Chapter 2: Getting Ready
To say that I was just nervous and confused would be an understatement, for I was more like terrified and baffled. Standing there at the armory and shoving my swab stick in and out of my armor's blunder bust, trying to clean out all the dirt and grime, I couldn't help but feel my body shake in anxiety as my mind wandered about the horrible flashes of Changelings and death.
For Celestia's sake, why did I even have to have that dream?
Like, come on! Do I really have to relieve all of this again? That dream…that nightmare was terrible enough when I didn't know what was in store for me, but now that I do, it felt worse.
I didn't request for an encore, so why is this happening again? Seriously, to see my comrades and myself die again in those caves, can't a mare get a break?
The fear I had within me was no beginning to be replaced by frustration and anger, as I rammed my swab harder and harder, hoping to relieve the stress I was in. But can you blame me? I was having a really bad day and, if I'm correct in my prediction, things are just about to become worst.
There must have been somepony out there that really hated me, to curse me like this, or it could have just been Discord playing his old trick again.
Grumbling and cursing, I didn't pay attention towards the outside world as I tried to comprehend both this mysterious anomaly, as well as control the rage of emotions within me. So I wasn't aware of all the noise I was creating until I felt the gentle touch of a hoof as it tapped me on my shoulder.
"Huh?" I said, stopping my action as I turned my head around to see a slightly larger and red pony looking at me. Taking a second or two, I soon realized it was Scarlet; the mare who's body fell on top of me during my apocalyptic vision. "What?"
"Well…" She said, clearing her throat. "…you've been ramming your swab in your blunder bust as if there was no tomorrow and I was starting to get worried that you might damage the thing. Listen, Rookie, that's a piece of military equipment, not a mare in heat. If you want to release some sexual tension, then I suggest you look somewhere else."
I blushed, both from the reprimand and the remark. I learned early on that sexual references are very common here in EDF.
Noticing my blush, a grin soon formed in her face as if she decided to play with my seemingly innocent modesty.
"Hey now, don't look too disappointed. If it was a partner you were looking, well I'm always available. Ain't nothing better than having a little fun to get rid of those pre-operation jitters."
"What!" I exclaimed, almost joking as I heard that. "Now, wait a minute. I wasn't….I don't….not that you aren't…"
The blush on my face grew redder and redder as I stammered, while my mind found it difficult to find a reply. Staring at her, I could see a hint of mischief and seduction in her eyes and I found it difficult to find out if she was serious or if she was just playing with me.
Only her sudden burst of laughter stopped me from my flustered state, as she began shaking her head and pat me on the back.
"Don't worry, Rookie, I was just joking." She told me. "Although I was serious about the swabbing part. You better slow down or you might break that thing's firing mechanism. And a broken blunder bust is that last thing you'll need when you find yourself surrounded by Changelings."
"Sorry…" I meekly replied, feeling the embarrassment return.
"Hey, don't say sorry to me. I'm just here to tell you not to swab your weapon too hard" She then pointed to my blunder bust. "If you want to apologize, then you better apologize to that instead."
"Oh, okay, thanks." I said, before looking at my blunder bust. "Sorry."
She shook her head, as the grin returned on her face. "A sense rumor, huh? I like that." She then went over to me and patted me on the back. "You and I, rookie, are going to be the best of friends."
I gulped when I heard that. Not that I didn't want to be her friend, but instead, if my nightmare's prediction was right, which so far they are, then Scarlet wouldn't be alive by then end of the mission. And neither would I.
You know, they always looked annoying, no matter what. From our position in the middle of the parade ground, the heat of the sun bearing down on us, I could clearly see them lounge around under the protection of a large cloth canvas as they sat in the stage in front of us. Wearing their fancy uniforms, that didn't look tactically sound and made them bright targets if brought to the battlefield, and bearing their shinny medals and colorful badges, these arrogant looking were creatures of a different league from us.
Saluted but not respected, talked kindly to but without full heart to it, these creatures were the Generals, officers who commanded ponies but did not lead them. Although, when face to face, they were treated with more care compared to the new recruits, it didn't mean the veterans liked them. Sure, there might be one or two good generals, but from all the opinion that I've heard, most of the generals came from stuck up high ranking nobles who bought their way to their position.
From the days I've spent with my company, I often heard complaints about how bad they were, as ponies alike cursed them, viewing these Generals as nothing more than a waste of money. Why use perfectly good bits on paying them, when we can use that money on better equipment? I remembered one pony from my platoon said the other day.
Although I myself, at the time, didn't yet have full resentment towards these Generals, I was beginning to understand why nopony liked them. It was already bad enough to see them in my dream, enjoying the nice shade as their troops suffered, but to see it all again was completely annoying. No wonder nopony liked them; they won't even go through the same suffering their troops undertake!
No wonder Equestria wasn't winning the war against the Changelings, it's because we were all being led by ponies like them. I think that even the worst EDF recruit, who managed to pass basic training, can make a better battle strategy in which we can defeat the Changelings than all of these Generals combined.
Heh, maybe they should give me a couple of stars and start calling me "general", then we'll see if I'll just buck up or actually succeed.
"Battalion, atten-hut!" I heard the cry echo, followed by the sound of hooves simultaneously slamming on the ground. "Salute!"
Bringing my hoof against my temple in salute, while keeping my gaze straight, I looked towards the front of my company's formation and waited. Standing at the second row of our formation, I was able to get a good view of what was happening in front of us. So, as I stood there, I was able to see the main guess of the even walk out to the parade ground and move in front of us, Princess Celestia.
Tall, white as snow, and complemented by her long flowing mane, which glowed like a rainbow, Princess Celestia was one to attract everypony's attention. And this wasn't just because she was a Princess. With a graceful figure, humble stature, and mother like vibe, Princess Celestia was the perfect eye candy.
Passing by just in front of me, as she trotted through the rows of armored ponies, and surrounded by members of the Royal Guard as she went by, I managed to get a close up glimpse of one of Equestria's sovereign ruler. Now, looking at a picture of Celestia and seeing her highness is quite entertaining, and seeing her from a distance is quite impressive, but managing to see here close up, just like I did, was really breathtaking. There was just some kind of magic behind it, which I simply can't explain. Who knows, maybe she is using magic to do such things and create that feeling.
Making her way through the large formation and elegantly trotting in front of the battalion, she soon made her way towards the stage where she was greeted by saluting Generals. I couldn't really hear what they were saying to each other, but I made a guess that they were most likely pleasantries and compliments. Because if there was one thing Generals were good at, it was buttering somepony up as if they were a pancake.
By the time the Princess and the Generals were done conversing and by the time Princess Celestia was standing by the podium, the entire battalion on the parade ground was standing at relaxed positions and gazing up towards the stage. Unprotected by the tents, as she stood in the podium, I found it comforting to see that at least one of our leaders was suffering under the heat, just like the rest of us.
Sweating under the heat, I did my best to try and keep straight and pay attention. Sure, I heard the speech before in my weird future predicting dream, but it didn't hurt to listen to it again. Besides, what else was I supposed to do?
"Ponies of the 4th Battalion!" She called out, in a loud booming voice that echoed throughout the grounds. "I am honored to be standing here in front of you, as well as proud to see you all standing in front of me."
"For most of you, the battalion's deployment to the field of action is just another day in the job. For some of you, it is a new experience, filled with fears and anxiety. But whether you are new to the fight or a veteran, always remember that beside you is a friend."
"Although the tunnels are dark and although the enemy is near, the friend with you is nearer. That friend of yours would be by your side, fighting the same battles you are fighting and enduring the same hardships you are. Whether you notice this friendship or not, it will be there."
"As your princess, I wish to be one of your friends in those tunnels, being there by your side and enduring the same things you will go through. But as you know, my duty prevents me from doing such things. The only thing I can do for now is bid you farewell…"
"So as I stand here before you, I say good luck and a safe return to all. May the sun's light shine on you all, even inside those dark tunnels."
Oh, it won't. I think to myself. It won't.