Equestria at War: Beyond the Glass

DATE: 1007 ALB
LOCATION: Canterlot Equestria

“It’s a black mark on diplomacy!” Cried a member of the House of Prominence over the chattering crowd of other politicians.

“They’ll surely put Equestria to the sword over this!” Cried another.

“Let them do it then, let’s kick those human bastards out of Equestria once and for all!” Cried one who wore an eyepatch and dressed in an army uniform, which was abnormal for a member of the house. Prime Minister Twilight Sparkle stood at the center of the round building that was the House of Prominence. The chatter of its members was a deafening cacophony of voices shouting about how to handle the situation Equestria had on its hand. The situation in question being a plane. An Aritrovan T184 twin engine transport to be exact, one that had supposedly been shot out of the sky not far from Equestria. “We should go to war with them, we should build our presence on the border even more than before! If we don’t then we’ll have Aritrovan paratroopers dropping on the steps of the Republican Palace!”

“You’re a fool for wanting to strike first!” A member shouted at the veteran. Twilight let out a dejected sigh and took the wand she always carried from her suit pocket, she quickly cast a spell, a simply flash of magic to get the house’s attention. As the flash set off the room got quiet.

“Now that I have everyone’s attention, I see we’ve all heard the news about what happened at the border.” As soon as she finished her statement the house was in an uproar again.

“It’s diplomatic disaster is what it is!” Shouted one.

“It’s the damned Hardknockers fault for this, they’re the ones who put missiles at the border.”

“I’ll have your head!” Shouted one from across the house. The House of Prominence was divided in two for the two major political parties that had founded themselves following the Republican Revolution that ended the nearly one thousand years of monarchist rule. The shouting and fighting grew to such a level that Twilight feared pistols would be drawn.

“ENOUGH!” She shouted over the house, they grew silent yet again. Twilight drew in a sharp breath and began again. “Now, I understand the worries about war breaking out. I also understand that many wish to go to war.”

“It’s the best damned solution for stopping them!” Shouted the eye patch wearing prominent.

“That’s if they decide to declare war, Prominent Blackpowder.” Twilight responded. “Talks between me and President Redwyn of Aritrova are scheduled a week from now.” The crowd murmured amongst themselves. “So we agree now, this is nothing to fuss over, war won’t come, not so long as I can prevent it.”

“We should still threaten military action.” Prominent Blackpowder declared. “It was our lack of proper intervention in Severyana that led to their fall to Markists.”

“Then we have a common enemy as the Aritrovans also have a disdain towards Markism.” Called one from the Harmony Party’s side. “And what of the Changelings? They pose a far greater threat that we need to focus on.”

“Your concerns have been noted, which is why talks between Aritrova are needed, it will allow us to focus our efforts on defending the northern border.”

“The southern border still needs to be defended!” Shouted Blackpowder.

“You saw what happened when we boosted defenses along the border, the Aritrovans believe we’re ready for war with them and the incident has done nothing but prove it.”

“Both of your concerns are noted, but it is in Equestria’s best interest that we stave off war as long as we can.”

“Staving off a war is a foolish endeavor!” The house went back to shouting amongst themselves. Twilight let out a dejected sigh and left the chamber through a doorway under a set of seats. The door was closed behind her by guards clad in the uniform of what used to be Royal Guards, something that carried over from the days of the monarchy. Waiting for her was a woman in a white officer’s uniform. Her hair was a fiery orangish red and tied in a neat bun.

“Prime Minister, Sparkle.” She saluted Twilight. “I’m here to escort you to lunch in the Republican Palace.” Twilight giggled quietly at the officer’s statement. It took her mind off the issues in the House or Prominence.

“Very well, General Shimmer.” Both of the women were young for their positions, Twilight was the youngest ever prime minister since the position had been founded some fifty eight years ago. Sunset Shimmer was a bit older than Twilight but still young for a general. Some believed she was appointed because of how close the two of them were. The two locked arms and walked the outdoor walkway which led across a courtyard to the Republican Palace proper. The palace was a building made up of towers supposedly built by the ancient Princess Celestia. It had been repurposed to serve the Prime Minister, the Ministry Council, and House of Prominence. They entered a door, opened again by guardsmen, and made their way to the Minister's Dining Hall.

“Which of the Prominents was causing trouble this time?” The two sat at the small table in the personal dining area after requesting their meal from a servant in a black suit.

“Prominent Steel Blackpowder.” Twilight answered through gritted teeth. “He’s calling for war, as usual.”

“He’s always calling for war with Aritrova, as if we don’t have enough problems elsewhere.” She referred to the Changelings to the north, if one were to ask the average Equestrian citizen which was the greatest concern about the nation's safety they would say the Changelings. To most the idea of war with Aritrova was an unpopular prospect. “I think he does it because he hates humans more than anything.” They were soon given their food and ate in peace.

DATE: 1557 UMC
LOCATION: Federal Army Headquarters: Anders Branch, Castletown, the Anders Territory

Lieutenant General Aaron Thatcher stood before the painting, lit cigar in hand. The painting he looked at was a painting of the last war between Aritrova and Equestria, it was the Battle of the Haystack River to be exact. Soldiers in khaki uniforms and pith helmets fighting off men in olive drab uniforms and forage caps. A Winston machine gun among the men in olive drab. Aaron rubbed his bearded chin as he observed the painting.

“I see you’re an admirer of Jameson.” A man who stood a head shorter than Aaron, who was a tall and broad man, approached him from behind.

“I suppose I am.” His voice was that of a man from the southern state of Riverland, it was aged like that of a man who had spent the better part of his life in the army. “Though I must say I’m more interested in the subject of the painting.” He puffed from his cigar. “You see my father served in this war, of course he’s passed on now, but he did tell me how he served in the war, he was part of Lee Chanton’s Battalion is what he said.”

“They fought at the Haystack River, my grandfather served there too.” Aaron turned to face the man, he looked to be in his thirties and bore the markings of a Lieutenant Colonel. Aaron, who was closing in on sixty by now, turned back to the painting. “You’re awful young for a light colonel.” He said

I got the rank during the Oil Wars.” The Lieutenant Colonel answered, he then got a better look at Aaron. “You’re Lieutenant General Aaron Thatcher, aren’t you?” He said before fumbling a salute.

“At ease soldier, we’re off duty.” Aaron smiled and chuckled.

“Right, sir, I hadn’t expected you here so early, s-sir. You know you’re a uh… war hero, sir.”

“I was a soldier, Lieutenant Colonel, no more a hero than the other men who fought in the 2nd Great War.” He never took his eyes off of the painting.

“Would you like me to escort you to your office, sir?” Aaron turned to him with a smile as warm as the last one.

“Yes sir, I’m afraid I’ve never been to this side of the mirror. Does this place have a lift? I’m afraid stairs are a bit of an issue for me.” He said in a half joking tone as he lifted his left pant leg to reveal a leg made of solid wood that resembled the shape of a normal human leg.

“Yes sir, it’s this way.” The young Lieutenant Colonel had regained his composure by now. He led Aaron down the hall, going slowly as Aaron limped on the wooden leg.

“I must say I prefer the crutch, what’s your name, soldier?”

“Lieutenant Colonel Nolan Brown, sir.”

“Very well Brown, what do you do around here?” They reached the lift to the building’s second floor.

“I’m in intelligence sir, I monitor the radios and satellites.”

“What are you doing escorting generals around then, that's a regular’s job.”

“I was getting back from a smoke break, I jsut happened to come across you.” The entered the lift and traveled to the second floor. They finally made their way down the green tiled walls to an office labeled General’s Quarters.

“Thank you Lieutenant Colonel Brown, you take care now and I’ll get settled in, my stuff came in a week ago ya know.” He chuckled again, and sent Brown on his way. The office was a simple one an oak desk in the middle with a computer sitting on it. It was one of the new ones, white and boxy made of metal. File cabinets lined the walls as did paintings and photos of past generals. The Aritrovan flag hung from a pole in the corner, next to it was the door to his living quarters. Boxes were also stacked against one wall which contained his personal belongings. A small wooden humidor had already been placed in his desk next to an ashtray. Aaron took his seat at the desk. It wasn’t long before a knock came at the door and a man only a bit younger than him entered with the markings of a full colonel. “Colonel Larynn.” Aaron stood and saluted the man and they shook hands. “Its good to see ya Tomwell.”

“Good to see ya too, Aaron, I never though they’d put you out here. This place is always on the back burner when it comes to the army.”

“Not anymore Tommy, word around Cannem is that we might be heading to war over that airplane, that’s unless President Redwyn manages to keep us at peace.”

“Like she did with the Oil Wars?” Tomwell opened the humidor and pulled out a cigar.

“Can’t put all that on her now, Tommy, it was President Hedder who put us on the warpath, she kept the Dominion from joining in against us.”

“I suppose so, but she ain’t some diplomatic genius, of course I don’t suppose you’d do any better.”

“Well Tommy, folks like us ain’t in the business of preventing wars.” He sat down and puffed his cigar. “We’re in the business of winning wars when the diplomats fail. Knowing the Equestrians they may not be looking to let ‘em win this round.” He watched as Tomwell lit his cigar and blew a smoke ring.

“So you think they’ll go to war over the plane?”

“Well, Tommy, lets just say I ain’t got my hopes up for the diplomacy side of things right now.”