"Work hard! Victory awaits!"
A colored poster that smelled of typography paint and glue was just slapped onto the wall. Small crowd that has just assembled to watch a smiling blue-coated pegasus mare attaching it to the house No. 43 on Third Solar St. was now slowly dispersing.
This Tuesday morning surely was great. The Midsummer Week has just started, and almost everypony has ceased working - it was a national holiday, after all.
Brassmane slowly closed the door behind himself, spontaneously letting off a sigh. Sure, whole five days of doing nothing are definitely a good thing, but...really there wasn't much he could do.
He took off his light jacket and walked to the couch in the living room, grabbing a bottle of sweetenes soda water and a small tin can of applesauce.
Click - and a TV started to work. A pretty mare with yellow coat and orange-ish mane was standing near a map showing weather conditions.
"In only seven minutes we'll return to the local news, but for now - a weather forecast. For North Marefield it'll be pretty warm today and tomorrow with temperature reaching almost eighty degrees and northern wind expected at two miles per hour. The Pegasi Weather Service is currently redirecting the cyclone to the north-east, so there is no risk of rain. For Grassderry - up to 78 degrees, a slight chance of showers and a north-eastern wind..."
Brassmane's eyes were slowly closing. The weather forecast isn't the most entertaining thing that TV can offer, so there wasn't any harm in napping a little bit before news would begin.
Suddenly, he was woken up by the TV literally cutting off all noise and saw a pitch black screen instead of forecast mare.
A strange and frightening sound, like a screech combined with a siren, filled the room. After it "BEEEEEPT"ed three times, small lines of white text started to appear on the screen. Brassmane only saw "NATIONAL ALERT SYSTEM" and "EMERGENCY SITUATION IN PROGRESS".
Then, a clearly artificial voice started speaking. Its emotionless tone and weird pronunciation of words weren't calming stallion at all.
"What the hay is happening?" he almost shouted, but stopped himself.
"We interrupt this program on your cable system. We interrupt this program on your cable system. Please stand by. Please stand by. Please stand by."
"The message that will follow is being transmitted to you at the request of the Government of Equestria. This message shall be transmitted at all radio stations, cable systems and other mass communication systems. Please listen carefully."
"This station has interrupted its regular programming to transmit a message from the National Alert System. Normal programming is being temporarily discontinued."
There was just one thing Brassmane wanted to know. WHEN WILL THIS...MACHINE SAY ANYTHING AT ALL USEFUL?! He had to wait, and wait patiently.
"We ask you to refrain from using your telephones. Telephone lines should be kept open to respond in case of emergency."
What is happening? Tirek resurrected? Discord being on chaotic spree again? Third Nightmare Moon incursion? The broadcast didn't give even a glimpse on the dire situation it was warning about.
"Department of Civil Defense has issued a set of instructions for residents of Equestria. These instructions will be relayed soon, so we ask you to stand by. The situation that is currently unfolding is a matter of national security and your life may be at risk. Stand by. Stand by."
Television was spitting out "stand by"s, while Brassmane violently shook his head. This all has to be a nightmare...he'll wake up in this bed at Tuesday morning and will go for a walk in the park...
He didn't wake up. All of this was happening now and he had to do something about it.
He took a glass from the small table standing next to the couch using his telekinesis and poured some soda water in it. Then, with a small hiss and a "pim!" noise, the tin can opened, and Brassmane started to eat the sweet applesauce by the spoonfuls. Hay, this one from the Apples family was definitely the best.
TV let out a series of clicks and voice started reading another message.
"This is an Emergency Situation Notice. We ask all residents of Equestria to carry out the following instructions, as they may be vital to your safety, life and property."
"Due to a severe impact that this situation will have, all public services at national, provincial and local levels will shut down immediately. All mass transportation systems, including railways, pegasi aerial transport and airlines, will cease their services at the next stop. All flights currently in air are to land in the nearest airport."
Too much talking, almost no useful information.
"Mandatory evacuation order is in effect for all cities with population exceeding 300,000. Please, keep calm. If you have foals at school or relatives at work or in hospital, don't come after them. Employers and state-owned public services, including healthcare and education, have evacuation plans in effect. You will be reunited when the emergency is over."
This part of the message really made him shudder. His parents lived far south, in a city of Coltingham where Brassmane himself was born, so he could only hope that they were alright.
After another short pause, message continued.
"All reservists of the Army, Navy, Air Force, National Guard, CDF and Police are recalled to duty and have to gather at the rally points within 12 hours."
"Due to extreme severity of the situation, martial law has been declared in provinces of Capital and Westshore. However, we ask everypony to obey orders from the uniformed personnel - they may be vital. Be prepared to show identification when required."
Another buzz, and a television went silent. Probably the rest of the message would be said soon...so Brassmane had a minute to think about everything.
Full-scale mobilization of all reservists, including even police? Mandatory identification checks? MARTIAL LAW?!
Some serious stuff is happening, stallion said to himself as he emptied the glass of soda water.
End of Chapter 1.