I was there 03 (Patreon)

“The alarm bell in the high watchtower was ringing and ponies were scrambling to their positions.” Solid Shot continued his narrative in my Equestria Dreamscape.

    “I began barking orders to my crew below before I even reached ladder leading from the roof. Once I was through the opening I yanked the heavy steel hatch closed and dogged the lock. Grabbing the sides of the ladder with my hoofs I slid down to the floor and then raced up the hallway that led to where Massive Mare-e was. My crew was already at their positions awaiting my instructions.”

     “Slow Match! Load and ram a powder charge but wait on the projectile. I want to see if we will need canister or shell!”

     “Yes sir!” Replied my Master Sergeant. “

     “Throughout the fortress ponies were galloping to their positions. The position to either side of us had six-inch rifles in them. I could hear their gun captains giving instructions to their crews. As we raised the three-inch thick steel shutter that covered our firing port I could see gun crews preparing the guns on the outer defense works. Unicorns were quickly throwing shield spells on their positions and fusiliers were taking up their firing positions to.”

    “For a couple minutes nothing happened, then we started to see our pegasus fliers returning in great haste. Most were still in ragged formations but there were individual fliers who were frantically attempted to find their team members. The remaining fliers at the fort had already taken off and were now climbing into the evening skies to cover their retreating comrades.”

    “Amongst them were some obviously injured ponies that were borne by their comrades. The wounded were taken to the main courtyard of the fortress where teams of ponies with stretchers were awaiting to take them to the infirmary. I had never seen a dragon before but I’ve worked around gunpowder for years and I’ve seen some badly burned ponies before. Some of them would need a lot of help. Once they had delivered injured comrades the fliers launched themselves back into sky where the Wing Leaders were rallying their forces.”

    “I was watching the events in courtyard unfold when one my crew members called out.”

    I see them Captain! I see the dragons! By the sun, look at all of them!’

    “Out of the ever-darkening afternoon sky came a wave of at least four dozen dragons. Mostly they were younger drakes but even from over a mile away I could hear the swishing of their great wings. Silently they advanced on our position. I could hear gun captains yelling at their crews telling them to hold their fire until they were in range. “

    ‘Charge is rammed and awaiting your projectile choice sir.’ “Slow Match’s comment brought my attention back to my crew. I could tell they were all scared but they had performed their duties in a professional manner. I was very proud of them.”

    “There were two projectiles resting in loading slings for my selection. One was an eight-inch pointed steel shell with a charge of bursting powder and a fulminate fuse. The other projectile was a heavy cloth bag with wire mesh wrapped around it. Beneath the wire mesh and fabric were 2250 and lead balls of half inch diameter. With one shot at 300 yards we could mow down everything in a fifty-foot wide swath. “

     “When the dragons got within a half mile of our position they began to move further apart and began gaining altitude. Obviously they were not going to let us concentrate our firepower on them.”

    “The rapid-fire volley guns and the quick-fire 2pdrs were now tracking the dragons. Waiting for the moment they came within range of their fire. The fusiliers were hunkered down awaiting their orders. Unicorns were constantly checking their wards and waiting for the enemy to come within their spell range. The field guns stood by to deal with any dragon that attempted a low level strafing run or tried to land. Somewhere behind Fort Shield our fliers were orbiting above us waiting to make their attack. ”

     “When the drakes got about a quarter mile away a thunderous roar suddenly erupted from them that echoed off the mountain peaks. Then in unison they folded their wings and dove toward our position. The battle for Fort Shield had begun. “

To be continued.