It's Just A Shot Away

18:00 - 03/10/1014

Screens all across Equestria displayed the same scene.

The broadcast opened with an orchestra of militaristic horns and pounding drums. The midnight-purple flag of the Lunar Empire fluttered in the wind beneath bold text that read NEWS FROM THE FRONT: STRIKING BACK AGAINST WINGBARDY.

Over footage of Lunar army trucks speeding through the villages and vineyards of the Wingbardian countryside, a presenter began to speak.

“The fearless forces of Equestria, New Mareland, and our Aquileian allies have launched a renewed counter-offensive into the wicked lairs of the Wingbardian fascist enemy,” he declared, tone both triumphant and bombastic.

The scene changed. Soldiers and officers were gathered around a table littered with maps and charts in a dim concrete room. The shot centered on a thestal mare dressed in an officer’s uniform at the head of the round table, who held the attention of every other being in the room, talking and gesturing vigorously but silently on camera. Most Equestrians would recognise her immediately, but the presenter was quick to clarify.

“General Midnight Blossom, overall commander of the Southern Griffonian front, has ensured that everything has been done for a quick and sharp strike against our foe, maximum efficiency and effectiveness at all operational levels. She has announced that the valiant offensive aims to cripple the aggressive capabilities of our enemies, targeting the very heart of the Wingbardian nation.”

The scene changed again, now it was in a dockyard. The camera moved close to the ground, showing off a seemingly endless row of tanks with their crews standing at the ready. Even more were being loaded off of ships in the background. The back of each tank held a flagpole that hoisted the Imperial Lunar flag up high.

“At the spearhead of the offensive, tanks fresh off the production line operated by expertly trained crews from across the Empire,” declared the presenter. “These advanced machines outmatch all other tanks in the world, made unstoppable by the skill, determination, and patriotism of the ponies that operate them.”

The camera slowed to a smooth stop to focus on one tank in particular. Text on screen identified it as a T-44, a subtitle claiming it to be the most advanced tank model in the world. Its crew of four ponies, all of them young mares, stood at the front of the tank in a perfect row. While their immaculate camouflage tanker overalls made the mares seem uniform at first glance, each was distinct with three out of four from different tribes. Uniformity and diversity, qualities the Empire was proud to flaunt.

Hard cut, close up to the crew members, camera panning across from left to right. First, an orange pegasus with a short purple mane. She snapped to a strong salute as the camera passed, hoof moving quick as lightning as her little wings flared. She barely hid her smirk, glancing directly into the lens.

Next, a white unicorn with her head held high and stoic determination across her face. Unlike the other three, she had a leather jacket over her overalls. She kept her eyes forward as the camera passed, lifting her hoof to salute in a swift, well rehearsed motion.

Then, a slightly slack earth pony mare with a camo-print bow in her mane. She dragged her hoof up in something like a salute, though she could’ve just been shielding her eyes from an unseen light.

But before the camera lingered on that mare too long, it passed to the last of the group. Brown earth pony with freckles across her cheeks and a feisty look in her eyes. She brought her hoof up to salute as the camera stopped moving, lingering on her. Just long enough to catch a shot of her blowing a loose lock of her red mane out of her face.

“These are the brave ponies who will assure total victory. Diversity in background, unity in purpose.”

Once again the shot changed. A diverse fleet of warships at sea, everything from comparatively diminutive destroyers to monolithic aircraft carriers, whilst masses of aircraft soared overhead like a flock of migrating birds.

“As the fall of Wingbardy draws closer, so does total victory in the war. Imperial Lunar naval forces fight valiantly to dominate the Middle Sea and exert greater pressure on the Arisian fascists, whilst our soldiers across Griffonia march with all their attention on toppling the Archons of Griffenheim.”

The screen faded from that shot to a different scene, displaying countless Equestrian soldiers in full combat gear marching in robotic unison. The background was dominated by the flag of the Lunar Empire, wind beating against it while leaving no sign of wear and tear.

“Across the entire world, the Imperial Lunar Military stands undefeated. Under the valiant wings of our Empress, we are unyielding, we are unstoppable! Like the night itself,” the presenter declared, the music climbing to a crescendo. “Our triumph is eternal!”

The music dropped in, screaming jingoism in musical form. Horns blared, drums pounded, it even had a soaring electric guitar. A montage of curated combat footage unfurled. Shadowbolt Special Forces braving an ocean of smoke and fire, unleashing a stream of lead from the twin machine guns on their battle saddles. A tank racing across an open field, screeching to a sudden stop to let its mighty cannon discharge a round and throw up masses of smoke and dust. An aircraft diving towards the ground and deploying an explosive payload on an unseen target, surely reducing whatever it was to flame and ash.

The broadcast continued, but the message was clear and unambiguous. So much so that no matter who viewed it, militarists and seditionists alike, all perfectly understood what it sought to say. The Imperial Lunar Military held might beyond comprehension, and nothing but pride and glory awaited those who fought in its ranks and woe to anyone who stood in their way.