Potential Story Teaser

There was a quiet buzz about the auditorium. Soldiers speaking to one another about whatever topics came to mind. All the conversations were perfectly civil; there was no shouting, no hollering, no obnoxious laughter or comments, nopony so much as got out of their seat. All were there to hear the General speak about the upcoming battle.

Most men had been under her a while, and had warned the fresh troops that she could be a bit crazy. Similarly to how one might look at a deity or an emperor, the soldiers feared and respected the General. She often snapped at her soldiers and was overly hard on them, but they knew, as well as the government back home did, that she got the job done.

“Ten-hut!”

The second the order was given, all the soldiers unanimously clicked their heels together and turned to the stage, cutting all side conversations instantaneously. On the stage hung a massive Equestrian flag, a banner that symbolized the peace and justice these men and women were fighting for out here.

When the General first came out, she was little more than a cyan speck on the bright orange canvas, and was almost unnoticed until she came all the way onto the stage. She took a stoic military stance with her right hoof planted next to her eyebrow. Under her left wing, she carried hoof guards and a riding crop; her uniform carried a block of medals on her left shoulder, and there was a snow-white pistol holstered at her right side. The four stars on her helmet and the lines on her armband showed her rank as a four-star general in the Equestrian Army.

When the trumpeter concluded the introductory fanfare, she finished the salute and waited a few moments before ordering, “Be seated.” All the soldiers instantly complied. Her voice was scratchy and deep, with an authoritative edge. It was a voice very typical of a high-standing military officer.

“Now I want you to remember,” she began, “that no bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor, dumb bastard die for his country. Men, women, all this stuff you’ve heard about Equestria not wanting to fight, wanting to stay out of the war, is a lot of horse apples. Equestrians, traditionally, love to fight. All real Equestrians love the sting of battle. When you were foals, you all admired the champion marble shooter, the fastest runner, big league ball players, the toughest boxers. Equestrians love a winner, and will not tolerate a loser. Equestrians play to win all the time, and I wouldn’t give a hoot in hell for a man who lost,” she paused, “and laughed. That’s why Equestrians have never lost and will never lose a war, because the very thought of losing is hateful to Equestrians.”

Remember my last blog post? Well go see it if you haven't!

Vivat nox.

-ClarinetOverlord