked at him

My lord, they wish to...

>He looked past you to the two figures in the valley

>“Is one of -them- the 'commandant' that you speak of?”

>You nod your head

Yes.

>He scoffs and smiles

>“Alright, then.”

>He looks back over his shoulder to the local battery commander

>“Is the outpost pre-sighted?”

>“Yes, my lord.”

Excuse me?

>You ask

>You look to see no less than twelve gun tubes leveled, with gunnery officers finishing their adjustments

>“Then you may fire at will.”

What? No!

>The Artillery colonel raises his hand and blows a whistle

>“Flash pans ready! Fire!”

NO!!

>You cry, but your objection is muffled by the thunderous blast of gunpowder, acrid and twisting smokes drowning you out