Season 2
Episode: 12
Welcome to Hybrid
It was a foggy day at Hybrid Division camp. Everyone sat around waiting for the leaders to inspect the division. Most of the division was here but some still had yet to show. Captain Isaiah was walking around checking the different groups. Most stayed inside incase rain happened. Then a bell rang out.
Major General Iron Hoof: All troops in inspection formation now!
Troops ran out getting into lines for inspection.
Celestia and the other leaders left the train to see the division. Major General Iron Hoof saluted her.
Iron Hoof: Welcome your majesties to Hybrid Division!
Celestia: Thank you Major General
Ben: Thank you indeed.
Major: If you follow me we can show you everyone the troops and the war Army Transportation Locomotives.
The group walked ahead to see a large group at attention with everyone lined in order of ranks.
Thorax: How much experience do they all have?
Major: Everyone here King Thorax is rained at minimum of twelve hours a day since arrival sir. We have tried to increase experience by working as hard and quickly as the soldiers can handle.
Ben: Twelve hours a day?! How they are not exhausted?
Major: Willpower and sheer stamina. These boys are the most trained division of draftees in the Royal Army. Also the most diverse.
Celestia: How much of the division is currently here?
Major: All but one thousand mam. All other recruits have already arrived. Including the transport crews.
The leaders surveyed the troops. All stood at Attention with swords and other weapons kept sheathed.
Zebra: I would like to see a demonstration Major General. Between your finest.
Major: Yes Chief Basuto. Who will volunteer?!
The men stood silent then one stepped forward. The figure was a human hybrid with tan skin, void black mane and tail with acid green tips.
Isaiah: I sir volunteer!
A second soldier stepped forward. An earth pony with steel colored fur and silver mane and tail.
Pony: I volunteer as well!
Major General: Very well. Captain Isaiah Cervantes. Captain Spear point. Take position and begin.
The two took ten paces and readied themselves. Isaiah prepared a curved sword and Spear point prepared his spear. The two bowed and charged at each other. Spear point ran his spear in a charge but Isaiah jumped and struck him with the tip of his blade as he landed behind Spear point.
Spear point: Lucky shot.
Isaiah: No. Merely skill.
Spear point growled and ran at Isaiah. Isiah dodged the spear and swung his sword. The leaders looked on to see the spear fall in two. Spear point charged with his hooves but was dodged again only to be grabbed by his mane and held at the point of the sword.
Major: That's enough captains. Back in line.
The two bowed again and returned to their companies.
Basuto: Perfect show Major general.
Major General: Thank you chief Basuto.
Celestia: Yes truly amazing. Who was that hybrid again?
Major General: That was Captain Cervantes.
Ben: You mean former subject four? He truly has become quite the fighter.
Thorax: He was part changeling. I could see it in his movements.
Ben: Yes he was made with that DNA.
Celestia: Truly a good soldier.
Major General: *cough* Yes well your majesties. We still have to see the transport corps prototypes.
The grouped walked to the back of the camp where the goods arrived. There sat five prototypes. One from each of the required works but Ponyville had two designs hence five.
Major General: Here are the prototypes. Here we have the Shunter designs. The crews call them twins since they were finished the same day.
The group looked at the two gray shunters. One had six wheels and side tanks. The water tanks looked like trapezoids jutting from the cab. It was given a Geisel ejector style funnel as well with the words Shunter One painted on its sides. The second was a shorter four wheeled locomotive with a short wheelbase and saddle tank. The side said Shunter Two looking hastily chalked on it.
Celestia: Why two?
Major: The crews said they were both good but had disadvantages fixed by the other. Number two can travel tighter bends and shorter bridges but is weaker than number one.
Ben: Very well next one Major General.
Major General: Here we have the Manehattan troop transporter.
The locomotive was painted black with red lining. It had a Belpaire style firebox and a large boiler. The locomotive had a 2-8-0 configuration with a double chimney. The name Manehattan Might was written on the tender.
Major General: Lastly we have the freight locomotive.
The leaders looked in shock of it. Unlike the others, this one was large. It was a Texas wheel configuration of 2-10-4. The wheelbase was the largest of the prototypes. The boiler was attached to a Belpaire firebox. The engine was completely black with the words War Horse written in chalk on the tender.
Celestia: My word. This was the form the Crystal Empire correct?
Major: Yes your majesty. From what I was told she was submitted to the works by ponies from the Celestial Railway.
Celestia: Where did they come up with this?!
Major: I'm not sure. I was only told they came up with it. I hope it pleases you.
Ben walked up and ran a hand over the tender.
Ben: This locomotive is impressive. Are these designs for sale?
Major: These ones have yet to be commissioned for mass production sir. These designs were brought here to be displayed to all of you and approved by her majesty.
Celestia: I approve of them. I shall think over exchanging these classes with locomotives of your own railways. A trade so we can learn from each other.
Thorax: Sounds wonderful.
Ben: I agree.
Basuto: I as well. I will talk to my others over the idea.
Major: Thank you all for coming. I believe the train is ready to return you to Canterlot.
The group returned to the train but Celestia stopped for a moment.
Celestia: Iron Hoof.
Major General: Yes mam. What is wrong?
Celestia: Nothing. Just keep me reported on Captain Isaiah. I believe he might have a bright future once the war is over.
Major General: Yes your majesty.
The leaders departed on the train. Happy with progress.