GREEN
628
0
1947 11.25 KB 133
1947 11.25 KB 133
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1.
>Your hoofsteps echoed in the empty, dimly-lit hallway, the only sound apart from your tired grumbling.
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2.
>You didn't even know what hour it was, and yet, some Council representative just showed up, and they needed to meet with you ASAP.
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>Because whatever country they're from just can't wait a couple more hours.
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4.
>In between being a rather grumpy, drowsy mare, a restless sigh escaped your lips.
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>As Spokesmare of the Council of Nations, you supposed that you needed to be alert at all times for new developments.
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>There was no rest to be had when fighting such an unprecedented and ruthless foe as the aliens.
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>You may not be out there, on the ground, but you still had a job to do.
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>After rounding a bend, the doors to the meeting room stood before you.
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>No time like the present.
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>Pressing forward, you resolved to see through whatever one of the other Council members requested an audience for.
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>At the very least, you wouldn't be dealing with the enormity of the entire Council's desires, demands, and requests.
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>Sitting at one end of the table was Councilor Naqimum, representative for the Kingdom of Mulam.
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>That might explain why you were required at such an un-princessly hour...
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>Noticing your entry, the donkey waved you over to the table, quite eager to get started.
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>"There's the pony I have been looking for! Come, there is much we need to discuss."
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>You obliged the colt, taking your usual seat for these kinds of negotiations.
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"To...what, exactly, do I owe the visit tonight?"
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>You asked while attempting to suppress a yawn.
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>The question felt rhetorical, given the focus and nature of your organization.
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>His hazel eyes met yours as that coltish grin faded.
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>"An intelligence report, regarding action in the field between conventional forces of our Kingdom and the alien threat."
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>Naqimum said, to-the-point as ever.
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>From his saddlebag, he procured what must be the documents in question.
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>Your horn lit up with the faint glow of your magic, levitating the thick folder into view.
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>Sifting through the reports, you at first didn't discover anything too interesting.
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>In any case, it seemed more of the same story.
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>High casualties, lack of preparedness or tactical know-how against the invaders...
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>Something you invariably got whenever stallions ran your country and led your armies, you mused.
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>It did appear that they succeeded in this operation, however.
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>No doubt without a helping hoof from the mares in the group.
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>The first thing that struck you as odd was the location of the op.
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"Do you mind telling me why this operation took place in Mareidu? Without their knowledge? They sit on the Council, too, you know."
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>Perhaps it wasn't surprising for a stallion to be up to something behind a mare's flank.
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>But by Celestia's swaying, gold-tinted teats, did they have to be so brazen?
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>And to somepony in the same camp, too?
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>"Because this threat needed to be dealt with immediately, not debated by SOMEPONY who only serves to question OUR motives."
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>He emphasized his point with a smack of his hoof upon the table.
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>"Because those Saddle Arabian mares can't let old grudges sit for five minutes in the face of an enemy greater than ourselves,"
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>Princesses, why was he raising his voice at you?
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>It was way too early for you to be dealing with an upset stallion...
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>"And we most certainly do not have the time to worry about how the Sultana will feel, or whether she thinks we're starting another war!"
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>You had no intention of setting off some colt like so, and yet, here you go doing exactly that without even trying.
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>Exactly what you needed to start your day off with.
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>"We had to do what was necessary, not politically-convenient, because we can't keep playing that old game in times like these..."
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>Taking a deep breath, the Mulamite councilor took a moment to collect himself after his little outburst.
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>"...We also believe these particular aliens were responsible for the loss of one of XPONI's Freerangers following Operation Swashbuckler."
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>You sat up straight, any lingering sleepiness you may have had was swept away at the news.
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>The Strike 11 Incident?
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"While I don't doubt the aliens were behind it...what makes you so certain that these in particular were responsible for it?"
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>He had your attention now, but as you kept sifting through the report, you weren't seeing anything to corroborate his claim.
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>"Take a look at page twelve. It should have the specifics on what the soldiers found there."
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>As you flipped to the bookmark given, a captured materials manifest from the site of the undeclared battle greeted you.
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>So far, it seemed to be more of the same.
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>A dozen or so Goblin corpses.
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>The occasional Terror's interspersed.
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>Shattered bits of what used to be incredibly advanced, lethally-effective weapons.
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>At the bottom of the catalog was a list of creatively-named objects recovered that didn't quite fit into the other lot.
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>The only one with a picture accompanying it was "Device 08."
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>More specifically, a black-and-white image of...
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>Something.
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>Something large and quite broken.
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>Tearing your attention away from the records, you prod the donkey for more information.
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"Can you fill in the blanks and tell me what exactly it is I'm looking at, here, Councilor?"
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>You ask, willing the document to face him as you pointed at the photo with your hoof.
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>Ceasing his slouching, Naqimum focused on the image.
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>"That...would be what our analysts say shot down your aircraft. As with most of the aliens' technology, it couldn't be recovered intact."
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"And why do they think that's the case? That this thing brought them down?"
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>You pressed for further information to put to rest some unanswered questions.
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>"Telemetric calculations based on where the Freeranger was likely hit, the angle, et cetera."
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>He shrugged as he ran a hoof along his sandy beard.
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>"That, and field observations of the device being utilized in a fire support role during the operation."
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>You would not envy anypony in that position.
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>Still, this was unwelcome news.
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>Some at XPONI believed a UFO might have been the culprit.
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>But if what the Councilor was saying happened to be true, it could mean they were changing their overall strategy.
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>A more offensive approach to XPONI?
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>Perhaps, in time, even against standard military units?
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>The loss of a Freeranger in its operating theater was still an isolated incident, though.
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>Was it merely the testing of a new weapons system, then?
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>As these questions rebounded in your mind, Naqimum took note of your lack of a response.
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>"Whatever the invaders have in store for the future remains to be seen, but a sitrep isn't the only reason I requested you here."
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>Tossing a quizzical glance his direction, you wondered what other business he happened to have.
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>"We understand that XPONI's resources are spread thin enough as it is, and it is remarkable the Project has accomplished as much as it has within those constraints."
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>You weren't the pony to be praising there, but you'd be sure to pass that along.
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>"They have fought the invaders far more effectively than numerous, uncoordinated militaries could have, and achieved victory where it would be improbable."
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>The donkey in front of you tapped his hoof against the table slowly as he continued.
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>"Those victories ring hollow for the peoples that only see some shadowy, unstoppable enemy that their government can barely hope to protect them from."
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>You had an inkling of where he was going with this line of discussion.
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>"We also understand that XPONI can't be everywhere at once, and being based where they are, it is only logical they put out the fires closest to home."
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>Naqimum leaned in closer, keeping a firm gaze locked on you as he made his point perfectly clear.
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>"Mulam cannot remain a part of the Council for much longer if this pattern continues."
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>That was a bit of a heavier drop than you were expecting.
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>It would hurt like Tartarus if any Council Nation left, without a doubt.
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>If that kingdom of ass left, though...
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>Well, that wasn't a message you wanted to deliver the Commander anytime soon.
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>Exhaling as you took in this additional bit of undesirable information, you spoke up after he had said his piece.
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"Do you have...anything in mind to prevent that from happening?"
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>"I'm surprised you're even asking the 'what' of it, but I'll state it clearly for you: we need XPONI to focus their latest efforts on the Mulamite Plateau."
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>The Councilor then waved a hoof dismissively in that way stallions do.
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>"...and possibly give some aid to the Saddle Arabians in Maresopotamia, if their operatives have time to spare."
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"Would that be all you want me to forward along on Mulam's behalf, Councilor Naqimum?"
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>This was, by far, the most common request of the Council Nations.
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>A request you often had no real ability to fulfill beyond advising what the Commander ought to do.
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>The donkey in front of you clopped both his hooves against the table as he shook his head.
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>"Of course not; our Kingdom wouldn't make an offer with nothing to make it worth your time."
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>You gestured for him to continue, of which he was only too happy to oblige.
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>"Mulam will double its monetary contribution to the XPONI Project; whatever staff you need, we can make available. There should also be some reservists we can divert as potential recruits."
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>He then pointed at the collection of documents that sparked this whole conversation.
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>"As a show of good faith, we will be turning over the spoils of that operation and sending additional personnel to further our cooperation with the Project."
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>The light-brown donkey raised a hoof, declaring the catch to it all.
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>"Keep in mind; our more significant contribution plans are contingent on whether or not XPONI takes any action against the invaders within our sphere."
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>Naqimum was really putting his cards on the table with a move like that.
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>Tartarus, it was a damn-good deal, especially considering the alternative.
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"I'll make sure this gets to who needs to hear it, then. Is there anything else you would like to mention?"
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>You asked, uncertain if the colt felt the need to continue his yammering, as they were wont to do.
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>"Our discussion is concluded here. We will be watching what happens next very closely."
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>As he got up to leave, Naqimum parted with one final suggestion.
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>"As a final recommendation…I would keep the finer details of this conversation quiet in regards to the Mareidui Councilor. She doesn't need to understand the why, just the how."
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>With that, he turned and trotted out of the meeting room to wherever else he might be needed.
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>Giving you plenty of time to eye up those sturdy, elegant legs of his...
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>…
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>Up until he was out of sight.
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>He was lucky he was kinda cute.
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>Otherwise, you wouldn't stand for his decidedly mareish outbursts.
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>Stallions aren't supposed to be that uppity, or assertive.
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>They're already hard enough to wrap your head around as it is, and here come these foreign colts, strutting about like mares...
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>A mare didn't need that kind of complicated in her life.
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>You shook your head, trying to clear your mind of those particular notions.
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>Now wasn't the time your mind locked between those le- thoughts.
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>There was a job that needed doing, after all.
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>Shutting the doors with a flash of your horn, you faced the inactive screen that took up the majority of the wall.
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>You had to give a mare a call.
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>And if you knew her well enough, she wasn't getting any sleep either.
by Tsar_Anon_I
by Tsar_Anon_I
by Tsar_Anon_I
by Tsar_Anon_I
by Tsar_Anon_I