Author's Note
Translations
* - Guten morgen - German for Good Morning
** - Dobroye utro - Russian for Good Morning
*** - Dobroho ranku - Ukrainian for Good Morning
**** - Cyka - Russian for Bitch/Slut
***** - Vnimaniye - Russian for Attention
****** - Ryadovoy - Russian for Private (Rank)
******* - Serzhant - Russian for Sergeant (Rank)
******** - Da - Russian/Ukrainian for Yes
********* - General armii Ukrainy - Russian for General of the Ukrainian Army
I - Soviet Opener
''Soviet Opener"
I
It was a cold winter night in the Soviet land. At the heart of the land, laid its capital, Moosekow. Snow blanketed the ground - a soft yellow hue given to the snow from the streetlamps - dimpled with the hoofprints of ponies as they made their ways around the city. One peculiar tourist found herself in the middle of the 'Red Square'. Taking in the frost-bitten buildings and snow covered monuments, she soon found her gazed locked onto the silhouette of a large castle.
"Must be the capitol! Err.. I thought castles were out of style..." the mare muttered to herself as she shrugged. "Then again, this place is...primitive. Couldn't imagine actually having to actually live or work in one," she giggled out as she moved to continue her trek through the square.
The silhouette the mare saw was in fact a castle. The castle, also known as the Kremlin, housed the few political leaders and officers that held offices under the soviet queen. The most notorious resident of the castle is the queen, Sveta Kalashnikov. Most nights, the red-and-gold dyed alicorn often found herself entertaining guests, much to the dismay of her daughter, Sickle. The parties tended to start off civilised; however, Princess Sickle would often find herself laying upon her bed as the commotion of intoxicated dignitaries raged on into the night.
“Oh why wouldn’t mother let me move to the other side of the castle,” the unicorn huffed out as she covered her head with a large pillow.
The poor princess had the luxury of being housed next to a private study; now used as stomping ground for her mother’s guests.
“Ugh,” the unicorn cried out as she rolled over to face her night stand. A deep groan escaped her as she read her digital clock. “It’s 3 a.m.! Do they not have jobs to prepare for?! It’s whatever, just gotta ignore it,” she reassured herself as she settled back onto her pillow.
She had actually managed to drift off until a loud round of applause broke out, waking her. The mare laid there silently, wide-eyed as she chuckled manically to herself. “That’s it, I've had it.”
With a quick flick of magic, she flung her sheets away and sat up; strands of her blond mane flowing into her eyes. With the elegance of a lame swan she lept onto the floor; sighing as her hooves sunk into the plush carpet. As she began the trek to her chamber door, she passed her dressing mirror; catching a glimpse of herself. Such an appalling sight! Once delicately applied eyeliner now formed dark bags under her eyes, red eyes, disheveled mane; something you’d expect from a common mare, not a princess. Perfect. With a smug grin, she staggered to her door; resting her head against it as she gathered herself. A quick nudge sent the massive door swinging out, exposing her to the dimly lit hallway. Muffled sounds of immense laughter and conversation assaulted her. She stepped out lightly onto the tile floor, slowly making her way down the corridor. The study was a fairly large room, easily doubling the size of the princess' chambers. The death-walk to the study prolonged the trip as the princess fought with herself.
I have got to speak up about this - No! You don't want to disappoint your mother, do you? - I'm just going to ask her to have her guests knock it down a notch.
Before she could further debate, she found herself at the study's door. From the loudness, Sickle estimated that there were at least 200 ponies inside. With a deep breath, she pulled the door back slowly, slinking through when there was an opening just her size. The odors of alcohol, smoke, and...skunks took the mare by surprise, causing her to gag. A stallion near her glanced over his shoulder and scoffed when he saw the slovenly mare.
"If Sveta spent as much time grooming her daughter as she does giving gifts..." The stallion trailed off as he joined a few mares in laughter.
With a grumble the mare pushed on through the crowd. Though, she didn't have much trouble getting through since ponies parted like the seas as she passed by; collecting a plethora of insults as she went. She was on the verge of tears as she made it to the back of the crowd. She stopped to collect herself as she scanned the crowd for her mother. She didn't have to look far. Her clue was the grey maned stallion sitting tall next to a red and gold mare.
That's the guy that reports to mother on matters concerning the military... The marshal! I think his name is... Nester Aleksandrov. Better known as the 'Queen's Flank Kisser'.
It wasn't unusual to find the queen surrounded by a her posse of "nobles"; mostly bankers, private investors, corrupt politicians, or hired thugs. As the mare approached the gathering, she began to be able to make decipher some of the ponies around the table. Across from her mother sat 'Adolfa', the Germane chancellor. Next to the chancellor sat a oddly familiar face; from where she recognized the stallion escaped her. As she stood in thought, Nester caught glimpse of the princess, causing his trademark scowl to tense. Curious the other stallion took a quick glance over his shoulder and upon seeing the mare, dropped his head. Nested quickly delivered a joke, causing the two mares to erupt into laughter as he turned attention back to Sickle. His glare sent a message: Fuck off and die. She shuddered a bit as she fathomed the bashing she was about to receive; though, she still pressed on. The queen's laughter waned as she watched the princess approach and find herself next to the chancellor. The chancellor, however, was unaware of the princess as she continued to cackle hysterically. They all sat awkwardly as they listened to the chancellor cachinnate. Eventually, Nester dropped a heavy hoof to the table, breaking mare from her laughing spell. The faces she found displayed a sharp change in attitude.
"Vhat?," she asked as she raised a hoof to wipe her eyes, "Vas that not funny?"
A quick flick of the hoof from Nester prompted her to glance behind her. The sight of the disheveled mare shocked her a bit.
"Ohhh... Zhe Princess... Ummm..." An uncomfortable smile spread across the Germane's face as the Nester facehoofed." Guten morgen*, Princess!"
Sickle stood silently as she eyed the chancellor.
"Dobroye utro**, Miss Chancellor," she responded back deadpan; attempting to convey her annoyance.
Her tired gaze then fell on Nester, causing his hateful glare to soften slightly.
"Dobroye utro, Your Highness," the stallion droned out reluctantly. His gaze then shot over to the stallion across from him. "Your vocal chords broken!? Speak!"
The stallion raised his head and gave Nester a look of nonchalance before turning to face the princess.
"Dobroho ranku***, Your Highness."
Sickle blinked slowly as she took in his response, though she gave a nod of acknowledgment to the stallions. Before she was able to dwell on the subject her thoughts were broken by a sharp ahem, causing her to look up. It had came from her mother.
"Dobroye utro, Mother."
The red mare sat silently, looking about the room as if she hadn't heard a thing. With a sigh, Sickle bowed. "Dobroye utro, Your Majesty."
A smirk grew across the queen's muzzle at the child's submission.
"Ah yes, my dear Sickle," her silken voice purred out as she watched her child rise. "Who must I pay for providing us with your lovely presence?" Nester huffed as he rolled his eyes. Sickle forced a smile as she fought the urge to scream.
"You can pay all your lovely guests!"
The Queen only quirked an eyebrow at her response.
"Oh wah," Nester bellowed out. "Disturbed by the sound of a few ponies?"
The chancellor quickly excused herself; she knew where this was going. Sickle chuckled at the stallion's statement.
"Two hundred and eighteen guests...a few?” She paused, fighting to keep her tone down. “One hundred and thirty stallions to eighty-eight mares, if you want to be specific. You do understand numbers bring loudness, right?"
Nester scoffed as he shook his head.
"I understand completely."
Sveta had placed a hoof to her face as she listened to the two argue. Sickle is as dense as osmium, but what business did she have disturbing the peace?
"Sickle, darling," Sveta droned out on a whim of frustration, "What is the reason you decided to...visit?"
A pang of confidence sprang through Sickle as she heard the question.
"I was coming to ask if you would ask the guests to pipe down a bit... I want to go to bed."
The anonymous stallion cringed at the statement, choosing to hang his head. Nester snorted.
"Darling, I understand how you feel, but understand, most of Mommy's guests have just come back from deployment. Not to mention, some paid a hefty price to get passes to be inside the Kremlin." That didn't provide a definitive answer.
"Whaaa...?"
"She's saying that some of these patrons have dodged bullets before this celebration. Hell, most of the military personnel liberated Russia from the democracy." Sickle gave a 'No shit' look to the stallion.
"Thanks, I got it the first time, сука****."
The mare's glance then fell to her mother.
"Mother... Please. I've been up since early this morning assisting with setup and logistics. Normally the noise doesn't affect me, but please, just this once. Just a tiny bit quieter."
The Queen was about to quickly dismiss the matter, her appeal changed as she saw the fatigue on her daughter's face. She gave Sickle a nod and a warm smile. "Okay, I'll do what I can."
Nester gave the Queen a disappointed glance. He couldn't stand to see the brat get her way.
"Thank you, Mother."
With that, the blonde mare turned and made her way back through the crowd and to the door.
The matronly facade quickly fell to one of disgust as Sveta watched her daughter trek through the the crowd. Her silken voice conveyed her spite. "I'll do her one better."
As Sickle made her way out the door, she left it ajar, electing to sit and listen to see if her request would actually be fulfilled.
"Vnimaniye*****, Vnimaniye, everypony!"
A broad smile formed across Sicke's lips as the noise died down.
"Regretfully, I must inform you all that the festivities must be brought to a halt." Disappointed groans erupted at the announcement. Sickle's smile receded as her mother continued. "My daughter, a very light sleeper, requested that I have you all tone it down a bit. Instead of hindering your various functions, I figured that it would be best to simply end the bash all together. No party is better than a dull party, correct?"
The crowd fell silent, they wanted to scream dissatisfaction; however the crowd elected to stay silent. By this time, Sickle had fled to her room, locking and barricading the door. She then huddle up on her bed as the banter of disappointed ponies passed her bedroom.
'I went bankrupt trying to pay for admission!'
'I volunteered to get sent to Afrikkan Front for five years in exchange for admission.'
'Did you get a glimpse at that heathen? I've never seen a that disgusting of a pony before in my life! And I just came back from the Afrikkan Front.'
Most ponies just let their annoyance known by simply banging her chamber doors as they walked by.
Did mother send them by my door on purpose? No... Just a coincidence.
About an hour had passed since the rush of ponies died down; she had slowly managed to doze off. She was then awoken by the sound of guards taking post outside her chamber.
It's only 5 a.m... They are setting guard early... I'm sure it's just for the intoxicated patrons.
Assured, she finally drifted back to sleep, in relative peace.
It felt like she had just fallen asleep when Sickle was awoken by shouting. She bolted into a sitting position as she listened to the commotion outside her door.
"Pull it from the door, Ryadovoy******," the Guard Sergeant ordered her unicorn subordinate.
"Serzhant*******, it's just a pie, what harm could it do...A ticking pie? Oh shit."
From around a corner, the unicorn enveloped the device in a blue aurora and started sliding it from the door. Suddenly, the pie began to tick quicker and louder; causing the sergeant to shriek. Instinctively, the private sprinted towards the pie, enveloping himself and the pie in a heavier shield. There was a click, then a bang. The after sight was appalling. After shaking her mind clear of the gore before her, the sergeant remembered her duty as a royal guard. "Princess, if yer awake and okay, throw one thing at the door."
One heavy thump gave her the answer she needed.
"Stay in bed, everything is under control."
Typically, guards are more formal...she sounded scared...even the most hardened of warriors can be frightened?
The mare turned and looked to her clock. It's only 5:21 a.m? I managed to get twenty-one minutes of sleep? Hopefully I'll die at this rate.
As if she had collapsed , she flopped back to onto the bed, groaning as she tried to settle back in. She seemed to be on her way to dreamland when she heard a single clop against her door. With a sigh, she grabbed, with magic, and flung a tome at the door. The thud of the book was followed by more clopping. However, the clopping was in a pattern! She listened closely for a specific pattern, this was a way guardsmen were able to identify themselves if the castle was ever compromised.
Serzhant...Leftofkov...Mare...Pegasus...Utro...Leningrad. A female sergeant from Leningrad? Sounds about right. With a deep breath, the mare enveloped herself in a magic shield; could be an assassin.
"E-enter!"
Slowly the door crept open, the head of a lavender guardsmare quickly popped in. The guardsmare looked about the room, cringing when she saw the disheveled royal.
"Your majesty, the castle has been put on lockdown. It is requested that you stay within your quarters. Your meals and other necessities will be brought to you by me, only me." The guardsmare glanced over her shoulder, noting the stallion behind her. "There is a stallion requesting to speak with you. He's of benevolent intent."
Sickle raised a hoof to her muzzle as she covered a violent yawn. "Send him in."
With a nod, the guardsmare stepped back, letting the stallion slide through. It was the mystery stallion from the party. He was a taller stallion, his age apparent by his slightly larger build and greying mane.
The stallion bowed slowly, standing as the door was shut behind him. "Dobroho ranku, once more, Your Highness."
He expected to be met with some sort of appreciation, only to find the mare's wavering gaze.
"I was just stopping by to check on you. I noticed the Marshal and the Queen were particularly harsh on you. I'm sure the patrons were just as bad."
The mare yawned as she raised a hoof to rub an eye.
"Eh, thanks...It's a common....thing." She shrugged as she eyes the coal furred stallion. "I don't like it at all. I'd leave if I could. Otherwise, there's not much I can do about it."
The stallion sighed softly at her response.
"I suppose so... I just find it unsettling for a grown stallion to degrade a young mare while her mother watches."
Sickle's ears perked up at his statement. "I see. What part of this great land did you hail from?"
"Why do you ask, Princess?"
"The fact that you disagree with at least 95% of the Union."
The stallion sighed deeply at her statement. In fact, where he hailed from, they denounced the Queen passionately. "Kiev is...was my home." The mare grunted softly as she took in the information she received.
"Kiev as in the Ukraine," she asked as she struggled to comprehend.
"Da*******."
What Sickle couldn't understand was how a Ukrainian managed to make his way into Soviet territory.
"Yes, your confusion is appropriate," the stallion commented as he sat on the floor.
"Wait... Who are you exactly?"
With a grin the stallion, reached and unzipped his black coat, revealing a dark green camouflage uniform turtle neck sweater. Once he had completely slipped out of his coat, he stood up and stepped closer to the princess.
She gasped as she looked over the stallion. On his forearm rested the bars of Blue and Yellow. Upon his shoulders, white epaulets were embroidered with a large gold star and gold wreath. She blinked slowly as she took this all in. "W-Wait... You're General armii Ukrainy********?"
The stallion shook his head.
"No...well technically speaking, yes." The stallion sighed as he reached a hoof to rub his neck. "I'm the former president of the Ukraine."
The mare's eyes widened at this revelation.
"I still don't know who you are."
"Oh," the stallion started off with a snort, "Gallium Forge. Your mother calls me 'Poroshenko'."
She was sitting in a room with the leader of the only successful state to remain separate from the Union.
"Why Poroshenko," the mare asked; placing this question high on the priority list.
The stallion shrugged.
"Something about humans. Apparently there was some human-stallion named Poroshenko that lost a part of his country to some civil war."
The mare blinked. Her mother had went about banishing 'Western' names for some time now...Sickle didn't think they had any connections to anthropology.
Sickle...focus!
"There hasn't been any fighting with Ukraine... How did you lose it?"
The stallion sighed heavily as he hoofed at the carpet.
"Defection."
The mare only furrowed her brow at the stallion.
"Literally all of my staff either defected here or to Germaney, or fled to Poland, Romania, or Czechoslovakia."
The mare nodded in understanding.
"Did they leave unnoticed," the mare asked.
"Yes, they left in the middle of the night. Woke up with only the standard-bearer left in the whole capital building. We decided to flee also. We made it to the city limits where we were met by Germane troops. They gave us three choices: Germaney, U.S.S.R., or death."
Sickle was on the edge of her bed as she listened to the chain of events.
"What did you both choose?"
The stallion chuckled.
"Twilight Gleaming, the flag-bearer, would have chosen death if I hadn't ordered her to Germaney. I would've made it to Germaney also..."
The stallion trailed off as he watched the mare fall face first to the floor. The mare laid there for a second before rolling onto her side.
"Why didn't you make it?"
The stallion sighed in response.
"The company commander recognized me. She informed me that she was to be sure that I defected to U.S.S.R... It seems that your mother had a bounty on me."
The mare nodded as she took in what was being said. So many unanswered questions.
"What did she want with you," the mare asked as she propped her chin on a hoof.
"Since I'm not dead...yet, I assume she wants me as an example of 'Soviet Might'. That, or she wants me to split the cabbages on how Ukraine held on for so long."
The mare shook her head slowly as she tried to comprehend his last phrase. Though, the one thing Sickle couldn't figure out is why the stallion was giving her this information.
"What..." She trailed off with a yawn. "What does this have a to do with me?"
The stallion chuckled at the question.
"Just know, the union won't stand for much longer."
The mare's ears twitched violently at that last statement.
"What do you me-"
"Get some rest, Princess," the stallion interrupted, "It all will be clear very soon."
With that, the stallion bowed and turned away from the mare and nonchalantly sauntered to the door; leaving the mare sitting, confused. As the door clicked behind him, the princess flopped back to her bed; sighing in relief as she settled into her pillow.
Finally, peace.
The mare fought for sleep, her opponent being the plethora of thoughts that ran through her mind.
Whatever it is, it can wait.
With a yawn, she fell still; a snore building as she drifted to off sleep.
Author's Note
I apologize heavily for the amount of time it took to write this chapter... It ended up being... longer than I anticipated. Nonetheless, Happy reading!
(If curious, a reference for Sveta's voice (Tumblr - PG13): http://bit.ly/1eMGthE )
Note: Open links in a new browser. It will prevent you from loosing your place in the story. (All are to deviantart.)
II - Germane Ultimatum
Germane Ultimatum
II
It had been over a month since the chancellor found herself engaged in sort of party. Her attention has shifted to a growing problem: choosing a side in the upcoming tensions.
However, before we can bring up her conundrum, let's speak on what has been going on outside of Germaney. More specifically: Afrikka, a.k.a The Zebra Homeland.
To keep from boring the reader with oodles upon oodles of facts on the continent of Afrikka, I figured it would be best to just give you a summary on what we know now.
Afrikka (pronounced A-FREE-ka) is currently the second-largest continent on this earth. This waterlocked continent is home to variations of zebra, gazelle, and numerous species of sentient reptiles. Since severing its ties with the European Union and Equestria in 1990, Afrikka quickly developed. In the early summer of 1997, all fifty-seven of its countries came together, forming the Second Afrikkan Union (the first breaking up in 1041). United under a joint leadership, Afrikka quickly soared to the first world scene, being formally recognized as a First World country in early 2001.
The waters were relatively clear for Afrikka, until 2008. As part of Equestria’s battle plan during Operation Celestia’s Shield, insurgents were forced out of the Saddle Arabian Peninsula. What Equestria, or United Afrikka, didn’t take into account was: Where would they go next? That answer was into the neighboring state of Egypt. By means of borderline miracle, the insurgents managed to make it through the buffer state of Israel undetected. The insurgent leaders that Equestria and its allies thought had been killed, were now stationed in Egypt. This would be the first crack in the pillar of the Afrikkan Union.
Slowly, the insurgency grew, eventually taking and uprooting the state of Egypt. Disregarding the cries of the Egyptian people, the rest of the Union refused to send aid; electing to strengthen defenses in the neighboring states of Libya and Sudan. Little did the Union know that insurgents had operatives within those states. Quickly, those two states fell as another three went hot. Soon, the Union could feel the insurgents pushing for their capitol state of Gabon. Quickly, the state found itself taken, along with the splitting of the continent. By late 2014, insurgent forces had successfully taken the upper half of the continent of Afrikka; performing mass murder with an array of weapons. With the state of the Democratic Republican State of the Congo serving as a buffer between the captured state and the southern ten, things were looking bleak for the Union.
One measure that of defense that was steadily overlooked was the fact that there were other countries actively engaged against the forces that now held the majority of the Afrikkan States. For the first time in 25 years, the Union sent a request for to the World Defense Union (our United Nations), opening the continent to foreign parties. Much to the Union’s dismay, the more notable members of the WDF, Equestria, China, France, and Caneighdia (pronounced Cah-NEIGH-DEE-uh), ignored their request; on the basis that the Afrikkan Union took an understood risk by not reinforcing Egypt before it fell. Though to the Union’s relief, Germaney announced it would look into the matter.
Chancellor Apfelwein “Adolfa” Kuchen (pronounced AP-Fel-WEEN Koo-CHIN) quickly found herself caught in a conundrum. Though she would be helping out a country in need, she found herself backstabbing another, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
It was a beautiful sunny day in East Germaney. As usual, the streets and plazas of Berlin would be full; civilians of all kinds trekking to and fro, taking in the sights in the beautiful city.
This was how it was in old times.
Now, ponies still trekked about; though the crowds would be speckled with the grey uniforms of the Schutzstaffel (pronounced SHOOSH-STA-FUL). You may be thinking, Isn’t the Schutzstaffel an old guard used in the ‘40s by… the Nazis?
If you were, you are correct.
Since appointed Chancellor in 2000, Apfelwein Kuchen brought about rapid changes within the country; quickly rebuilding and winning public favor. She had a 100% approval rating by her fourth year in office. Though, what the public didn’t know was what was going on behind the scenes.
It was a little know fact that Kuchen ran as chair for the NSDAP.
As the years rolled by, she was able to fill Bundestag (Germane parliament) with fellow members of the NSDAP. It wasn’t until it was too late that the Federal President and military officials learned about Kuchen’s plan to overthrow them.
As speculation of mutiny flowed through the media, official after official began to disappear after they attempted to expose Kuchen and her NSDAP affiliates. Soon, it was just the Federal President that stood between Apfelwein and control of Germaney.
Obviously, the Federal President stood strong against the NSDAP; even asking foreign allies to assist with the uprooting of the party.
That would’ve worked if anyone had come to his aide.
The President found himself alone in his battle against the party; though he kept fighting.
It wasn’t until members of his family went missing that he finally caved in, publically announcing Kuchen as his successor
Back to present day Berlin.
Adolfa found herself pacing her office floor as she awaited her visitor. Usually private meetings with the soviet queen wouldn’t phase her, but the nature of this meeting would certainly add to her nerves.
It has been a month since she had received the call from the Afrikkan Union. Much to her surprise, the only opposition she faced on her decision was from her only ally, the Soviet Union.
The mare continued to pace her office floor.
Suddenly, she heard her guards snapping to attention outside her office door.
“Frau Bundeskanzlerin (Madam Chancellor),” one guardsman bellowed from outside the door. “Your guest, Königin (Queen) Sveta Kalashnikov, requests entry. ”
The mare threw a sideward glance at her hanging clock.
Damn… Sveta is actually on time for once… she’s even… early?
The mare quickly trotted behind her desk, climbing into her padded chair as she composed herself. A proverbial shit-storm was on the way.
“I will receive her.”
Within a second, the massive frosted glass door slowly swung out. Through it stepped a black clad SS officer. Upon the conclusion of his inspection, he side-stepped out of the way. Through the portal sauntered the mare in question.
"Guten abend, please, have a seat," the chancellor cooed to the mare as she motioned towards a plush chair on the other of her desk.
The crimson mare flashed a sultry smirk to the chancellor as she enticingly sauntered her way to the chair designated for her.
"Spasibo, Chancellor."
With a salute, the guardsman turned to leave. With as warm of an introduction as that was, he doubted that there was any malevolent intent within either of the mares. Still, he had to ask.
"If I may ask, Madam Chancellor, about how long will the duration of this meeting be?"
"Indefinite."
"Understood."
Once he rendered another salute, he saw himself out; carefully shutting the glass door behind him.
The two mares sat in absolute silence as the heavy clops of hoofs made their way into the distance.
"So... Apfelwein...Adolfa. How's life treating you?"
"Well...fairly well," she forced out. Things were not all well. "How about for yourself?"
The crimson alicorn had noticed that there was a strain in her response. Strangely enough, Adolfa was only engaging in small talk. Usually she would have an assortment of gifts waiting, along with an amalgam of topics that she wanted to cover. Interesting.
"Everything perfect. Vhat is not fine is you. Apfelwein, there something nibbling at you?"
The chancellor sighed. She had hoped the queen wouldn't have noticed her distress.
"Just a little tense... Nothing to be too concerned with."
"Awww, Adolfa, please~" the Queen purred out with a fake pout.
The chancellor was just about to protest when Sveta continued.
"It has to be something to vorry on. My fierce Adolfa is little more than shell of self. Now, tell Sevta vhat is the matter."
The blonde mare sighed. She was in fact worried about a decision she had made. Though, Adolfa wasn't worried about the choice, she was worried about how others would react to it.
It is widely expected that Equestria would probably chastise Germaney for 'breaking' the Non-Interference Pact; an agreement between the European Union, Equestria, and the Afrikkan Union stating that out lying countries wouldn't intervene in Afrikkan affairs unless requested.
With a heavy sigh, Adolfa folded her forelegs across her chest before speaking.
"As you may already be aware, the upper half of the Afrikkan Union has been taken by insurgent forces... The same forces that Equestria 'extinguished' in the Saddle Arabian Peninsula."
Sveta fought the urge to roll her eyes at the news. She knew of the insurgency very well... a bit too well. Though disgusted, Sveta managed to keep her concerned facade. To add to the illusion, Sveta gave a look of vague awareness.
"Yes, I know of conquest of Afrikka. What about it?"
"Not too long ago, they sent a request for military support. Obviously, as you may already know, Celestia and several other leaders dismissed the plea."
"Ah... Yes... I figured that most vould follow Equestria's move. Do you 'appen to know vhy?"
The blonde mare snorted as she recalled Celestia's reasoning.
"According to Celestia, it's not possible to fight an enemy that's already defeated."
The crimson alicorn giggled at the statement.
"That 'as become Celestia's way of dismissing responsibility without having eyes of world looking at her. I could only imagine vhat the French added to the claim."
Though she appeared as though she was being enlightened, Sveta was actually growing annoyed of the subject.
"That verdammt hündin claimed that the insurgency isn't the same one that Equestria dealt with."
The mare paused with snort.
"The Afrikkan Union fell by way of civil uprising. In other words, succession."
Sveta said nothing, only nodding her head in rehearsed understanding.
"I see. Vhy does this… bother you?”
“Remember how I said their request was dismissed? It wasn’t dismissed… entirely.”
The crimson mare’s soft complexion tensed slightly at her statement.
Whatever Adolfa was about to say could possibly break the Soviet curtain.
“V-Vhat do you mean? Surely everypony threw out case! [Wh]Vo vould take task such as assisting forsaken country!?”
The sudden escalation in the mare’s voice should’ve been enough of a hint. Let’s just assume that Adolfa isn’t the brightest bulb in the box.
The blonde mare sighed while she shook her head. The truth stuck in her mouth like a bad sausage. So urgently Adolfa wanted to spit it out, but she, for once, was concerned about whiplash that could possibly arise from this decision.
“M-me,” the chancellor responded meekly.
Sveta cringed heavily at the confession; her concerned facade quickly morphed back to it’s usual aggressive state.
No, surely I misheard her. I ask again, calmly.
“Vhat!?”
Just what Adolfa didn’t want, an overreaction from the only foreign mare that she trusted. She wanted to break into tears, but she had to push on!
“I-I accepted… I accepted the request.”
The blonde mare fell silent as she watched the queen’s facade began to morph with ire.
“Vhy?! Vhy you even fathom trying to save trash Union!? Proklyat’ye. ”
The blonde merely shrugged at the question; the queen was overreacting, but why?
Curiosity always killed the cat, but will it get a pony?
“Simple reason, to solve an Equestrian problem. Why does that bother you so much?”
Sveta let out a shaky moan as she ran her hooves through her mane. She was battling with the urge to simply yell at her counterpart. It would just be easier to explain.
“Bother me? No. Just know that is imperative that insurgents continue to hold their positions."
"If it doesn't bother you, why are you freakin' out?"
That last little bit stuck out to the chancellor.
"Why is it important that they hold Afrikkan territory?"
"Important reasons."
"What. Reasons?"
"Nuclear... reasons."
"They never wanted to develop nuclear weapons! They detest them.”
“Ugh! Just know that I need for Afrikkan Union must stay split!”
Adolfa was just about to protest when she felt slight force around her neck; forcing her to cough. It wasn’t enough force to hurt her, but it was enough to soon cause other effects.
“I don’t understand. W-why do you need the union to st-stay split?”
The crimson mare smirked as the grip around Adolfa’s neck tightened.
“I would tell you, but, I don’t think you’d approve.”
“What is it? Tell me- I can’t… breath.”
A look of fear struck the chancellor as Sounds of wheezing rose from her; her adversary however, was smug as she watched the mare struggle before her.
“Insurgency would have been crushed in Arabian Peninsula if they hadn’t received support.”
“Suppo-”
“Shh. Sh. Sh. Do not try to speak, you vaste air,” the queen warned as inhaled deeply. Upon exhaling, she increased the pressure on Adolfa. “Insurgency needed place to rearm and strategize. Leaders of TI needed way to escape the peninsula as Equestrians began to push them West from Jordan. Insiders from Israel trafficked those leaders to Egyptian border.”
The blonde mare tried to interject; only managing a faint gurgling sound.
“‘Reports said insurgency leaders were killed?’ Reports can be faked, Chancellor.”
Adolfa’s senses had begun to dull by this stage, however, hearing events from the pony’s mouth actually shocked her. In fear of being strangled quicker, she stayed quiet, letting Sveta continue without trouble.
“After few weeks in Egypt, they spread through state; advance being stopped by tight border controls. They released statement to choice countries promising rewards if they were assisted in taking land. Afrikka is known for its diamonds… rubies, garnet, sapphires… As you know, I adore gems."
The world was slowly starting to fade around Adolfa. She had feared for her life, now she was in a twilight state.
Amazingly, the queen wasn't strangling her to death, more along the lines of strangling her into submission. It seemed to be working.
"It was offer I could not resist. In exchange for gems and other resources, they would receive weapons, machinery, and personnel. At first, I had the bare minimum exported; however, once they spread into middle Afrikka... Blood Diamonds! As they began to capture more mines, they received more supplies."
Sveta shivered as she began to recollect the first mound of hoof-sized gems she received.
She was just about to go off on a tangent on how beautiful the gems were when she noticed the Adolfa's tongue had began to loll out of her mouth.
"Have not much longer. I do not know how much of this you will actually hear. You now have two choices. One, you can help further devastate Afrikkan Union and receive more than your country's weight in gems and precious medals while receiving undying loyalty and reinforcements from Soviet Union. Two, you continue plan to assist Afrikkan Union. Know that it would be extremely unfavorable for your party if your people found out how you actually gained power. Hmmmm... How embarrassing would it be if your ever loyal subjects learned of how their fierce Apfelwein Kuchen crawled across Kremlin floor to beg Mistress Sveta for support?"
That, in fact, would be very embarrassing.
The golden mare, as if by magic, hadn't passed out yet. As Adolfa listened to the queen talk, the room and her senses continued to fade; however, Sveta's voice cut through the void like a blade.
Sveta stared at the lame mare before her. Her pupils had dilated; her steel blue eyes had started to fade. Heavy streaks of black ran down her cheeks. To top it all off, she had began to drool.
Oddly enough, it reminded Sveta of her own daughter.
I could finish strangling her to death... Nah, she has important decisions to make. Would be too hard to cover up why the chancellor went silent.
With a sigh, Sveta released her hold on the chancellor.
Almost immediately, the mare began to hyperventilate and hack violently as she took in all the air she could. Just as her gasps for air stopped, she started sniveling.
Oh no...
Quickly, the soft sniveling turned to heavy sobbing as Adolfa reached to cover her eyes.
Sveta watched nonchalantly as the mare struggled to compose herself. The sight of crying mares was a usual sight for the queen. If it wasn't her daughter sniveling after receiving punishment, it was a mare bawling as she watched her wife and children be executed. Tear streaked cheeks are a small price to pay for discipline.
"Shut up," Sveta commanded with a smack to the desk as Germane began to bawl. "Crying over few seconds vithout air? Get grip on yourself. You are bigger crybaby than Sickle."
Adolfa looked up at the mare with a mix of fear and hatred twisted across her face.
"I said shut up!"
"Don't... hurt me..."
"Make right choice and I von't have to. Pick up phone and call to have detail escort me out."
The chancellor sat sniveling.
With a flash of magic, Sveta saw that the office phone was placed directly in front of the quivering Adolfa.
"Pick. Up. Pho-" she was interrupted by the hooves-in-front submission by the mare.
Adolfa did as she was commanded, pressing a large SS button on the device.
"Yes, Standartenführer (SS Colonel), have a - I'm fine, bit my tongue again, no I don't need medical attention. Have a detail come receive the queen and quickly escort her directly to her helikopterlandeplatz."
Adolfa coughed softly as she pressed the button, ending the transmission. Her mixed gaze once more fell on Sveta.
A smug grin formed across Sveta's lips as she leaned onto the desk.
"Good girl," she cooed out as she used magic to pull the mare closer. "Give Sveta kiss before she goes home."
Begrudgingly, the golden mare puckered up and leaned into the Crimson mare; letting their lips lock.
Tongue... So much tongue.
The mares continued to engage in a tongue war until there was the uniform clacking of hooves taking post outside the door.
The crimson mare broke the kiss, leaving a rope of saliva between their lips as she stepped back off of the the desk.
"You have skilled tongue. Don't give me reason to rip it out."
Before there was a clop on the door, Sveta had made her way to it with a 'Coming'. Before opening the opening the door, she looked over her shoulder and mouthed ‘Make the right choice.’
Adolfa however just sat silently and watched as the wide-hipped alicorn made her way out the door. She didn't even breathe until she heard the door click.
As if in relief, she rested her head against the back of her chair and swiveled back and forths, rocking herself slowly.
Damn… Nearly choked out over a gem cache… Celestia was on point about Sveta… at least I was rewarded for my obedience. Now, the question stands: Do I rebuild Afrikka, make a fool out of those Equestria and her suck ups, and face public humiliation, or, do I bend over for Sveta and allow her to have her way with Afrikka?
“Such tough questions for one small mare… Second opinions couldn’t hurt,” the mare confided to herself as she pressed a series of buttons on her phone.
“Ursla, round up Anna, Viktoria, and Alicia; we’ve got some decisions to make.”
Is talking to yourself weird? Nah.
Roughly an hour passed as Adolfa waited for her general officers to appear as she requested. Within that hour, Adolfa reviewed her life; giggling softly at each moment of power she recalled. I lived a great life… such a beautifully twisted and sick life! Sadly, it might come to an end in the next few months.
She had laid her head on her desk as she continued to wait. Her eyes flicked over the various items on her desk. An outdated grey office phone with only four hot-contacts listed. Her swastika clad coffee mug filled with writing utensils. A small mirror. A small mirror? To her horror, red eyes stared back at her; once pristine cheeks now streaked with cosmetics.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
With a sigh, Adolfa ran her hooves through her mane.
“Enter.”
As on command, the door swung open slowly. Through it first strode an orange mare, followed by a cyan, then cream, and finally green mare.
Once all in, the quartet snapped to attention and rendered salutes. Upon Adolfa’s acknowledgement, the green mare enveloped the door in a green aura, slowly shutting it. Once it clicked, three of the four mares relaxed.
“Adolfa?!” the green mare shrieked as she bound towards the chancellor.
“What, Ursla?”
“Have you been crying,” the mare asked frantically as she quickly pointed out the tear streaks.
By this time, the other three had slowly made their way towards the duo, waiting for Adolfa’s response.
“As usual, crying over the fate of my fair Germanes,” she responded with a forced smile.
“Those ain’t your usual tear streaks. Normally they only reach half-”
“The mare zays she’s fine. No need to pester her over it,” the cream mare broke in.
“Viktoria, you know for a fact that we must keep the well-being of the chancellor our first priority.”
“Ursla, we understand you care deeply about your crush, however that isn’t the reason we were summoned,” Viktoria retorted, eliciting a snort from the green mare.
“I know that! I’m just saying that we must ensure that Adolfa is f-”
“She said she was fine!”
“She’s obviously lying!”
As the green and cream mares volley at one another, the cyan mare facehoofed and shook her head. The orange mare however, was growing infuriated. As the two went on, her eye began to twitch as she began to breath heavy.
“Look Viktoria, all i’m saying is that we need to get confirmation from the chancellor saying that she is alright.”
“Ugghh… I know! She said she was fine!”
“No, she obviously is no-”
“SHUT THE FUCK UP!”
The mares fell silent as the orange mare panted heavily.
“All you fuckers do argue! This meeting is to discuss important matters, not a courtesy call.”
“I know, I’m just sa-”
“Luna fuckin’ Celestia, will you shut the fuck up about it!? You’re a grown ass mare! Stop acting like a love-sick filly and let us get to the point. You’re the general of our country’s only army and you’re pissing yourself over a few tear streaks? It’s a wonder that you-”
“Generalleutnant (Major General), that’s enough,” the cyan mare finally popped out.
“Sorry… Frau Anna… I just… I just had enough.”
“I understand. Just try to be nicer about it, Alicia,” Anna responded as she placed a hoof to Alicia’s shoulder.
“Ladies, may we get down to business?”
The tone of Adolfa’s voice accompanied with quick forehoof taps to the desk displayed her annoyance.
This was a common occurrence with her staff. At times Ursla’s affection would be beneficial at times; she never had to ask twice. Alicia’s shot fuse kept troops in line. At Least it was just an argument. Usually, a brawl would break out between the two.
“Yes, Chancellor,” the quartet chimed in unison.
“Marvelous. Now to the nature of this meeting: Ultimatum regarding Afrikka. I’m aware of my options, I was curious to what you all thought.”
“There’s no doubt, we should help the Union out,” Viktoria stated; garnering a nod of approval from Anna.
“Why?”
“Ethically, I don’t have an answer, ma’am,” the cream mare responded.
“Wouldn’t it look wunderbar on our part of we solved an Equestrian problem,” the green mare proposed.
“Answering a question with a question doesn’t answer the first question, it poses another question,” Anna restored.
“It’s obvious: If we do, we can use the favor of liberating the continent to our advantage, possibly taking a large bit of resources for ourselves,”Alicia drawled out.
“Hmmmm. What… resistance might we run into, Generalleutnant?”
“Other than the obvious insurgent forces, possible political and military backlash from intervening countries supporting the insurgents… Wait, why am I even here? This is a branch general meeting, I’m staff.”
“You’re the voice of reason,” the chancellor chimed back.
“Now, taking what Alicia posed, do you still not have an answer, Viktoria?”
“No ma’am, I do not.”
“Why?”
“Morally, reinforcing the remaining states is crucial. Personally, I don’t find it beneficial to risk Germane equipment saving a bunch of sandies from their own mistake.”
“Their own mistake?”
“Yes… How does one not feel it necessary to rub out a rebellion while it’s still small? Hell, the entire upper crest of the continent was under ‘insurgent’ control before they even made an attempt to counter it. A self funded insurgency at that.”
“That’s where I’m afraid you’re wrong.”
The four mares collectively ‘Huh’d at the chancellor’s statement.
“Where is her logic flawed,” the blue mare inquired.
“During my meeting with the Queen of the U.S.S.R., she revealed that the insurgency was Soviet backed.”
The cream mare blinked slowly as she processed the information.
“That’s how they were able to advance so quickly…” Anna stated slowly.
“Main concern ain’t the insurgency then… it’s Russia,” Alicia pointed out.
“If you know about her actions, she must know that you’re going to take action. Did she leave you any consequences, Chancellor?”
“Yes, Viktoria, she did. In a nutshell, if I don’t take action, all is well. If I do take action, facts that we don’t want to be known will become public. Facts of not only myself, but of party members. If I recollect, she brought up something ‘Playmare ‘00’.”
Anna’s eyes shot open at the mention of the magazine.
“They said that edition never made it past editing…”
“Nonetheless,” Adolfa started with a dismissive wave, “In short, we have a choice: Risk it for the biscuit or take the safe route?”
“Though I see no biscuits if a plan of action is carried out, I say that we should, in fact, intervene,” stated Viktoria.
“I agree,” chimed Ursla.
“I concur,” added Alicia.
“Theoretically, if there is Germane personnel and equipment moving through Afrikkan combat zones, Soviet operatives will pick it up.”
“That is true, Anna. How could that hurdle be jumped?”
“Undercover operatives, Chancellor. Use the Soviet’s tactics against them,” responded Anna.
The chancellor stopped to dwell on the subject. Undercover fighters… the only problem will be loose lips. Ursla is the worst with super confidential information… Viktoria, however, is a former Bundesnachrichtendienst (Federal Intelligence) agent… Brilliant.
“If there are no objections, we’ll carry out with the training and inserting of operatives Afrikkan hot zones.”
Three of the mares shook their heads in denying the idea of objecting while Ursla clapped her hooves together.
“Finally! I get to oversee special operations~” the green mare giggled out.
“General Ursla, Generaloberst (Lieutenant General) Viktoria, and Generalleutnant Alicia, you are hereby stripped of your ranks and respective commands.”
“Bu-but, Chancellor,” Viktoria stuttered out as she reached to cover her epaulettes.
“Whatttt, why!?!” The green mare whined out.
Alicia simply facehoofed.
“Since Viktoria is the only former field agent in this room, it would make most sense for her to hold command during this time. Viktoria, you will assume supreme command. Alicia will be your colonel.”
“W-what will I be doing?”
“Ursla, you will tag behind the two generals as their lieutenant. Usual staff general works. However; you will still report directly to me on the being of the army. Viktoria, I am counting on you and Anna to pick the right operatives. Alicia, make it close to impossible for their candidates to make it through selection. Anna, continue business as normal, however; keep your operatives dark. We don’t need word of our operation making it to the streets. Any questions?”
“No, Chancellor.” chimed Viktoria.
“Nope.” whined Ursla.
“Negative.” responded, Anna.
“None at this time, Ma’am.” stated Alicia.
“Good. Ladies, switch epaulettes.”
As ordered the selected mares removed their epaulettes from their uniforms. Without hesitation, Viktoria handed her’s off to Alicia. Begrudgingly, Ursla, handed her’s to Viktoria with a huff. In spite, Alicia flung her’s at Ursla, pegging her in the eye.
With a growl, the green mare turned to glare at the orange mare.
“I’m going to end you.”
“I’d like to see you try, Generalleutnant.”
“General Viki, General Alicia, forgive me if my congratulations are short lived. I’m sure you can see yourselves out; we have work to do. Viki, if you don’t mind, i’ll have a short word with you.”
“Of course, Chancellor. Thank you,” replied Viktoria as she pointed to the door. “Dismissed. Get moving.”
Silently, the three mares followed orders; making there way to and out the door.
Muffled bickering could be heard as the door closed.
“Something you wanted to talk about, Chancellor?”
“More of a question, really. Viki, I noticed that when I made command changes, you were the least vexed.”
“Chancellor, I was the commanding general for five years; 1995 to 2000 if you’re curious..”
“What… really? You don’t..-”
“I’m well aware that I don’t look as old as I am… believe me, many stallions have pointed that out. To further explain, I was the Secretary of Arms once you came into office..”
“Secretary of Arms? I decommissioned that position in 2006 stepped down.”
“I’m aware of that; giving the fact that I lost my job.”
“Oh… at least you’ve stayed in relative command.”
The elderly mare simply blinked at the chancellor.
“Ahh yes,” the chancellor began as a shriek was heard. “Be a dear and keep them from killing each other, we need them.”
“Of course, Chancellor.”
With a salute, the cream mare turned and quickly found herself to the door. As she peaked out, utter carnage laid. Bodies of unconscious guards littered the hallway as a ball of green and orange made it’s way down the corridor.
A frightened secretary and a crew of guards noticed the general as she stepped into the corridor. Urgently, the guards flocked to her.
“We can’t stop them, Ma’am. Should we tranquilize them?”
“No, let them fight. Don’t bother intervening until they stop fighting and are sobbing in each other’s arms. Once they do, alert me. I’ll be in my office.”
Before the guard could even reply, Viktoria had turned and walked the opposite way.
She walked with mixed relief. On one hoof, she had finally regained her rightful command. On the other hoof, she had all the leverage that she needed for a plan soon to be enacted.
